60D focus problems

[RichieC2112]

I just entered the DSLR photography world and I am having issues with focusing underwater.

I am using a 60D in an Ikelite housing. The port I am using is a dome style. The lens I choose was a Canon 50mm f1.4. The strobe I am using is a Ikelite 161 on Manual mode instead of TTL.

I have tried fully auto settings and that didnt work. I also tried manual settings at 160, 5.6.

The camera tries to focus but it just cycles and stops completly unfocused. I was unable to take any pictures.

Any suggestions on what I may be overlooking will be greatly appreciated. As a point of interest my G11 had no problem taking pictures in the same conditions.

 

[weeksd]

On some cameras you have to give a wider margin for autofocus as if you try to focus on too small of an area you move, the subject moves and the camera won't focus. It just hunts.
dpreview.com on the camera.
Autofocus speed / accuracy

The 60D's autofocus system isn't hugely impressive on paper - it has essentially the same nine-point AF system that first appeared in the EOS 40D, but it loses the ability of its immediate predecessor the 50D to apply AF fine adjustment. We had few problems with AF accuracy though, even when using the hugely demanding EF 50mm F1.2 L USM lens. Naturally, there is always the risk that playing with fine adjustment might cause more problems than it solves, but the simple fact that there is no longer any capability to fine-tune AF might be a deal-breaker for some users.

In live view 'Live Mode' the whole package is considerably less impressive - the accuracy is great but focusing will regularly take 3-4 seconds. This not only rules out its use for moving subjects but, in doing so, also significantly undermines the usefulness of the articulated screen for hand-held stills shooting.

 

[Warren_L]

What focus mode are you using?

 

[Lumin]

The camera tries to focus but it just cycles and stops completly unfocused. I was unable to take any pictures.

Seems to me that you are too close for the lens to focus, the 50mm 1.4 lens has a minimums focus distance of 1.5 feet, if you go closer than that it will just cycle as it won't be able to lock onto anything.

in contrast the g11 minimum focus distance is 1/2 inch (on paper)

 

[dhaas]

Has nothing to do with him being closer than 1.5' the minimum his Canon 50mm f1.4 will focus.

It DOES have to do with using a lens than can only focus to 1.5' with a DOME PORT UNDERWATER.

A dome port creates an apparent image underwater (acts as a lens) and the lens inside the housing "sees" this image as 12" or even closer.

So the result is the lens racking back and forth trying to focus UNDERWATER behind the dome port's apparent image, which it can't

Ikelite's port chart even says you need a +4 diopter (close up lens) for use behind a dome port.

50mm f/1.4 USM
50mm f/1.8 II Modular - 8" Dome
Requires:
— 5510.45 dome assembly
— 5510.11 port body
— +4 close-up lens

Either get a diopter or choose another lens.

FYI, your Canon 60D APS-C sensor with crop factor of 1.6X makes the 50mm see like an 80mm lens. Not very wide unless you're shooting 12" fish from maybe 2' or more away.

I'll bet your Canon G11 housing was a FLAT port which simply magnifies like flat face masks of a factor about 1.3X.

Flat ports are simply clear windows any minimum lens can focus ABOVE and BELOW but they will narrow the FOV (field of view.)

Flats are mostly for macro lenses, dome port for 35mm or wider lenses.

Good luck!

dhaas
David Haas Underwater Photography

 

[dhaas]

P.S. - Canon 60D AF is fine and has nine points with X and Y sensors.

Micro AF adjustment is a guaranteed way to screw up your camera body and is debated on measurbator web sites, people shooting brick walls but never any real photos etc.

Not meaning to offend anyone, just relaying an opinion from real world use and what I read on some photography sites.

I own a 60D with over 4,000 clicks on it and the AF is fine on about 6 lenses I've used on it. I zoom in on a 21.5" screen to check sharpness, too.

Practice with your 60D (plus read the manual to learn how it works) and you'll be amazed with the images it can produce

I am!

dhaas

 

[Doubler]

According to Backscatter Website you have the wrong port. You stated you are shooting through a Dome, you should be using Ikelite SLR Flat Port 4.125. That might be the problem, although some macro lens can use a dome most use flat ports.

 

[RichieC2112]

Thanks for all the possible problem I was having. I will try the flat port as suggested and will look at buying a proper lens for the dome I have purchased, any suggestions on what I should look at buying?

 

[Doubler]

Depends on the lens. Look at the Tokina 10-17mm. One of the best underwater wide angle lens available. Your dome should work with it and you will get stunning Close Up Wide angle shots. Lens runs $599 on Backscatter. If you want to go all in get the Tokina and the Zen dome port. The Zen is a high optic quality, 4 inch glass dome runs $899.