I just filled out the exchange request for Amazon. I could send it back to Canon, but Amazon lets you keep the old lens for up to 30 days while you have the new lens in your hands. Their customer service is unbelievable (I've purchased equipment from them before). If I send it back to Canon, I would be without it for a good week or two. At least it's "usable" for now, so if something comes up where I want to use it, I'll just have to sharpen the pictures a tad.
Hmmm not sure about the first batch of photos posted but here are a few of mine at both ends on a 1d MkIIn, shot RAW converted in DPP and saved for web in CS2.
trenchmonkey wrote:
No prob! Sure didn't want to start my morning looking like a bonehead...I've got all day to work on that.
Robert, if there's any doubt at all just send it in.
Trench, I've got looking like a bonehead knocked out, by 8:05AM, and I wake up at 8AM!! Get to work!
The sharpness thing comes up here a bit, and while I think that it's okay to ask, I completely agree with Trench. Once you begin to question it, not too much will actually change your mind.
The DsIII had a very tough AA filter in front of the sensor...All the detail will be there but you must have a deal of experience with sharpening techniques to "bring up" all the detail from the RAW data.
I agree that 21mp will show a lens weakness but trading away your 24-70 and 70-200? why didn't you just micro adjust them and save to your camera settings? I doubt that they aren't up to the challenge...you obviously will loose more in the corners but that is to be expected when shooting FF...get a 35L
I had a very sharp 24-105. When I tested it against the 85L the 24-105 I owned had an edge on sharpness when at 6.3 and up. The interesting thing I found was that the 85L and 50 1.4 had more contrast than the 24-105. The increased contrast especially wide open was in the end for me the winner.
Just to let you all know, I've contacted Canon and sent in samples. He said that it might be slightly soft, but still within the "normal" range for this lens. I bumped up sharpness one stop over factor settings on the camera, and it seems to be tack sharp. Here's some sample 100% crops...
I've been taking a lot of pictures since then, and it has been holding up very well. I've taken some that are too awesome for words when printed out as 8x10... tack sharp, and beautiful colors/contrast. The pictures LOOK like an L took them.
I think I'm happy with it after all.
MANY thanks to you all for taking your time to help!!!!
