55/250 lens not working like new...

[jmccann19661]

I have a 2 .5 year old T5 with a 55/250 zoom lens. I have taken about 15,000 pictures with it. I use AF and the sports setting and take pics at basketball games. I travel to the same gymnasiums every year, same lighting, same seating area. However, the pics I am taking now are not nearly as sharp as the ones from even a year ago. Any ideas? Thanks!

[Waddizzle]

Is the front of your lens dirty?  The front element can become covered in a hazy film over time.  It can go unnoticed until you take pictures with light sources in them.

[jmccann19661]

I have cleaned it, but will try it again, thanks!

[ebiggs1]

"...the pics I am taking now are not nearly as sharp as the ones from even a year ago."

And if you look in places that aren't responsible like a 'hazy' front element you will never find the culprit.  It is possible the lens has gotten out of spec.  Only Canon can fix that.

Beside simply parts wesaring out, fungus can be a problem. It secretes an acid that etches the multicoating of the lens elements, so even if you disassemble and clean the lens, the damage is likely permanent and will to some degree, affect the sharpness of the lens.  Canon can replace parts but fungus may not be possible to remove.

[MikeSowsun]

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jmccann19661 wrote:

I have a 2 .5 year old T5 with a 55/250 zoom lens. I have taken about 15,000 pictures with it. I use AF and the sports setting and take pics at basketball games. I travel to the same gymnasiums every year, same lighting, same seating area. However, the pics I am taking now are not nearly as sharp as the ones from even a year ago. Any ideas? Thanks!

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Can you check the ISO/aperture/ shutter speed for last years photos and compare them to this years photos to rule out any user error? 

Shooting sports indoors is difficult, and requires a fast aperture and/or high ISO.