Dropped my camera.....

[DebraM63]

I unfortunately slipped in some mud, fell and dropped my camera while at an event and it seems that I did some damage.

Attached are two photos of almost the same exact settings:

Motorcycle: f2.8, 1/1250, 200 iso, 200mm hand held IS on, Manual mode PreDrop
Horse: f2.8, 1/2000. 200 iso, 110mm on monopod, IS turned off, AV mode After Drop

Its a Canon 80D. I was shooting with back button focus, AI servo, high speed continuous and Focus Zone AF with the center 6 points, which is the same that I used on the motorcycle event. At the horse show, I tried the Large Focus Zone AF as well to see if that helped and it didn't. I had a 100-400 lens I used at the horse show as well with no change in the focus.
I saw this happening but I was there at this event so tried to make things work.

Some of the photos were a little better focused than the one here but generally they are all soft and when you zoom in with editing software, I can't find any portion of the photo that is focused.

I think it is safe to say that the camera is damaged. I don't think it is user error with both photo settings being so similar, same lens, etc., I have been getting pretty consistent in my shooting so I don't know how I could be missing the mark so consistently and not be able to figure it out, but if you see anything that I may be doing wrong, please let me know.

Would you have any idea what might be damaged by looking at these photos just to give me some insight I guess?

So disappointed.

I couldn't get the tiny pics upload to work so hopefully you can see the attachments okay.

Debra

[Shadowman]

Photos are a bit small but the post drop photo looks fine from a distance, I would try using f/8 or if you want to test wide open try on a stationary subject first. Another thing to consider is using IS on both shots and then try without IS.

[Stagecoach]

Debra, there are far too many variables that could impact on these two images to make a reasonable assessment plus they are too small.

If I were you I would set up with a fixed target where you can check repeatability first using different settings.

[DebraM63]

I wish I could post a bigger photo because blown up, there is a clear difference between photos. I was using the 70-200 without IS. I also used my 100-400 with IS hand held and with monopod with the same results.

I did try also try F8 but I couldn't find any pre-drop photos with comparable settings for comparable view. I got the same results with F8 as well as other ISO/aperture combinations, proximity of me to the horses. I was trying everything I could think of to save the day. Not one photo is sharp but what I was seeing through the camera what sharp when I hit the shutter. I didn't have the IS lens when shooting either of these photos. But for the horse show, I did switch to my 100-400 lens that does have IS and tried with it on and off, hand held and on monopod. I got the same results to some degree with everything I took. there is not one clear photo out of 2000+. Is there anything else I can try?

[DebraM63]

Hi:

I was doing a little of that today and I can't get a focused photo. It appears to be focused when I take the shot, but the end result is not focused. The 70-200 lens was a rental so I won't be able to duplicate anything using that lens.

[DebraM63]

I was in aperture priority most of the day but did try shutter priority and even manual mode. I tried tracking the horse to the obstacle and I tried focusing, say, on the edge of the barrel and let the horse come into the frame, I tried test shots on just the obstacle by itself and even those shots are soft. I also tried hand holding. You would think at faster shutter speeds of 2000-4000 there would be at least something in the photo that is in focus but the whole frame is out from corner to corner.

I was going to post a photo of a fixed object I took a test photo of at the show but I can't upload any more photos.

[Stagecoach]

Hi:

I was doing a little of that today and I can't get a focused photo. It appears to be focused when I take the shot, but the end result is not focused. The 70-200 lens was a rental so I won't be able to duplicate anything using that lens.

Debra,

Set up your camera on a tripod with a good fixed target in the centre of the frame.

With single centre focus point selected............... and appropriate exposure the first test to do I would suggest;

a) Take a shot focusing manually on the target.
b) Carefully select AF, rotate the focus barrel off focus, focus automatically and take the shot.

Then compare the images.

Do this a few times to check repeatability

[Shadowman]

I wish I could post a bigger photo because blown up, there is a clear difference between photos. I was using the 70-200 without IS. I also used my 100-400 with IS hand held and with monopod with the same results.

I did try also try F8 but I couldn't find any pre-drop photos with comparable settings for comparable view. I got the same results with F8 as well as other ISO/aperture combinations, proximity of me to the horses. I was trying everything I could think of to save the day. Not one photo is sharp but what I was seeing through the camera what sharp when I hit the shutter. I didn't have the IS lens when shooting either of these photos. But for the horse show, I did switch to my 100-400 lens that does have IS and tried with it on and off, hand held and on monopod. I got the same results to some degree with everything I took. there is not one clear photo out of 2000+. Is there anything else I can try?

Chances are the AF was damaged and probably more, you can try to manually focus and that might give some indication on the extent of the damage.

[DebraM63]

Will give the manual focus, etc., a try. Thanks! Will let you know.

[Stagecoach]

Will give the manual focus, etc., a try. Thanks! Will let you know.

Ok, the results will give a clue as to what is happening.

[DebraM63]

Well shoot. I tried it and it appears there is something going on with the auto focus. In single focus, it will pretty much lock on to what you are focused on and focus back on it after you manually unfocus, or move the lens away and back to the focus area.

However, any of the other focus settings, it focuses initially but once you move the camera away from what you were focusing on, it does not refocus. You have to take your finger off the focus button, whether it is the shutter or back button, and re press to get it to refocus. This is what it was doing at the horse show. So I was getting locked on to the horse initially but once the horse kept moving, the focus points didn't stay locked on the horse. I do remember now having to take my finger off the focus button and repress a couple of times.

So it does this in the regular manual AF Zone, Large Manual AF zone and the 45 point auto selection mode.

And I also put the camera back to factory settings to make sure I didn't inadvertently change a setting that was causing any of this and it still did it.

So I guess there is some damage to the focusing mechanisms in the camera. Shoot.

[Stagecoach]

Well shoot. I tried it and it appears there is something going on with the auto focus. In single focus, it will pretty much lock on to what you are focused on and focus back on it after you manually unfocus, or move the lens away and back to the focus area.

So from this feed back I read that all is well in 'Single centre point' focus and you are getting equally well focused images when using either 'manual focus' or 'Single centre point AF'.

However, any of the other focus settings, it focuses initially but once you move the camera away from what you were focusing on, it does not refocus. You have to take your finger off the focus button, whether it is the shutter or back button, and re press to get it to refocus.

This is what it was doing at the horse show. So I was getting locked on to the horse initially but once the horse kept moving, the focus points didn't stay locked on the horse. I do remember now having to take my finger off the focus button and repress a couple of times.

So it does this in the regular manual AF Zone, Large Manual AF zone and the 45 point auto selection mode.

And I also put the camera back to factory settings to make sure I didn't inadvertently change a setting that was causing any of this and it still did it.

So I guess there is some damage to the focusing mechanisms in the camera. Shoot.

Not being a Canon shooter I'm not familiar with it's AF mode settings so hopefully someone can shed some light to possible causes or tests to help diagnose things.

Edit : But, is it an AF-S (single) / AF-C (continuous) (Nikon speak) problem when AF is activated by either BBF or Shutter button?

[DebraM63]

Manual focus was fine. Single or center point focus seemed to be okay. But how much noise should you hear when the camera is auto focusing?

The other 3 auto focus options did not refocus when you moved away and then back to the original thing you were focusing on. It didn't refocus on anything else either. The only way to get it to focus again was to take finger off shutter bottom and repress it. It happened in back button focus as well as using shutter button. Cleared all custom settings just for the sake of arguement and it still did it.

[DebraM63]

Manual focus was fine. Single or center point focus seemed to be okay. But how much noise should you hear when the camera is auto focusing?

The other 3 auto focus options did not refocus when you moved away and then back to the original thing you were focusing on. It didn't refocus on anything else either. The only way to get it to focus on anything again was to take finger off shutter bottom and repress it. It happened in back button focus as well as using shutter button. Cleared all custom settings just for the sake of arguement and it still did it.

[Stagecoach]

Manual focus was fine. Single or center point focus seemed to be okay. But how much noise should you hear when the camera is auto focusing?

Noise you will hear when the camera is re-focusing will very much depend upon the lens in use and how far the adjustment needs to be. You should also see the distance markings changing.

I'm concerned that you say "seemed" to be okay Debra. Did you download the images and check and confirm the results on screen?

The other 3 auto focus options did not refocus when you moved away and then back to the original thing you were focusing on. It didn't refocus on anything else either. The only way to get it to focus on anything again was to take finger off shutter bottom and repress it. It happened in back button focus as well as using shutter button.

Cleared all custom settings just for the sake of arguement and it still did it.

I see that within these 'Custom function settings' there are various options for setting the response in AI Servo and what happens if it loses focus.

To me it appears it is not functioning in AI Servo (Canon speak) either due to a fault OR setting.

Edit : Looking at the horse pic again what is noticeable is that the cone letter appears sharp and the background appears more in focus than possibly would be expected at f/2.8 suggesting focus was somewhat behind the rider.

[Shadowman]

Manual focus was fine. Single or center point focus seemed to be okay. But how much noise should you hear when the camera is auto focusing?

The other 3 auto focus options did not refocus when you moved away and then back to the original thing you were focusing on. It didn't refocus on anything else either. The only way to get it to focus on anything again was to take finger off shutter bottom and repress it. It happened in back button focus as well as using shutter button. Cleared all custom settings just for the sake of arguement and it still did it.

If it feels like there is significant movement within the lens barrel then something is damaged, I had an occurrence like that a few years ago; the vibration was so much you couldn't see through the viewfinder. If the noise or vibration distracts you from the shot then you'll need a repair.

[DebraM63]

Noise you will hear when the camera is re-focusing will very much depend upon the lens in use and how far the adjustment needs to be. You should also see the distance markings changing.

I'm concerned that you say "seemed" to be okay Debra. Did you download the images and check and confirm the results on screen?





I see that within these 'Custom function settings' there are various options for setting the response in AI Servo and what happens if it loses focus.

To me it appears it is not functioning in AI Servo (Canon speak) either due to a fault OR setting.

Edit : Looking at the horse pic again what is noticeable is that the cone letter appears sharp and the background appears more in focus than possibly would be expected at f/2.8 suggesting focus was somewhat behind the rider.

Hi:

I did check the photos and with the single focus and manual, to my eye, I can't see a difference in the photos and they seem sharp like they are supposed to be, nothing like the horse show pics. I used a tripod. I was using my 100-400 f4.5 IS lens. Took photos with and without IS on the tripod. Although the single point focus seemed to be working and refocusing, if I had to describe it further, it did seem sluggish in the

Having tried it the way you suggested, with it staying unfocused until you took your finger on and off the button, that doesn't seem like that is what it is supposed to be doing. It makes sense that if that was what was happening, that could explain a lot about my focus problems this weekend. As soon as the horse moved out of my initial range it was out of focus and the AI servo as I understand it, is supposed to keep tracking movement and it wasn't doing that.

I tested the camera with the settings as I had them and then I did clear all custom settings on the camera and tried again with the same results. I have read a couple of places that there is a way to "reboot" the camera but I don't think I want to try that without knowing exactly what I am doing. But with all custom functions reset it would seem its not a settings issue.

Later today I will go out and try one more time with another lens. If it does it with another lens, then I suppose I have to conclude that there is damage that needs to be repaired.

I wish there was a camera shop locally I could take it to but there is not so it will have to go to canon repair.

[rpcrowe]

I didn't find a Canon Service Center in Fresno. The Canon site lists Best Buy stores as service centers. But, Best Buy doesn't have staff with photographic expertise.

I prefer to do business with an actual Canon Service Center rather than turning my Canon gear into a third party store like Best Buy.

I have had excellent results using the Canon Service Center in Irvine, CA. I have both dropped off gear there and have shipped a camera there. The service was quite fast and I have received the gear back within a week of the Service Center receiving it.

Here is their new address in Costa Mesa, CA.

123 Paularino Ave,
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

But, it has the same phone number as when it was located in Irvine...

Telephone: (949) 753-4200

It has been years since I needed Canon Service. My business was done with the Irvine location and I was very impressed. I am slightly worried about some of the comments on YELP regarding Canon repairs at the Costa Mesa location...

https://www.yelp.com/biz/canon-facto...ter-costa-mesa

[DebraM63]

I didn't find a Canon Service Center in Fresno. The Canon site lists Best Buy stores as service centers. But, Best Buy doesn't have staff with photographic expertise.

I prefer to do business with an actual Canon Service Center rather than turning my Canon gear into a third party store like Best Buy.

I have had excellent results using the Canon Service Center in Irvine, CA. I have both dropped off gear there and have shipped a camera there. The service was quite fast and I have received the gear back within a week of the Service Center receiving it.

Here is their new address in Costa Mesa, CA.

123 Paularino Ave,
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

But, it has the same phone number as when it was located in Irvine...

Telephone: (949) 753-4200

It has been years since I needed Canon Service. My business was done with the Irvine location and I was very impressed. I am slightly worried about some of the comments on YELP regarding Canon repairs at the Costa Mesa location...

https://www.yelp.com/biz/canon-facto...ter-costa-mesa

Thanks for the info! I actually did call Best Buy but they don't work on any cameras that weren't sold through their store so I guess that's good I can't take it there.

I will make sure to request the Irvine location.

[DebraM63]

Okay I have to concede that the problems I had at the horse show were user error. I re-read these posts and also called Canon Technical support to have them explain more about exactly how those focus points are supposed to work. I tested some more things at home with the different AF zones on a moving target, my husband (the guinea pig ), having him walk back and forth and around and track him.

The conclusion is there is nothing wrong with the camera - just the operator... It tracked Eric just fine. I tried in manual, AV mode, different apertures, etc. I tried all the different focus zone options and the best result was using single point focus with an aperture closed down to F8. I was also able to recreate a bit of what happened at the show tracking Eric so I know what I was doing wrong.

Still learning. I can go to the local motocross track or there is also a local gymkhana group that has a show every month where I can go and just practice and spend time shooting without the pressure of having photos for sale or anything. Considering further formal education as well.

Good to know that my camera is okay in spite of the drop.

Thanks for all your responses. Live and learn.