Need help with lens purchase (Page 3): 50D is a good camera and many have praised the 100-400 for the application you've rented it for. I agree with Gessman

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Need help with lens purchase.

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Oct 14, 2012 13:29:11 #

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

Millismote wrote:

I have a Canon 50D and I have rented a Canon 100-400 mm l f4.5-5.6 lens from Lens Giant for 8 days.

50D is a good camera and many have praised the 100-400 for the application you've rented it for.
I agree with Gessman - you've done all the stuff right - Tripod and IS turned off - - so that leaves a front or back focus issue as the most likely.
Try switching to manual focus, on Tripod, IS off: then use LiveView and press the Magnify button until you're at 10x - use the back screen to decide when focus is optimal - then take the shot. See if you get a better result. If so - then the camera / lens needs adjustment - which is where the Microfocus setting becomes useful.
IF the image developed from the shot above is STILL fuzzy - and you have gotten SHARP images with OTHER lenses - then there MAY be a problem with the lens you were sent.

Oct 14, 2012 13:36:03 #

Canikon Guy Loc: Baltimore, MD

jeep_daddy wrote:

Canikon Guy wrote:

I have the same camera and lens. br 50D with the 1... (show quote)

I have this lens too. Canikon Guy says it all. You need to experiment with a new lens to find what works and what doesn't. Every time I purchase a new lens or body, it usually takes a couple of weeks to test and see what works - especially the 100-400. It stands to reason that a prime lens will be sharper than a zoom so don't let that other experiment bum you out. Zooms have advantages over primes and vise verse.

One thing you need to listen to is the last thing that Canikon Guy said. "With a rental lens, who knows how it's been handled"

I checked your image and it should be sharper than that. When I take landscape shots I usually shoot between f8/f22. I also use one shot focus and not AI Servo. I'll usually use a remote shutter or a 2-10 second delay. If the subject is really distant, I'll use mirror lockup. The 50D doesn't have video capability (I don't think it does anyway) so it may not have 'Live View' - but if it does, try Live View and use the LCD zoom and manual focus. On a tripod this is a great feature for landscape and moon shots. Also, if you are shooting jpg, check your picture styles and see if the sharpening has been altered. I've seen what happens to a jpg if the sharpness in a picture style is all the way left. (or turned down) Very soft! If you're not shooting in raw, you really should be as Canikon Guy said.

quote=Canikon Guy I have the same camera and lens... (show quote)

I checked my 50D manual.
If you have the manual, turn to PAGE 115.
It will explain how to use LIVE VIEW and the precautions.
It says that a tripod is recommended.

You can download (from Canon) a PDF file and save the manual on your computer.

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer/eos_slr_camera_systems/eos_digital_slr_cameras/eos_50d?selectedName=BrochuresAndManuals

You can get a iPhone APP from iTunes called "Handi 50D" with lots of information right on your iPhone. FREE :mrgreen:

Oct 14, 2012 14:33:50 #

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

Ditto that advice, and the Canon 100-400 is a super sharp lens.

Blurryeyed wrote:

quote=Millismote I have been researching canon le... (show quote)

Oct 14, 2012 15:25:57 #

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Well, I will say a few things here. If you have a protective filter on the lens - take it off and try shooting ! The 100-400 is a very complex lens - so, there are good ones and not so good ones that get through Canon's QC even when new. Since it is a rental - who know's what it has been through -which is why renting is only a partial answer to evaluating. In this focal length range, I prefer lenses without IS for reliability. I also prefer in a zoom lens, the 70-200 with 2X or the Sigma 100-300 F4 with 1.4X on a monopod - more ergonomic than 100-400. Whenever you decide to actually BUY a lens, make sure you can test it and return it whether new or used.

Oct 14, 2012 16:06:09 #

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Millismote wrote:

I have been researching canon lenses for months tr... (show quote)

Submit full size jpegs at highest possible quality and click on the (store original) box. That way we can see the EXIF and make useful suggestions as to the reason for the unsharpness.

Oct 14, 2012 16:25:35 #

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

mcveed wrote:

quote=Millismote I have been researching canon le... (show quote)

He tried but couldn't get it to work. UHH has issues uploading images that nobody seems to be able to explain.

Oct 14, 2012 17:05:55 #

mickeys Loc: Fort Wayne, IN

can't post photos as raw. must be jpeg

Oct 14, 2012 17:10:29 #

gordnanaimo Loc: Vancouver Island

I have a 5d mk11 and the same lens as you (100-400) This is a superior lens. It is VITALLY important that you turn the is(image stablizer) OFF. if you are using it on a tripod or you will get a shake from the stablizer. Your camera is fine. other than the 100-400 works a little better with a full frame but I use it on my 7D and it works great. Just remember to turn the stablizer off on a tripod and set your focus to 1.6m minimum

Oct 14, 2012 17:24:03 #

Vic. Loc: Ohio

Here are two pictures taken with 40D with a 100/400mm L IS lens. And these were taken hand held at 400 to 500 ft. I am well satisfied with the results.

Oct 14, 2012 17:31:57 #

mickeys Loc: Fort Wayne, IN

first pic is just a little high contrast, second pic looks very nice

Oct 14, 2012 17:41:14 #

gordnanaimo Loc: Vancouver Island

You can't argue with this. Great photos and Hand Held. I am assuming you had the stablizer on.

Oct 14, 2012 18:18:26 #

toolman1224 Loc: Vandalia, OH

Here are some pics that I took yesterday with my Canon 100-400. It was raining off and on and you can actually see raindrops in some of the pics.

Oct 14, 2012 18:30:53 #

Vic. Loc: Ohio

Yes when using it hand held I have Image stabilizer on. It is also good for close up shots.

Oct 14, 2012 18:42:24 #

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Millismote wrote:

Festina Lente wrote:

jerryc41 wrote:

quote=jdubu 1. Turn off image stabilizer when on ... (show quote)

The Canon 100-400mm L-series lens has a reputation for often being out of focus. It varies from lens to lens.
Since you rented one, all of the suggestions above will help improve focus. Use f/12 to f/16 if possible for a deeper DOF.
If you are still unsatisfied with the results:
If you had a different camera your could calibrate the lens within the camera.
But you can also take a photo of a ruler or tape measure with fine increments at a 30 degree (+/-) angle and see if the area the camera focused on is in sharp focus. If it is not, you will at least know which direction it is out of focus and have some idea about how much.
Armed with this knowledge, you can use autofocus and then swutch to manual focus to adjust the lens slightly in the biased direction and shoot. Alternatively, try focusing manually.
Also, the Canon 100-400mm focus often has a significant travel past infinity. If you are taking distant landscapes and the autofocus is on infinity, switch to manual focus and take some shots on both sides of the infinity indicator to help you locate the true infinity setting on that particular lens.
Frustrating, I know, but renting a lens before you buy it is often a good idea.
Many here will tell you their Canon 100-400mm L-series lens is tack sharp. That is probably true. But there is more than the usual focus variance between examples of this particular lens and without an in-camera lens calibration to fix the problem, you may be somewhat handicapped when taking action shots and anything that does not allow you to tweak the focus each time.
BTW, I own one.

quote=jerryc41 quote=jdubu 1. Turn off image sta... (show quote)

Festina, I took this picture on the tripod of some trees across the pond. IS was turned off and the auto focus was on spot and on the trees (distance about 300 ft) in the foreground. The settings are part of the download picture. The soft focus is typical of my pictures when viewed at full size. I was hoping for something sharper then this.

quote=Festina Lente quote=jerryc41 quote=jdubu ... (show quote)

I agree, this image should and could be sharper.

Here is what I would do based on what you have told us:
1) take the lens back based on its poor performance and all your efforts to try to use it. Ask for another lens and an extension on the rental instead of a refund as they will be more likely to grant that.
2) Learn how to make the microadjustments to your camera for that particular lens and go use it while treating that part of your rental extension as a learning experience.
Just be aware that if you decide to buy this particular model lens, you will have to adjust the microadjustments in your camera again to calibrate for the new lens.

Best of luck to you.

Oct 14, 2012 19:30:30 #

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

The image you posted is not only somewhat out of focus, it is also hazy, almost like you were shooting through frosted glass. I would try a back focussing test to see if that is the problem. I don't believe you have autofocus fine adjustment on your camera, but the test will tell you if that is the problem. Its a shame when you rent a lens to see if you want to buy one and you get a bad copy.

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