Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

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Archive 2009 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

caringserv
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p.1 #1 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

Hi I have taken a couple of pictures using the 5D mark II camera with a 100-400L Canon lens.

400mm
f5.6
100 iso
1 1/250 sec

The bird was about 300 feet in front of me. The bird was standing still. Full sun on the bird.

1st picture is normal just like I saw in the view finder
2nd picture is the same as the 1st one, however it is a 100% crop of the 1st

The crop seems soft to me. Am I just pushing the limits of this lens? I see so many great pictures of 400mm shots with this lens and mine seems not so good.

I do get good shots from this lens but I get far more bad ones. I am trying to figure out if it is me or the equipment.

Whats everyones take on this?

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Nov 22, 2009 at 05:02 PM

Ian.Dobinson
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p.1 #2 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

Have you tried any MA on that combo?
Flick around the image ta 100% to see if anything else is sharper

Nov 22, 2009 at 05:12 PM

caringserv
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p.1 #3 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

Here is another set of pictures with this 100-400L lens.
The subject was about 10 feet in front of me.

1st pic was 400mm f5.6 IS was on. 1/50 sec, full pic no crop
2nd pic was a 100% crop of the first

The results seem to be great. From what I can tell the pictures are super sharp.
What is everyones take on this set?

2012 © caringserv

Nov 22, 2009 at 05:16 PM

Photon
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p.1 #4 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

Yes, the shot looks soft. Assuming that this was hand held, was IS on? Did you allow a moment for the image to stabilize in the viewfinder (which would indicate that IS had done its work)? It's a little hard to be sure from your sample, but the focus appears to be in the right place, so I'd suspect a bit of camera motion. If some of your shots are sharp, it is probably not a case of a lens defect.

Edit: My response was to the first shot only. The dog looks ok for 1/50 sec., which is a stretch for the older IS system of the 100-400. Still, the best way to test the optical performance of the lens would be on a tripod with a stationary, detailed subject. Next best would be in light that permits high shutter speeds (say 1/1000 sec, even with IS on). The suggestion of trying Microfocus Adjustment is good, if it turns out that your AF is not nailing things.

Nov 22, 2009 at 05:17 PM

caringserv
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p.1 #5 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

Hi Ian.Dobinson

I looked around the image. That apprears to be the sharpest area (the bird).

The focus point was on the bird. Center point was used.

I must be doing something wrong when I am shooting. I have also tried mirror lockup when I shoot but that has not helped. I also tried higher shutter speeds and higher/lower ISO's and a mix of them both but nothing has helped. IS was off on that shot of the bird.

Nov 22, 2009 at 05:24 PM

caringserv
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p.1 #6 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

The lens is brand new, I even sent the camera and lens into Canon for calibration and told them about this softness issue. These shots were taken after the equipment was returned back to me repaired. I did tell them I wanted the lens calibrated to the camera body as well.

PHOTON: I will take some pictures again. The First shot was hand held with IS off.

Nov 22, 2009 at 05:28 PM

Photon
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p.1 #7 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

Since the bird shot was done at 1/250 w IS off, that could explain the result. Some photogs consistently get great results @ 400 mm with shutter speeds like that, but I assure you I'm not one of them. On the other hand, I have shots with the 100-400 at 400 mm wide open that are impressively sharp whether pixel peeped or printed large.

Since you mention trying mirror lock up, you must have done some tripod testing. Definitely recommend you use the pod and live view for some tests. The 5D II LCD at 10x makes it pretty easy to zero in on perfect focus of a stationary subject. Be sure you mount the lens to the tripod, rather than the camera!

Nov 22, 2009 at 05:38 PM

garyvot
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p.1 #8 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

Those don't look particularly sharp to me. You may need to micro-focus adjust your lens.

However, the first thing to do is verify that your lens is performing normally: put your camera on a tripod, turn off IS, set the drive mode for 2" self timer, use Live View and focus on a target using 'Live Mode' focusing (not 'Quick Mode'). Verify focus manually at 10x if desired. Then check your images: they should be crisp; if not your lens may be soft for some reason other than focus.

If the images are sharp this way, you just need to micro-focus adjust your lens/camera body combination.

Nov 22, 2009 at 05:40 PM

caringserv
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p.1 #9 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

Hi Photon

Here are some new pictures!
- tripod
- mirror lockup
- IS on
- ISO 800
- 1/800 sec
- Remote fire 2 sec delay (waiting 10 seconds for tripod to stabilize)
- waited 10 sec for IS to stabilize
- Lens mounted on tripod, not camera
- no post processing at all (except to reduce size for upload)
- Focus landed directly on the bird.
- Bird about 80 feet away from me

1st one normal
2nd one 100% crop

Is this set better?

More pics to come of different subjects, speeds, etc...

2012 © caringserv

Nov 22, 2009 at 05:49 PM

caringserv
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p.1 #10 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

This may sound strange but from what I can tell so far, the further away the subject is the worse the picture quality is. If I shoot the a subject close up at the same 400mm f5.6 1/800 or higher shutter speed the better the picture gets.

Nov 22, 2009 at 05:59 PM

Gavin Sim
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p.1 #11 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

with a shutter speed of 1/250 on the first image it might just be camera shake. I struggle with my 400mm prime at that shutter speed to get sharp images due to my bad technique.

The last post looks a great deal better.

Nov 22, 2009 at 06:03 PM

caringserv
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p.1 #12 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

Here are some new pictures!
- tripod
- mirror lockup
- IS on
- ISO 100
- 1/1250 sec
- Remote fire 2 sec delay (waiting 10 seconds for tripod to stabilize)
- waited 10 sec for IS to stabilize
- Lens mounted on tripod, not camera
- no post processing at all (except to reduce size for upload)
- Focus landed directly on the bird poop.
- Bird poop about 50 feet away from me

1st one normal
2nd one 100% crop

any better?

2012 © caringserv

Nov 22, 2009 at 06:03 PM

EB-1
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p.1 #13 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

caringserv wrote:
This may sound strange but from what I can tell so far, the further away the subject is the worse the picture quality is. If I shoot the a subject close up at the same 400mm f5.6 1/800 or higher shutter speed the better the picture gets.

Yes, that is normal. The refractive index of air is not exactly 1 and affects the image more at greater distances. Local variations in temperature and humidity create optical distortions that reduce IQ.

EBH

Nov 22, 2009 at 06:04 PM

caringserv
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p.1 #14 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

Here are some new pictures!
- tripod
- mirror lockup
- IS on
- ISO 100
- 1/1600 sec
- Remote fire 2 sec delay (waiting 10 seconds for tripod to stabilize)
- waited 10 sec for IS to stabilize
- Lens mounted on tripod, not camera
- no post processing at all (except to reduce size for upload)
- Focus landed directly on the roof.
- roof about 80 feet away from me

1st one normal
2nd one 100% crop

This one doesn't look so hot cropped, seems blurry to me. It should not be at 1/1600 of a sec shutter speed regardless of camera shake.

Any opinions?

2012 © caringserv

Nov 22, 2009 at 06:10 PM

EB-1
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p.1 #15 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

Turn off the IS when using that old lens on a tripod.

EBH

Nov 22, 2009 at 06:13 PM

caringserv
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p.1 #16 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

Thank EB-1

That could be my problem at least in some of my images including the first one, beside the low shutter speed.

I will be more careful and look at the surrounding areas to see if I can see any of these with my eye as well. I know what you are talking about!

Thanks for the good tip on this. It explains a lot!!!

Nov 22, 2009 at 06:17 PM

willis
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p.1 #17 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

The dogs nose looks pretty sharp to me. A little USM and it looks very good IMO. The first pic shows motion blur - 1/250s was too slow. The latest pic looks reasonable, you can see some feather detail at 100%. Have you applied any pp? All 100% crops will benefit a lot from a little sharpening in post (if only becasue of the AA filter).

Nov 22, 2009 at 06:18 PM

EB-1
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p.1 #18 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

Try shooting about 20 feet and bump up the ISO a bit. The lens should be quite sharp at f/8 in the central zone. There little less MTF wide open, but it should be much better than what you are seeing.

EBH

Nov 22, 2009 at 06:20 PM

caringserv
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p.1 #19 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

Here are some new pictures!
- tripod
- mirror lockup
- IS OFF<-------- Requested!!

- ISO 200
- 1/1250 sec
- F8 <------------- Requested~!

- Remote fire 2 sec delay (waiting 10 seconds for tripod to stabilize)
- Lens mounted on tripod, not camera
- no post processing at all (except to reduce size for upload)
- Focus landed directly on the NAIL on the roof
- roof about 80 feet away from me
- LIVE MODE ON
- 10x Zoom on with focus adjustment after it was on

1st one normal
2nd one 100% crop
3rd one is post processing using unsharpen mask

I think it is getting better...

Any opinions?

2012 © caringserv

Nov 22, 2009 at 06:37 PM

caringserv
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p.1 #20 · Question: Are these pics sharp on 100-400 lens 5d MKII?

Here are some new pictures!
- tripod
- mirror lockup
- IS OFF<-------- Requested!!
- ISO 200
- 1/1250 sec
- F8 <------------- Requested~!
- Remote fire 2 sec delay (waiting 10 seconds for tripod to stabilize)
- Lens mounted on tripod, not camera
- no post processing at all (except to reduce size for upload)
- Focus landed directly on the netting itself
- hoop about 40 feet away from me
- LIVE MODE ON
- 10x Zoom on with focus adjustment after it was on

1st one normal
2nd one 100% crop
3rd one is post processing using unsharpen mask

I think it is getting better...

Any opinions?

2012 © caringserv

Nov 22, 2009 at 06:46 PM

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