My 70-200 2.8 I comes tomorrow. . .

. . . and I'm guessing a focus chart with this focal length would be out of the question. Any suggestions on testing the sharpness with this lens?

I did it with my lens and it worked. It was hard to setup tho.

Just go take picture and enjoy the lens. Then you'll see how sharp it is.

irish1 wrote in post #4497353
. . . and I'm guessing a focus chart with this focal length would be out of the question. Any suggestions on testing the sharpness with this lens?

My suggestion is to get out and take some pictures!

It's a great lens, and the 2.8 gives a theoretical boost in autofocusing. You just have to realize that "2.8" and "IS" are not some kind of magic. You want to practise shooting in various situations and learn what works and doesn't work.

If you want to do serious testing, set up a tripod, use mirror lock and a cable release, be on a stable, wind-free surface, and take pics of detailed objects spread over some distance, at, say, 70mm, 100mm, and 200mm, and at apertures of, say, 2.8, 4, 5,6, 8, 11, 16, and 22. That kind of test will give you an idea not just of accurate focus (although it will do that) but of sharpness characteristics across the ranges of apertures and focal lengths. That will probably give you more useful information for the real world -- for example, you may find a bit of softness at 2.8 and at 22, maybe some at the longest or the shortest focal lengths. Or maybe not.

Your lens is most likely going to fall within manufacturing specs, but it can be helpful to you to characterize the lens for your real-world usage.

Thanks for the info., guys! Another question---will my current tripod be sufficent? I have a Manfrotto 190XBR with a 486 ball head. What do you do, screw in a QR plate on the tripod ring and attach it that way? I've never needed a tripod ring before.

irish1 wrote in post #4497525
Thanks for the info., guys! Another question---will my current tripod be sufficent? I have a Manfrotto 190XBR with a 486 ball head. What do you do, screw in a QR plate on the tripod ring and attach it that way? I've never needed a tripod ring before.

Yes, mount the lens to the tripod. You'll notice that it will balance much better that way!

As far as your tripod, I go for sturdy with weight the secondary consideration because I have occasion to be in some windy outdoors settings. I have both a tripod shoulder bag and a backpack with a tripod fitting that both have come in handy. But I haven't used the 190XBR so I don't know how it lines up. Generally, to me, if a tripod feels sturdy then it's worth a try!

The head is a different matter, because it has to be able to handle the camera/lens weight without slipping. My heads (Manfrotto 488CR4) are rated for a few pounds more than yours, but that doesn't mean yours won't suffice. Go ahead and use your gear, but if you notice the head slipping to any degree at all, upgrade your head! Getting gear that somewhat surpassed your present need is a good idea as well, because that next body or next lens is just down the road!