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garyvot wrote:
After reading this, I went and did some controlled testing. For the record, I don't see softness in my copy when shooting at close distances (within a meter or two) using Live View focusing and firm support.
However, my copy does need a different MFA setting at close distances than at infinity when focusing through the viewfinder. Are you sure you aren't experiencing this effect in your copy?
Yes, I'm absolutely, 100% sure. The softness is exactly the same when using exact MF or Liveview focus.
Also, although many of my images using PDAF (AI Servo) had some focus error, there were quite a few images that have exact focus: easy to see because there are many sharply defined, very fine structures - there definitely is no focus error or camera shake, the only problem is a diffuse flare from 'background glow'. The 'soft focus' effect occurs whatever the focusing method or accuracy of focus.
Please note that as I mentioned before, you only will see it near MFD, at apertures from wide open to about f/7.1 (less obvious from about f/8) and when the background is relatively light and subject relatively dark. It probably is 'bokeh blur' as was mentioned in an earlier thread. Although I still see the effect for distances up to 5 meters or so, it is most obvious when the whole subject frame is less than postcard size. Most birds are many times bigger than this, especially when we are talking about BIF shots that usually have wider framing - so the effect would be far less obvious.
I also found that on my 80D the 100-400II at 400mm needs different MFA for far or close subjects, which is a problem because I use a range of MFD to at least 5 meters or so and not setting will do for everything. However, the 2.8/200 with TC1.4 that I'm now using instead has a similar problem regarding required MFA (but whatever the focus, it never has the 'soft focus effect'). The only solution I have is using MF (not accurate enough, but usually pretty close) or Liveview focusing when possible.
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