Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

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Archive 2008 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

tcrobert
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p.1 #1 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

Hello!

I just purchased the 24-105L, and have been testing it out on my 30D and Rebel XT (both 1.6 cropped 8MP sensors). The camera bodies are most likely not at fault (being that I used 2 different bodies with same results), as these bodies seem to work fine with other lenses.

I've done some shots at F/4 for portraits, and it seems tack sharp... but at a distance it's just a little less sharp, even at smaller apertures. Some of the portraits I've taken seem a little bit out of focus, but others are tack sharp.

These are all 100% crops... all strait out of the camera (JPG, not RAW) with no post-processing sharpening and shot at a distance.

Below picture settings: 1/320, F/8, ISO 200, 55mm

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Below picture settings: 1/640, F/8, ISO 200, 67mm

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Below picture settings: 1/400, F/8, ISO 200, 24mm

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Below picture settings: 1/250, F/10, ISO 200, 35mm

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Do those seem sharp for an L zoom lens? I thought it should be just a tad bit sharper, but I don't want to send it back if it's just the lens snob in me... after all, I am spoiled from my primes...

Thanks!
Robert

Sep 22, 2008 at 04:57 PM

Daan B
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p.1 #2 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

Looks sharp to me

Sep 22, 2008 at 05:09 PM

jmvdigital
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p.1 #3 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

Agreed, looks sharp. You won't really be able to tell if your lens is "sharp" or not shooting at those small apertures anyway. The DoF will probably mask any focusing or lens issues. To really test, get a tripod, and shoot wide open. Then post again with crops. That said, pixel peeping 100% crops is never that satisfying, rarely do things look good that big on the monitor; just a fact of life. That is compounded by using a zoom. FWIW, I have found my 24-105 to be quite a bit sharper on the 105 end than the 24 end.

Sep 22, 2008 at 07:54 PM

Pell
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p.1 #4 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

I've never found this lens to be exceptionally sharp (perhaps I have never used a good copy) but that looks about on par with what i've seen in the past.

Sep 22, 2008 at 08:01 PM

David Tognazzi
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p.1 #5 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

I have found my 24-105L IS to be marginal, at best. Is there a such thing as a really sharp copy of this lens? To compare, both of my 70-200's are MUCH sharper in the range that matchs (70-105).

Sep 22, 2008 at 08:07 PM

Gingerbaker
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p.1 #6 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

None of your photos look sharp to me. Perhaps you should sent the lens(es) and cam to Canon.

Sep 22, 2008 at 08:10 PM

jmvdigital
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p.1 #7 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

Sorry, I have to disagree. I think this is as sharp as this lens gets. I think you'll waste your money sending it in for calibration, but I suppose if you're lucky, it can't hurt either.

Here is a 100% crop from my 24-105 on a 1DsIII - 105mm @ f4 @ 1/800s

This image is copyrighted by the owner

And another... 105mm @ f4 @ 1/1600s

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Gingerbaker wrote:
None of your photos look sharp to me. Perhaps you should sent the lens(es) and cam to Canon.

Edited on Sep 22, 2008 at 08:20 PM · View previous versions

Sep 22, 2008 at 08:17 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #8 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

For 100% crops, they certainly look "sharp enough" to me.

Sep 22, 2008 at 08:19 PM

jahoo
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p.1 #9 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

Ouch - that horse shot is just horrible in terms of sharpness. I'm really hoping that you've got a bad copy because I have ordered one

Sep 22, 2008 at 08:23 PM

jmvdigital
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p.1 #10 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

Indeed. Luckily it's my fiancee's. I myself just picked up a 35L and 135L primes on here. Anxiously awaiting their arrival.

Sep 22, 2008 at 08:27 PM

bpark42
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p.1 #11 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

jmvdigital wrote:
Sorry, I have to disagree. I think this is as sharp as this lens gets. I think you'll waste your money sending it in for calibration, but I suppose if you're lucky, it can't hurt either.

jmvdigital, I think the 24-105 is capable of more than what you see in the crops you posted, unless the lens just hates the 1DsIII (I use it on a 5D). I didn't have especially high expectation of the lens when I bought it as part of the 5D kit, but it has proven to be sharp enough that I would never hesitate to use it. My only real complaint about the lens is the distortion at the wide end.

I'm at work so don't have any photos on hand, but I will try to come up with some shots to post later.

Sep 22, 2008 at 08:30 PM

jmvdigital
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p.1 #12 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

I don't want to hijack the OP with this stuff. I only meant to post some other examples. The 1DsIII in general I have found produces images that are not what you expect at 100% on a monitor. The files are rather soft in general, regardless of lens. My 24-70 wasn't really up to the task, sold it. Same for the 70-200 2.8 IS (not so great at long and close focus). I'm hoping primes will help solve this. The 24-70 looked fantastic on my 5D.

Here is another 100% crop. This time, 47mm - f8 - 1/400s. I think this is as sharp as this lens gets for me.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Sep 22, 2008 at 08:39 PM

jmvdigital
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p.1 #13 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

Or here.... 105mm - f8 - 1/3s (on tripod)

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Sep 22, 2008 at 08:40 PM

rebel300
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p.1 #14 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

Is this a lens you bought used jmvdigital?

I use mine all the time and really like it....I'd send that dog you bought back to it's owner...

Sep 22, 2008 at 08:49 PM

Daan B
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p.1 #15 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

jmvdigital wrote:
I don't want to hijack the OP with this stuff. I only meant to post some other examples. The 1DsIII in general I have found produces images that are not what you expect at 100% on a monitor. The files are rather soft in general, regardless of lens. My 24-70 wasn't really up to the task, sold it. Same for the 70-200 2.8 IS (not so great at long and close focus). I'm hoping primes will help solve this. The 24-70 looked fantastic on my 5D.

21MP's at 100% on a monitor is a very large magnification. When you downsize a 24-105L 21MP image, is it as sharp as when shot with the 5D (12MP's)? Or maybe sharper?

I am a bit disappointed with the 24-70L on my 1Ds3 as well, when viewing at 100% on my monitor or printing large. Mainly wide open, in the corners and at the longer end of the zoom. Center performance when stopped down is quite good, but not excellent. However, when I downsize the 24-70L images to let's say 10-12MP, they are very sharp. Also, in small to medium sized prints I don't see any sharpness problems as well.

Sep 22, 2008 at 09:02 PM

Ubunoir
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p.1 #16 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

Wow, all those are certainly soft... your lens is capable of more. Here's one with the 24-105L:

(linked)

Click for higher rez

Sep 22, 2008 at 09:05 PM

adamrose13
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p.1 #17 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

Gingerbaker wrote:
None of your photos look sharp to me. Perhaps you should sent the lens(es) and cam to Canon.

i agree. none look sharp to me either.

Sep 22, 2008 at 09:11 PM

Seth Tower
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p.1 #18 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

My 24-105L is incredibly sharp. It rivals my 70-200 2.8L IS. Perhaps I got an unusually "good" copy...

Sep 22, 2008 at 09:36 PM

tcrobert
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p.1 #19 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

I think maybe I'll try another copy and see if it's much better. I know I tested it side-by-side to my razor sharp 85/1.8 and it wasn't quite as sharp (but not bad either). Then again, is it fair to demand prime lens quality out of a zoom lens of any kind?

Here's some more samples, which are at/near the long end:

Below picture settings: 1/200, F/5.6, ISO 400, 105mm
This image is copyrighted by the owner

Below picture settings: 1/640, F/9, ISO 400, 105mm
This image is copyrighted by the owner

Below picture settings: 1/60, F/4, ISO 200, 96mm
This image is copyrighted by the owner

The last one is stunning... shot wide open at F4, and at a slower shutter speed... very impressive! Which makes me think that the lens itself is sharp, but maybe it's not focusing perfect all the time? Is that possible? I thought either it focused right on or it didn't focus right on...

Thanks!
Robert

Sep 22, 2008 at 09:41 PM

Cableaddict
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p.1 #20 · Is my 24-105L sharp? *Samples*

Seth Tower wrote:
My 24-105L is incredibly sharp. It rivals my 70-200 2.8L IS. Perhaps I got an unusually "good" copy...

Same here. I'm rather shocked at just how good it is. Not "prime" sharp, but very close.

I suspect the OP may have an AF problem. I usually shoot in manual-focus on purpose, because:

1: I just prefer the control.

2: Canon's AF QC is embarrassingly iffy.

Sep 22, 2008 at 09:58 PM

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