I have recently bought a used EF 70-200 F4 IS listed as "like new". I was surprised in finding that the focus of the lens is much slower than my EF 24-105 F4 IS, EF 85 F1.8, even my EFS 18-55. The way I test is to focus alternate objects about 2 meter and 20 meter away. The EF 70-200 F4 IS takes about 1-2 seconds to focus on new objects, while it is almost instantaneous for other lens on the same camera body. The noise of the IS in EF 70-200 F4 IS is also significantly noisier than EF 24-105 F4 IS. Thus I am wondering whether the lens is actually defective. Thanks!
I had the non-IS, and it was as fast or faster than any lens I have, and I have the 85 1.8 like you, which is pretty darn quick. I would say that something is amiss.
Thanks for all of the comments. I tried switching the focus limiter, and the improvement is not noticeable if there is any. And if it is designed to function in >1.2 m range, then it should, right? After all, it is a ~$1000 investment.
I've had to replace the USM in my 70-200 f/4L IS two times now... The first was my fault for dropping the lens a few feet, but the latest was kind of out of the blue. What would happen is if the lens was pointed up, AF would not work. It would try, but just wouldn't get to where it wanted to go. If I photographed something on the horizon, at the same level as me, AF was OK. I just tried the lens on a camera and the focus is very fast when switching focus points from a near object to far object. So, I wonder if there might be a problem with the USM of your lens...?
This lens's IS is somewhat noisy.
If you can find another copy to test against, it should confirm whether or not there is a problem.
The 70-200 should be VERY fast focusing (assuming reasonable light and a bit of contrast in the target). Sounds like the lens has a problem. You may have to send it into Canon for a look and repair, or look for a refund from the seller.
Noisy IS is probably normal.
Good idea to find another one local (Camera store, friend, forum member) to compare.
Jim
Sep 16, 2012 at 02:00 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
Well, I consulted one of my friends regarding the lens, and he told me that "the long lens is always slower than short lens because of more shallow depth of field from long lens. It's getting much more obvious when you use super tele lens (like a 500mmf4)".
This morning, I tested my 70-200 and 24-105 again in my backyard. And again I found that the 24-105 can focus from infinite to ~2 meter object before I can count one; while I can count up to four before the 70-200 lens can focus from infinite to ~2 meter object.
My 70-200 focuses over its full range in less than a second. My 300/f4L IS is just as fast (maybe even faster). My 70-200 is very comparable focusing speed to my 24-105/f4 IS except the 70-200 is a little noisier.
I think your lens may have a problem.
Sep 17, 2012 at 12:08 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
5D_Mark5 wrote:
Well, I consulted one of my friends regarding the lens, and he told me that "the long lens is always slower than short lens because of more shallow depth of field from long lens. It's getting much more obvious when you use super tele lens (like a 500mmf4)".
This morning, I tested my 70-200 and 24-105 again in my backyard. And again I found that the 24-105 can focus from infinite to ~2 meter object before I can count one; while I can count up to four before the 70-200 lens can focus from infinite to ~2 meter object.
Your friend is wrong The very long super-tele lenses have the fastest AF in the whole Canon line-up. This is not a "depth id field" thing
5D_Mark5 wrote:
Well, I consulted one of my friends regarding the lens, and he told me that "the long lens is always slower than short lens because of more shallow depth of field from long lens. It's getting much more obvious when you use super tele lens (like a 500mmf4)".
This morning, I tested my 70-200 and 24-105 again in my backyard. And again I found that the 24-105 can focus from infinite to ~2 meter object before I can count one; while I can count up to four before the 70-200 lens can focus from infinite to ~2 meter object.
counting 1 to 4 as fast as you can (like an a really good auctioneer) or a deliberate 1. 2. 3. 4. if the latter that sounds kinda wacked out sorry to say
I found that it actually jumped extreme target distances faster than my 300 2.8 IS (on non 1 series), if anything
granted the 85 you list and some of the others I believe are known to be fast focusing but still the 70-200 f/4 IS is no sloth for AF at all from my experience
skibum5 wrote:
counting 1 to 4 as fast as you can (like an a really good auctioneer) or a deliberate 1. 2. 3. 4. if the latter that sounds kinda wacked out sorry to say
I found that it actually jumped extreme target distances faster than my 300 2.8 IS (on non 1 series), if anything
granted the 85 you list and some of the others I believe are known to be fast focusing but still the 70-200 f/4 IS is no sloth for AF at all from my experience
I am sorry I could not operate a stop watch and a camera at the same time. And I am not a professional auctioneer, so I am sure it takes more than 1 second for me count 1 to 4 at normal pacing.
5D_Mark5 wrote:
I am sorry I could not operate a stop watch and a camera at the same time. And I am not a professional auctioneer, so I am sure it takes more than 1 second for me count 1 to 4 at normal pacing.
i will test a 70-300L on my 5D2/5D3 later and see (i believe the 70-300L was pretty similar to the 70-200 f/4 IS I used to have in AF speed for that sort of test)
skibum5 wrote:
i will test a 70-300L on my 5D2/5D3 later and see (i believe the 70-300L was pretty similar to the 70-200 f/4 IS I used to have in AF speed for that sort of test)
Thanks for all of the comments and extra efforts to help.
I just initiated the return process of Amazon market seller and found that I am responsible for the return shipping cost (unlike returning things bought directly from Amazon).
I also found Amazon says "Any item that is not in its original condition, is damaged, or is missing parts for reasons not due to our error: you'll receive up to 50% of item's price." This made me worry that the seller may take advantage of this policy and issue me only up to 50% of original purchase price. Any people has experience with returning to Amazon market seller?
All of these made me reconsider the options. Any estimate to have the lens serviced by Canon?
5D_Mark5 wrote:
Thanks for all of the comments and extra efforts to help.
I just initiated the return process of Amazon market seller and found that I am responsible for the return shipping cost (unlike returning things bought directly from Amazon).
I also found Amazon says "Any item that is not in its original condition, is damaged, or is missing parts for reasons not due to our error: you'll receive up to 50% of item's price." This made me worry that the seller may take advantage of this policy and issue me only up to 50% of original purchase price. Any people has experience with returning to Amazon market seller?
All of these made me reconsider the options. Any estimate to have the lens serviced by Canon?...Show more →
Amazon will come to bat for you if run into trouble.
Well I just had my 70-300L on a 5D2 and i pointed it, using center point, one shot mode, at something very close on the deck and then at the top of a tall tree and I could say "one" and barely start saying "two" and I was trying to speak as fast as I could so I think yours is totally messed up, either that or you are doing something horribly wrong (but since you don't have the issue with other lenses it's probably the lens and not you). It's under a second for me. Maybe more like 1/2 second. At worst.
And I'm pretty sure the 70-200 f/4 IS was about the same speed as the 70-300L for this test.
So yeah I'm 99% sure you sold off someone's broken lens.
But as I said, Amazon is usually really good about this sort of thing.
The very long super-tele lenses have the fastest AF in the whole Canon line-up. This is not a "depth id field" thing