Canon Rebel XSI auto focus problems I was all set to order the xsi until I read the reviews about the auto focus problems. The whole reason I want a new camera is because I'm sick of the blurry pictures I'm getting with my current point and shoot camera. I will be taking most of my pictures on auto focus. (Most of the pictures I take are of active preschoolers). What should I do? Canon Rebel XSI auto focus problems I was all set to order the xsi until I read the reviews about the auto focus problems. The whole reason I want a new camera is because I'm sick of the... » Read More Canon Rebel XSI auto focus problems I was all set to order the xsi until I read the reviews about the auto focus problems. The whole reason I want a new camera is because I'm sick of the blurry pictures I'm getting with my current point and shoot camera. I will be taking most of my pictures on auto focus. (Most of the pictures I take are of active preschoolers). What should I do? « Show Less
585644
I have been in Photography for nearly 30 years and I can tell you that there is DEFINITELY a problem with the XSi's auto focus. I have shot over a thousand test shots with this camera and although most of them turned out looking pretty good I noticed a CONSISTENT problem with the auto-focus feature. One thong is that even if you set it to focus only on the center spot it will still occassionally focus on the area closer to you than the focus spot. Actually it is not just occasionally, but nearly every time. I have got so teed off with this persistent problem that I shoot everything that is important to me in manual focus! I have been in Photography for nearly 30 years and I can tell you that there is DEFINITELY a problem with the XSi's auto focus. I have shot over a thousand test shots with this camera and although most of them turned out looking pretty good I noticed a CONSISTENT problem with the auto-focus feature. One thong is that even if you set it to focus only on the center spot it will still occassionally focus on the area closer to you than the focus spot. Actually it is not just occasionally, but nearly every time. I have got so teed off with this persistent problem that I shoot everything that is... » Read More I have been in Photography for nearly 30 years and I can tell you that there is DEFINITELY a problem with the XSi's auto focus. I have shot over a thousand test shots with this camera and although most of them turned out looking pretty good I noticed a CONSISTENT problem with the auto-focus feature. One thong is that even if you set it to focus only on the center spot it will still occassionally focus on the area closer to you than the focus spot. Actually it is not just occasionally, but nearly every time. I have got so teed off with this persistent problem that I shoot everything that is important to me in manual focus! « Show Less
585645
I think you are right here. I don't believe it is a lens problem as I have see this problem across a couple of lens. I did two things that seem to make a different, the first was I completely reset all the camera setting and second thing I did was up grade the camera fireware from version 1.0. 4. to version 1.0. 9. This seems to have made a difference.
585646
I used a combination of used film photography books back when (the basics still haven't changed since then) but lots and lots of people seem to find the book Understanding Exposure quite helpful. Your local library also probably has a number of books on basic photography.
585647
Ah, yes, that's what I was looking for. Shutter speed seems a bit slow. At 300mm, you'd need a shutter speed of at least 1/500 sec to stop camera shake (assuming no IS). But your blurrier shot was at 1/320sec and the better one at 1/400sec. Plus a slower shutter speed allows more motion blurring. I'd suggest upping the ISO to 200 or 400 and shooting in TV mode for action shots like this.Also not sure what lens you're using but many of the consumer grade models are much sharper at f8 or f11.
585648
STOP! Do NOT order your camera from Sonic Cameras!Read the thread "Any experience with online shop Sonic Cameras?" (under "digital camera" forum) for horror stories.Personally, I only trust my camera orders either directly from Amazon.com or from B&H; Photo Video.
1117372
yes it was great. worked well with the rebel 3. don't know about the rebel xsi but it should work. if not just send it back. amazon is great that way.
844348
I was all set to buy the SX200 and have been a die-hard Canon fan for many years, but I am not ready to dismiss the ZS3. Yes the camaralabs.com review (http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_TZ7_ZS3/index.shtml) talks about the focus issue on the ZS3 but overall the review is very favorable and it is unclear whether it is an issue in all situations or just the challenging scene in the sample video. Furthermore the Canon SX200 not only does not zoom during video, but auto focus is disabled altogether in this mode. I think I would rather have my focus hunt a little than go completely out of focus as the subject moves. I was all set to buy the SX200 and have been a die-hard Canon fan for many years, but I am not ready to dismiss the ZS3. Yes the camaralabs.com review (http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_TZ7_ZS3/index.shtml) talks about the focus issue on the ZS3 but overall the review is very favorable and it is unclear whether it is an issue in all situations or just the challenging scene in the sample video. Furthermore the Canon SX200 not only does not zoom during video, but auto focus is disabled altogether in this mode. I think I would rather have my focus hunt a little than go... » Read More I was all set to buy the SX200 and have been a die-hard Canon fan for many years, but I am not ready to dismiss the ZS3. Yes the camaralabs.com review (http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_TZ7_ZS3/index.shtml) talks about the focus issue on the ZS3 but overall the review is very favorable and it is unclear whether it is an issue in all situations or just the challenging scene in the sample video. Furthermore the Canon SX200 not only does not zoom during video, but auto focus is disabled altogether in this mode. I think I would rather have my focus hunt a little than go completely out of focus as the subject moves. « Show Less
189610
I have the canon rebel T3i......I don't know how much different it is from the xs.
347542
I am in the same boat, XSi or D90. Right now, I am leaning towards the Xsi, for around $650 at Amazon, this is a big savings, the camera was $900 in April. I would like the video option, and I believe that the Nikon will provide better detail in low light. However, I still am having a hard time justifying the extra, almost $600. I could almost buy another Xsi for that difference. I am not sure that the price difference is justified.
1765243
I am familiar with the problem, but don't know the answer. The autofocus is too slow and frustrating when trying to take quick shots. I am looking for a replacement camera.
326234
Thanks. My only thought about the Canon A590IS is that I probably will not want to get involved in anything other than a full-auto camera, and therefore would it make sense to even consider the Canon A590IS? For myself, the simpler the better, and that being the case, I would probably tend to use the camera more often, though the Canon is such a good deal. Also, should I really be that concerned about the lens issue I have been reading about?
528348
When I bought my digital camera, I had several lenses that would attach to the camera but not all of them functioned properly. I think manual focus lenses may be confusing since a lot of the camera's capability won't work.
424367
I'm also trying to decide if the Canon XS or XSI is right for me. I own the original 6.1mp Canon digital Rebel slr and am wondering if now is a good time to upgrade? I used to shoot primarily landscapes while traveling, but am doing more portraits now that I have kids. The Digic III processor definitely caught my attention, but I'm wondering how much of a difference in the cameras will I notice?
2056138
How easy is this camera to use for a novice? I bought my husband a smaller pocket sized camera and it is very difficult to get it to focus on what YOU want it to focus on. It is always trying to be smart. I need a camera that I can set up some default settings and he can just point at shoot at moving grand children.
2106330
that's a great question and a technical one as well. I can only speak from experience.Set on manual focus and focus on furthest point then on actual subject.I found that the Fuji did a much better job on auto focus than the canon.
1470016
Ah, the Rebel XT -- I had one of those for a while. Small LCD screen did make it a bit hard to check if something was in focus or not. The Canon 100-300mm USM isn't a bad lens. But you might consider upgrading the 28-80mm USM -- even the newer kit lens, the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, is an improvement. You might also enjoy working with a fast prime lens for the background blurring it can provide. Something like the the Canon 50mm f1.8 or 50mm f1.4 or 85mm f1.8 are excellent lenses.Cool images, by the way!
347547
Didn't know the D90 allowed for zooming while recording, thanks for the info. Here is a site I found that is very helpful about the Xsi, there are also rebates posted there for a lot of the lenses.www.learnslr.comI did end up purchasing the Xsi, with all the extra money I saved, I also bought the battery grip, which makes the camera much more comfortable for my larger hands. Next I will purchase a wide angle lens.
31097
I actually am going to try and return the Nikon CoolPix I recently purchased. The auto focus is not working correctly and the zoom takes too long to focus to take good action pictures. Once focused, it goes blurry when you snap the picture. May be only my camera, but I was unable to take ANY pictures of my daughter when she rode in an evening parade recently. I suspect it has a defective auto focus since no one else can get it to work either. You might want to go to a local camera store and try one out before purchasing. The camera is nice sized and has a great zoom ability which is why I bought it to use at my daughter's horse shows. I actually am going to try and return the Nikon CoolPix I recently purchased. The auto focus is not working correctly and the zoom takes too long to focus to take good action pictures. Once focused, it goes blurry when you snap the picture. May be only my camera, but I was unable to take ANY pictures of my daughter when she rode in an evening parade recently. I suspect it has a defective auto focus since no one else can get it to work either. You might want to go to a local camera store and try one out before purchasing. The camera is nice sized and has a great zoom ability which is why I... » Read More I actually am going to try and return the Nikon CoolPix I recently purchased. The auto focus is not working correctly and the zoom takes too long to focus to take good action pictures. Once focused, it goes blurry when you snap the picture. May be only my camera, but I was unable to take ANY pictures of my daughter when she rode in an evening parade recently. I suspect it has a defective auto focus since no one else can get it to work either. You might want to go to a local camera store and try one out before purchasing. The camera is nice sized and has a great zoom ability which is why I bought it to use at my daughter's horse shows. « Show Less
1532925
I had a problem with blurry images, too, so finally checked the owners manual (duh!) It mentions that if you press the shutter too hard, you actually cause the blurriness. I have lightened up my touch, and things have improved. I still love this camera.
662611
I have not had exposure issues but I have had focus issues. Not really issues, as much as just not being happy with the focal range at all, or the autofocus system. If you are shooting auto I can see you having problems as the auto systems just do not seem to be up to par compared to other platforms
827159
I actually returned the camera. My pictures were out of focus. I tried several settings and different lighting and it was inconsistent. I didn't have that problem with the other point and shoots I've owned. I only uploaded a photo to Facebook once and it wasn't difficult. You connect with wifi.