10d soft focus..not always the camera

[deza]

i have been using a canon10d for about 26 days with a canon 28-135 is lens the results were over all disappointing most of the 500 shots were soft , not what you would expect from a £1250 camera and a £400 lens, yes they did sharpen up with usm, but why should you have to sharpen every shot when you spend that sort of money? i was just about to send the camera back and get a refund when a camera shop had the new 17-40 l lens which they let me try, what a difference! sharp is not the word so i might have a bum lens. have any of you out there had this problem with the 28-135 and would you get the 17-40 as a walk about lens?
i would be greatful for any advice
thanks in advance
del

[John57]

I had this problem when i got a 10D.... I was using it with a 28-135IS and got lots of what I regarded as 'soft' images. I then went out and got a 17-40L lens.... what a difference in sharpness and general quality!. It has all been rather costly though as, having seen what I could produce with a 10D and an 'L' lens I went out and bought a 24-70L and 70-200L. I now have a huge credit card bill but am really happy with the quality of the images I am getting.

I never had any problems with an Eos3 and any of my 'old' lenses but the 10D does seem to need a good lens to get the best results - lots of others have said it on this and other forums. I would say though that the 28-135 is a good lens and when I have compared it to other Canon and Tamron lenses it is sharper. I am just very keen on getting every last bit of detail so was prepared to pay for it and lug a couple of heavy lenses around for my trouble!

When I bought the 10D I never imagined I would end up spending so much on lenses but then again, I am enjoying taking pictures so much more with digital that I have already taken hundreds more pictures than I ever did on film in just a few months so I guess it's worth it.