I just purchased a 30D. I have shot a triathlon, Mountain bike short track and a soccer tournament. I think that my 30D has a problem and I was wondering if anyone else has encountered the same problem.

I have found that the autofocus on the upper left and upper right had corners is off. I was shoot f/8 at the soccer tourney to give me a safe DOF. I had so many shots that the player was on the edge of the DOF instead of the center. I always expect a few with action shots but this was way more than a few and way more than my 20D and 400XTi produce. Any one else experience these problems. Here are a couple samples.

Thanks
Shane

I'd expect the 30D to be comparable to the 20D.

How are you using the AF ?
Do you pick just one AF point, or let the camera pick the point it's using?

Using just one AF point, and making sure you put that over what you want in focus is the best way. It's the way I work with the 20D and 1D.

Yes, the focus points in the corner are less sensitive than the centre focus point.
They all need contrast, which a solid white or solid red jersey doesn't have.

If you're using focus point expansion, or automatic point selection, I can see in a busy image like the last one the focal point would be a lottery.

Digital Photo Professional can show you where the AF point was when the image was taken, that may help in poinpinting problems.
As will looking at the image 100% and searching for where the plane of focus actually ended up.


It may be that you can do some testing to show that it is (or isn't) in focus one body but not the others with a static subject.

My first 1DmkIIN went back for AF issues and I got a replacement from the dealer (Canon Pro dealers are worth their weight in gold).
Eventually I sent all my bodies and lenses back to have them all aligned at Canon, and the quality improved.

I'd expect the 30D to be comparable to the 20D.
So would I.
How are you using the AF ?
Do you pick just one AF point, or let the camera pick the point it's using?
I choose what points I want to use. I shooting full manual most of the time.
Using just one AF point, and making sure you put that over what you want in focus is the best way. It's the way I work with the 20D and 1D.
I agree and that is what I was doing.
Yes, the focus points in the corner are less sensitive than the centre focus point.
They all need contrast, which a solid white or solid red jersey doesn't have.
I knew that they weren't as good as the center, but the amount of photos I have thrown out lately makes me break down and cry. I think the two expample I gave you bad examples
If you're using focus point expansion, or automatic point selection, I can see in a busy image like the last one the focal point would be a lottery.
Nope not doing this.
As will looking at the image 100% and searching for where the plane of focus actually ended up.
This is what made me come to the conculsion that something is wrong with my 30D. I used my 20 and my 30 and way too many shots on the 30 were on the edge or just outside of the DOF. Both cameras with the same setting all the way down to the AF point.
It may be that you can do some testing to show that it is (or isn't) in focus one body but not the others with a static subject.
I had the same problem with statis subjects.
My first 1DmkIIN went back for AF issues and I got a replacement from the dealer (Canon Pro dealers are worth their weight in gold).
I am pretty sure I will be returning my 30D. At this point I am finding it unreliable, therefore unusable.
Eventually I sent all my bodies and lenses back to have them all aligned at Canon, and the quality improved.
Is this a particular service and how do I find information on it?
I have included a few more expamples.

Is this a particular service and how do I find information on it?
Canon service centres can do this, but it takes time.

I am a CPS member, so I got priority on the job - but it still took until the day before I left for le Mans to get my kit back !!