Again poor results - Where am I going wrong please!!

[Hank3152]

I think you are expecting too much from this consumer grade lens under these conditions. The 50D has a feature to auto fine tune any lens for front and/or back focusing issues but it cannot improve on sharpness if the optics are mediocre to begin with.

If you shoot a lot in this range you may be better served by acquiring the 70-200f/4IS and 1.4x TC which will dramatically improve your IQ.
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Regards,
Hank

 

[jayboo]

I felt I was only expecting the results I had prior to my camera being returned to Canon in July because the multi controller had stopped working. Since its return I have not been happy - combined with the 70-300 lens the problems I have been seeing were greater. I have continued to be happy with my results using my 450D. The only images I have wanted to keep and print have been taken with my 450D. After advice from a photographer today who also did a focus test for me - camera and lens are on there way back to Canon - fingers crossed I will get back to where I was.

The combination you suggest sounds wonderful - but wasted on me at this point. I have an awful lot to learn and would consider that purchase at a later stage when I have learned to handle what I already have.
Thank you for your comments.
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Jayboo

 

[Hank3152]

I didn't realize you were using the same lens with the 450D until I reread your post with this sample. I thought it was the 300mm prime. That is an outstanding shot with very good detail.........I hope the trip to the service center corrects any issues.........keep us posted.



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Regards,
Hank

 

[jayboo]

Yes - I hope it turns out well - thank you and hopefully I will be able to post some better examples on the camera and lens return
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Jayboo

 

[Darrakk]

Just read this thread now. For what it's worth, I think the pictures with the lens were absolutely terrible. Clearly a lens issue (since you got good results with another lens on the same body). I understand bad light and all that, but seriously, under the worst conditions the image should be sharper than that. I have a 55-250mm that is much sharper than the samples you provided, and still I will be sending it back due to soft images. You made the right choice sending the lens back. There is clearly a problem with it.

I too would like to hear what ends up happening with Canon. I'll be sending my own lens off next week.

 

[jayboo]

Self doubt is a big problem - I have been persevering with the lens/camera - not understanding what I was doing wrong - looking back through my photographs - but - if it hadn't been for somebody who I knew was a professional photographer actually trying it out for me, I may have continued on. When your new to all this it seems most obvious that its user error. I should say - he got slightly better results than I did but he was still absolutely certain it needed sending in.

All of this is making me quite keen to join a local photography group - I think when you are learning its good to have other people to bounce things off and check things out with. This forum is good for that but not as good as hands on obviously.

Good luck with you 55-250 - there have been some excellent posts on the forum from that lens - I should think so too - these lenses - even though considered consumer level (whatever that is) cost a lot of money and should do what they say on the box!!
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Jayboo

 

[Marvin Thomas]

I read all the posts to make sure my idea has not already been discussed. Your "bad" photos look similar to ones I've taken through a window. Was that the case in this instance? It wouldn't make any difference how good your gear or technique is, or how clean the window is. Shooting through a window throws off the focus....in my experience.
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Photos hosted by Photoshare at http://www.photoshare.co.nz

 

[OTD]

In the first two photos the wire that is part of the feeder appears to be right on for focus. It is also the point of most contrast and could well be what the camera is focusing on. At f:8 I would have thought the DOF would have covered but maybe not.
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......................................................................Marion

...........................................................Mz. Fancy Katt Warling........................

 

[jayboo]

No - no window in front - and no filter on lens - I try to stick with hood only now unless I feel there is a risk to the lens.

I think shots shown were taken with evaluative metering although I did try spot metering also
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Jayboo

 

[Labe]

have you actually tried calibrating the af on the lens using the 50D's focus calibration. the combo might have front/back focus issue. cheers Paul UK
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new to technology,always learning