Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM

[AHWagner]

looks nice, next time move the dam TC, or cobalt out from behind the real car ;)
No one would move it. :cry: Or else it wouldn't have been there lol.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2713/5787971953_04da6de1ab_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahwagner_phography_and__designs/5787971953/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/5787971723_408bf6b6c9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahwagner_phography_and__designs/5787971723/)

[JayStar86]

So I went on a short trip to Singapore. I rented the 135L during 3 days of the trip and gave it a go. I do like the awesome IQ this lens produces, but at the same time I feel that the FL of this lens is way to restrictive for my shooting style.

Great lens for sure but I am not sure if I will buy it..


Love the third shot. Great use of DOF and negative space in the top part of the image. It really works well.

The 135L is just pure magic of a lens IMHO, but, like you the FL just doesn't work for some people's style including mine. I wish it did as its quite possibly one of the best lenses I ever mounted on my camera but it doesn't so I sold mine a while back. It's a great "Secret" candid street photography lens and av-course a fantastic head/shoulder and outdoor portrait lens, but, just too restrictive for just about anything else I tried to shoot with it.

[lmyamen]

Thought I would share a few pictures from Joplin. Friends lost everything except their lives thanks god. They took me through their city to show me what was left. Had only the 135L for these

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/5791340501_75962c640b_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5181/5791902438_eaa5929f7d_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5791304439_070ed55972_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/5791859432_49204675d6_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2321/5791856428_9393df01c2_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3033/5791295161_4170f1f8e6_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3369/5791238295_c9d7a23982_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/5791880602_bf263ecce3_b.jpg

[AHWagner]

Awesome shots!

Were you in a car for some of those pics? I see some darkening at the bottom of some photos, thats why I asked :)

[ni$mo350]

Very powerful shots. Sorry for your friends losing everything but luckily they're safe. It's been a few years since I was close to a major tornado and couldn't imagine something of that magnitude.

[Dankata]

Thought I would share a few pictures from Joplin. Friends lost everything except their lives thanks god. They took me through their city to show me what was left. Had only the 135L for these

Great shots... and horrible pictures :(

[lmyamen]

thanks guys, Yeah I was in a car for a few of them, snapped some while driving through town.

[CMDPhotography]

Love this lens!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/5620567778_51fae91be9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydisbrowphotography/5620567778/)
NYC Street Scene #1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydisbrowphotography/5620567778/) by Cory Disbrow (http://www.flickr.com/people/corydisbrowphotography/), on Flickr

[Green Man]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5791631627_c2e378c479_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/csperry/5791631627/)
Pinewood Fire Freeport, IL (http://www.flickr.com/photos/csperry/5791631627/) by Sperry's photos (http://www.flickr.com/people/csperry/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5228/5791629543_71c0bc7f1d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/csperry/5791629543/)
Pinewood Fire Freeport, IL (http://www.flickr.com/photos/csperry/5791629543/) by Sperry's photos (http://www.flickr.com/people/csperry/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2471/5792180906_2e6637e903_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/csperry/5792180906/)
Pinewood Fire Freeport, IL (http://www.flickr.com/photos/csperry/5792180906/) by Sperry's photos (http://www.flickr.com/people/csperry/), on Flickr

[CallMeJag]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5190/5792158593_2b64a39073_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmejag/5792158593/)
Skyline Drive. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmejag/5792158593/) by CallMeJag (http://www.flickr.com/people/callmejag/), on Flickr

[ni$mo350]

mmmm GTR :) Nice adds everyone!

[quickster]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/5793066990_217dbe1445_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/quickster/5793066990/)
Kaia (http://www.flickr.com/photos/quickster/5793066990/) by QuickWorksPhoto (http://www.flickr.com/people/quickster/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2791/5792505425_f4448c9175_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/quickster/5792505425/)
Mac (http://www.flickr.com/photos/quickster/5792505425/) by QuickWorksPhoto (http://www.flickr.com/people/quickster/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5793045966_26d90c92c8_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/quickster/5793045966/)
Kaia (http://www.flickr.com/photos/quickster/5793045966/) by QuickWorksPhoto (http://www.flickr.com/people/quickster/), on Flickr

[Green Man]

Holy Cool Dogs Batman!!!!

[Dankata]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/5794410472_3cbcff1042_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5794410472/)
IMG_5635 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5794410472/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr

[Amor]

This is such a great lens, i want one badly.. but i can't decide which way to go first, i know it's FL is somewhat limiting and will suit just my outdoor creative portrait photography and that's it.. but actually that's what i'm shooting most of the time now. On the other hand, i'd really like to get the 24-105 f4L lens, which is truly universal and covers 95% of all possible shots i can think of. I like the versatility of the zoom lens, but the magic shots you guys are posting here with the prime L lenses just makes me re-think every time i settle up on buying the 24-105 as my next lens.. it's such a hard decision.. i think it's easier to pick a new car than to decide on this, lol )

[Dankata]

Another wide open

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/5794450730_066c745dcf_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5794450730/)
IMG_5644 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5794450730/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr

[ni$mo350]

Hard choice, my vote is for the 135L but I'm biased haha. waterfront dt Portland at night

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5329732460_fc98513014_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5329732460/)
Downtown PDX (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5329732460/) by ChrisG Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/chrisg_photography/), on Flickr

[ni$mo350]

Wow Daniel, killer shot! Book, print, magazine, blog everything worthy haha

[Ricku]

Very nice shots Dan!

I've been close to these birds a few times, but they never wanna show off their feathers to me. One time it was close, but then the bird changed its mind. lol

[theone29]

that 1st peacock is the ****, wow and that with a T1i too? awesome shot Daniel.

[The Outlaw]

this lens is calling me like crazy but sadly the only way i could convince myself to get it would be to sell my 200L or win the lottery. if i were my 200L i'd be shaking in my gear bag right now :D im hoping to keep a basic kit with only sigma 17-50 f/2.8 OS, sigma 70-200 f/2.8 os (hopefully next purchase, and my 200mm f/2.8L II. besides the magic that comes from the factory with it i think i'd like the 135mm FL alot more than the 200mm. i love my 200's iq but its just a little tight for a lot of shots

[Ricku]

Love the third shot. Great use of DOF and negative space in the top part of the image. It really works well.

The 135L is just pure magic of a lens IMHO, but, like you the FL just doesn't work for some people's style including mine. I wish it did as its quite possibly one of the best lenses I ever mounted on my camera but it doesn't so I sold mine a while back. It's a great "Secret" candid street photography lens and av-course a fantastic head/shoulder and outdoor portrait lens, but, just too restrictive for just about anything else I tried to shoot with it.
Thanks. :) Yeah I kinda feel the same way, but I am not 100% sure yet. I really want to like this lens, so I think I'm gonna rent it for one more day before i make a final decision. Lens rental is uber cheap here in Bangkok anyway.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/5794418909_26bdb655df_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/55582829@N05/5794418909/)

[CMDPhotography]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5633143284_b04e7b4690_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydisbrowphotography/5633143284/)
Come see Mary Poppins! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydisbrowphotography/5633143284/) by Cory Disbrow (http://www.flickr.com/people/corydisbrowphotography/), on Flickr

[Dankata]

I feel I'll become the spammer of the thread :p

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/5795576578_4fdde2a7b4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5795576578/)
Hummingbird (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5795576578/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/5795576450_197560e2af_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5795576450/)
DIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5795576450/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3472/5795016607_82027aed77_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5795016607/)
You Talkin' To Me?!? (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5795016607/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3480/5795575744_92961446ae_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5795575744/)
Peacock (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5795575744/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr

[jhayesphotography]

nice set Daniel

[fotuwe]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2061/5795310331_89af9a8588_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotuwe/5795310331/)
64 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotuwe/5795310331/) CTphotography. (http://www.flickr.com/people/fotuwe/) Flickr

[toffiloff]

Right one is taken with the 135:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2307/5795937378_e9167d83cd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/toffiloff/5795937378/)
Life's too short... (http://www.flickr.com/photos/toffiloff/5795937378/) by toffiloff (http://www.flickr.com/people/toffiloff/), on Flickr

[fotogrbi]

Any time when I shoot with this lens, always get the beautiful results

[Andy R]

I feel I'll become the spammer of the thread :p



spam away your shots are great!

[tomme]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5796564057_61b2d19fb2_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2014/5796565161_fcdba1eb55_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5191/5797120326_f4dd39996e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2265/5796777172_22e802d003_b.jpg

[mbn]

Hamburg, you have to love it!
Nice Shots!

[titaniumSS]

Bookmarking for later purchase! :)

[Dankata]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2091/5797833371_a1357af5d0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5797833371/)
IMG_5777 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5797833371/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2161/5797830961_22ea5e98b8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5797830961/)
IMG_5672 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5797830961/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr

[i_am_hydrogen]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/5798594574_45579422cc_b.jpg

[Darkwand]

Maybe i should get this lens, but i need an ipad and a new motherboard :-|

[jhayesphotography]

IMG_5777 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5797833371/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr

fantastic shot Daniel, is it sooc?

[ni$mo350]

Went for a drive yesterday to The Dalles, OR. Definitely different from the city..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/5797611079_f176756e1b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5797611079/)
The Dalles (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5797611079/) by ChrisG Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/chrisg_photography/), on Flickr


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/5798167954_34e952ebea_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5798167954/)
The Dalles (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5798167954/) by ChrisG Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/chrisg_photography/), on Flickr

[lmyamen]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/5797247309_e70eacf487_b.jpg

[Dankata]

fantastic shot Daniel, is it sooc?


No it's not, but there was not much PP for this one, just made it warmer and sharpened a little

[Dankata]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2314/5798800913_f88ac37c54_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5798800913/)
Alexander (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5798800913/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr

[mtimber]

^^nice image.

[richierich1212]

^^^^

Agreed.

[Mookalafalas]

+3. Awwwfully sweet.

[idsurfer]

Ha Daniel...I came over to tihs forum just to see what you might be putting up with the new 135! Looks like you are on your way to becoming one of the dominant figures here as well.

[idsurfer]

Went for a drive yesterday to The Dalles, OR. Definitely different from the city..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/5797611079_f176756e1b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5797611079/)
The Dalles (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5797611079/) by ChrisG Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/chrisg_photography/), on Flickr

I saw these on the way through the Dalles two years ago and have been thinking about going back just to photograph them since. Nice images. Was access an issue?

[ni$mo350]

I saw these on the way through the Dalles two years ago and have been thinking about going back just to photograph them since. Nice images. Was access an issue?

Thanks! You can't go to the base of them but they're so massive that I was within 100' and could barely get half of it in the frame shooting with my 35L on FF. Here's another just driving around up there. Cross the Dalles Dam and go straight until you have to turn and go right. Then just keep driving. It's simply stunning up there with the most piercing blue sky's I've ever seen.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2098/5797611967_7259ba873a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5797611967/)
The Dalles (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5797611967/) by ChrisG Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/chrisg_photography/), on Flickr

[idsurfer]

Thanks for the directions! Going to try to make it over that way soon. Love the gorge!! Nice touch with the f/2 and otherwise a landscape image above!!

[Dankata]

^^nice image.

^^^^

Agreed.

+3. Awwwfully sweet.

Ha Daniel...I came over to tihs forum just to see what you might be putting up with the new 135! Looks like you are on your way to becoming one of the dominant figures here as well.

Thanks a lot everyone, this is the most amazing thread, will do my best to match the quality of the shots I've seen here. Lining up some beautiful girls the next week :)

[preciousvoices]

one from the weekend
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2362/5799534448_595d0f92a7_b.jpg

[Mookalafalas]

Very nice!

[mtimber]

^^good image.

[Launchpad.]

That landscape up there is insane.

Two recent ones.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5795619986_d65bdd73ef_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/48660077@N06/5795619986)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3597/5798801608_12d4059514_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/48660077@N06/5798801608)

[Dankata]

one from the weekend


WOW very impressive!

[JoYork]

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/41858/IMG_8234.jpg

[82NoMe]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/5802372258_a9a7bbd0ef_b.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/5802372258_a219fca689_o.jpg)
f/5.6 1/1000 ISO:320 135mm

[Stuntman Mike]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3282/5803030310_ed1bee22ca_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkjr/5803030310/)
Pine Needles at Line Creek (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkjr/5803030310/) by mjkjr (http://www.flickr.com/people/mjkjr/), on Flickr

[[Hyuni]]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2291/5802538129_413d077558_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/distinction/5802538129/)
Serenity (http://www.flickr.com/photos/distinction/5802538129/) by Hyuni+ (http://www.flickr.com/people/distinction/), on Flickr

[preciousvoices]

Very nice!

^^good image.

WOW very impressive!

Cheers guys:)

[jhayesphotography]

great shots everyone....cant really decide on what lens to get.... debating between this lens and the 100mm f/2.8L

[richierich1212]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/5802372258_a9a7bbd0ef_b.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/5802372258_a219fca689_o.jpg)
f/5.6 1/1000 ISO:320 135mm

Sweet shot!

[Dankata]

Is it normal for this lens to have a hard time focusing in low light or on moving subjects? I feel like the 85 1.8 is better under such conditions, I'm just not sure if it's the lens fault or it's the camera body that's limiting it?

[ni$mo350]

135L has the best and quickest AF I've ever used in any light. I never question it hitting focus.

[Dankata]

135L has the best and quickest AF I've ever used in any light. I never question it hitting focus.


Hmm that's worrying, I had many shots that were either oof or blurry, even at 1/1000 shutter speed. Something might be wrong with my copy..

[ni$mo350]

Is it under warranty? Might want to send it in just in case. I went to the skate park a few months ago and took roughly 225 shots with the 135L and I'm not exaggerating when I say it hit every shot with ease. I don't use AI Servo only one shot but I don't think it would make that big of a difference.

[Dankata]

I tried AI Servo but it didn't make a difference. I bought it on ebay from a Hong Kong seller hkbns, I will think about what to do. It won't be as easy if I were in the States and bought it from the States... I want to try it on a friend's 60D to see if it will make any difference.

[ni$mo350]

Ah didn't see where you were. Sorry to hear about that and hope you can get a quick fix.

[Natsu]

135L is indeed tricky to work with specially on a crop body like my 60D. It's a good thing this FL shoots my shooting style...I can't wait to go ff with this lens.

Sharing a shot from a previous photoshoot.

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z423/deemunar/PhotoShoots/Sonya_TPYPark_070.jpg

Hmm that's worrying, I had many shots that were either oof or blurry, even at 1/1000 shutter speed. Something might be wrong with my copy..

Happens to me a lot. Totally my fault though, as I tried focus recomposing with angular movements :).

[preciousvoices]

another from the weekend session, this time in colour
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2250/5803952344_2361fcc908_b.jpg

[richierich1212]

I tried AI Servo but it didn't make a difference. I bought it on ebay from a Hong Kong seller hkbns, I will think about what to do. It won't be as easy if I were in the States and bought it from the States... I want to try it on a friend's 60D to see if it will make any difference.

Maybe a limitation of the T1i AF?

[ThreeGuysPhoto]

From last weekend:

http://threeguysphotography.smugmug.com/Proofs/Mandi/i-X4BKdT9/0/L/MandiDanielleBG1106040071-L.jpg

[Dankata]

Maybe a limitation of the T1i AF?

I hope this is the problem, I am just wondering why that doesn't happen as often when I use the 85 1.8. Focusing with the 135L feels the same as with my nifty fifty and that's just not right, even on a Rebel body...

[ni$mo350]

Wow, there's most definitely a problem if it feels anything like the fifty when it comes to focusing. I doubt it's the T1i's AF as the 5dii isn't that great either but still locks on extremely quick and accurate on my body.

[JayStar86]

I hope this is the problem, I am just wondering why that doesn't happen as often when I use the 85 1.8. Focusing with the 135L feels the same as with my nifty fifty and that's just not right, even on a Rebel body...

this is just wrong. Your 135L is on crack. Return it and get another copy.

The 135L is one the best AF lenses I have ever used while the nifty fifty the worst...

[yogestee]

I tried AI Servo but it didn't make a difference. I bought it on ebay from a Hong Kong seller hkbns, I will think about what to do. It won't be as easy if I were in the States and bought it from the States... I want to try it on a friend's 60D to see if it will make any difference.

I bought my 135L from the same seller.. Mine has worked flawlessly..

Post a couple of pics with EXIF intact.

[Dankata]

I bought my 135L from the same seller.. Mine has worked flawlessly..

Post a couple of pics with EXIF intact.


Ok these are only converted from RAW to jpeg.

This is what often happens with moving subjects

Both are 1/1000 ISO 200 f/2

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c1gaJvvrSoE/Te0WjbJnouI/AAAAAAAABYA/LY-GNViXHrQ/s640/IMG_6113.jpg (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c1gaJvvrSoE/Te0WjbJnouI/AAAAAAAABYA/LY-GNViXHrQ/s640/IMG_6113.jpg)


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-icq48Jj5_nU/Te0WmJwoB6I/AAAAAAAABYE/7GIqaO30gRc/s640/IMG_6112.jpg


And this is with still subjects, I still find it kinda soft compared to the 85 1.8

Same EXIF as the images above, the second shot is 1/800 ISO 200 f/2


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JFWmuW3y67s/Te0WmIpalLI/AAAAAAAABYI/iYw1pKVvM80/s640/IMG_6188.jpg


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wFMwUABL9As/Te0WpKEq_kI/AAAAAAAABYM/OeTmxszFCiM/s640/IMG_6154.jpg

[frleal70]

would it be possible to try it with another body?

[Dankata]

would it be possible to try it with another body?

I will try it on a 60D on Wednesday, but unfortunately I don't have friends with FF cameras

[Stuntman Mike]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3403/5806066630_6495b9a625_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkjr/5806066630/)
Water Fern at Line Creek (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkjr/5806066630/) by mjkjr (http://www.flickr.com/people/mjkjr/), on Flickr

[ni$mo350]

Old shots but the 135L kept up with these kids flying everywhere and didn't skip a beat!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5443262779_6542460d44_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5443262779/)
Day at the Skate Park (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5443262779/) by ChrisG Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/chrisg_photography/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/5443854000_3e680e723b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5443854000/)
Day at the Skate Park (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5443854000/) by ChrisG Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/chrisg_photography/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5443852208_75cfb193d9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5443852208/)
Day at the Skate Park (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5443852208/) by ChrisG Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/chrisg_photography/), on Flickr

[Launchpad.]

Some 135L bokeh.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3160/5806954352_ae64f817ee_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/48660077@N06/5806954352)

[lmyamen]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/5806926740_493eae7ae2_z.jpg

[Natsu]

Sharing another one :)

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z423/deemunar/PhotoShoots/Alexia_TPYPark_052.jpg

By the way sold my 70-200f2.8L when I got a hold of this baby. :)

[ni$mo350]

Very nice everyone! Dee, I sold my 70-200 f/4L IS for this too. No regrets so far!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2552/5807168496_de5d249146_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5807168496/)
Bottoms up! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5807168496/) by ChrisG Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/chrisg_photography/), on Flickr

[Arteel]

Is it normal for this lens to have a hard time focusing in low light or on moving subjects? I feel like the 85 1.8 is better under such conditions, I'm just not sure if it's the lens fault or it's the camera body that's limiting it?

I have the same issues on my 5D. My lens will sometimes hunt while using outer focus points in daylight and would occasionally miss focus. Performance at night isn't any better. I honestly have more confidence in my other 2 non-L lenses as far as AF goes.

[Natsu]

Very nice everyone! Dee, I sold my 70-200 f/4L IS for this too. No regrets so far!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2552/5807168496_de5d249146_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5807168496/)
Bottoms up! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5807168496/) by ChrisG Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/chrisg_photography/), on Flickr

Yep no regrets here either, I don't miss the weight of that white beast, and I can do street shots without attracting too much attention with the 135L :D .

[ni$mo350]

I have the same issues on my 5D. My lens will sometimes hunt while using outer focus points in daylight and would occasionally miss focus. Performance at night isn't any better. I honestly have more confidence in my other 2 non-L lenses as far as AF goes.

Send it in, that's not normal. The 85 1.8 has an excellent AF from what I've read but I've owned the 50 1.4 and although it's good, it's nowhere near the 135L.

[frleal70]

resubscribed....

[Msphotography]

Thank you for all!

[JoYork]

If you're getting bland pictures I would suggest you look at two things that will affect it:

1) Quality of light

2) How you're processing them. Are you using Canon's DPP, or Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop? If so, what picture style or camera setting are you using?

Could you post some examples of photos that don't seem to be popping and we can see if there's any advice we can offer?

[ni$mo350]

Most of us don't post unedited shot because we don't think they're finished. Obviously the level of editing we're at will result in different images but I personally don't have that many that I have that aren't touch. Here's the closest. I still did a WB adjustment but no touch up on skin and iirc minor USM. I can't say enough about this lens..
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5170490179_97ac36f0e4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5170490179/)
IMG_2400 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5170490179/) by ChrisG Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/chrisg_photography/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5171091662_1366c5a25f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5171091662/)
IMG_2396 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisg_photography/5171091662/) by ChrisG Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/chrisg_photography/), on Flickr

[gonzogolf]

Hi

I would love to see the portrait outside in natural light without any editing of this objective. Esceque some of you could put this? You would be very nice.

For I also find my pictures done with my 5DMKII and 135L rather bland, and I would see if it's the same thing to seeing your pictures from straight camera (just converted jpg) please.

Thank you

http://kevin-jones.smugmug.com/Other/General/i-4jk9qDf/0/L/IMG03882-L.jpg

The light makes all the difference. This was taken on an overcast day so we had soft edged shadows.

[Natsu]

Hi

I would love to see the portrait outside in natural light without any editing of this objective. Esceque some of you could put this? You would be very nice.

For I also find my pictures done with my 5DMKII and 135L rather bland, and I would see if it's the same thing to seeing your pictures from straight camera (just converted jpg) please.

Thank you

I think I have posted these pics before, and these pictures are the reason why I went to buy this amazing lens.
This are SOOCs with only in-camera adjustments, bumping up Sharpness, contrast and Saturation. Converted to jpeg and resized using DPP I didn't even put my watermark on. Shot with 135L mounted on 60D.

135L is the only lens I've rented(and now owned) to have produced excellent photos SOOC with wide open aperture.

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z423/deemunar/PhotoShoots/Iva_TPYPark_060_SOOC.jpg

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z423/deemunar/PhotoShoots/AlexiaGriesen/Alexia_TPYPark_036.jpg

Here's a street shot in jpeg monochrome, max sharpness setting SOOC, just resized for the web.

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z423/deemunar/StreetSnap.jpg

[superboy77]

I shot some Ferrari's this weekend. I want one... soooo bad!

AI Servo on the 1D Mark III, Tv set @ 1/250. I should have gone slower to show more speed though.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5197/5796833269_0ec8c108ce_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefansager/5796833269/)
Ferrari 430 Scuderia (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefansager/5796833269/) by Stefan Sager (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefansager/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/5796833047_b1e896f475_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefansager/5796833047/)
Ferrari F430 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefansager/5796833047/) by Stefan Sager (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefansager/), on Flickr

[inverseSquare]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2228/5795210046_b022769a90_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/motion-images/5795210046/)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/5795210080_9c9b3b405f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/motion-images/5795210080/)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5152/5795210012_ee30011491_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/motion-images/5795210012/)
By motion-images (http://www.flickr.com/people/motion-images/), on Flickr


C&C welcomed

[Frogdog]

V e r y nice!

[pulsar123]

Has anyone tried to do autofocus micro-adjustment for this lens? When I got the lens and the new body (50D), I spent a lot of time shooting special targets, and got the best results at MFA=-11. But I never really liked real life photos made with this lens - always slightly soft. Finally, yesterday I took the lens outside, and made lots of shots of real life objects, at realistic distances (5-100m), with different MFA values, and discovered that I get perfect sharpness around MFA=0! So it looks like the lens requires a substantial MFA correction at closer distances (<3m), but is perfectly fine at real shot distances. Has anyone else seen this effect? Or is it just me?

[lankforddl]

Has anyone tried to do autofocus micro-adjustment for this lens? When I got the lens and the new body (50D), I spent a lot of time shooting special targets, and got the best results at MFA=-11. But I never really liked real life photos made with this lens - always slightly soft. Finally, yesterday I took the lens outside, and made lots of shots of real life objects, at realistic distances (5-100m), with different MFA values, and discovered that I get perfect sharpness around MFA=0! So it looks like the lens requires a substantial MFA correction at closer distances (<3m), but is perfectly fine at real shot distances. Has anyone else seen this effect? Or is it just me?

I rent this lens occasionally and you're correct. I have to make a +1 micro adjustment for my "pseudo macro" shots with my 50D but ironically not on my T3i body.

[superboy77]

Has anyone tried to do autofocus micro-adjustment for this lens? When I got the lens and the new body (50D), I spent a lot of time shooting special targets, and got the best results at MFA=-11. But I never really liked real life photos made with this lens - always slightly soft. Finally, yesterday I took the lens outside, and made lots of shots of real life objects, at realistic distances (5-100m), with different MFA values, and discovered that I get perfect sharpness around MFA=0! So it looks like the lens requires a substantial MFA correction at closer distances (<3m), but is perfectly fine at real shot distances. Has anyone else seen this effect? Or is it just me?

Yes for sure. Mine is set at -5 on my 1D Mark III. And on my 5D Mark II-body it's at -10. Works great on both bodys.

Actually my 1D has been calibrated to this lens. But still it requires -5 for perfect focus.

And when I got the 50L, I sent it and my 5D to Canon and they insisted on adjusting the body. Before adjusting it, I was at -10 on the 50L and 0 on the 135L. But after adjusting the 135L is at -10 and the 50L is at -1 :)

[pulsar123]

I am perfectly fine doing MFA on my lenses, but what I found to be strange was that my 135L needs -11 at close distances (<3m), and 0 at larger distances. Have you seen this?

Yes for sure. Mine is set at -5 on my 1D Mark III. And on my 5D Mark II-body it's at -10. Works great on both bodys.

Actually my 1D has been calibrated to this lens. But still it requires -5 for perfect focus.

And when I got the 50L, I sent it and my 5D to Canon and they insisted on adjusting the body. Before adjusting it, I was at -10 on the 50L and 0 on the 135L. But after adjusting the 135L is at -10 and the 50L is at -1 :)

[preciousvoices]

such a beautiful portrait lens

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2105/5809631521_0c649d3a98_b.jpg

[Dankata]

Has anyone tried to do autofocus micro-adjustment for this lens? When I got the lens and the new body (50D), I spent a lot of time shooting special targets, and got the best results at MFA=-11. But I never really liked real life photos made with this lens - always slightly soft. Finally, yesterday I took the lens outside, and made lots of shots of real life objects, at realistic distances (5-100m), with different MFA values, and discovered that I get perfect sharpness around MFA=0! So it looks like the lens requires a substantial MFA correction at closer distances (<3m), but is perfectly fine at real shot distances. Has anyone else seen this effect? Or is it just me?

I rent this lens occasionally and you're correct. I have to make a +1 micro adjustment for my "pseudo macro" shots with my 50D but ironically not on my T3i body.

Yes for sure. Mine is set at -5 on my 1D Mark III. And on my 5D Mark II-body it's at -10. Works great on both bodys.

Actually my 1D has been calibrated to this lens. But still it requires -5 for perfect focus.

And when I got the 50L, I sent it and my 5D to Canon and they insisted on adjusting the body. Before adjusting it, I was at -10 on the 50L and 0 on the 135L. But after adjusting the 135L is at -10 and the 50L is at -1 :)

I am perfectly fine doing MFA on my lenses, but what I found to be strange was that my 135L needs -11 at close distances (<3m), and 0 at larger distances. Have you seen this?


Reading all this, no wonder it doesn't perform that well on my poor Rebel body. When is this 5D3 coming out?? Every day I feel I can no longer wait for it and I will just buy the 5D2

[Dankata]

My son

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5030/5810288122_3e97d34eb2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5810288122/)
Alex (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5810288122/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr

[ni$mo350]

Are there any rental places around you Daniel? I think with your style of shooting, the 5dii will be plenty fine. You can't miss what you never tried so the AF will be about the same as the T1i. People switching from the 7D usually have the most complaints about the 5dii's AF. Luckily I didn't even try that and went from the T1i to the 5dii and haven't looked back. Ohh and that is weird that some people are posting the issue with MA needed at close distances but nothing at farther distances. Mine is spot on from MFD all the way to infinity.

[lmyamen]

Shot this on Sunday

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/5810082497_cddbf17d79_b.jpg

[Stuntman Mike]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2009/5810928328_39b600f2e0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkjr/5810928328/)
Grey Heron at Line Creek (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkjr/5810928328/) by mjkjr (http://www.flickr.com/people/mjkjr/), on Flickr

[FlyingPhotog]

Still my favorite tool for isolating details!

http://crosswindimages.com/img/v24/p257523377.jpg

[Mookalafalas]

I'm very close to getting this lens...I'm doing some freelance proofreading, and should have the green in a day or two. This thread is just EVIL. One look, and you are lost...

[frleal70]

fantastic shot, Jay!

[airbutchie]

Love the details on that shot, Jay!!! Nicely done... A few to contribute to this wonderful piece of glass...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2451/5811743318_97de99ed2d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/airbutchie/5811743318/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3480/5811747170_d2e98fd992_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/airbutchie/5811747170/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3384/5811182397_2362ba8e1e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/airbutchie/5811182397/)

:)

[FlyingPhotog]

Thanks Folks... :D

Now that's a videographer with some flair!

[Dankata]

This is the only one of ten shots that came out good, the rest were from slightly OOF to blurry and completely OOF. Go figure out if it's the camera or the lens...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/5810027111_0086071420_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5810027111/)
IMG_6038 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5810027111/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr

[FlyingPhotog]

This is the only one of ten shots that came out good, the rest were from slightly OOF to blurry and completely OOF. Go figure out if it's the camera or the lens...

Couldn't possibly be the subject, huh? :lol:

[Dankata]

Couldn't possibly be the subject, huh? :lol:


Hehe, I don't think so :D It wasn't moving that fast, it was kinda hanging in the air, besides two weeks ago I took the same shot with the 85 1.8 and the toy was actually flying fast all over the place and I got better results.

[FlyingPhotog]

Hehe, I don't think so :D It wasn't moving that fast, it was kinda hanging in the air, besides two weeks ago I took the same shot with the 85 1.8 and the toy was actually flying fast all over the place and I got better results.

I find that the 135 does not balance particularly well. To me, it's very "twitchy" due to the weight being all at the front element.

Takes practice (just like the 999,999 other things in photography...)

[richierich1212]

I find that the 135 does not balance particularly well. To me, it's very "twitchy" due to the weight being all at the front element.

Takes practice (just like the 999,999 other things in photography...)

This. The Rebel body is more difficult to balance longer lenses with.

[FlyingPhotog]

This. The Rebel body is more difficult to balance longer lenses with.

Indeed...

I'm much better with the 135 on a 1-series than I was when I'd shoot it on the un-gripped 5Dc I used to have.

[xanavi]

Great lens. I own two different year ones and I use one with my 5DC while the other one with my 7D.

[simak]

More fun with autumn leaves
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/5786760491_3ba357225a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/simashin/5786760491/in/photostream)
.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/5787304812_8303199abf_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/simashin/5787304812/in/photostream)
.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/5787323804_4e666d85f7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/simashin/5787323804/in/photostream)

[FlyingPhotog]

This gentleman served in the Pacific in WWII as a rear gunner in SBD Dauntless dive bombers. He was giving talks on his experiences as part of a "Meet A Veteran" program at the USS Midway in San Diego.

http://crosswindimages.com/img/v20/p57646065.jpg
1DMkIII + 135mm f/2L .. 1/250 @ f/2 ISO 800 .. Very mixed lighting

[Krzysztof]

More fun with autumn leaves
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/5786760491_3ba357225a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/simashin/5786760491/in/photostream)
.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/5787304812_8303199abf_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/simashin/5787304812/in/photostream)
.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/5787323804_4e666d85f7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/simashin/5787323804/in/photostream)

Brilliant colors, I like those.

[Krzysztof]

I've had my 135L for a couple weeks now and it seems to be very close to 85mm 1.8

[Hmood]

I like the color of this shot. Nice work.


From last weekend:

http://threeguysphotography.smugmug.com/Proofs/Mandi/i-X4BKdT9/0/L/MandiDanielleBG1106040071-L.jpg

[Natsu]

Profile shoot with Lea :)

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z423/deemunar/Lea_Profile_034.jpg

[JoYork]

The only problem I find with this lens is the DOF can be so shallow that if you focus and recompose you can sometimes miss the focus on the eyes by a smidge.

[Ricku]

The only problem I find with this lens is the DOF can be so shallow that if you focus and recompose you can sometimes miss the focus on the eyes by a smidge.
Quite common I think.

I have the same problem with my Sigma 85 wide open.

[Collin85]

http://www.czimagery.com/Galleries/SydneyLife/i-zTjKL4S/0/L/11060901-L.jpg

[Msphotography]

Thank you very much for your sooc picture all ! your picture sooc is awesome! my picture sooc is not awesome !!! lol

[Rudolph]

More fun with autumn leaves
Beautiful composotions and photos. As ever.

[lmyamen]

http://www.czimagery.com/Galleries/SydneyLife/i-zTjKL4S/0/L/11060901-L.jpg

Incredible capture!

[TWOLITREmedia]

Incredible capture!

I agree this is awesome!

[Marloon]

The only problem I find with this lens is the DOF can be so shallow that if you focus and recompose you can sometimes miss the focus on the eyes by a smidge.

which is why you need to use a camera that's capable of having an interchangeable screen such as a precision screen.

[fotogrbi]

Barnacle geese walked in the evening sun center square on top. Very brave birds.

[Mookalafalas]

which is why you need to use a camera that's capable of having an interchangeable screen such as a precision screen.

You can get an ee-s focus screen for the 5D for about $42, I think.


And Collins, really awesome. When I saw that I did quite the double take.:shock:

[pulsar123]

The only problem I find with this lens is the DOF can be so shallow that if you focus and recompose you can sometimes miss the focus on the eyes by a smidge.

That's why I only use it wide-open on full-body portraits, where the DoF is not too thin, and recomposing works just fine. For half-body or head shots, I close down the aperture accordingly, so the whole face is in focus (then again, recomposing is not a problem).

For example, using DoF calculator (http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html), for a landscape oriented shot with a crop camera and foreground height of 2.5m (which is enough for a full body plus some background), the subject has to be 22.5m away, and the DoF will be +-1m - which means the whole person (or a small group of people) will be in focus, and that your recomposing camera shift can be as large as 0.5m or so.

With a tight portrait-oriented full body shot (12m away), the DoF is still okay: +-0.3m. At least the head will all be in focus, and recomposing shift should not be a problem.

[Ricku]

which is why you need to use a camera that's capable of having an interchangeable screen such as a precision screen.


You can get an ee-s focus screen for the 5D for about $42, I think.
Interesting!.. I often miss focus on the eyes after recomposing. What exactly is a precision screen, and how can it help me?

I have heard about these screens before but never understood their purpose / function.

[Mookalafalas]

Interesting!.. I often miss focus on the eyes after recomposing. What exactly is a precision screen, and how can it help me?

I have heard about these screens before but never understood their purpose / function.

I've just been researching them myself, so am no expert. However, what you do is open your camera and switch out the little piece of glass/plastic that light passes through in the guts of your camera on the way to the viewfinder (it is a pretty easy process, and only takes a couple of minutes. A special little tweezers comes with the focus screen). There are actually a lot of different focusing screens out there. Some have the little circle in the middle of the screen that pops into focus when you get your lens just right--you may remember those from the old film days. However, those mess up your spot metering and turn black in poor light or when you stop down, making it hard or impossible to focus in those situations (although otherwise they are great). Another kind is just a more textured glass that is contrastier than the one that comes with the camera when you buy it, and makes things in and out of focus "pop" more, so you can really see them. The downside is that it gets rather darker too when you are stopping down or in low light. However, they are indispensable if you want to do a lot of manual focusing through the viewfinder.
Hope that helps. Anyone feel free to correct me if I messed up anywhere--none of this is firsthand knowledge.

[moedizzle]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5318/5813732485_f46508ca87_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emiv/5813732485/)

[theone29]

^^cute, nice bokeh(fence background?).

[Dankata]

I took the lens out in the park and borrowed a friend's 7D to see if it will be better than my T1i. I am now convinced something is wrong with this lens, especially on a moving subject it's not even hit or miss, is 90% miss.

All shot in AV mode wide open, with shutter speed above 1/640, center point AF. I tried One Shot, AI Focus and AI Servo and none of them makes a difference. When I shoot with it I just don't feel like the lens is focusing, can't hear it or feel it in my hand.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fm0t74JLjrM/TfEVsxB3OaI/AAAAAAAABYg/LUzk784uPf0/s800/IMG_4403.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EZoKaWnCVPA/TfEVuHjaGuI/AAAAAAAABYk/gsL8j6Lnawo/s800/IMG_4404.jpg


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mlCkwJWuoFs/TfEVuz8o7XI/AAAAAAAABYo/9uHwIh2aO7w/s800/IMG_4406.jpg


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mAvOHD0X7n0/TfEVu8YUMSI/AAAAAAAABYs/TIduyp8OFfc/s800/IMG_4405.jpg

[FlyingPhotog]

Based on these four images, if there's a real problem, it's backfocusing. In terms of image "depth," the plane where his shirtsleeves fall appears to be much sharper.

One Shot and AI Focus = Fail for chasing a child around. If it won't get it in Servo, you may have an issue.

[Dankata]

Based on these four images, if there's a real problem, it's backfocusing. In terms of image "depth," the plane where his shirtsleeves fall appears to be much sharper.

One Shot and AI Focus = Fail for chasing a child around. If it won't get it in Servo, you may have an issue.


If it is backfocusing, it should be always doing it, no? When my subject is still I get much better results

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2149/5815708745_c9a7e3d21a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5815708745/)
IMG_4521 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5815708745/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5816275228_6abce0e2b4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5816275228/)
IMG_4490 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5816275228/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr


http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5815707263_94e769f232_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5815707263/)
IMG_4423 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5815707263/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr

[Ricku]

I've just been researching them myself, so am no expert. However, what you do is open your camera and switch out the little piece of glass/plastic that light passes through in the guts of your camera on the way to the viewfinder (it is a pretty easy process, and only takes a couple of minutes. A special little tweezers comes with the focus screen). There are actually a lot of different focusing screens out there. Some have the little circle in the middle of the screen that pops into focus when you get your lens just right--you may remember those from the old film days. However, those mess up your spot metering and turn black in poor light or when you stop down, making it hard or impossible to focus in those situations (although otherwise they are great). Another kind is just a more textured glass that is contrastier than the one that comes with the camera when you buy it, and makes things in and out of focus "pop" more, so you can really see them. The downside is that it gets rather darker too when you are stopping down or in low light. However, they are indispensable if you want to do a lot of manual focusing through the viewfinder.
Hope that helps. Anyone feel free to correct me if I messed up anywhere--none of this is firsthand knowledge.
Thanks for the explaination. Im gonna have to try one of these and see the difference for myself.

[FlyingPhotog]

If it is backfocusing, it should be always doing it, no? When my subject is still I get much better results

The other possibility is that you aren't hitting your subject where you think you're hitting it with your center focus point...

[moedizzle]

^^cute, nice bokeh(fence background?).

Thanks. Yes, their is a fence in the background

[.thach]

If it is backfocusing, it should be always doing it, no? When my subject is still I get much better results

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2149/5815708745_c9a7e3d21a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5815708745/)
IMG_4521 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5815708745/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5816275228_6abce0e2b4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5816275228/)
IMG_4490 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5816275228/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr


http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5815707263_94e769f232_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5815707263/)
IMG_4423 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielstoychev/5815707263/) by Dankae (http://www.flickr.com/people/danielstoychev/), on Flickr

the kid isnt as sharp as the car or is that me?!!? lol my eyes stay blurry so i dont pixel peep..

[Dankata]

The other possibility is that you aren't hitting your subject where you think you're hitting it with your center focus point...

These images are SOOC and there is no crop, it is easy to see the eye of my son is always exactly in the center of the frame. I have one question though, when I shoot AI Servo, do I have to shoot continuous, or I can press the shutter many times with the same result? I mean, does the tracking of the subject begin with the first shot and continues until you let go of the shutter? I never thought of this but it kinda makes sense...

the kid isnt as sharp as the car or is that me?!!? lol my eyes stay blurry so i dont pixel peep..

I think it is not you, the car does seem to be a little sharper than the kid. Damn, I didn't want to go through all this but I will return the lens and hopefully the new copy will be what I expected in the first place.

[FlyingPhotog]

I think you're jumping the gun in returning it before you've done a proper test on something less active than a child.

Moving objects (or even animate objects for that matter) make poor test subjects.

[ni$mo350]

Daniel, I know how frustrating it can be when everyone around you seems like they have a perfect copy and you feel like yours is the only one with AF issues (I'm dealing with the same issue on my Kegma). Jay might be right but I also know there comes a point where a photographer knows when something should be hitting and it's not. Testing on two different bodies has proven your suspicion to be true so I'd just exchange it. I wish you were local so I could let you try out mine because I kid you not when I say the AF is the quickest and most spot on I've ever used and I never, ever second guess if it hits or not.

[richierich1212]

Yeah just go ahead and exchange the lens for peace of mind.

[Treat me like a tourist]

I took the lens out in the park and borrowed a friend's 7D to see if it will be better than my T1i. I am now convinced something is wrong with this lens, especially on a moving subject it's not even hit or miss, is 90% miss.

All shot in AV mode wide open, with shutter speed above 1/640, center point AF. I tried One Shot, AI Focus and AI Servo and none of them makes a difference. When I shoot with it I just don't feel like the lens is focusing, can't hear it or feel it in my hand.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fm0t74JLjrM/TfEVsxB3OaI/AAAAAAAABYg/LUzk784uPf0/s800/IMG_4403.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EZoKaWnCVPA/TfEVuHjaGuI/AAAAAAAABYk/gsL8j6Lnawo/s800/IMG_4404.jpg


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mlCkwJWuoFs/TfEVuz8o7XI/AAAAAAAABYo/9uHwIh2aO7w/s800/IMG_4406.jpg


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mAvOHD0X7n0/TfEVu8YUMSI/AAAAAAAABYs/TIduyp8OFfc/s800/IMG_4405.jpg

With these shots are you inside the minimum focussing distance?