Canon 100-400mm soft?

mw0dbb

mw0dbb

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John
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Hi all, I have the mk1 of this lens and I am finding it soft at the 400mm end. Is this normal for these lenses or is it worth getting recalibrated? I could be just expecting to much out of this lens? I just really struggle to get crisp images at the end of its range.

John
 
I never had issues with my mk I, but I'm sure others will agree that it could be 'sharper'. Try calibrating it - have you just got it?
 
I've had the lens a while, and it's a ln early example from what I gather. I'm using it on a 6d. Not 100% sure it has micro adjustment?
 
This is very popular lens and generally it gives good results. There has always been a few owners who have reported them as soft and maybe they had obtained a bad model. Often though, it was a case of applying micro adjustment in your camera and checking your technique for long lenses. If this doesn't work, then maybe a proper recalibration is needed. Some people have found that pulling it back to say 380/390mm will improve the long end sharpness, worth a try.
 
mw0dbb said:
I've had the lens a while, and it's a ln early example from what I gather. I'm using it on a 6d. Not 100% sure it has micro adjustment?
Click to expand...
Stole this from dpreview:
"The EOS 6D does, however offer the same AF microadjust as the 5D Mark III. Adjustments can be made separately for the wide and telephoto ends of zoom lenses, and can also be made per serial-numbered lens..."

Have a look at that and see if it helps - short of saying to you "RTFM" ;) it'll be under the system menus.
 
This is a sample shot, they all seem to have a soft edge to them? I could just be expecting way to much from this lens?
 
As above, the 6D will let you calibrate the lens. I too had this model in the past (an early copy) with cameras with no micro AF adjust (5D classic, 60D) and needed to stop down to f/7.1 to get sharp images at the 400mm end. Will never know if AF adjust would have worked, as I sold the lens.
 
mw0dbb said:
I've had the lens a while, and it's a ln early example from what I gather. I'm using it on a 6d. Not 100% sure it has micro adjustment?
Click to expand...
Just do a test and if necessary do some micro adjusting yourself - the 6D has this facility. Even if it had previously been AFMA'd that does not mean that it will be right on your Camera.
 
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I was always happy with mine , decent sharp shots etc.. My girlfriend had the same. Lens and was equally happy.

I did micro adjust both lenses to our respective camera and we really noticed the difference, much crisper and sharper shots.

Well worth the effort.
 
Just had a quick play around with the lens and camera. Using live view set to x10 there is no difference using manual focus or af. One thing I did notice was the image became soft when using IS. Is that normal? Seems abit pointless having it in that case!

I didn't take any pics, just using live view to see if the af was working. I tried at both f5.6 and f22 with identical results.

John
 
I did wonder if it would be soft at f22. Should the IS make is soft also?
 
No, IS wouldn't usually make a difference, however there is a theory that when using on a tripod you should disable the IS as it's not stabilising anything, but you might get residual movement from the IS motor.
That said, I really do think you need to post up some sample shots.

my 100-400 was superb at all lengths.
 
I need to try some handheld shots without is and see what they come out like. May of been the fact it was on a tripod. But at different f stops the difference between manual and af was nothing. Seems abit pointless making adjustments?

I'll do some test shots shortly of the same subject and post.

John
 
Sorry, but I don't know if my earlier question was missed or ignored. Are you using a 'protective'/UV filter with the lens? It is well known that even the better filters can cause noticeable reductions in sharpness when used with the 100-400.
 
There are better copies of this lens than others. The most common complaint is softness at 400mm compared with the intermediate focal lengths.

Worth trying MA adjustment if your camera has that option. The reason for the softness is usually a slightly decentered element. To get this adjusted involves some specialised kit and time and probably wouldn't be cost effective.
 
I think my face is permanently set to stun! Just that glaikitt look I have no trouble perfecting!
 
I have a MkI and a MkII. I was always happy with the sharpness of the MkI, it is a terrific lens. I first used mine on a 7D and was really disappointed with the softness of it when it had a UV filter attached on the first day I had it, took the filter off and tried it again with the same setup and the difference was amazing. As Frank Hollis says, make sure there's no UV or protective filter on it.

I sold a Sigma 150-500 OS and gave the 100-400 MkI to the wife and got the MkII and while there is quite a difference it's not massive. The MkI works very well with my 6D but is absolutely fantastic on my 7D MkII.
 
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