ef 100 f/2.8 macro sharpness?

Moody Blues · 20th of December 2005 (Tue)

I have shot about 75 photos with my new 100 f/2.8 macro. All the photos, at various apertures, shutter speeds and ISO rating look very soft. What should I expect from this lens?

LordV · 20th of December 2005 (Tue)

Are all the shots in 1:1 macro mode (ie shortest focus distance) ?
Are they all autofocus?
Tried any normal shots- ie 10 to 15 feet away with manual focus?
The shots should be sharp. If you are taking macro shots with it you may be fighting with the extremely shallow DOF and perhaps the autofocus.
Might be an idea to post a couple of the soft shots.
Brian V.

Moody Blues · 20th of December 2005 (Tue)

I have taken some normal head shots. That is where I started getting concerned. Those shots were taken on the closest focusing mode. I will play some more and see what I get.

chtgrubbs · 20th of December 2005 (Tue)

Judging from your other equipment, you know what a sharp photo should look like. If your macro isn't giving you pictures at least as sharp as your zooms at normal distances with a moderate aperture, then something is definitely wrong. I would exchange it.

Jon · 20th of December 2005 (Tue)

Samples? EXIF data?

Lester Wareham · 21st of December 2005 (Wed)

If it is the USM macro it should be sharper than your other lenses except perhaps the 50mm.

I would do some controlled tests with a flat subject like newsprint and compare to your 70-200 zoom @ 100mm. Use a tripod and cable release etc.

They may both seem equally sharp on a 20D as the difference tends to show up at the edges of full frame.

If the 100mm is not at least as sharp as the zoom you have a problem.

EOS_JD · 21st of December 2005 (Wed)

Be careful with the depth of field if you are focusing close. At f2.8 the DOF is VERY small. this can cause pics to look oof.

Mark_Cohran · 21st of December 2005 (Wed)

My macro is probably the sharpest lens in my collection. You should be getting crisp shots from this lens with the right shooting technique. I'm assuming you're using some post-processing sharpening, but a shot with EXIF data would be helpful in assisting you with your problem.

Mark

20th of December 2005 (Tue)	#1
Moody Blues Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 324	ef 100 f/2.8 macro sharpness? I have shot about 75 photos with my new 100 f/2.8 macro. All the photos, at various apertures, shutter speeds and ISO rating look very soft. What should I expect from this lens? __________________ 1DX / 24L II / 35L / 85L II / 135L / 100L Macro / 16-35L II / 24-70L II / 70-200L II / 1.4x III TC / 2x III TC / 2 X 600EX-RT

20th of December 2005 (Tue)	#2
LordV Macro Photo-Lord of the Year 2006 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Worthing UK Posts: 46,029 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: ef 100 f/2.8 macro sharpness? Are all the shots in 1:1 macro mode (ie shortest focus distance) ? Are they all autofocus? Tried any normal shots- ie 10 to 15 feet away with manual focus? The shots should be sharp. If you are taking macro shots with it you may be fighting with the extremely shallow DOF and perhaps the autofocus. Might be an idea to post a couple of the soft shots. Brian V. __________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/ http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/ Macro Hints and tips http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=807056 Canon 20D, Canon 40D, Canon 5D mk2, Sigma 105mm EX macro, Tamron 90mm macro, Canon MPE-65,18-55 kit lens X2, canon 200mm F2.8 L, Tamron 28-70mm xrdi, Other assorted bits

20th of December 2005 (Tue)	#3
Moody Blues Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 324	Re: ef 100 f/2.8 macro sharpness? I have taken some normal head shots. That is where I started getting concerned. Those shots were taken on the closest focusing mode. I will play some more and see what I get. __________________ 1DX / 24L II / 35L / 85L II / 135L / 100L Macro / 16-35L II / 24-70L II / 70-200L II / 1.4x III TC / 2x III TC / 2 X 600EX-RT

20th of December 2005 (Tue)	#4
chtgrubbs Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,667	Re: ef 100 f/2.8 macro sharpness? Judging from your other equipment, you know what a sharp photo should look like. If your macro isn't giving you pictures at least as sharp as your zooms at normal distances with a moderate aperture, then something is definitely wrong. I would exchange it.

20th of December 2005 (Tue)	#5
Jon Moderator Cocker Spaniel Mod Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Kensington, MD USA Posts: 65,153	Re: ef 100 f/2.8 macro sharpness? Samples? EXIF data? __________________ Jon ---------- EOS, Powershot and Domke - it doesn't get any better than this! T90 and stuff \| F-1n, New F-1, FTb and more stuff out on loan Cocker Spaniels Maryland and Virginia activities *DC Cherry Blossoms* Image Posting Rules and Image Posting FAQ Report SPAM, Don't Answer It! (link) PERSONAL MESSAGING REGARDING SELLING OR BUYING ITEMS WITH MEMBERS WHO HAVE NO POSTS IN FORUMS AND/OR WHO YOU DO NOT KNOW FROM FORUMS IS HEREBY DECLARED STRICTLY STUPID AND YOU WILL GET BURNED.

21st of December 2005 (Wed)	#6
Lester Wareham Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dazed and Confused - Hampshire UK Posts: 13,058 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: ef 100 f/2.8 macro sharpness? If it is the USM macro it should be sharper than your other lenses except perhaps the 50mm. I would do some controlled tests with a flat subject like newsprint and compare to your 70-200 zoom @ 100mm. Use a tripod and cable release etc. They may both seem equally sharp on a 20D as the difference tends to show up at the edges of full frame. If the 100mm is not at least as sharp as the zoom you have a problem.

21st of December 2005 (Wed)	#7
EOS_JD Goldmember Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lanarkshire, Scotland Posts: 2,688 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: ef 100 f/2.8 macro sharpness? Be careful with the depth of field if you are focusing close. At f2.8 the DOF is VERY small. this can cause pics to look oof.

21st of December 2005 (Wed)	#8
Mark_Cohran Moderator Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 15,543	Re: ef 100 f/2.8 macro sharpness? My macro is probably the sharpest lens in my collection. You should be getting crisp shots from this lens with the right shooting technique. I'm assuming you're using some post-processing sharpening, but a shot with EXIF data would be helpful in assisting you with your problem. Mark __________________ Mark ----- Some primes, some zooms, some Ls, some bodies and they all play nice together. Thirty-five years of shooting and still learning. My G&N Blog (NSFW)- My Complete Gear List - Mac-Photo Website - *My Tumblr Site* (NSFW) G&N FORUM EARLY ACCESS & IMAGE POSTING RULES

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