Sharpness problems - please help

Here's a couple of pics I took this evening that I'd appreciate some comments on as I'm having some issues with sharpness.

On each of these photos I was using center focus - AI Servo mode and tracked the car/kart for a while before shooting but the images are nowhere near as sharp as I'd like (see the 100% crop).

Now I know that I'm using a crap lens (70-300 non-USM) with my 30D but I'd be gutted if this is the best that I can get!!!!!

1/1600 @ f5 ISO 100 - Focal Length 180mm

well, it's a non usm for one. You are going to have a slower AF when using AI Servo mode, giving you a less than focused image. Have you tried using the lens in AI Servo mode and panning? You are shooting at a high film speed, but it is at a long focal length. Are you using a monopod or tripod? I assume not.

These are some things that you can do to fix your problem.

I was just about to post with the same issue. I'm using a 30D with the 70-300 USM and am shooting junk. In fact, I'm embarassed to post, given the high quality images in this forum, but if I don't ask, I won't learn. Your shots are better than mine. I'll eagerly watch this thread for replies.

Nightstalker wrote in post #3715499
Now I know that I'm using a crap lens (70-300 non-USM) with my 30D but I'd be gutted if this is the best that I can get!!!!!

Any C&C welcomed.

You're using a crap lens, which you acknowledged. That probably really is the best you can get.

Cheap crap lens = cheap crap results.

This is why people who want sharp images spend $4,000 on a lens when they need 300mm.

I'll goo with the crap lens as your main problem, looking at the 100% crop there really isn't much that you could fix without spending the dollars and getting a decent lens.

I actually owned 75-300 USM, they focus slow, they hunt too much and the end result is always soft. I used one to get used to shooting and then went and got some L glass, image quality improved out of sight.

It's your lens. You are better off investing in a 300 f/4. As reference, here's what a 300, though the 2.8 version, can do:

http://www.mikelaputt.​com/sample/

SnowManZ wrote in post #3715815
well, it's a non usm for one. You are going to have a slower AF when using AI Servo mode, giving you a less than focused image. Have you tried using the lens in AI Servo mode and panning? You are shooting at a high film speed, but it is at a long focal length. Are you using a monopod or tripod? I assume not.

These are some things that you can do to fix your problem.

The images posted were panned shots rather than static - I went for high speed to try and see what the sharpest results I could get were.

Am about to invest in a Monopod (a nice sturdy Manfroto) so will be interrested to see the improvement although TBH I'm more in the "get a decent lens" camp. I'm aching for the 70-200 F2.8 IS L (+1.4xTC) or the 100-400L.

hmm . try shooting at a slower shutter speed say - 400 or 500 use f14 rather than f4- ISO to get the exposure right -

when you compress the pictures for web - use USM

for a 800 longest length picture
use
amount - 100%
radius - 0.8
threshold - 4

Sorry to sound stupid but what is USM in this context?

Ultra Sonic Motor. They're a much better AF motor and the ring type focuses quickly and quietly.

I'm having good experiences with the Canon EF 100-300 4.5-5.6 USM, which for the price is a great lens in my opinion. But, if you can afford more, go for it! I know I would!

Gotta say it, there good, and as sharp as you'll get but it's all about the glass, to get top quality results you need the top quality glass, I use the 300mm f4 'L' and it's amazing, the sharpness, colour and focussing speed are in a different league to other lenses, even with the 1.4x converter attached I don't think alot is lost in quality or focussing speed.

Here's one I took at the weekend, with the converter attached, if you want to see a 100% crop of any part of it let me know.

I've added a crop !

Cheers

Alan

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you didn't say which 70-300 you had, but i can testify to the softness from my own experience with the sigma. it was my first one and i was too ignorant to understand what i was getting. i bought the 70-200 sigma (hsm instead of usm - just a branding thing) and it's very good.

at 1/1600, camera shake should be no problem, so a monopod isn't likely to be your solution.

wp.

FelixP wrote in post #3720033
Ultra Sonic Motor. They're a much better AF motor and the ring type focuses quickly and quietly.

I'm having good experiences with the Canon EF 100-300 4.5-5.6 USM, which for the price is a great lens in my opinion. But, if you can afford more, go for it! I know I would!

Sorry, I know what USM means in this context but it was mentioned in relation to compressing photos for web display.

barP wrote in post #3720562
you didn't say which 70-300 you had, but i can testify to the softness from my own experience with the sigma. it was my first one and i was too ignorant to understand what i was getting. i bought the 70-200 sigma (hsm instead of usm - just a branding thing) and it's very good.

at 1/1600, camera shake should be no problem, so a monopod isn't likely to be your solution.

wp.

Sorry - it's the basic Canon 70-300 non-USM non-IS. I bought it early on just to get some reach and found it OK at first but it's output is not up to close scrutiny.

IIRC it's well renowned on these forums for being probably the worst lens that Canon make.

Nightstalker wrote in post #3719931
Sorry to sound stupid but what is USM in this context?

UnSharp Mask - filter in your paint programme.