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Archive 2016 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

Perreault
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

Hello!

I was looking forward to the 100-400 to maybe replace my 500 F4 and my Nikon kit. I preordered the day it was announced and received it a month ago. I am testing it and I am not impressed. The photos I get are soft, very soft, nothing comparable to the sharp photos I see in the reviews on the web. I know how to use a long lens but cannot get good results.

On the 500 images I shot, not 10% are usable. See the examples below cropped only. Same results with or without the 1.4X extender. Same results on my XPro2 or XT1.

Is it possible I have a bad copy? What is the next step to prove it and how can I convince Fuji to exchange it?
Am I expecting too much?

Thank you for letting me know what you think.

560mm, 1/750, f9, iso 800

560mm, 1/250, f8, iso 1600

560mm, 1/120, f8, iso 800

560mm, 1/1400, f8, iso 800

400mm, 1/2700, f 5.6, iso 800

Mar 29, 2016 at 06:11 PM

Perreault
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

More examples. I know it is hard to tell on resized and cropped photos on the web.

Sorry for the ugly face... ;-)

540mm, 1/1500, f8, iso 800

560mm, 1/1250, f8, iso 800

400mm, 1/60, f5.6, iso 3200, on sturdy tripod

400mm, 1/50, f5.6, iso 3200, on sturdy tripod

560mm, 1/150, f8, iso 1600.

Mar 29, 2016 at 06:16 PM

douter
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

I'm wondering, don't know about Fuji, but is there af fine tune? Have you attempted to manual focus with the lens and get the same results? I was under the impression it wouldn't work with the rangefinder.
Douglas

Mar 29, 2016 at 06:18 PM

RustyBug
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

I don't know the correct term for describing it, but it looks like my Vivitar 120-600/5.6-8.0 (well, maybe my Viv is better) regarding the lack of fine detail @ "blocky". That and the fringing is also reminiscent of my Viv. I've always thought the Fuji's ran a little more "graphic" in their drawing style rather than fine detail.

That said, the 1.4X seems to be paying a heavy penalty, and ISO 800 probably isn't helping much. I'd shoot some more shots @ ISO 100 without the 1.4X to make my judgment of the lens by before deciding its fate.

And, if you by chance can adapt your 500 to the Fuji, then you could compare the glass on the same sensor to see how much diff there is in the optics. Also, these are all shot WO and most zoom lenses shot WO at their long end tend to get soft. Try shooting it around the 350mm range WO and see how much diff it changes in that last 50mm. I've seen this in several different long zooms where that last 25mm - 50mm really takes a hit WO ... particularly vulnerable in "soft" light.

Mar 29, 2016 at 06:23 PM

JBPhotog
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

Focus tuning is not possible on the Fuji mirrorless but some controlled tests would help. The reason I say that, the second portrait does show some sharpness, check the eyebrow and a few hairs, they look plenty sharp. However, your slow shutter speed could be a contributing factor since the subject is not mounted on a tripod.

From your examples, I'd say your 1.4 X extender may be the problem. but if handheld you may be leaning on VR too much.

Here's what I would do, plant the camera on a sturdy tripod. Check you camera settings making sure sharpness is not set to full minus setting. Put a focus target(one with high contrast lines) on a stand and set it up, a calm day would help. After critical focus on the target, use a cable release or set the timer to capture some shots at various F-stops, wide open to fully closed. You will find where the sweet spot of the lens is. If you still can't get sharp results, it is time to open a dialogue with Fuji.

Mar 29, 2016 at 06:43 PM

dbehrens
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

Having same results on your XPro2 or XT1 does put the lens in suspicion. Are you using the C or S autofocus setting? At least on the X-T1 the C setting is pretty weak on focus lock. If you are using C then I would suggest changing it to S and compare results on stationary subjects.

Mar 29, 2016 at 06:55 PM

RustyBug
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

+1 @ eyebrow & few hairs.

Also, aside from the potential camera shake / reduction reliance ... optics perform differently at different distances also. That said, the eyebrow shot is likely at a much closer distance than those of the birds, etc. Imo, the 100-400 should be optimized for the longer distances, so if it is a great performer @ rock solid portrait distance, but not at field distance, I'd likely not be satisfied with the short distance performance as an indicator of the lens merit.

Mar 29, 2016 at 06:57 PM

arduluth
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

I'd echo JBPhoto's suggestions. Samples without the TC, on a tripod, of a static subject with fine detail (tree limbs, leaves, fabrics, rocks) at a series of apertures would be good.

Mar 29, 2016 at 07:35 PM

Perreault
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer.

A few comments:

No AF tuning possible on Fuji.
Iso 800 is very very clean on these two cameras.
t am using S autofocus.

I will do more tests with and without the 1.4. It has absolutely no perceivable effect when I use it with the 50-140 2.8.
I will also do more test different focal length and f stops.
I will try to do tests to compare another 100-400 in the same conditions.

Yves

Mar 29, 2016 at 07:39 PM

rodmcwha
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

There is no reason for af fine tuning on a mirrorless camera! Fine tuning brings the mirror and prism into balance with the distance from lens to sensor.
While I would definitely try a tripod shot, it looks like your lens may be suspect.
Good luck working it out.

Mar 29, 2016 at 08:06 PM

justruss
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

Shoot it on a tripod, at base ISO, in good light, with a fast shutter speed, of a high-contrast, high-detail, non-moveable subject.

Do 3-5 shots via AF.
Do 3-5 shots via MF w/ focus magnification to make sure you've nailed focus.

Look at the images. Are they sharp? Are they sharp in the right places.

Re-evaluate whether it's the glass, AF, or your technique.

Mar 29, 2016 at 11:40 PM

liggy
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

Almost looks like the OIS is switched off to me. My copy is really nice.

Mar 29, 2016 at 11:57 PM

jankap
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

I looked at 3 wild life pictures of your lens. The AF seems to be ok.
Exposures 1/2700, 1/750 and 1/120. None is sharp.
The little bird on the branch (1/120) is the sharpest, but there seems to be front focus.
Jan

Mar 30, 2016 at 01:27 AM

hauxon
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

I would say something is wrong with the lens and actually it's a first "bad copy" issue of a Fuji lens I've heard of. I've used mine on both X-Pro2 and X-T1, S autofocus, ISO up to 3200 and softness is not a problem with this lens. I however do not have the extender. I would do the testing without it to rule it out of the equation.

Mar 30, 2016 at 03:23 AM

Jman13
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

Fuji's QC is pretty good, but they are certainly not immune to the occasional lemon. My first 18-55 had something seriously off with the OIS, I had issues with two 56/1.2s, one of which had a failed focus clutch and was decentered, the second started coming apart at the barrel after a week. My third has been fantastic for two years, though.

hauxon wrote:
I would say something is wrong with the lens and actually it's a first "bad copy" issue of a Fuji lens I've heard of. I've used mine on both X-Pro2 and X-T1, S autofocus, ISO up to 3200 and softness is not a problem with this lens. I however do not have the extender. I would do the testing without it to rule it out of the equation.

Mar 30, 2016 at 03:45 AM

Perreault
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

Thanks everyone!

I am taking it back to my local camera store tomorrow. Will see what they say.

Mar 30, 2016 at 02:54 PM

rxgolf
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

Perreault wrote:
Thanks everyone!

I am taking it back to my local camera store tomorrow. Will see what they say.

I certainly hope that they can fix you up. I opened the thread hoping to see the opposite. I would love to go X-T2 when it arrives with the 100-400 to possibly replace my Nikon set up. Dang, you have to be frustrated as obviously you have worked at making it work. I will look forward to seeing you post some shots if they set you up with a different copy. There seem to be several talking about good results with their copy. If anyone here has posted some examples on the wildlife forum here please share a link or at least your user name. If I can get equal results to the cheaper Nikon 200-500 with the Fuji set up I would make the move. I am really impressed with Fuji glass and the value I see with their prices.
Greg

Mar 31, 2016 at 02:31 PM

uhoh7
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

A nikon 500/4 is a very strong (and expensive) lens. If you know that lens well, you should know no zoom on earth is going to equal it. Used they are around 4 grand

However the fuji should do way better than your samples. For example it looks very nice
HERE

It looks be right in there with the better 400 zooms

Long lenses are not easy to use, that's for sure.

Mar 31, 2016 at 03:27 PM

ariel777
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

I had the lens and returned it. I was most disappointed as I did not find the IQ (my copy at least) to measure up to the Nikon lenses that I use for birding. I did not expect it to come close to my 500/4 but certainly contemplated that it would consistently be in the same ballpark as the 300/4PF which it was not. At times some of my captures were the equal of my efforts with the Nikon 200-500, but generally not. The results, at least in my hands, were sufficiently disappointing that I did not even bother to open the 1.4 TC box. And I do like Fuji as I have nine other Fuji lenses for use with my X-T1. It's just not a "birding" lens for me.

Edited on Apr 02, 2016 at 12:41 AM · View previous versions

Mar 31, 2016 at 09:04 PM

Vishals
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · I think my Fuji 100-400 is soft!

I just rented the lens from Borrowlenses. All the photos are very soft and I did not use the TC and used a tripod.

Apr 01, 2016 at 10:08 AM

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