Reading mode: Light Dark

70-200/4L sharp at 70, soft at 200

Go to last post
R

Rob P

Forum Enthusiast
Messages
292
Reaction score
0
Location
Toronto / Ontario, US
Hi all,

Just wanted to get some feedback to see if I'm alone in this. I've had my 70-200/4L for a couple of years now and generally speaking, I've been happy with it. However, over time I noticed that my shots on the 70-135mm end are quite a bit sharper than those at 200mm. It is more noticeable since I got my 5D last October, although I have the same issue when the lens is used on my 10D.

Some simple testing shows that aperture does not have any effect on this, the problem exists at all apertures. Stopping down only reduces some minor vignetting.

Has anyone else had this issue? If so, did you just live with it? Send it in to Canon for service/calibration? Sell your lens?

I know this should be a fine optic even at 200mm, and I'm not saying mine is especially bad, but it is noticeably sharper at the wider end.

(Please don't ask me to post images/100% crops, you'll have to take my word for it as I've shot hundreds of photos with the lens).

If I send it in for calibration, do I need to send my camera bodies in as well? And if they calibrate the camera at the same time, will that affect focus on my other lenses? Perhaps I need to send in my whole kit?

Your thoughts are appreciated. Thanks in advance,
-Rob

--
http://www.pinciuc.com/photos/
You see, the thing is, I'm an absolutist. Well, kind of... in a way...
 
are you sure it's not camera shake, which would be more pronounced at the long end?

ed rader

--



'One often has mixed feelings about relatives, but few people could identify serious problems in their relationships with dogs.'

-- Anonymous
 
Thanks for your reply!

I'm positive it's not camera shake, I often shoot with a sturdy tripod, and also notice the problem at high shutter speeds like 1/800s. Also, my 400/5.6L shows no sign of this issue, which should really be magnified with it's smaller aperture and longer focal length.

Cheers,
-Rob

--
http://www.pinciuc.com/photos/
You see, the thing is, I'm an absolutist. Well, kind of... in a way...
 
It sounds to me like the lens has a problem. Certainly there is no visible difference with mine at either end of the focal length range (also using a 10D). It loses a little wide open as expected, but this is at any focal length.

It shouldn't be too hard work out whether it's a focussing issue, a de-centred element or whatever. Have you checked to see if the lens is front or back focussing at 200mm - shooting a flat object with some surface detail at an oblique angle should show this up. If it's focussing accurately (at least within the DOF) then obviously there is some sort of optical misalignment within the lens. Either way Canon should be able to identify and fix it. They don't need the body if it's a lens issue.

Steve H
--

 
well if that's the case i'd send the lens to canon for calibration. i've sent all of mine in except one and it'll be going in before the warranty expires.

i own the 70-200f4 and i don't have the problem you describe, and it was one of the lenses that i sent to canon that came back the same as it left.

ed rader

--



'One often has mixed feelings about relatives, but few people could identify serious problems in their relationships with dogs.'

-- Anonymous
 
Thanks Steve,

I will do a quick check of the focus as you suggest. I've had to do some manual adjustments to autofocus now and then, since the AF didn't lock on exactly where I wanted, but I just thought that was more typical of a non-1 series AF system.

Also good to know that I won't have to ship my camera bodies in with the lens.

Cheers,
-Rob

--
http://www.pinciuc.com/photos/
You see, the thing is, I'm an absolutist. Well, kind of... in a way...
 
I had the same problem with my first copy.It was soft at 200mm every time I used it.I returned it and the new copy is excellent!
 
Glad to hear you got one that you're happy with. It is far too late, however, for me to return mine to the store. Even more annoying that you can get a new one now for about 60% of what I paid for mine :) I will probably have to pay for calibration, as well, as the warranty has expired.

Anyway, thanks for the input.

-Rob

--
http://www.pinciuc.com/photos/
You see, the thing is, I'm an absolutist. Well, kind of... in a way...
 
Thanks again, Ed.

I suppose you returned all of your lenses while they were under warranty. You wouldn't happen to know how much one of these calibrations costs, would you? My warranty is well past its expiration date.

Thanks greatly,
-Rob

--
http://www.pinciuc.com/photos/
You see, the thing is, I'm an absolutist. Well, kind of... in a way...
 
Rob -- if it's just service i was quoted $95.

good luck!

ed

--



'One often has mixed feelings about relatives, but few people could identify serious problems in their relationships with dogs.'

-- Anonymous
 
It's a terrific lens when working properly, it would be worth it to have it calibrated. You said it's well past the warranty, did you buy it used? Or did you have it for over a year before it developed the problem?
 
Thanks, Gary.

I bought it new here in Toronto almost three years ago now, I guess. I didn't get an extended warranty so I had just the one year or whatever Canon gives you.

The issue has been there all along, I believe, I just didn't think much of it back when I was just starting out (with my Digital Rebel), didn't realize it, or it wasn't as noticeable on the 6MP sensor. But on the 5D with 13MP it seems to be particularly noticeable, maybe even more so because I'm seeing how sharp some of my other lenses are!

I think sending it in may be the way to go. Thanks for the advice.

Cheers,
-Rob

--
http://www.pinciuc.com/photos/
You see, the thing is, I'm an absolutist. Well, kind of... in a way...
 
...I just went through an issue with my 70-200. I was somewhat happy with it at first but I always felt it should have been sharper, especially at 200mm. Others felt my lens was fine though.

Then, I got a 1.4x converter and all shots with it were extremely soft, especially from the middle to left of the frame. I tried shooting the moon with this setup and the shots were really blurry and totally unusable! I thought it was the converter but that checked fine.

I was told by Tamron that the good converter was magnifying a slight problem with the lens and this problem could be barely noticeable until it's magnified. Like I said, I saw it but others didn't.

Tamron was right! Canon calibrated it (warranty) and now it's much better. Here's my last moon shot (70-200 & tcon). http://imageevent.com/ajrphotos/moon ;jsessionid=j2nt5d0h71.lion_s?p=3&n=1&m=24&c=4&l=0&w=4&s=0&z=9

All that to say, send it in. :]

--
Andy (Critiques Always Welcome)
FCAS Member #120
http://imageevent.com/ajrphotos
 
Thank you, Andy, another one that recommends calibration. I just need to do it when I won't be needing the lens for a while :)

Those are nice sharp shots, by the way.

Cheers,
-Rob

--
http://www.pinciuc.com/photos/
You see, the thing is, I'm an absolutist. Well, kind of... in a way...
 
...Canon was somewhat quick about it. Well quicker than Tamron service anyway. Canon was about 2 weeks and Tamron is a month. I know what you mean, I was hurting without the lens. :] Good luck. I'm curious to see hear it comes out.

--
Andy (Critiques Always Welcome)
FCAS Member #120
http://imageevent.com/ajrphotos
 
Well I called today and they said they can't give me a quote on cost over the phone, they need to inspect the lens first. That's somewhat understandable, but I would think they do calibrations all the time and should know what that's worth.

Also, he said their turnaround time is about 15 business days right now, so I need to plan for at least three weeks without one of my most used lenses.

Bummer.

Thanks for the help so far everyone. I'll keep you informed as to how things go from here.

Cheers,
-Rob

--
http://www.pinciuc.com/photos/
You see, the thing is, I'm an absolutist. Well, kind of... in a way...
 
They must be busy, 15 business days seems like a long time. I live close enough to drop it off in person at the Irvine center in Califorina, they did one lens for me in just over three days. I'm sure it varies depending which service center you're going to use also. Good luck with it.

Gary
 
Mine was soft at 70 and sharpest at 200 before I sent it in. When it came back, It was pretty well the same at all FLs, but was not as sharp as it was at 200 before I sent it in.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top