Focus Problems with ShutterStream

Problem

I am using the Shutter Stream Product Photography Software and I am having problems with the focus. When I take photos sometimes the software refuses to Focus on the subject. This is a limitation of the camera and its auto focus capability and can be resolved by adjusting the Focus Settings - AF Method.

Solution

Important first step: Some Canon cameras also have a Continuous AF menu. Make sure that you disable Continuous AF from the camera's menu, as shown below:

Auto Focus vs. Manual Focus

When we send a snap command to the camera, we are unable to override the cameras Auto Focus (if the lens is set to AF) - this is in the internal working of the camera. So there is nothing our software is doing specifically to the focus that is causing it to fail.  In the case of trying to shoot the exact same image manually from the camera, the same focus failure would happen. There is two options here:

1. If you wish to shoot with the cameras Auto Focus, try Adjusting the AF Shooting Method (ex. Canon default 'AF Method' is set to FlexiZone AF setting - some users might have more success with a different AF Method like 'FlexiZone Single' - please refer to your camera's manual to understand more about AF Method options. This link might be helpful: http://digital-photography-school.com/focusing-quick-tip-single-point-af-methods/
2. Users can shoot in Manual Focus - this will ensure focus never fails (it disables the cameras autofocus and relies on a set focal point)

Option 2: Shooting in Manual Focus

Now saying that, cameras can have a hard time focusing when there is not much detail (ex. shooting a white shoe on a white background). If your Auto Focus is failing you, please try the following steps:

1. Make sure the lens physical switch is set to Auto Focus (AF).  If the lens is set to Manual Focus (MF) Shutter Stream is unable to control focal point adjustments. 

   Lens Manual Focus Switch

   While most lenses should have the physical switch to AF (for Auto Focus), we have ran into a few cases where if the lens is set in AF then the focus changes, even though the software is set to MF. In that case, we recommend you position the lens switch to MF and try refocusing again with MF in software. If focusing from the software does not work, then focus by physically turning the lens.

2. Make sure the camera is set to Manual Wxposure (twist dial on top of camera should be set to 'M').

3. With the lens' physical switch set to AF, the software can now control the lens' focus when you set Shutter Stream in the manual focus mode.  Mouse click the AF button, in the upper right corner of the 'Camera Settings Window', and the button will toggle to MF to indicate software manual focus mode, as shown below:
   
   
   
4.  Once the software is in Manual Focus mode, hover your mouse over the MF button to appear the Manual Focusing Window. In this window, users can control the focal point (near and far) using the 'Drive Lens' left and right arrows (<,>). The single arrow will move a small focal point adjustment, the triple arrow will move a large focal point adjustment.  
   Users can use the zoom in/out buttons to view Live View at 1:1 and the up, down, left, right buttons to adjust the 1:1 viewing window location.