100-400 Sharpness issues .

Hello ,

I am really starting to get frustrated with my 100-400l . The images are mostly ok , but I am working on a 5 out of ten hit rate . 5 are sharp and 5 are unusable . I am using the lens for motorsport photography btw .

Could it be something wrong with the lens ? Or is this where I am going to have to put my hand in my pocket and go prime , 300/400 mm.

On another note what is the 300 f4 l lens like ? Is this a sharp lens , and will it be noticabley sharper (most of the time ) than the 100-400 l ?

Thanks for your time and your experience is needed!

Sounds like the issue is either focus or shutter speed. Please post photos.

For panning make sure the IS is not set to mode 1. Set it to mode 2.

Yes i know that , and I find it even helps to turn the IS off completely . Not sure .

if some are sharp and others arnt is possible its just technique / settings causing the problem.

Is it just this lens that gives you problems? Longer focal lenghts normally need faster shutter speeds. As Genome points out, if you are having 5 out of 10 turn out good then it shows the lens is able to produce. Posting a few examples with exif would help...

Which camera body?

Sometimes IS can get in the way of sharpness.

Try removing the filter if you have one on. Some 1-4 have softness due to the filter for some odd reason.

Post an example of a good and bad shot with details on each (ie shutter speed, iso, aperture, camera body, etc).

You need to examine the images very closely to determine what the issue is. Is it motion blur or is it actually a matter of the body's failure to focus? Different problems with different solutions.

Post some pics!

I have the same Lens and had the same questions when I first got it. It took over a year to figure it out but I finally got it. First I found that the shutter speed to the telephoto estention hould never go more then 2 stops. I try to keep it at 1. If im shooting at 400 MM then the shutter speed is never less then 200. Next I never fully extend the tele either. I tryto go no futher then 380mm for some reason it helps. Next was motion blur with comes the shutter speed.

Nmura wrote in post #10024064
Try removing the filter if you have one on. Some 1-4 have softness due to the filter for some odd reason.

Agree - not sure why but mine were sharper without filter.

No pictures yet?