Testing limits of a 70-200

Hello, I'm an amateur testing the limits of my new 70-200 zoom.
This is straight from the camera, hand held, f/6.3, 1/125 sec., ISO 400.
Sun behind clouds.

I'm wondering if this is the sharpness to expect under these circumstances or if there is something to do different when hand held.

Thank you

IMAGE LINK: http://s108.photobucke​t.com …/Bee_zpsad1ff41​3.jpg.html

Which 70-200? There are like 4 of them or something.

As always with handheld, technique can change things drastically.

Was there wind? Were you at 200mm?

I think you caught a inch worm there too!

Numenorean wrote in post #17223171
Which 70-200? There are like 4 of them or something.

As always with handheld, technique can change things drastically.

EF 1:4 L IS

iroctd wrote in post #17223228
Was there wind? Were you at 200mm?

I think you caught a inch worm there too!

Ha... I didn't even realize that's what it was... I like this site.

No wind and I was trying to get as close as possible, so yes it was at 200mm.

IMAGE LINK: http://s108.photobucke​t.com …worm_zpsfcce129​8.jpg.html

It looks like the focus was slightly behind the bee (where I presume you wanted it). The stem and part of the flower are much sharper than the bee. Also at 1/125 and 200mm you may have a bit of camera shake.

If my depth of field calculator is correct, at 200mm f6.3 assuming a distance of 5', your depth of field is 1/4". I should note that is for aps-c. Clicking it over to FF, it is saying 1/2".

In addition to [possible] camera shake, the bee itself is [LIkely] moving, which can also lead to it not being as sharp as the stem.

cmh512 wrote in post #17223567
It looks like the focus was slightly behind the bee (where I presume you wanted it). The stem and part of the flower are much sharper than the bee. Also at 1/125 and 200mm you may have a bit of camera shake.

Ok, what y'all are saying combined makes a lot of sense now.

The stem below is behind the bee and is in better focus, and it's a dang heavier lens than I'm used to. I used the tripod a lot yesterday too, but not with close-ups. I wish I had thought to. Thank you.

iroctd wrote in post #17223582
If my depth of field calculator is correct, at 200mm f6.3 assuming a distance of 5', your depth of field is 1/4". I should note that is for aps-c. Clicking it over to FF, it is saying 1/2".

That depth of field calculation isn't anything I've heard about. I thought 6.3 would have a wider range than that. As far as the distance away, I learned that it won't focus unless you ARE about 4 or 5 feet away.
Oh yeah, I don't know what "FF" is yet. Or "aps-c" for that matter. Ya'll are the best for humoring me.

Gonna look up that depth of field calculator, thanks.

To test the sharpness of the lens, rsther than your technique, find a subject thst fills more of the frame and then make dure your shutter speed is sufficient.

underd0g wrote in post #17223624
Oh yeah, I don't know what "FF" is yet. Or "aps-c" for that matter. Ya'll are the best for humoring me

ff = full frame where sensor in camera is actually 35mm, which gives 1:1 for focal length and tighter depth of field
aps-c = "crop" where sensor in camera is smaller than 35mm, which in most canon aps-c camera gives 1:1.6 for focal length and depth of field is not as tight at equivalent distance, focal length and aperture

gonzogolf wrote in post #17223631
To test the sharpness of the lens, rsther than your technique, find a subject thst fills more of the frame and then make dure your shutter speed is sufficient.

That's a great suggestion. I was taking pictures of a stream area when I saw the bees, so it was hard to judge there as well.

03062k3 wrote in post #17223648
ff = full frame where sensor in camera is actually 35mm, which gives 1:1 for focal length and tighter depth of field
aps-c = "crop" where sensor in camera is smaller than 35mm, which in most canon aps-c camera gives 1:1.6 for focal length and depth of field is not as tight at equivalent distance, focal length and aperture

Yeah, I'm embarrassed here because it's a 6D. I'm sure that means it's full frame.
Shoulda read more before starting a thread like this but I'm the kind of guy that hates to read manuals.
Maybe I'll find a mentor for a while and not waste y'alls very gracious time.
In my defense, I'm more motivated when interacting with others and I live in a small town with no camera clubs. Thanks.

drvnbysound wrote in post #17223601
In addition to [possible] camera shake, the bee itself is [LIkely] moving, which can also lead to it not being as sharp as the stem.

Huh, didn't see this post 'til now. That's kinda what I was also asking. 1/125 may be too slow? Is ISO 400 too grainy?

To add to the above, with the 1.6x crop factor, your 200mm lens proves to be a 320mm equivalent if you were shooting with a FF.

Likewise, when at the short end of the lens (70mm) it's a 112mm equivalent.

underd0g wrote in post #17223702
That's a great suggestion. I was taking pictures of a stream area when I saw the bees, so it was hard to judge there as well.

Yeah, I'm embarrassed here because it's a 6D. I'm sure that means it's full frame.
Shoulda read more before starting a thread like this but I'm the kind of guy that hates to read manuals.
Maybe I'll find a mentor for a while and not waste y'alls very gracious time.
In my defense, I'm more motivated when interacting with others and I live in a small town with no camera clubs. Thanks.

Dont worry sbout wasting our time. Many of us enjoy helping beginners, You were right to try to shoot the bees. You just need to understand thats hardly a fair test of your gear. Lots of potential failures including wind that can challenge even the most practiced user.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17223717
Dont worry sbout wasting our time. Many of us enjoy helping beginners, You were right to try to shoot the bees. You just need to understand thats hardly a fair test of your gear. Lots of potential failures including wind that can challenge even the most practiced user.

To help prove the point, check the number of posts gonzo has
<---- (over there)
You don't get 25k posts without answering a LOT of questions!