70-200 F4L IS soft?

I just bought this used lens yesterday and i have been playing with it trying to figure out whats wrong with it, moved from the non-is version which right now seemed like a dum idea because it was a gem in sharpness. So far i havent gotten many sharp photos with this. The focusing was off so i microadjusted it some, but either way i never seem to like the sharpness. here is an example(you can view original size in link too to see what im talking about) http://farm5.static.fl​ickr.com …86678749_2bd10a​b0bd_o.jpg (warning full size image)

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Flickr link is asking for me to log-in.

My 70-200 is one of the sharpest zooms I have ever used.

Cant read the EXIF to help....

egordon99 wrote in post #10139566
Flickr link is asking for me to log-in.

My 70-200 is one of the sharpest zooms I have ever used.

Neither of them work now? Fixed the link

Ok reuploaded both, it has the info on flickr now so it should have it.

still no EXIF at least that I can see.

look like your focus point was about a 1/2 foot down from the peak. assuming you are shooting wide open. seems like the focus point is sharp as hell and the fuzziness you see is just teh OOF area.

i doubt your lens needed microadjusting. you may have microadjusted it to the wrong point, especially if the focus point was the top of the roof.

Cupra wrote in post #10139592
Cant read the EXIF to help....

# Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/400 second ===> 0.0025 second
# Lens F-Number / F-Stop = 4/1 ===> ƒ/4
# Exposure Program = aperture priority (3)
# ISO Speed Ratings = 100
# EXIF Version = 0221
# Original Date/Time = 2010:05:07 12:51:09
# Digitization Date/Time = 2010:05:07 12:51:09
# Shutter Speed Value (APEX) = 8643856/1000000
Shutter Speed (Exposure Time) = 1/400 second
# Aperture Value (APEX) = 4/1
Aperture = ƒ/4
# Exposure Bias (EV) = 0/1 ===> 0
# Max Aperture Value (APEX) = 4/1 ===> 4
Max Aperture = ƒ/4
# Distance to Subject = 447/100 m
# Metering Mode = center weighted average (2)
# Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
# Focal Length = 135/1 mm ===> 135 mm
# Original Subsecond Time = 00
# Digitized Subsecond Time = 00
# Focal Plane X-Resolution = 4752000/894 ===> 5315.44
# Focal Plane Y-Resolution = 3168000/597 ===> 5306.53
# Focal Plane X/Y-Resolution Unit = inch (2)
# Custom Rendered = normal process (0)
# Exposure Mode = auto exposure (0)
# White Balance = auto (0)
# Scene Capture Type = standard (0)

Here are some pics at F4, 5.6, 8, 11.(only displayed f4 and 8 as pics cause they seem to worst and best)

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You do realize that (1)The DOF of f/4 will be shallower than f/8, and (2)At close distances the DOF is REALLY shallow?

The newspaper shots like fine to me.

Just taken this few minutes ago at f4, 5.6 and 8. I find the f5.6 seemed to bring the best out of the picture taken at longest focal length. I do not think this copy is soft at all at any apertures. Great lens.

last is at f8

neonlazer, are you using any filters?

It's kind of difficult to give you an opinion without basic information like where the focus point was. That said, they looks reasonably sharp to me. This lens will perform better at f5.6 than f4, but it should still be pretty sharp at f4.

Kiwikat wrote in post #10140288
neonlazer, are you using any filters?

Usually but i took it off for the tests, the non-is examples(the car) did have a uv filter on it.