Hi there, first time poster here, but had a question about this lens I recently bought used in good condition (glass anyway). I've shot with many lenses over the years, but I believe I might be returning this lens if any of you think that is best. Hand-Holding this lens, tripod mounting, various apertures, etc.....and the pictures all look the same. Not a quality image at all. I focused on a trash roller serial number in my neighborhood about 50 yards away.....all images (and the serial number) appear in excellent focus as usual on the viewfinder before snapping, but the resulting image is always lousy. My 100-400mm will have that serial number tack sharp at any length whether tripod mounted or hand held. I even tried various macro adjustments within my 1Ds menu system yesterday (first time for that) and nothing changed. Any clues?
Update from today's try.....no tripod today, in-hand, IS on mode-1. I tried much higher number AV numbers and this thing gets a little better but to me is working the opposite way. Focused objects appear more sharp at f10 or f14 then f5.6 which is lousy. Here are some comparisons today. First series (neighbor's license plate is focused) is shot at f14 and the second image is at f5.6. Second series (trash cans again, blue can Springs Waste Recycling logo is focused) - first shot at f10, second shot at f5.6.
What shutter speeds were you working with? This is as far as I know an ultra sharp lens. Did you perform the micro adjustment on tripod with no IS and using a chart? if not you probably made the focus worse.
Using AV program, first time ever doing micro adjustments. It was on tripod when I did them, can't remember about IS since I was trying everything. I just remember I tried -10, -5, 0, +5, and +10 and all were same result.
I think it is the lens though - because you can tell in the viewfinder when focusing that everything is focused. Then you go to look at the image that was recorded and you are like "what in the world is this?"
So just to ask a few have you tried questions. Have you tried this lens on another body, and if so, what was the result? Have you got any lens corrections turned on? Turn off IS, and try again, what sort of results do you get? I would select a higher ISO so to get a fast shutter speed and have another go. I don't have this lens, I have the 400 f5.6 L, and it gives me sharper images than what you have attached here. It looks more like camera shake than missed focus. I guess that if you attach another long lens, the images are nice and sharp. Something is really not right here. Gary
Yeah I did more tripod shots with IS on and off today....same result unfortunately. Mounted it on my 1dx too, same result. Going to send it back. Bargain deal I got on it for $1500, sigh. Thanks for the tips everyone....
I am not sure what the going price for this lens is in your neck of the woods, but it seems to be a to good to be true sort of bargain. I think it is an item to return. Gary