5D mkii & 70-200 f/2.8 still poor results - I could cry, please help

Guys, still not had chance to do the tests but I did manage to snap a shot that I was reasonably happy with (see below). After a week of using the 5D I've come around to the idea that it is mainly user error however I do agree with some of the comments that the x2 converter doesn't help matters.


Red Squirrel
 
that looks much better.

Just looked at your photostream. I love the 'Explorer'. great colours with the blue, greens and lavenders.
 
gpc1 said:
that looks much better.

Just looked at your photostream. I love the 'Explorer'. great colours with the blue, greens and lavenders.
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Thank you very much, I shot that in relatively low light with the 70-200mm and whilst I've just purchased a 400mm f/5.6 and intended to sell the 70-200mm I now want to keep it!
 
If you suspect that you have any focussing issues then you have to take a bit of time to check them out. And really for this you need a static subject and a tripod to remove any variances from movement,be it yourself or your subject. It doesn't have to be fancy. I use a few old batteries set at 45 degrees to check my lenses.

From checking my own lenses I have found that adding the 1.4 TC MkII results in the greatest change to the focussing accuracy. Typically I need to add +3/+4 when the converter is attached. Without the converter the lenses are almost spot on although I have adjusted my 500mm to give a 50/50 depth of field.

Regards
 
You have the 70-200mm MkII - which with the Mk3 TC is a very good lens combo.

I don't really see how a 400mm F5.6 would benefit you here if I'm honest, yes the lens is sharper but it takes a while to master it. Please don't expect your images to improve instantly because of this lens...
 
RichardtheSane said:
You have the 70-200mm MkII - which with the Mk3 TC is a very good lens combo.

I don't really see how a 400mm F5.6 would benefit you here if I'm honest, yes the lens is sharper but it takes a while to master it. Please don't expect your images to improve instantly because of this lens...
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Richard... Is this really the case? It throws a bit of a spanner on the works if it does. It's difficult for me to know what is and isn't going to work for me.
 
+1 for this being a technique rather than a kit issue. The 70-200 mkii + 2x mkiii should produce more than acceptable results if your technique is sound. Spending more money trying to resolve the problem is only going to add to your frustrations.

Same combo...

IMG_5345.jpg


IMG_5459.jpg
 
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A good course in field craft may be the answer, you are trying to stretch everything too much, 2x on a zoom lens, ISO 6400 or higher, cropped to death and off centre focus.

Buy some camo clothing or a hide leave the 2x convertor at home, get in place early and sit quietly and let the beasties come to you.

Finally get to your local camera club and let one of the old hands take a look at your settings, it if most unlikely that your kit is so faulty as to cause the issues you have.

Good look and you do not need to go to the dark side ( Nikon).
 
I too moved from the 550d to the 5d MkII and kinda know where youre coming from - I was initially very disappointed with my results to the point I took the camera and lens in for calibration.

If youre unsure and want to check your focus, be it front or back focusing, you can try this site: http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/cameras/1ds3_af_micoadjustment.html

I downloaded the target followed the instructions and set it up on my lappy only to find out what the guys in the shop told me - "It was spot on and I'm just a diddy!!!"
The only trouble with it is that it magnifys any user error and with your 2x convertor those errors get doubled right away too. Now that I have a handle on it - its an awesome piece of kit and definitely not worth going to Nikon for - lol.


I know its not a definitive answer but hope it helps you find out if its your gear or yourself.
 
it does take a bit of time to get used to new set-ups...mostly user settings error...takes a while to find your preferred settings & which works best for lens camera combos, biggest problems i see, is wrong focus points chosen , this leads to high iso settings even if there is very good light, play about with your focus settings to find out how these work with different settings & back-grounds..if its wild-life that you intend on shooting then a 300mm lens plus 1.4 converter would be a starting point..:thumbs: mark.
 
+1 on the focus thing. I changed from the 9 point to single centre point and it was a revelation! It was suddenly focusing where I wanted it to rather than a random point chosen by the camera.
 
I am struggling to get to grips with my 70-200 and Nikon D200:thinking: Sometimes I get pin sharp pictures and then next I get OOF or sharp objects in front or behind what I'm actually trying to get in focus :thinking:

Initially I was very disappointed that I'd laid out a lot of money on a lens that didn't appear to perform how I wanted/expected it to:(

There more I use it the better the results I get (by this I mean pictures I'm happy with :thumbs:), I think it's just a case of keep going and eventually I will get the hang of it :clap:
 
Paul_H said:
I am struggling to get to grips with my 70-200 and Nikon D200:thinking: Sometimes I get pin sharp pictures and then next I get OOF or sharp objects in front or behind what I'm actually trying to get in focus :thinking:

Initially I was very disappointed that I'd laid out a lot of money on a lens that didn't appear to perform how I wanted/expected it to:(

There more I use it the better the results I get (by this I mean pictures I'm happy with :thumbs:), I think it's just a case of keep going and eventually I will get the hang of it :clap:
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I too had a problem with my 70-200 f2.8 on a d7000, I thought it was user error but I ended up playing with the micro adjustment. It's now set to -15, I fully understand getting used to the lens as photos do get better he more you use it but I was consistently get back focused images. I've not done a proper focus test but I'm happier with the focus now. It was really annoying as my 70-300 is fantastically sharp, to the point where I'm now thinking should I really sell it after looking back through my photos.
 
jetpackjack said:
Thank you very much, I shot that in relatively low light with the 70-200mm and whilst I've just purchased a 400mm f/5.6 and intended to sell the 70-200mm I now want to keep it!
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Hi
I bought the above lens a year ago and can tell you how my best results were obtained for birds in trees/lakes:
Brightish conditions (best in trees) (but danger of over exposure of white parts on birds); slightly overcast conditions in lakes
Highest shutter speed possible to give F5.6-F8
Taken on tripod, IS off
Centre spot focus on the eye of the bird
A1 servo (birds twitch and move very fast)
The lowest ISO you can get away with
Use of a crop camera (50D) but if heavy crop, grain is sometims an issue.
5D mk11 is a full frame- less grain, but heavier crop on the pc
I check the focus at 100% or actual pixels and apply some sharpening in Photoshop.
There is a large learning curve in getting the subject in frame, for a moving subject, so persevere!
I help run a Photo club in Sheffield and a few of us work this way and get sone great results.
Good luck!
 
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