Please help..........Canon 24-70 ii

joel222

joel222

Suspended / Banned
Messages
703
Name
Lee
Edit My Images
No
So I thought I'd treat myself to this lens from Panamoz, but after having a play around I think that all of the shots with it are soft. I've taken 6 test shots today, 2 at f2.8, 2 at f4, and 2 at f6.3 all of my daughter and although they're not bad, I don't think they're as they should be. Would someone be willing to take a look for me please, what would be the best way to upload them, jpeg's straight to here from flickr or the raw files somehow?
 
Have you got a Flickr account? That's what most people do then others can see the full size image. I was totally underwhelmed when I got my first L series lens, after a couple of days it all came together. It was like the camera and lens needed time to get used to each other, as I didn't really do anything different. Like you, to me the shots looked soft. I have the mark i 24-70 and the images are sharp, though I have recently needed to adjust micro AF as it started back focusing. Get the pictures up and people can offer help and advice. Include the settings you used too.
 
joel tbh mate if its soft somethings wrong it is one of the sharpest zooms in my bag, close to prime levels tbh
 
first thing i would try if you havent already is got outside in the some decent light and take a load of shots at different settings and see what you think then, even shooting a house wall can be good to see how much detail there is in the bricks
 
suggs said:
first thing i would try if you havent already is got outside in the some decent light and take a load of shots at different settings and see what you think then, even shooting a house wall can be good to see how much detail there is in the bricks
Click to expand...

I've done that (or something similar) and the shots seemed to be good, but that's not what I shoot, I shoot people. I'm going to take my daughter out shortly for some more test shots.

Thanks
 
joel222 said:
Small amount of pp (lowered highlights, cropped), settings are shown at side of pics
Click to expand...

Sorry, I was on my phone and it didn't show. Any chance you could upload a full size image, can't really determine where/if it's focused from the files uploaded. Something isn't right though, as you already know. Comparison shot from the Mark i version of the same lens below.

IMG_3096 by Ian Bradshaw, on Flickr

If it's new, I'd say send it back as you shouldn't need to micro adjust the AF and tbh it all looks soft from what I can tell. Would be happy to look at a RAW file.
 
defo try something else, im no portrait tog as i work in motorsport but i cant help thinking that backdrop and your lovely daughters skin tones are not helping. Could be a contrast issue and not quite getting the focus.

clearly there is a big difference between yours and Morbids image though, could just be the lighting...
 
I've just been out with it and it's also soft out in natural light. I've also done a bit of a test to see if it's front or back focussing but it doesn't seem to be so I think it is just a dodgy copy. I'm going to see about sending it back
 
joel222 said:
I've just been out with it and it's also soft out in natural light. I've also done a bit of a test to see if it's front or back focussing but it doesn't seem to be so I think it is just a dodgy copy. I'm going to see about sending it back
Click to expand...

I think if you have doubts about it and can't nail it to be front / rear focusing etc, and you've tried different shots then for peace of mind I'd be looking to swap / return it.

Hope it's an easy process :)
 
From what you've posted it does look a little soft. I bought one of these lenses a few months ago and its tack sharp. I think I would change it if your not happy.
 
Small amount of front focus perhaps. 6D is not the strongest for critical focus particularly with its outer AF points. Maybe Af finetuning would help, but certainly do investigate if the left and right sides are "equivalent"

The lens is ridiculously sharp at all aperture and all focal lengths pretty much across the whole frame.
 
I've been in touch with panamoz asking for an exchange. I've just been and done some more test shots for a comparison using a 550d, 6d, 18-55, 24-105, 24-70 just to see how much difference there is with each set up. If there's much difference I'll upload the results.
 
joel222 said:
Thanks for the replies, I'll get them uploaded to Flickr today.
No I haven't calibrated it, didn't know I needed to tbh
Click to expand...
You don't (and shouldn't) need to. If its off, send it back rather than faff with micro adjust (if you have it)
 
Last edited:
christurbo said:
It's a very sharp lens. Have you calibrated it yet?
Click to expand...
Micro Adjusting isn't calibration - in fact its the exact opposite. You're taking it off the factory calibration. A new Canon lens not focusing accurately on a Canon body should always go back IMO.

And even if you have a body / lens that can MA at both ends you'll still be compromised somewhere in the middle. You'll always have a slightly off lens.
 
Morbid said:
Sorry, I was on my phone and it didn't show. Any chance you could upload a full size image, can't really determine where/if it's focused from the files uploaded. Something isn't right though, as you already know. Comparison shot from the Mark i version of the same lens below.

IMG_3096 by Ian Bradshaw, on Flickr

If it's new, I'd say send it back as you shouldn't need to micro adjust the AF and tbh it all looks soft from what I can tell. Would be happy to look at a RAW file.
Click to expand...


Hardly a comparison shot if it was taken at f/5?
 
admirable said:
Hardly a comparison shot if it was taken at f/5?
Click to expand...

I don't see your point. Lee had shots at F2.8, F4 and F6.3, This shot was picked from recent shots where the size of the eyes in relation to the overall shot was as close as I had on Flickr, to show what the sharpness of the eye should be (though I'm sure Lee knows this anyway).
 
Morbid said:
I don't see your point. Lee had shots at F2.8, F4 and F6.3, This shot was picked from recent shots where the size of the eyes in relation to the overall shot was as close as I had on Flickr, to show what the sharpness of the eye should be (though I'm sure Lee knows this anyway).
Click to expand...


Different camera and settings and I'm sure we all know what a sharp eye looks like but I'm going to agree with you anyway.

I think the shot taken at f/6.3 is ok
 
Last edited:
admirable said:
Different camera and settings and I'm sure we all know what a sharp eye looks like but I'm going to agree with you anyway.

I think the shot taken at f/6.3 is ok
Click to expand...

Well, lower spec (arguably better AF) crop sensor camera producing sharper images with an old Mark i lens than a 6D with a brand new mark ii lens. Makes a point don't you think?

Seems like it's going back anyway, and we're in agreement that it's a duff copy, so no point debating further.
 
Last edited:
Hi. Is it ok that you share the serial number of the lens here?
 
This is one of the negatives with importing rather that buying from a High St shop. At least you are getting a refund :)
 
admirable said:
This is one of the negatives with importing rather that buying from a High St shop. At least you are getting a refund :)
Click to expand...
That's mail order in general, not just importing gear.
 
odd jim said:
That's mail order in general, not just importing gear.
Click to expand...

Not really, if you buy from a UK store, Calumet, Marks & Spencer etc, you can take it back to the store if it goes Pete Tong
 
admirable said:
Not really, if you buy from a UK store, Calumet, Marks & Spencer etc, you can take it back to the store if it goes Pete Tong
Click to expand...
Sorry, I thought you meant as in try before you buy.
 
So the lens was collected yesterday and I decided I was going to go and try some at jessops when I spoke to a friend who owns a tamron 27-70. He bought it to take some candid shots at his daughters wedding earlier in the year and hadn't used it since. He said I could borrow that to see if I liked it and if I did I could make him an offer but I was apprehensive as I've owned one before and didn't like it. Wow, what a stunning lens...............Happy xmas to me!
 
FreyaEvo said:
Hi. Is it ok that you share the serial number of the lens here?
Click to expand...
joel222 said:
Sorry I've just seen this comment and it was collected by courier earlier today. I never thought about the serial number to be honest
Click to expand...
The 24-70 Mk II is one of the newer Canon lenses which embeds its serial number in the EXIF data. I can't think why anyone would want to know the serial number, but if you want to be helpful then you should be able to.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top