200mm f2, 1d4 vs 5d3, or is it just me?

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Jonathan
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I bought a 200 f2 a while back s/h on this forum, and have used it exclusively on a 5D3 since then. TBH I have never been overly pleased with the results. Fine for the most part, although difficult to get bang on sharpness, but nothing to write home about. Yesterday, for the first time, I stuck it on my 1D4, and was immediately staggered by how good it was. The photos, nearly every one in a set of 80 or so, blew me away - all at f2.
Obviously my intention was to use it as a 200mm lens and not as a 260mm, so does this mean that a 1DX is somewhere in my future? Alternatively, and if I can pick up a 1D4 and instantly be satisfied, yet not over several months with a 5D3, what am I doing wrong? It's always best to blame me and not the tools.......There are many differences, the most obvious one being the grip, but what does a 1D4 have that a 5D3 does not. Most everything I have read suggests that if anything the 5D3 has better AF.
I suppose the one thing I could try is Micro-adjustment. Perhaps the particular 1D4 and 200 f2 I have simply gel at 0, for want of a better phrase, whereas the 5D3 and the same lens do not.
I wondered if anyone else had similar experiences. I use my 1D4 95% of the time, so am intrinsically am more comfortable with it, but I am not a bad photographer, I ought to be able to pick up any camera and just get on with it.
Thanks
Jonathan
 
Definitely try micro adjust - its the cheapest way to (probably) solve your problems.
 
Worth trying MFA. I used FoCal for all my lenses on my 7D & 5D MkII and it worked a treat.
 
I reckon the best bet is give up on it and sell it on :D just wait a month or two so I have time to generate the funds...

Really though I agree with the others that it would be worth trying micro adjust as that might sorted it and it is apparently and amazing lens so would be worth spending some time getting the best out of it. I would love on of these and if I had had the money at the time would have bought the one you got!
 
Ha ha I have just discovered myself how 5D3 can kill a great lens. Well mine is only a cheap 85mm f1.8 but on 5D3 it was dreadful (backfocus). -9 MA and it is more or less back to its former glory, just need to do more real life testing to make sure it works across the whole focal distance range. I am really not sure why out of all my lenses this particular one had to start misbehaving so badly. I am sure this is what OP is seeing.
 
Micro focus is worth it, some say it makes no differance but I proved to myself it does.
My 300f2.8 has always been sharp but was not as good on my 1Dx till I did the micro focus, it was only 3points out but what a differance.
 
daugirdas said:
Ha ha I have just discovered myself how 5D3 can kill a great lens. Well mine is only a cheap 85mm f1.8 but on 5D3 it was dreadful (backfocus). -9 MA and it is more or less back to its former glory, just need to do more real life testing to make sure it works across the whole focal distance range. I am really not sure why out of all my lenses this particular one had to start misbehaving so badly. I am sure this is what OP is seeing.
Click to expand...

They are not misbehaving badly. They just need to be calibrated WITH your 5D3 in order to perform has they should. ;)
 
Have been trying to set MA based on one of the moire pattern methods and using live view vs AF. Seems no difference anywhere between -2 and 2, i.e. I AF, then switch to live view at 10x and cannot get the pattern any clearer whatsoever!
Has anyone got a better method?
 
Jonathan

I use Focal and it's pretty good I reckon, but only semi-automatic on the 5D3.

n.b. I see a 1Dx on your horizon ;)
 
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