Is this sharp enough for wide open? Canon 100 f2...100% crop

Hi guys...please tell me I'm being ridiculous and expecting too much and the lens is fine haha...

I've been on the fence about the AF performance of my 100 f2...some days I'm extremely happy with it, other days I want to toss it into the nearest body of water. I was happy with it on my 5Dc, but can't seem to get consistently good results on my 5D2, despite my countless efforts to dial it in with MA (every other lens is great on my 5D2).

I don't know what's going on...contemplating selling it and getting something else...anyhoo...this is one of the shots I'm happy with...are these sharp enough for being wide open?

(Canon 5D2, 100 f2, handheld, centre focus point, Single Shot AF, focus/recompose, no editing whatsoever)

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Its not horrible but the images are most certainly soft and softer than I know that lens can produce. I can't see exif from this computer so its tough but I'd venture that MA would solve the issue. Perhaps your MA is not being performed correctly?

namasste wrote in post #15393177
Its not horrible but the images are most certainly soft and softer than I know that lens can produce. I can't see exif from this computer so its tough but I'd venture that MA would solve the issue. Perhaps your MA is not being performed correctly?

*sigh* that could very well be it...I've tried to MA this lens a hundred times...but each time just when I'm out and handholding it...I think I might have to toss it up on the tripod and try again tomorrow.

Also, I'm suspecting that there's some sort of a focus shift going on...I swear that when I calibrate it in my room, it's great at close distances, but sucks when I hit the streets and vica versa...then again...could be user error.

wait wait.. how big is your room? minimum calibration distance should be 25x focal length, but the recommended distance is 50x focal length. with that lens you should be calibrating from ~30ft away from the target!

If you have MA at close distances, it might be off a farther distances. It's best to do MA at the distance you use most.

An easy test is to use a tripod and manually focus with live view 10x and compare to AF. This will rule out any issues with the optical performance of the lens.

drzenitram wrote in post #15393183
wait wait.. how big is your room? minimum calibration distance should be 25x focal length, but the recommended distance is 50x focal length. with that lens you should be calibrating from ~30ft away from the target!

I live in a tiny bachelor place in Korea haha...soooo yeah, I was at like 3-4 feet away (max 6-7) when I played around with it in my apartment.

facedodge wrote in post #15393191
If you have MA at close distances, it might be off a farther distances. It's best to do MA at the distance you use most.

An easy test is to use a tripod and manually focus with live view 10x and compare to AF. This will rule out any issues with the optical performance of the lens.

Thanks, I think I'll set my camera up on a tripod tomorrow and aim it at the apartment building across from me...that should be a good 100 feet or more.

That's the thing, I use it for two distinct things...stuff close up (almost like macro) near the MFD and then general street photography.

drzenitram wrote in post #15393183
wait wait.. how big is your room? minimum calibration distance should be 25x focal length, but the recommended distance is 50x focal length. with that lens you should be calibrating from ~30ft away from the target!

hate to be pedantic, but
recomended -- 50x 100mm = 5m, or ~ 15 feet
minimum -- 25x 100mm = 2.5m, or ~ 7 feet

I would definately try doing it outdors at the distances your shooting and see if that helps tho.

Many people (me included) tend to use manual focusing for macro shooting. If you use it a lot for street photos, you may want to think about performing MA at a farther distance.

RMH wrote in post #15393231
hate to be pedantic, but
recomended -- 50x 100mm = 5m, or ~ 15 feet
minimum -- 25x 100mm = 2.5m, or ~ 7 feet

I would definately try doing it outdors at the distances your shooting and see if that helps tho.

facedodge wrote in post #15393236
Many people (me included) tend to use manual focusing for macro shooting. If you use it a lot for street photos, you may want to think about performing MA at a farther distance.

Thanks guys...so this focus shift thing (ie: it may be calibrated at one distance, but not at another) is normal? I think I'll calibrate for +/- 30 feet/10 metres, that seems to be most of the street photography I do, but then again, I've used this lens for shooting buildings from across lakes, fireworks, etc...I'm okay with it being a little off at MFD to let's say 10-15 feet, but I kind of want it to be dead accurate from 30 feet to infinity...what distance should I MA it at for that goal?

It varies from lens to lens, some shift around at different distances, some shift around at different zoom levels, some shift at different apetures, focusing shifting as you stop down.

If you always use a lens at a ceratain distance (or small range of) it makes sense to calibrate at that distance.

Remember also that your DoF gets deeper as you focus further out, so closer is normally more critical to get right, so if you want it accurate from 30-inf i'd calibrate at 30 feet.

RMH wrote in post #15393274
It varies from lens to lens, some shift around at different distances, some shift around at different zoom levels, some shift at different apetures, focusing shifting as you stop down.

If you always use a lens at a ceratain distance (or small range of) it makes sense to calibrate at that distance.

Remember also that your DoF gets deeper as you focus further out, so closer is normally more critical to get right, so if you want it accurate from 30-inf i'd calibrate at 30 feet.

Thanks, I'll do that Usually the stuff I shoot up close I can MF, since they're usually static and I have time. The stuff I need AF for is the street/candid stuff that I usually have one or two shots (and a second or two) to get right before people notice me shooting and turn away or smile and throw up the peace sign or whatever. I'll try for 30-50 feet for calibration...

RMH wrote in post #15393231
hate to be pedantic, but
recomended -- 50x 100mm = 5m, or ~ 15 feet
minimum -- 25x 100mm = 2.5m, or ~ 7 feet

I would definately try doing it outdors at the distances your shooting and see if that helps tho.

Whoops, in a hurry and did bad math :P

I think you'll tend to see a shift more on a zoom than a prime at different distances. In fact, most of the top software available for calibrating MA gives only one distance at any focal length. Perhaps someone here that owns the software (I don't, only used a friend's) can give you the exact distance. Regardless, the math above is good so I'd use 15' and have at it. Tripod is important and you should lock up your mirror and either use a cabled release or self timer. Shoot wide open and be sure your exposure is good.

Another problem could be that you're not getting enough light.I used 2 500w halogen work lights to get 11 EV for my test.

What were your shutter speeds. For the first picture you said you were focusing on center (on the man with the black coat)? The person in the chair is in a different focal plane. I can't judge how far from the center plane the sleeping guy is but it may be out of focus due to the DOF at f/2.