Canon 100 - 400L IS sharpness worries....

philio16 · 19 Jun 2007 at 17:16

Hey guys,

having not used it too much since I bought it, I have been playing around today testing the sharpness of my lens and I'm not overally impressed, could anyone take a look at my pics (100% crops, shot raw...cropped...saved jpeg) and let me know if my standards are just too high or what I could do to improve sharpness? They seem really wishy washy too? Thanks!

ps. all exif info should be embedded!

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 19 Jun 2007 at 17:21

They are soft. Depends on the settings used. I don't have a exif viewer so I can only assume.

wez130 · 19 Jun 2007 at 17:23

that does seem soft to me, even if it was standard glass, let alone L glass, Even my 75-300mm non USM is sharper than that by a long way, either i got a VERY good 75-300mm or you got a naff 100-400mm.

seaviewuk · 19 Jun 2007 at 17:26

Exif Data:

Pic one:

Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
Image Date: 2007:06:19 12:19:59
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 400.0mm
CCD Width: NaNmm
Exposure Time: 0.0013 s (1/800)
Aperture: f/9.0
ISO equiv: 200
White Balance: Manual
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: shutter priority (semi-auto)

Pic two:

Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
Image Date: 2007:06:19 12:20:38
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 400.0mm
CCD Width: NaNmm
Exposure Time: 0.0010 s (1/1000)
Aperture: f/7.1
ISO equiv: 200
White Balance: Manual
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: shutter priority (semi-auto)

james.miller · 19 Jun 2007 at 17:26

they do look soft to me

divine` · 19 Jun 2007 at 17:29

For a 100-400 L IS that is what I would personally describe as 'appalling' and considering the EXIF I can't see any obvious user error that would cause that.

philio16 · 19 Jun 2007 at 17:33

do you reckon it could be the IS?

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 19 Jun 2007 at 17:50

no guesses until you perform your own lens tests on at sturdy tripod, timed release and mirror lock up.

Do the tests of a fixed subject at different apertures, diff focal lengths with IS on and off.

philio16 · 19 Jun 2007 at 17:56

Ok I think I'll get up early and do that in the morning, really don't want to go out using it if I'm unsure about it. Been reading I can send it to canon for calibration however....can't find anything on their site, has anyone any info?

Thanks

L0rdMike · 19 Jun 2007 at 18:02

Thats the sort of results I get from my £100 Sigma lens.

MacX · 19 Jun 2007 at 18:12

Fstop11 said:
no guesses until you perform your own lens tests on at sturdy tripod, timed release and mirror lock up.

Do the tests of a fixed subject at different apertures, diff focal lengths with IS on and off.

Agreed, because to me those pictures look blurred rather than soft. :confused:

And if I remember correctly, switch the IS off when using that lens on a tripod as that generation IS doesn't play well with them.

SDK^ · 19 Jun 2007 at 18:42

Are those images above cropped at the centre focus point?

Like has already been said; you need to carry out a proper test on a tripod with self timer and ensure you focus is 100% accurate.

Raikiri · 19 Jun 2007 at 18:53

That looks terrible for the lens/body :eek:

My s5600 is sharper/as sharp at 100% crop. The first one looks blurred but at 1/800 it really shouldn't be.

For a comparison here's a random shot from my s5600 @ 100% crop.

As people have said try with a tripod etc. but I don't see how it could be blurring at 1/800 and 1/1000.

philio16 · 19 Jun 2007 at 19:17

Bit baffling, got some really nice shots with it like...

Chester Zoo 1

Chester Zoo 2

These were less than 400mm though.....

Think this is a good example of whats wrong...the silver thing doesnt look *too bad* but the leaf is evidentally blurry...

SDK^ · 19 Jun 2007 at 19:32

Do the tripod before you send anything back.
The 100-400L IS does produce sharp images, even at 400mm

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 19 Jun 2007 at 19:37

There are more specific tests to ensure your lens is not front/back focusing but for the moment lets just do some simple tests.

philio16 · 19 Jun 2007 at 19:40

ok Ive just seen the duck....I've never had anything like that out of it!

MacX · 19 Jun 2007 at 19:52

Well....

The first shot from the Zoo almost convinces me that your original shots are suffering from shake and incorrect focus respectively.

The second Zoo shot convinces me you don't know what a tiger looks like.

Go borrow a tripod if you haven't got one and do the thing everyone want's you to do.

I'd be surprised if it is as awful as you fear ESPECIALLY when you are using a 1.6 crop body on it. I use a full frame very successfully with one.

philio16 · 19 Jun 2007 at 20:00

MacX said:
Well....

The first shot from the Zoo almost convinces me that your original shots are suffering from shake and incorrect focus respectively.

The second Zoo shot convinces me you don't know what a tiger looks like.

Go borrow a tripod if you haven't got one and do the thing everyone want's you to do.

I'd be surprised if it is as awful as you fear ESPECIALLY when you are using a 1.6 crop body on it. I use a full frame very successfully with one.

Tiger, jaguar....they're all the same lol

....silly mistake!

So from the 1st picture your saying the lens is fine? This is why I'm confused because I have had fairly decent pictures out of it....maybe it is just me and letting my technique slip! Weather is forecast for beautiful tomorrow so there will be lots of light...I'll get out with the tripod and take as much as possible and report back in the evening!

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 19 Jun 2007 at 20:01

You've got to ask yourself if you are relying far too much on the inbuilt IS and to see just how much you are shaking when holding a camera.
There are still too many things this could be so you really just need to get a few tests done. Don't take a test shot outside today. I live in Congleton and its blowing a gale!!

Your shutter speed is a little low for a focal length of 400mm. You took that at 1/125. (first zoo shot)