Viewfinder Out of Focus - 20d

[Soft Top]

Hi All,

I bought a second hand 20d on ebay to go with my original one as I like the camera and it does a great job for me. I have a problem though!

The camera takes pin sharp photos but when it focuses the image in the viewfinder is out of focus. Obviously I have tried adjusting the dioptre on the viewfinder but it goes from very out of focus on one extreme, through almost focused in the middle, (but not quite), to again fully out of focus at the other extreme - never perfectly in focus.

I have the dioptre setting adjusted so that the focus points and the setting information such as ISO, aperture, shutter speed, etc. are all in focus.

If I manually adjust the lens focus I can get a focussed picture in the viewfinder but taking the photo it is very blurry.

Any ideas? Thanks.

Alasdair

[14-7]

I have this on my 7d and no matter what is viewed in focus in the viewfinder is totally different when the picture is taken, more noticeable on landscapes than maro strangely. However my 5dmk3 is brilliant and what I see as in focus is in focus on the taken picture. Makes me wonder if some cameras have problems with the prisms?

[Janesy B]

Has it always been like that? Sounds like it needs sending away for a service.

[RobDickinson]

Could need the focus screen reseating. Can be fiddly check YouTube.

[Soft Top]

Janesy B said:

Has it always been like that? Sounds like it needs sending away for a service.

I only got it a few months ago but didn't check it properly until yesterday so I don't know. I would hope not.

[Soft Top]

I think a quick trip to the local camera shop to see what they say. Thanks all.

[bashful]

It's not just that the diopter adjuster's been hit, is it? Usually a little click-stop wheel on the corner of the eyepiece which compensates for glasses-wearers, but can get knocked away from centrer position.

[Soft Top]

bashful said:

It's not just that the diopter adjuster's been hit, is it? Usually a little click-stop wheel on the corner of the eyepiece which compensates for glasses-wearers, but can get knocked away from centrer position.

Thanks for your reply but no. As I mentioned if I work the dioptre adjustment all the way from one end to the other the focus never comes. It is bad at either extreme but even in the middle it doesn't quite get there!

[9.3]

In that case, have you checked your own eyesight? Seriously.

[Soft Top]

- who said that?

Pretty sure eyesight is fine. I can see perfectly through my other 20d using the same lens.

It is in the shop today. Assistant Manager confirms what I see and is not sure and will see what the Manager thinks tomorrow. He confirms what my Googling comes up with which is that the focussing screen may be in the wrong way round.

If they can't work it out then it will go away to be looked at. It works fine but is very boring when you can't see exactly what you are shooting!

[Soft Top]

OK, £30 later and the Manager in London Camera Exchange, Guildford confirmed that one of the two focussing screens was in the wrong way round which caused the viewfinder issues.

It has been put back the right way round and everything looks perfect.

Thanks all for your input - I am glad that my eyesight is OK as I paid a lot of money for laser surgery a few years ago.