Canon 7D Auto-Focus Issues?

Hello readers!

I am saddened to say, I had to send my Canon 7D in to Canon for repairs. Now, if you have been following the news about this camera you may have heard of excessive noise issues and auto-focusing issues throughout the internet. Fortunately this is something that does not seem to be happening (or have happened) to all Canon 7D's. However, a few out there do seem to be plagued by very unfocused images in conditions that should otherwise have had nice focus. Now, do NOT confuse this for unsharp images. Due to the Canon 7D's high pixel count, images will require a higher level of sharpening to achieve what other (less megapixel) models may have required. Don't let that fool you into thinking it's not a quality image though. However, if you focus and snap a few shots, and in post... even at sharpness setting 100 (or 135 even) you still have a soft image, then you most likely missed the focus somehow.

I have been shooting snaps off all month, and I can count on one hand the number of sharp images I achieved. I checked, achieving the same results on 3 different lenses. So it finally had to go back, fingers crossed that it returns with an amazing focus ability and low noise production (as some have reported post repair submitting).

Below I'll post a few of the images. These pictures have had NO sharpening applied (I tried, it didn't change much, for those not in focus to begin with).

Note that the shutter speed is 1/800, with an f/5.6 in most if not all these images. Keep in mind that at these speeds camera shake should be completely eliminated (I'm shooting at 4x with focal length) and I am not at a shallow depth of field either. For those who may state that lenses have a sweet spot at f/8 and I should have shot at f/8 clearly... keep in mind the resolving power of the Canon 7D places most lenses into a new sweetspot to avoid reaching the difraction point.

Properly Focused Image:

100% Crop of Properly Focused Image (Above):

Now, let's look at the other 19 images (for the sake of speed, I'll only post 1, I can assure you they all look the same, despite changes in angle, distance, and zoom length).

Unproperly Focused Image:

100% Crop of Unproperly Focused Image (Above):

This was a series of 20 shots. One of them, was sharp... 19 were just as this one. These were shot using Center Point (not spot point or AF Zone) without any "modifiers" on the lens (Such as an UV filter). I'd like to take this opportunity to remind you that I was shooting at 4x to 7x the focal length in shutterspeed, making camera shake a very unlikely phenomenon (1/800th of a second), and especially unlikely 19 out of 20 times.

Exclusive? or multiple agencies?

One of the big questions I see from A LOT of microstock photographers is whether it is worth going exclusive with just one company, or better to take multiple agencies to sell images on. It is a difficult argument really, due to many factors. Namely, being exclusive with an agency usually grants a bonus percentage per image sold. Usually 20%-40% additional per image. It is definitely a significant amount of an increase, considering total revenue.

If you are planning to upload to 2 or maybe 3 agencies, going exclusive with one of the bigger agencies may be preferable (and by big, you can check here to have an idea of what I mean). However, in general, pushing for multiple agencies, if you can stomach all the uploading hassle, is worth it. Remember, not two agencies or maybe even three will be worth it for multiple agencies, we're talking 4+ easily if you are not going to go exclusive.

Don't take my word for it. Yuri Arcurs (arguably one of the most successful microstock producers) agrees. Check out his article, especially the bottom portion where it lists the best sites and why it is beneficial to sign up for multiple agencies, rather then one. After you finish reading up, come back and upload to Fotolia, Shutterstock, and a few of the others... and get down to business!

Canon 7D, new firmware : 1.2.1

Canon 7D firmware has just been updated to 1.2.1. You can read more about it at the Canon Website, but basically it addresses a few minor features, one of them being the "overheating" warning function in the Canon 7D. Minor firmware update, to be honest, in essential fixes, but an update none the less. 

The instructions on upgrading are quite specific, so make sure to follow them closely if you do decide to upgrade (and I see no reason not to really). Honestly, there is not much that I can honestly say I dislike about this camera or should be "firmware" fixed with exception to: On-camera flash controller cannot do Hypersync flash firing. Fingers crossed, we can always hope! :)

Keep your finger on the camera trigger and chug along in the microstock world!

It's Heeeerrreee - CS5 Launch Day is today :)

It has arrived, the CS5 Adobe launch day.

Honestly, if  you have CS4, and know how to use it, you probably don't NEED a CS5 upgrade. I know some who are still pumping out mind blowing images on an elements 7 working environment. If you have lightroom 2, same applies, CS5 would not be considered a "needed product" by most. However, that being said, this suite is bring some amazing things to the table. Many times, product upgrades from series to series can be lack luster, but I believe Adobe is on to something with this one.

Here is a video with a lot a lot a whoooole lot of information concerning the new adobe CS5 that you may want to check out. It is narrated by multiple speakers, some experts in their fields, and a few of the team members that helped create CS5.

http://cs5launch.adobe.com/

Now this IS a commercial, in a sense... they are selling you their product. But look passed the infommercial and absorb some of the new features. Of course, I am looking at the photographer section in particular, see for yourself.