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Canon L series lens on a Cropped body - Technical ?
Apr 6, 2012 20:26:20 #
I have a technical question about my new 70-200 f4 IS USM. I currently have a T1i and really like the cropped factor. Am seriously considering getting a 7D but am waiting to see what Canon will do next in that series.
Anyway, my Q? - on the side of the L is a switch for 1.2m to inf or 3m to inf. I did read the book (sorta) which says it focuses faster on the 3m setting if focusing more than 10' away. No problem there. OK, i am getting there. On my cropped body with the switch in the 1.2m setting (4ft), when i focus on something at 4ft, it is very soft. The camera will take the picture but it is definitely soft. There is no real focus point that is sharp. I know that this lens is not a macro lens and i do not intend to use it that way. However, since the L is designed primarily for full frame sensors, is the 1.2m wrong for the cropped sensors? This may be weird but when i back up to 6ft or so, the focus becomes tack sharp.
Anyway, my Q? - on the side of the L is a switch for 1.2m to inf or 3m to inf. I did read the book (sorta) which says it focuses faster on the 3m setting if focusing more than 10' away. No problem there. OK, i am getting there. On my cropped body with the switch in the 1.2m setting (4ft), when i focus on something at 4ft, it is very soft. The camera will take the picture but it is definitely soft. There is no real focus point that is sharp. I know that this lens is not a macro lens and i do not intend to use it that way. However, since the L is designed primarily for full frame sensors, is the 1.2m wrong for the cropped sensors? This may be weird but when i back up to 6ft or so, the focus becomes tack sharp.
Apr 6, 2012 20:37:13 #
If you think you will buy a full frame Canon with in a year or maybe two It could make sense. Why pay for full frame coverage you wont use?
Apr 7, 2012 06:22:07 #
How is it at 5 feet? Most zooms are not dead on at there extreem limits and 4' is just a starting point. The switch is to make things easier on the motor and to allow it to focus a little quicker. Most people would not even think about using that lens under 10' but I admit there have been times I have used it at 7 or 8.
It is a fantastic lens and I would not be too concerned about pushing it to 4'
Jim D
It is a fantastic lens and I would not be too concerned about pushing it to 4'
Jim D
Apr 7, 2012 07:55:06 #
You may need to put it on a tripod and take a tape measure to check the distance to be sure. You may have to move the camera back just a few inches for it to focus sharply. The settings you are talking about have nothing to do with the camera being full frame or crop sensor.
Apr 7, 2012 09:08:46 #
You are probably closer than the minimum focusing distance. Back up a hair and it will focus sharply.
Apr 7, 2012 15:24:58 #
Ditto this! Measure. You may think your are 4 feet away, but actually be 3.95 feet away. If you put the EOS in single shot mode, you will hear an audible beep if it focused. It will not take a picture if, in that mode, it doesn't give you an audible noise and I believe in the viewfinder you will get a soild green dot indicating focus.
PS - always buy good glass. You never know when you might want to get a full frame camera. EF-s lenses will not work with a FF body, but you can always use an L series lens with any of Canons bodies.
PS - always buy good glass. You never know when you might want to get a full frame camera. EF-s lenses will not work with a FF body, but you can always use an L series lens with any of Canons bodies.
KarlB wrote:
You are probably closer than the minimum focusing distance. Back up a hair and it will focus sharply.
Apr 7, 2012 20:20:15 #
Thanks for all your advise. I will try my test again and use a tape measure. And yes, i am slowly working toward getting L glass. One step at a time. My next step is to move up to the 7D and stay cropped for now.
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Apr 7, 2012 21:49:39 #
Post a 'soft' pic that we can evaluate. You could have camera movement, there could be subject movement, there's the possibility that you 'missed' with the focus point . . . etc.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Jul 14, 2015 21:34:26 #
I have the 70-200 2.8. When I use the extension tubes with mine I can focus very close. Its more of a sports and portrait lens.
Jul 14, 2015 21:57:19 #
Thanks Jim, I love my 70-200 and i have tried the extension tubes as well. Mostly I know it's limits close up and just step back a bit. I finally bought a 100mm L f2.8 Macro lens and i can get real close.
taken at 160mm f4 1/250 at around 6 feet or so
Jul 16, 2015 07:25:31 #
if you stay with a crop sensor body, you only have two fast aps-c lenses. a 17-55mm and a 60mm f 2.8. to get other fast lenses you'll have to go with full frame lenses.
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Jul 16, 2015 17:24:50 #
I have stayed with the 7D cropped body and could not be happier with the results that i get. I did buy the 2.8 60mm before I got the 2.8 100mm L series macro, but did not like the 60mm. Since I bought it used, i basically sold it for the same price as i paid for it. I have rounded out may collection with the 2.8 gold EP-S 17-55 which has become my standard lens and just recently got the same series 10-22 3.5-4.5. I have come to realize, particularly on the short end that it is not cost effective to buy the L series. I am very happy with my L lenses and since i have bought them used, they will hold their value as long as i keep them in great shape which is fairly easy since they are sealed and really built well.
Jul 16, 2015 17:38:44 #
DaveGrScr wrote:
I have a technical question about my new 70-200 f4... (show quote)
Dave, I assume you are aware the MFD (min focus distance)for this lens is 3.9'. If you will be using it this close, just add a 12mm extension tube. I have the 70-200f2.8 and used to use tubes for butterflies until I got the 100f2.8 macro lens.
Ken
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