Need some Eagle Eye! Lens issue or poor focus?

Okay, thanks for taking the challenge !

Following is two FLickr links to two photos I took last month (click to see the largest size). They were taken approx 45 seconds apart. Same pose, same light, etc.. Model slightly tilted the head to the right in #2, but thats it.

Photo#1

Photo#2 http://www.flickr.com …/danangmonkey/5​063482187/
Settings:
Camera: 5d MII w/2.8L 70-200MM IS USM (lens hood, no filter)
Photo#1 (test1) = F/4.5 @ 1/80 73mm ISO 400
Photo#2 (test2) = F/2.8 @ 1/200 73mm ISO 400

Except for exporting from RAW to JPG in LR3, photos have received no PP

Photo setup:
I took Photo#1 using full manual, spot focus on center of back at end of hairline. Didn't like the DoF, so opened to 2.8. SS to 1/200, and exact same focus point. AF was on, but not in AI Servo.

The Problem: In LR3 at full screen I realized that photo#2 shot at 2.8 has noticible soft focus. I wanted a narrower DoF, so opened to 2.8, and was anal in ensuring that the SPOT focus was locked and at the same focus point as photo#1.... Photo was shot handheld, but I was pretty steady and at 1/200 With 'IS' engaged. I pixel peeped and don't see another focus point that was grabbed.

My Question: Is this Operator Errror, or is this expected soft focus at 2.8 for this lens? I am scratching my head on this one. If I made a mistake please let me know so I can correct, but it will be pretty dissapointing if an L series lens is this soft wide open

Sorry for the length, but wanted to give you all the info needed upfront

Thanks for any help in advance !

Brian (Danangmonkey)

sorry but your 1024px image isn't showing any soft focus for me, looks completely acceptable. you realize that the DoF will narrow your "in focus" part of the image, which is subjective.

Yes, I realize the narrower DoF, that is why i was extra carefull to achieve the same focus point.

You may have to look at the largest scale on Flikr to see the soft focus. The hair is the most apprarent, but the wood rails on either side, and the details in the hat also soft blur out at 2.8. At 83mm and 12-15 feet from the subject, I didn't feel i narrowed down the DoF so considerably to make THAT much of a difference. Even if I botched the focus point, I still can't find an area that isn't at soft focus, hence my slight suspicion of the lens.

Perhaps I will need to reduce these photos a tad, and post them side by side in this thread so the problem is more obvious. I wanted everyone to see the largest size, and only way to do that without pissing off the mods is to post links.

i dont see any real issues either as far as focus

are you shooting handheld or on a tripod? keep in mind, at f/2.8, even you move just a little after the camera has focused, it will throw the image off

The 2.8 is softer for sure.

Have you calibrated this lens for your camera?

This will answer your question:

http://www.lensrentals​.com …s-is-soft-and-other-myths

PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE MOVED THIS CONVERSATION TO THE "CANON EF LENS" CATEGORY AS THIS IS MORE OF A TECHNICAL QUESTION AND NOT A CRITIQUE> MY APOLOGIES TO THE MODS FOR THE ERROR/