Is my lens soft?

[alexw9]

I don't know if I'm nit-picking but I feel my Canon 70-200L 2.8 IS is a bit soft, the lack of detail in the face for example. Bought it second hand from Jacobs about 6 months ago but I'm thinking of sending it to Canon to sort it.

This particular picture was 1/1000sec, 170mm, at f/4 although I usually use 2.8, it doesn't really improve it.

So is it a bit soft, sharp enough or user error?

Thanks

100% crop - http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/2063/img87132.jpg

 

[DekHog]

Looking at the crop I'd say the point of focus was around his shoulder, not his face... his whole right hand side looks pretty sharp to me, but it's hard to tell with the size available.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

3 things:
1. probable focus error. Try it out on a static target in a controlled environment
2. very fast action. 1/1000s may be slightly too short in some extreme cases.
3. Is this a JPEG from the camera? If so they are much softer compared to properly processed RAW images.

 

[alexw9]

1. It probably is a focus error, I'm using the centre and surrounding points (7D).
2. Obviously depending on the situation but anything from 1/640 should be fast enough.
3. It is a JPEG from camera.

 

[HoppyUK]

3 things:
1. probable focus error. Try it out on a static target in a controlled environment
2. very fast action. 1/1000s may be slightly too short in some extreme cases.
3. Is this a JPEG from the camera? If so they are much softer compared to properly processed RAW images.

^^^

 

[zulupentax]

1. It probably is a focus error, I'm using the centre and surrounding points (7D).

My 70-200 f/2.8 IS is absolutely sharp, particularly when stopped at f/4.0. I mostly use it on spot focus point mode.
But I have noticed on the odd occasion that I have used point expansion mode (the spot in the middle with the four point around it) that focus is not sharp at all. In fact your image seems exactly like that as I get it when used that mode, the face area. At first I thought the lens wasn't focusing properly but then looking at the images taken with spot focus modes they are all pin sharp and spot on.

I ran into a tog a few weeks ago and he brought this to my attention and mentioned that he had to return his 7D because the expansion focus mode was faulty on his camera. Mine seems to be the same, but as I rarely use that mode I didn't give too much attention to it, until then. Calling Canon at Elstree they advised me to take the camera back but I have been hesitating as I would hate to be without it for weeks, not having a spare body. But I will eventually do it before the warranty expires, just hoping I will by then get hold of a good FF deal in the meantime as I am in the market for a second hand good condition FF, more inclined for a 5D MKII

 

[zulupentax]

sorry, above post appeared twice somehow because my pc hung up and I clicked twice

 

[alexw9]

1. It probably is a focus error, I'm using the centre and surrounding points (7D).

My 70-200 f/2.8 IS is absolutely sharp, particularly when stopped at f/4.0. I mostly use it on spot focus point mode.
But I have noticed on the odd occasion that I have used point expansion mode (the spot in the middle with the four point around it) that focus is not sharp at all. In fact your image seems exactly like that as I get it when used that mode, the face area. At first I thought the lens wasn't focusing properly but then looking at the images taken with spot focus modes they are all pin sharp and spot on.

I ran into a tog a few weeks ago and he brought this to my attention and mentioned that he had to return his 7D because the expansion focus mode was faulty on his camera. Mine seems to be the same, but as I rarely use that mode I didn't give too much attention to it, until then. Calling Canon at Elstree they advised me to take the camera back but I have been hesitating as I would hate to be without it for weeks, not having a spare body. But I will eventually do it before the warranty expires, just hoping I will by then get hold of a good FF deal in the meantime as I am in the market for a second hand good condition FF, more inclined for a 5D MKII

Only just seen this, thanks for the advice, I will try it out. Already sent my lens/body to Canon though :bonk:

 

[Tri-X]

To me it also looks like focus error..

The Canon 70-200mm either in f/2.8 or f/4 are reknown for their sharpness and image quality..

Try doing a few tests on a static subject.

 

[alexw9]

Canon have come back to me and there's over £300 worth of repair that needs doing, ouch.