User error or bad copy 24-70L

CheshireCat wrote in post #9952683
Sorry, we are not there yet.
Those are screenshots of 100% crops downsized to 1024x592 (that is not your fault: free Flickr accounts limit the downloadable image size to 1024 pixels on the longest side).

Even so, it seems that the lens is backfocusing. That may or may not be user error. I recommend testing on static subjects.

You may follow this procedure to show us 100% crops:

- Open your original image (the one straight out of the camera, at 100% sensor resolution) with your favorite image editor.

- Do NOT rescale (otherwise it will not be a 100% crop !).

- Select a small area (say 500x500 pixels) centered on the focus point.

- Use the CROP command on your image editor (in Photoshop, select the "Image" menu and then the "Crop" command).

- Save the resulting 500x500 image as JPEG.

And that is your 100% crop

Psssh. Print Screen while viewing at 100% in DPP so we can see the picture and post the print screen into paint.

this is how you crop

Here are 100% crops

1st one is is center point on the ear, 2nd one is center point on the eye.

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Here are the last two. 1st one is on the hair line and the one is just above the black of nose on the white hair. The second photo was the one that I thought had a lot of CA.

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The focusing seems a little bit off. Is your lens still under warranty? If so, take it into Canon. I had some trouble focusing when I first purchased my 28-70L (used), but after I took it in for calibration, it now works like a charm!

I confirm that in all shots the lens seems to be backfocusing.

Before taking the lens to Canon, I'd suggest:

1) If you have a filter on the lens, remove it.
2) Set AF to ONE SHOT and center focus point only. Do NOT focus and recompose.
3) Ensure your 5D2 body is using the default micro focus adjustment (value=0) for your lens.
4) Test again at f/2.8 aperture using a well-lit still subject. Try different subject distances.

Let us know the results.

Good news and bad news

Good news it was not user error.
Bad news it was not user error.

I called canon and emailed some samples, they confirmed needs to be calibrated. I looked through a lot of photos and actually found that my 135 and 35 are pretty soft too. So I am wondering if it is my body rather than 3 seperate lens'. Since I live in San Diego, I paid a little visit to canon in irvine and gave them my body and the 3 lens' to see where the problem is.

They said should be done early next week. So it's not too big of a deal. I will post an update once I hear from them.

So I picked up my camera and 3 of my lens since they were still in warranty. Turns out the body was fine, but all 3 lens' were out of adjustment. Haven't had a change to play with them tonight, but hopefully they will be spot on.

skater911 wrote in post #9983488
So I picked up my camera and 3 of my lens since they were still in warranty. Turns out the body was fine, but all 3 lens' were out of adjustment. Haven't had a change to play with them tonight, but hopefully they will be spot on.

How did they fix them ?

CheshireCat wrote in post #9987499
How did they fix them ?

Well I don't know if this is just the pre-stored note they have in their system, but every lens had this in the service details.

Your product has been examined and it was found that the adjustment of the circuit board was incorrect causing inaccurate auto focus. Electrical adjustments were carried out on the circuit board and product functions were confirmed. Other inspection and cleaning were carried out.

I am taking test shots today to see how they respond. Hopefully all is well and it was a trip well spent.

I've have decided to continue this topic since my question is directly in line with the title.

I'm using a Canon 40D with a new 24-70 f2.8L lense and I would like to confirm from all your experience if my lense is within the spec. All pictures were taken in apperture priority at f5.6 at 1/1600sec and at 200 ISO at about 12 feet from the bottle. The camera was mounted on a tripod and I was using the timer (10sec) to avoid any camera movement. Focus is done on the "R" of SARDEGNA. I took many shot but will only post the one at f5.6 for different focal (24, 34, 50 and 66). What I have noticed is the black lettering is loosing it softer for smaller focal. Is that normal

I rented a canon 70-200 f2.8L and never noticed this effect with object even further. The details were clear without any doubt.

many thanks for your comments.

The first two are respectively at 66mm and 50mm

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here are the remaining focal respectively 34mm and 24mm

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Cannonau ! Sweeeet !
Provided your 24-70L did not drink the Cannonau, it should be much sharper than that at f/5.6.
My copy was actually sharper than that wide open.

Try another test in the same conditions but using manual focus (Live View at maximum magnification).