Test images of my 70-200L

[Andrew Pratt]

I just bought a used Canon 70-200L from FM and it arrived yesterday so I took it to work with me today and went for a short walk at lunch to give it a go. Maybe I'm expecting too much given the hype this lens has but to me these don't seem as sharp as I've seen possible from this lens? They were all hand held which obviously is a factor and they seem to sharpen up nicely with a little USM but I wanted to ask you guys for your thoughts. I posted several 100 percent crops at http://www.pbase.com/apratt/70-200l with some having the whole image outlined in black for reference. Also none of the images posted have been altered at all other then the cropping etc.

[Camo 757]

They a great shots. I looked at some areas and many seem that the focus point was elsewhere other than the birds head. The tail feathers on some and the foreground foliage seem tack sharp.

[BrandonSi]

They a great shots. I looked at some areas and many seem that the focus point was elsewhere other than the birds head. The tail feathers on some and the foreground foliage seem tack sharp.

That's what I was thinking too, in the detail in a few areas is really sharp, so I'm thinking that the focusing was probably off a bit.

[Andrew Pratt]

Thanks guys...still learning and shooting birds that are moving in the wind isn't easy :)

[schmoelzel]

Hi Andrew:

You have a great lens there.........but you have to remember the golden rule: use at least twice the shutter-speed of whatever focal length you are using. There are a few shots that show a focal length of 200 mm but a shutterspeed of 250. With the 1.6 factor of your DRebel, that 200mm is suddenly like 320mm. I would be shooting at least at a shutter speed of 350. Take your time with this lens; its capable of really great shots and spectcular colour and contrast.

[condyk]

The shots shown are not great and I think you can get better, as schmoelzel mentions.

They lack detail, colour and a certain 3D dynamism for me, knowing this lens fairly well (one of my first buys!) and I doubt PS could sort them much.

But I'm amazed you got close enough to take those shots with a 200mm. Where you in a hide, or are you actually invisible? :lol: :lol: I'm currently learning to go fully manual and it's steep with lots of poor shots. Now and again I take an awesome manual MF shot and it is encouraging. Bets way to learn long term rather than rely on full auto mode.

[Andrew Pratt]

I work for Ducks Unlimited Canada and our National Headquarters is located adjacent to a major marsh (Oak Hammock which is a Ramsar Marsh) so I have ample oppertunity to walk the trails at lunch time...and for that matter my office window over looks the marsh as well so there's plenty to shoot through the window if I wanted :)

[Tdragone]

I too have this lens; and I like the composition of these pictures.


However...

I will say that It appears you are not using only the centerpoint for AF. AF focuses on high contrast items very well (Like the reeds in some of the pictures) which are IN focus.

Try going for another field trip to the land of birds after choosing center point AF only and try again; I think you will see a difference in your pictures as I did.

Hope it helps..

-Tom D.