DOF at long ranges ??

This is not DOF issue at all! It is Haze!

Have you tried shooting this @ f8 on Single Shot rather than AI Servo?

The only time I had a problem like this the lens had fungus on one of the internal elements!

I'd get it checked out asap!

S2K.OGRAPHY wrote in post #10194499
some cheapo uv filter? tristar optics maybe?

Brand new Canon UV filter.

MHO wrote in post #10194552
This is not DOF issue at all! It is Haze!

OK, but then how can it be explained that when I started to stop down to f/8 and f/13, the problem went away (per my OP)?

I unfortunately don't have shots to post that were taken at 200 mm with f/8 and f/13. They were uninteresting and deleted them before I decided to start this thread.

I have my tripod and wireless remote with me today, heading to a local park at lunch time to shoot stationary objects.

Tell me what I should do (besides what I indicate below) to help narrow down the cause of the problem. All shots will be taken with tripod.

Without filter, shoot an object (from a good distance away) at 200 mm, ISO 100, Av Mode, starting at f/4 and going all the way down to f/22.

If all shots look good, attach filter and repeat to see if filter is causing the issue.
Else if not all shots look good, move tripod up to half the distance and shoot again. Note any improvement from shooting at a closer distance.

I'm praying its a filter issue. I'd really hate to send the lens in and lose time with it.

MHO wrote in post #10194552
Have you tried shooting this @ f8 on Single Shot rather than AI Servo?

Actually I started the day out in Single Shot mode and when I started seeing the results at f/4 I switched over to AI Servo to see if things improved, which they didn't, until I went to f/8 and f/11.

try w/o the filter

i am interested in the outcome of this. pls let us know what you find.

The Canon filters are not of very high quality, but I have never seen one so bad - but try without it.

It might be one of the lens elements isn't aligned correctly - when zooming out, the element becomes more disaligned. If removing the filter, using a different AF mode or shooting on a tripod doesn't remove the problem, I'd definately have it checked by a service center.

I have the f4 Is and I have shot with and without the filter and at 200mm wide open and have never ever experienced this kind of thing!

I suspect a dodgy internal element! I experienced this with my old Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 and the cause of it was fungus!

It used to be fine between f8 & f13 but at any other end of the f range it would produce milky images at the long end!

Just got back from my test shoot. The filter is not the cause of the problem. I was tripod-shooting two army tanks. One was roughly twice the distance from me than the other. I will have to wait until tonight to post the results.

But to summarize:

All shots taken at 200mm, no filter, starting at f/4 and going down to f/22.
As I went from f/4 down to f/22, each successive shot looked better than the one before it. The ones at f/4 were awful, and the ones at f/22 were great.

This also rules out the body, right?

So now what do I do? I bought the lens used on Ebay (received it three weeks ago) and already provided positive feedback. The seller had 100% FB rating. Wish I had tested it out a little more thoroughly before I gave feedback. Stupid move.

I just sent the seller a request for a return, but not sure how things will pan out now. Would this still be covered under Ebay or Paypal protection plans?

Or should I get the lens fixed? How do I go about doing this? How long does it typically take? I was just so eager to use it when I got it I forgot to check for the warranty card. What would I do if I had no warranty card? How much will it cost me? I have to dig the box out of my storage unit tonight to check.

Man, I am so PO'd right now.

Canon only warrants the lens to the original owner, so by buying used, you have no Canon warranty.

Best bet is to send it back to to Canon and have them fix it. They are usually very quick in getting stuff back to you (1-2 weeks). They will give you a repair quote prior to doing the work.

Sorry you got a bum lens.

egordon99 wrote in post #10196377
Canon only warrants the lens to the original owner, so by buying used, you have no Canon warranty.

Best bet is to send it back to to Canon and have them fix it. They are usually very quick in getting stuff back to you (1-2 weeks). They will give you a repair quote prior to doing the work.

Sorry you got a bum lens.

If I had a blank warranty card would I still need to provide proof of purchase?

coeng wrote in post #10196432
If I had a blank warranty card would I still need to provide proof of purchase?

Canon only warrants the product to the ORIGINAL owner. You bought it used.

coeng wrote in post #10196432
If I had a blank warranty card would I still need to provide proof of purchase?

Yes, to provide date of purchase. You only get 1 year from original purchase date. If the mfg date is less than 1 year ago, you might get around it, but not likely. Warranty card is actually not even needed, they just ask for a receipt or invoice.

I would say you definitely have some halation going on there which may indicate some misaligned lens elements or something like that. Definitely needs to be looked at.

egordon99 wrote in post #10196449
Canon only warrants the product to the ORIGINAL owner. You bought it used.

Then why do people include a "blank warranty card" in the item description when selling a used lens?

coeng wrote in post #10196477
Then why do people include a "blank warranty card" in the item description when selling a used lens?

I have no idea....

Canon needs proof that YOU purchased the item NEW from an authorized retailer.

I'm sorry your lens seems to be defective. But you presumably saved some money by buying the lens used. Part of the premium price you pay for a new item is the 1-year warranty.

As for returning it to your seller, I'm not sure if they'd accept a return after three weeks. With used stuff from private parties, it's pretty much buyer beware and you should check anything out ASAP, not three weeks later.

I think your best bet is to send it to Canon and have them look at it. The repair cost might actually not be that much. I know for the ~$400 580EXII, they charge ~$100 to fix "anything that's wrong with it". I had to get mine fixed out-of-warranty, and I had it back in my hands exactly ONE week after I mailed it out.

Not sure how much you paid for your lens, but when all said and done, you'll have probably paid around the cost of a NEW lens and have a WORKING lens with a 6-month warranty (Canon warrants their repairs for six months) So you'll probably end up ok in the end.