Hello all! Please forgive me for any errors or bad form because this is my first time posting to this forum. Nonetheless, the issue at hand is my Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II lens' inability to capture a sharp focus on any subject more than 5 feet away or wide shot. If I am taking a close-up or 3/4 length image I receive tack sharp quality. However, if I pull back to include the entire scene or a full length shot the lens inevitably gives me an image with the subject out of focus. My latest subject was a 3 year old that was posed on a suitcase that was placed against a brick wall, and he as out of focus. I use one shot spot focusing, and I'm completely baffled by the quality that I am receiving at such distances. And no, if you are wondering, it isn't blur. So, I must pose the question, do you own the Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II lens and have you experienced this issue? If so, how did you remedy it, if at all? Equipment: Canon 60d Lens: Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II Thanks for any response, feedback or dialog! Victoria

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From mikewebb/Mike (13,813) on April 21, 2012 1:34:54 PM CDT Can you focus manually at longer distances? Reply

From dv2529/Dave (4,175) on April 21, 2012 5:41:04 PM CDT As well as Mike's good question, can you advise what aperture you are using? - I've noticed that mine is not at all crisp when wide open, but stop down to say f5.6 and it is stunningly sharp; i.e. it loses crispness significantly at the widest apertures. This is well acknowledged for this lens. You should try setting up your camera on a tripod with a test subject such as a long-haired medium coloured soft toy (good for examining crispness)in a bright environment. Focus and then lock the focus but use A/V mode to shoot at f1.8, then f3.2, then f5.6 and so on. Compare how they come out to see if that is the issue. Reply

From darren/Darren (6,841) on April 21, 2012 10:29:44 PM CDT If you have to stop down to f/5.6 to get sharp photos from your lens, that lens is a dud (and all but worthless IMO). No lens is at its sharpest wide open, but the Canon is acceptable from what I have seen wide open and good by about f/2.8. If yours isn't, get it fixed or exchanged. Reply

From dv2529/Dave (4,175) on April 23, 2012 6:38:36 AM CDT Thanks - in terms of sharpness fall off wide open, mine is pretty much on par with: Lens comparison tool - EF50mm II - f1.8 vs f5.6 That link should load up with a comparison of f1.8 and f5.6 (mouse over the image to compare). You should see a distinct difference. Try changing to f2.8 etc. It is perfectly usable but just not quite as sharp as f5.6 where, on my lens at least, the peak of sharpness seems to reside. I only suggested she compare with f5.6 for that reason to rule that out as her issue. This is still the sharpest lens I have. Reply

From karin2007/Karin (19,607) on April 21, 2012 11:30:59 PM CDT It always kind of surprises me, when somebody asks a question in the forums, people try to be helpful und ask further questions in order to help to solve the problem and then .... no reaction from the original poster! BTW I have that lens and it is tack sharp - if you use f 1,8 the DOF is of course very small DOF Calculator Reply

From vjknaup/Victoria (5) on April 26, 2012 11:32:30 AM CDT Sorry for the lack of quick response. I am shooting at f4 and I am receiving sharper images, however, at a distance of 5 foot or more they are out of focus to the trained eye. But I will try everything that was suggested. Thank you. Reply

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