Thursday, March 25, 2010

Why Won'T My Canon 50d Telephoto Lens Focus







Telephoto lenses allow you to shoot subjects at long distances.


The Canon 50D is a high-end digital SLR camera. It features a 15.1 megapixel CMOS image sensor, Canon's Digic 4 image processor and 3-inch LCD screen. The camera can be used with a slew of interchangeable lenses ranging from wide-angle to telephoto. If you are having trouble focusing a shot while using a telephoto lens, there are several things you can troubleshoot to get clearer images.


Auto Focus


All lenses include an auto focus switch that allows you to toggle between automatic focus and manual focus. If the switch is set to "AF," the camera will automatically focus on your subject when you press the shutter button halfway down. If the switch is set to "MF," then you can use the focus ring on the lens to manually adjust the focus yourself. Try both of these methods to get a focus on your subject.








Image Stabilizer


Most lenses also include an image stabilizer function. This mode helps to stabilize the image for handheld shots to allow you to shoot better focused shots of moving subjects and in low light. Enable the image stabilizer by setting the IS switch to "ON" and set the stabilizer mode switch to Mode 1 for low light or Mode 2 for moving objects. If possible, use a tripod to eliminate camera shake from handheld movements.


Lens Zoom


Depending on how much you are zoomed in, your camera may have difficulty achieving auto focus. Try zooming all the way out to see if the auto focus will work. Otherwise, zoom all the way in to your subject and manually adjust the focus until the image is sharp, then zoom back to your shooting position.


Low Light


If your subject is too dark or too low contrast, then the camera may have trouble achieving auto focus. If this is the case, try focusing on a better lit or high-contrast object that is at the same distance as your subject. You can also use the manual focus to set the focus yourself.

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