Need help to identify problem..70-200mkII

I lost track of the number of posts that are saying don't do AI servo....

DreDaze wrote in post #14878130
how do you focus recompose with AI servo?

Back button focus.

I use BBF along with AI servo 99% of the time.

Guys glad to see all the replies upon waking up

DavidR wrote in post #14877816
I agree, have you tried micro-adjusting the lens yet?

You also need get the camera/lens combo on a tripod to rule out all other possibilities.

Not too sure about MAing a zoom...

amfoto1 wrote in post #14878039
Don't blame the camera... blame the photographer!

Thanks for your detailed reply Alan. Really appreciated.

To answer some of your question -

No filter, lens hood was used. I wasn't really testing the focus per se on the day, it was just a quick snap session at the park. Therefore I left it on Al servo instead of one-shot. I only started questioning it when the results really disappoint...

Sure stopping down a bit will sharpen the image, but the mkII should be sharper than that even @ wide open.

I have to agree with Christina, #1 seems outright oof, I think that's the inability of the body to lock or find the right focus in a quick and accurate manner, despite the fact that I aimed the center point to one of her eye. And I blame the camera for that

SMP_Homer wrote in post #14878255
I lost track of the number of posts that are saying don't do AI servo....

I know. I mean sure one-shot is more accurate, but they were moving and I was trying to capture the shot when they were still within that split second (especially my daughter:p)

Changing Al servo to one-shot and back just doesn't work on the fly I am afraid.

I just don't think al servo in my situation should be THIS bad

Christina.DazzleByDesi​gn wrote in post #14876588
Don't test still subjects with AI Servo - go to One-Shot for still subjects. And do you have the minimum focusing distance switch on the lens set appropriately? I used to find my 70-200 would be soft if I accidently forgot it on the 3m-something side, if the subject was farther away then that.

I have to agree with this...but, it has been my experience with this exact lens, that it didnt matter what focus mode I was using, it ALWAYS gave me almost TOO sharp/scary sharp images..
Now, that was on a 5D2/7D/60D/1D2N...

I have only ever found that AI Servo doesnt work well for AF evaluation when using WIDE(r) lenses...ie. 35L would NOT focus well in AI Servo on my 5D2, but on the 7D/60D it worked perfectly fine..

So yes, it could be your camera..

But, I would say what you need to do to ACCURATELY test the AF on your 70-200II is to NOT recompose your shot after AF lock...(actually, any lens faster than F/4 has had this effect IN MY experience)..use another AF point closer to your desired focal point, and then test the AF performance.
I would like to think you will see a major improvement in IQ and sharpness..

IF you continue to get soft images. send it to Canon service. something may have been knocked loose in shipping..
I had this happen to several lenses, actually all of them being Canon 70-200Ls!!, and after a trip to Canon service, they performed perfectly and came back scary sharp.

If you bought the lens new, return it for another copy.

just imo..

Good luck!

kin2son wrote in post #14878993
I know. I mean sure one-shot is more accurate, but they were moving and I was trying to capture the shot when they were still within that split second (especially my daughter:p)

Changing Al servo to one-shot and back just doesn't work on the fly I am afraid.

I just don't think al servo in my situation should be THIS bad

If you use BBF(Back Button Focusing) you should be able to use the 'press and release' method for "one shot" AF while in AI Servo mode.
meaning, set camera to AI Servo. set camera to BBF
1) press AND release AF Start button for 'simulated' one shot AF mode
2) press and HOLD for AI Servo AF..

this works perfectly on all of my bodies.
once I was told this trick by another member here, I have NEVER turned my focusing modes off of AI Servo, on ANY of my cameras..
I love this technique and will continue to use it for a long time to come.

Only problem? no focus confirmation beep (so what?)

Good luck!

HyperCams wrote in post #14879116
If you use BBF(Back Button Focusing) you should be able to use the 'press and release' method for "one shot" AF while in AI Servo mode.
meaning, set camera to AI Servo. set camera to BBF
1) press AND release AF Start button for 'simulated' one shot AF mode
2) press and HOLD for AI Servo AF..

Hi Brent thanks for your suggestion. Yes I did use BBF on shot #3 (see page 1). Compared to the one without (shot #2), it's a lot worse and less sharp on the eyes, despite she was very still.

One question - Is BBF = one shot? Sure camera doesn't try to refocus once target is locked which is similar to one shot, but does it have the same sensitivity or accuracy as the real deal?

When you use bbf, you should be using outer points, especially in good lighting. I use bbf + aiservo pretty much 100% of the time. Rarely any issues, even on the notorious 50L.

Like hypercams suggested, press and release = one shot simulation. Btw, you can mfa a zoom, if the amount is similar on both ends, grab the value in between, or closest to your long end since dof is thinner/more critical.

So I went out just then to take random things under good light. I honestly cannot see anything wrong with the lens....it focuses really fast and accurate with plenty of sharpness. Guess it's always more challenging shooting people than dead subjects

Tell me what you guys think. Samples are all ISO100, al servo, f2.8 @ 200mm. SOOC.

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Looks much better now. Whenever I shoot my kids on the swing even when they not moving I get some not so so sharp shots. It happens with almost all my lenses. Not sure why.

bobbyz wrote in post #14880239
Looks much better now. Whenever I shoot my kids on the swing even when they not moving I get some not so so sharp shots. It happens with almost all my lenses. Not sure why.

Thanks for your comment Bobby. Yea I just hate that I fail when it actually counts