I shoot with an EOS 30D Canon and have used it for years with pretty good success.Now suddenly (several months) I'm getting a lot of very fuzzy shots, especially wildlife close-ups.And I can't get good, sharp focus - even when I 'sharpen' in Photoshop, it almost creates some fuzz ... SO, am wondering if the photo card gets old and worn, and does not collect the image as sharp as it ages and 'sort of' erases and overwrites the card.The other option is the possibility I damaged the lens (It dropped once, and I took it in to the shop, guy checked it and says 'it's fine' ... but am beginning to have my doubts. Anyone know a good way to check it?I'm going to set it up on a tripod and shoot a buncha test shots and change settings, and see what I get under very stable light solid stand conditions - But if anyone has any ideas, would be great - I' out in the middle of S Dakota and no shop nearby anyway - and am not sure of the tech expertise of 'camera shop' personnel nowadays either.

The flash memory would most likely work or fail. You might be due for a cleaning.

It is unlikely that the card would cause this problem; far more likely there is a problem with the camera itself. If you want to eliminate the card, either borrow one or purchase the smallest size - they are pretty inexpensive. The best way to check the lens is try it on another camera.You might also want to check the camera settings - it is possible you have inadvertently set it for a low resolution image quality, or auto ISO and are shooting at higher than normal ISO.

Your SD card would not cause blurry pictures, it is digital, so either the data is there or it isn't.If you dropped your lens, I would try a different lens to see if that one takes sharp pictures. That's probably the culprit. If it's not, then you'll need to start looking at the actual camera and have it checked out.

what do you mean by 'photo card'the memory cardorthe photo sensormy first thought would be the photo sensor , the part that picks up the image from the lensmy second thought would be actual focal point of the lense mechanism has changedor parts operating it 'focus control board' is malfunctioning

Yes flash cards do fail. When they fail a few pics will not be complete, not open, and then everything will just be gone.Your problem sounds more like a camera setting or it needs to be cleaned.

Does a D photo card get old, worn out? | Good Sam Community

mich800
Explorer
Aug 08, 2013
The flash memory would most likely work or fail. You might be due for a cleaning.
vermilye
Explorer
Aug 08, 2013
It is unlikely that the card would cause this problem; far more likely there is a problem with the camera itself. If you want to eliminate the card, either borrow one or purchase the smallest size - they are pretty inexpensive. The best way to check the lens is try it on another camera.

You might also want to check the camera settings - it is possible you have inadvertently set it for a low resolution image quality, or auto ISO and are shooting at higher than normal ISO.
caberto
Explorer
Aug 08, 2013
Your SD card would not cause blurry pictures, it is digital, so either the data is there or it isn't.

If you dropped your lens, I would try a different lens to see if that one takes sharp pictures. That's probably the culprit. If it's not, then you'll need to start looking at the actual camera and have it checked out.
MrWizard
Moderator
Aug 08, 2013
what do you mean by 'photo card'

the memory card
or
the photo sensor

my first thought would be the photo sensor , the part that picks up the image from the lens

my second thought would be actual focal point of the lense mechanism has changed
or parts operating it 'focus control board' is malfunctioning
MCIbus
Explorer
Aug 08, 2013
Yes flash cards do fail. When they fail a few pics will not be complete, not open, and then everything will just be gone.

Your problem sounds more like a camera setting or it needs to be cleaned.
I_am_still_wayn
Explorer
Aug 08, 2013
Fungus growth inside lenses?
naturist
Nomad
Aug 08, 2013
Sounds to me like a focus issue with the lens. That you dropped it tells me for sure that's your problem. Since there's no camera store nearby, ask around, and I'm sure you can find somebody else who has a compatible Canon camera, who'll lend you their lens for a couple shots while they watch so you don't steal the lens. That camera will work just fine with all the "new" Canon lenses, and I'll wager solve your problem. Well, except for the buying a new lens part.
1492
Moderator
Aug 08, 2013
You may be able to scan the lens elements with a flash light to see if it's cracked? That would definitely cause a very noticeable out of focus image. The other possibilities is that the lens is dislodged itself from the collar, the focus motor, or slipped off the focus alignment gear mechanism.

Just may be less expensive to look for a replacement.
havasu
Explorer
Aug 08, 2013
The first thing I would do is as you describe - set up a well lit subject on a tripod with a remote trigger (or use the self timer) and shoot first of all using full auto.

Choose an object to shoot rather than a scene - put something on the campground table for example.

Then shoot all the F stops in Aperture Priority mode and auto focus

Then shoot all the F stops again but in manual focus using your best attempt to get it focused crisply.

From that you will be able to identify if it's the lens or the camera at fault. I GUARANTEE it's not the memory card!
dbbls
Explorer
Aug 08, 2013
Does the card get old? YES

Does the card wear out? NO

As others have said, it works or it don't, nothing in between.