Canon 35mm f1.4 L Sharpness at f1.4?

futureal33

futureal33

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Hi all,

I have recently purchased a 35mm 1.4 and Im really struggling with it, some shots come out really well, and others, not well at all.
It seems that at close focus distances it performs really well, and f1.4 is bloody sharp. But put 5+ foot between me and the subject, and it goes really soft, blurry and the detail just disappears.

These 4 examples are SOOC RAW files, no sharpening applied at all (Lightroom default of 25 was set to 0, and no screen sharpening on export)
This shot for example....


full by futureal33, on Flickr

100%

100 by futureal33, on Flickr

Am I expecting too much?

Here is another example...

f1.4

f14 by futureal33, on Flickr

f2.0

f2 by futureal33, on Flickr
 
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daugirdas said:
to me this looks like rather simple but strong case of front focusitis. Play a bit bit with live view and microadjust it
Click to expand...

I thought the same.... but here's another example at f1.4 -
IMG_0775 by futureal33, on Flickr

Focus is spot on at close range, it just seems to get worse as the subject distance increases
 
Agree with daugirdas, but that new sample looks fine, seems anything over MFD is FF. Try more shots at MFD and then longer shots again.
 
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i love my 35mm well worth the money, but with all lenses the closer you get to the subject the shallower the depth of field gets well small, like on marco lenes.

heres one of mine focused up very close at 1.4

7779647240_fd9c447b51_o.jpg
 
futureal33 said:
I thought the same.... but here's another example at f1.4 -
IMG_0775 by futureal33, on Flickr

Focus is spot on at close range, it just seems to get worse as the subject distance increases
Click to expand...

At this super close range it is very hard to totally miss it, but I can see it is slightly front focused even here. Usually the sharp areas are 1/3 in front and 2/3 (or 2x as far) beyond the focal point. Microadjust it at longer distances (5-10m) and it should be quite happy then. It shouldn't need much, maybe 3 or 5.
 
You need to sort out the focus issues with AF micro-adjust, but some of those are a long way front focused.

Could be you, could be the lens, could be the camera. Do a quick check comparing normal AF with live view AF (that is usually 100% accurate) should narrow it down (tripod, centre AF point only, f/1.4).
 
HoppyUK said:
You need to sort out the focus issues with AF micro-adjust, but some of those are a long way front focused.

Could be you, could be the lens, could be the camera. Do a quick check comparing normal AF with live view AF (that is usually 100% accurate) should narrow it down (tripod, centre AF point only, f/1.4).
Click to expand...

Done the tests vs live view, it was front focusing massively. Seem a +15 has got it perfect on my test shots.
Got a wedding this friday so will give it a play and review the images closey, and not use the lens if Im in doubt.

Is this something Canon could fix by calibrating?

Problem is, it works on my 5DIII with MA at +15 but its way off on my 5Dmk1 still... so ideally Id rather get it fixed properly if possible?
 
If its miles out after MA on your other body Id send it in for a calibration.
 
futureal33 said:
Done the tests vs live view, it was front focusing massively. Seem a +15 has got it perfect on my test shots.
Got a wedding this friday so will give it a play and review the images closey, and not use the lens if Im in doubt.

Is this something Canon could fix by calibrating?

Problem is, it works on my 5DIII with MA at +15 but its way off on my 5Dmk1 still... so ideally Id rather get it fixed properly if possible?
Click to expand...

+15 is quite a lot, but you have +/-20 to play with and the 5D3 allows for adjustment at both ends of the zoom range.

Personally, I'd get Canon to fix that amount of error but that's me being picky really. More to the point, you need to check other lenses on your obviously new 5D3 to make sure it's not the body that's out.
 
HoppyUK said:
+15 is quite a lot, but you have +/-20 to play with and the 5D3 allows for adjustment at both ends of the zoom range.

Personally, I'd get Canon to fix that amount of error but that's me being picky really. More to the point, you need to check other lenses on your obviously new 5D3 to make sure it's not the body that's out.
Click to expand...

All my other lenses dont require any MA, and ive got a few 1.4 lenses now - so Im happy that the body is behaving as it should.

Do you know how you adjust the MA at both ends of the zoom range? Im looking at the MA adjust menu screen now and it goes from -20,-10,0,+10,+20 but no mention of whether that is at MFD or telephoto focus distance?

Is this something a calibration would cure?
 
futureal33 said:
All my other lenses dont require any MA, and ive got a few 1.4 lenses now - so Im happy that the body is behaving as it should.

Do you know how you adjust the MA at both ends of the zoom range? Im looking at the MA adjust menu screen now and it goes from -20,-10,0,+10,+20 but no mention of whether that is at MFD or telephoto focus distance?

Is this something a calibration would cure?
Click to expand...

You can microadjust AF at both ends of the zoom range. Page 106 ;)
 
futureal33 said:
Done the tests vs live view, it was front focusing massively. Seem a +15 has got it perfect on my test shots.
Got a wedding this friday so will give it a play and review the images closey, and not use the lens if Im in doubt.

Is this something Canon could fix by calibrating?

Problem is, it works on my 5DIII with MA at +15 but its way off on my 5Dmk1 still... so ideally Id rather get it fixed properly if possible?
Click to expand...

MA only works within the body, it doesn't alter the lens at all. So give it to Canon then for a play with plentiful and very detailed instructions and sample CD.

Also check with LV if both edges are focused at the same distance
 
HoppyUK said:
You can microadjust AF at both ends of the zoom range. Page 106 ;)
Click to expand...

Ah, and I guess a 35mm f1.4 fixed focal length prime doesnt have much zoom ;)

Phoned a few places today.

Canon Elstree quoted around £100
AJ Johnstone quoted £80-£90 but could be more if the lens needs any more work

The interestingly I rang Aj Johnstone back (about getting my 5D mirror replaced) and mentioned the earlier conversation and was told it would be £60

Anyone had any experience of getting lenses calibrated and what you got charged?

Thanks :)
 
futureal33 said:
Ah, and I guess a 35mm f1.4 fixed focal length prime doesnt have much zoom ;)

Phoned a few places today.

Canon Elstree quoted around £100
AJ Johnstone quoted £80-£90 but could be more if the lens needs any more work

The interestingly I rang Aj Johnstone back (about getting my 5D mirror replaced) and mentioned the earlier conversation and was told it would be £60

Anyone had any experience of getting lenses calibrated and what you got charged?

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

When mine started to behave strangely after 8 months I sent it to Elstree and they calibrated it free of charge whilst under warranty.

CPS silver member at the time and 4 days turn around time, basically had it back in the same week.
 
I've got a 24 1.4 which is behaving in a similar way. I'm very familiar with wide aperture lenses and know it isn't right. I'll have a go at the micro adjustment now I think.
 
Iv never really checked this before, guess I should really, what's thebestway of testing and fixing
 
Siilver said:
Iv never really checked this before, guess I should really, what's thebestway of testing and fixing
Click to expand...

You mean front/back focusing? Lots of threads on this, search against my user name for an easy and reliable method.
 
Siilver said:
Iv never really checked this before, guess I should really, what's thebestway of testing and fixing
Click to expand...

I think you should know if your lens is misbehaving... I had read so many reviews on the 35L and its acclaimed sharpness, when I got mine I wasn't happy with it from day 1 - so I knew something was suspect.

If you're happy with your results then chances are your lens is fine, and messing with MA could make things worse.
 
What's the best way to test that? Il give it a try and but from what I know it's sharpe and I'm happy with it
 
futureal33 said:
Done the tests vs live view, it was front focusing massively. Seem a +15 has got it perfect on my test shots.
Got a wedding this friday so will give it a play and review the images closey, and not use the lens if Im in doubt.

Is this something Canon could fix by calibrating?

Problem is, it works on my 5DIII with MA at +15 but its way off on my 5Dmk1 still... so ideally Id rather get it fixed properly if possible?
Click to expand...

Recently I have the same issue with 50mm 1.4. First visit to canon service center - they made MA -15. Still I was not happy. Second visit - calibration of the lens and MA -7. It looks OK now.
 
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