70-200 f/4L with low contrast

I bought a second hand copy of the Canon 70-200 f/4L (Non-IS). But I often find that the pictures I take with it are severely lacking in contrast. I have to push the contrast REALLY hard in post to bring out colours and definiton. Is this a normal problem with this lens or? It is regardless of which aperture I use, I've tried everything from 4 to 32...

PLeased to hear.

Cheers
Håkon

I never had problems with mine when I owned one. Actually, I think this lens had the most contrast including local contrast of any lens I have owned. Any sample shots?

IS version in my case but mine is beautifully contrasty and sharp. Probably best to post a few un-processed shots for the experts on here to assess.

Are you using a UV or similar filter by the way? If so, try some comparison shots with and without.

When you suffer low contrast, what are the lighting conditions? Small apertures can give mixed results so again, do some comparisons at all apertures.

Over to the experts...

Are you using the hood? Could be veiling flare.

I still use one and find it contrast enough. Here is one sample with slight saturation in PS.
http://m.flickr.com …/53658830@N08/5​859050754/

anthony11 wrote in post #12706179
Are you using the hood? Could be veiling flare.

...especially if he's using a poor filter without the hood.

Is this a late finish or an early start for you in Seattle by the way?

Oh, and apologies Håkon - you've already done tests at all apertures so ignore that part of my first post. Should read more thoroughly.

Can you test the lens on another body?

Put the hood on, and also try shooting without any filter (if any).

Pictures,,we need pictures.

Please include EXIF..

Many things can cause low contrast,, overexposure, lighting, flare, dirty filter/front element, camera settings..

Also I had the same when I first got mine.
Took the filter off and hood on bang picture changes.

completely worthless without unedited pics and 100% crops

JohnB57 wrote in post #12706205
...especially if he's using a poor filter without the hood.

Is this a late finish or an early start for you in Seattle by the way?

Heh. More the former. My 2.5 year old woke me up and I couldn't get back to sleep.

We need to see some pictures~!

My 70-200 f4 produces beautiful-contrasty pictures.

I think 70-200 f4 normally gives good contrast. It's some of the best i've seen at that price range.