I've been having some strange issues with my 50D + my canon 70-200L IS USM lens producing soft photos. Sometimes the images seem sharp and others they just seem soft. I turned up the sharpness on the camera and the results were a little better, but still seem softer than they should. If I'm close to the subject, they seem sharp. If I'm far from the subject, they seem soft. I've attached a 100% crop example for your view displeasure :(
Equipment Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 50D
Lens Size: 70.00 - 200.00 mm
Firmware Version: Firmware Version 1.0.3
Serial Number: 0420202467
Lens Name: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
Image-Specific Properties:
Image Orientation: Left-Hand, Bottom
Horizontal Resolution: 72 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 72 dpi
Image Created: 2009:01:19 15:31:28
White Point Chromaticity: 0.3
Exposure Time: 1/180 sec
F-Number: f/8.0
Exposure Program: Manual
ISO Speed Rating: 200
Lens Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash, Compulsory
Focal Length: 70.00 mm
Color Space Information: Uncalibrated
Image Width: 4752
Image Height: 3168
Rendering: Normal
Exposure Mode: Manual
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Exposure Mode: Manual
Focus Type: Auto
Metering Mode: Partial
Sharpness: Unknown
Saturation: Normal
Contrast: Normal
Shooting Mode: Manual
Image Size: Large
Focus Mode: One-Shot
Drive Mode: Single
Flash Mode: Off
Compression Setting: Fine
Macro Mode: Normal
White Balance: Auto
Exposure Compensation: 3
Sensor ISO Speed: 192
Color Matrix: 33
Other Properties:
Resolution Unit: i
Photographer:
Chromaticities of Primary Colors: 0.6
Color Space Xform Matrix Coeff's: 0.3
Chrominance Comp Positioning: Co-Sited
Exif IFD Pointer: 484
Compression Scheme: JPEG Compression (Thumbnail)
Horizontal Resolution: 72 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 72 dpi
Resolution Unit: i
Offset to JPEG SOI: 10680
Bytes of JPEG Data: 17031
Exif Version: 2.21
Image Generated: 2009:01:19 15:31:28
Image Digitized: 2009:01:19 15:31:28
Meaning of Each Comp: Unknown
Shutter Speed: 1/181 sec
Metering Mode: Partial
DateTime Second Fraction: 05
DateTimeOriginal Second Fraction: 05
DateTimeDigitized Second Fraction: 05
Focal Plane Horiz Resolution: 5315 dpi
Focal Plane Vert Resolution: 5306 dpi
Focal Plane Res Unit: i
White Balance: Auto
GPS Info Version: 2.2.0.0
Base Zoom Resolution: 0
Zoomed Resolution: 0
ISO Speed Rating: Unknown
Digital Zoom: None
Self-Timer Length: 0 sec
Canon Tag1 Length: 98
Subject Distance: Unknown
Flash Bias: 0.00 EV
Sequence Number: 0
Canon Tag4 Length: 68
Image Type: Canon EOS 50D
Owner Name:
Actuation Counter: 0
Actuation Multiplier: 0
Canon Tag93 Length: 52
Canon TagA0 Length: 28
this lens is known for softness above 150mm or so. I shoot mine wide open 95% of the time and often at 200mm and it's got focus, it's just not gonna be as sharp as some other lenses.
And there have been discussions on other boards that going to F8 and above on the 50D causes softness issues as well.
And the min focus distance on this lens is about 5 feet.
This lens is also very susceptible to lens flare, a mild case of it can make images appear soft.
How you PP makes a difference too. Are you shooting RAW or JPG? If Raw, how are you converting? DPP will keep the sharpness settings from the camera, ACR prolly won't.
I am not really sure what to say, other than I think the 50D is a hit or miss camera.
I had one and returned it (long story) it worked very well, focused, I could use 1.4 and 2x extenders with center focusing working still
and the color was right.
I was able to buy a 2nd one and it functions completely different, the color balance seems off, focus seems off and it no longer center focuses (on auto) with the 2x.
I was also on a trip with a group of fotogs many using 50d and most of them were not too happy with it. (often with focus issues)
I can't tell you how to fix it... but I am considering returning my 2nd one.
It would help to see the entire image to give context to what you are shooting (for example, it would help to know if this fragment you've posted is 50% of the image, or 10% of the image size - seeing the full image would give that context).
However, I would certainly suggest that this lens is capable of better. Take for instance this image:
And a 100% crop from the above image:
My first thought is a focus issue. Either accurate focus wasn't gained, or you or the model moved after focus. The accurate focus issue could be you (not focusing in the right place), or the camera/lens combo (front or back focusing). The information on this site might help with determine if you have a lens/camera problem. And the information on this site might help you do better at focusing.
Hopefully it's not the lens ... but if it is, you can always send it in for adjustment.
My first thought is a focus issue. Either accurate focus wasn't gained, or you or the model moved after focus. The accurate focus issue could be you (not focusing in the right place), or the camera/lens combo (front or back focusing). The information on this site might help with determine if you have a lens/camera problem. And the information on this site might help you do better at focusing.
I forgot to mention, I picked the above image because it was shot at 153mm and the mention of the lens being "soft" about 150mm. I considered a 200mm image, but headshots are so easy to look sharp that I thought something pulled back a bit further like this image would illustrate the sharpness better.
I read the article about focusing and it was helpful, but I don't use the focus and recompose technique. I use other AF points on my camera. But it the article did help me to understand focus a little more, so hopefully I can try some experiments and see what happens.
The first article about testing your lens is a bit lengthy, but I'm sure if my technique isn't causing the problem, then I'll start sifting through that article :)
I was out shooting with a group last month using the same lens & someone mentioned to me that if I kept the tripod ring on the lens, without using a tripod, then the IS wouldn't work. I have absolutely no idea if that's true or not, but I came home & removed the ring immediately. I seem to be getting better results, but that could just be wishful thinking...
