Please Help - why are pics not in focus and sharp?

[Maria]

I have a 24-70mm f/2.8L lens and am finding that it is not as sharp as i'd expect.  I'm sure it's me and not the lens so hoping someone can help me understand what i'm doing or not doing correctly.

I'm attaching a picture as an example...hand held...here are the settings:

EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM

59.0mm

1/640 sec;   f/2.8;   ISO 400

Shutter priority;   Spot metering

shot with 70D

when you zoom into the tree it is cleary not in focus/sharp ;(

I've tried at differen shutter speeds but still having the same issue... going to try different apertures next...

[ebiggs1]

"... is simply NOT sharp when used wide open at f/2.8 ..."  

WOW, I can't believe you or anyone said that!  

As a common fact no lens is a sharp wide open as it is stopped down several stops but this lens is outstandingly sharp.

The only complaint I could possibly give it is, wide open at very close distances but who shoots one that way anyways?

This lens is as good as it gets. There simply is no better lens (in a 24-70mm f2.8) even with Brand N.

IMHO, of course, ... as aways.

[carrie122]

I had this same problem with my EOS 60D. soft focus. I had to finally send it in to canon to be tweaked and fixed, after trying EVERY other thing and asking every single person who would giveme an answer. Sometimes after time and use cams just need to be adjusted

[Harv]

I guess the next thing you'll try to convince me of is that your version 1 of the 70-200 is sharp wide open and is as sharp as the version 2.

For the record, most lenses only need to be stopped down 1 or 2 f-stops to get to the sweet spot, not several.

Also, for you to say there is no better 24-70/2.8 class lens out there than the Canon version 1 is simply wrong.  You should check your facts before making such a claim.

Have a nice day.  I'm done with this conversation.

[ebiggs1]

"I'm done with this conversation."

GOOD!

[Maria]

Happy New Year everyone!

Struggled to find a spot that had enough light so finally had to go outside - and it's cold out there 😉

Took 7-8 shots and all result the same thing.... nothing is really in focus ;(

Here is one example with the following settings:

EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM 

70.0 mm

1/1250 sec;   f/2.8;   ISO 100

Manual;   Spot metering

AF point is center and although it was aimed at the center dark text it did not focus on it well ;( thus focus appears to be on overall issue??? Assuming i did everything correctly for the test???  i was 10 feet away, tried to have the camera at the same level as the chart and used the above settings (let the camera Auto select ISO).... chart was 'roughly' at a 45 degree angle.

[Maria]

this is the center texted cropped in - really NOT in focus but that is where the AF point was!

[Maria]

redid the test using my T1i... at 1/1000 everything was blown out .... had to set to 1/4000 and ISO 400 to be able to see the test sheet .... it's nice a brigh outside.... when i looked at these shots i can say that they are slightly better than with the 70D but i stress slightly - almost not noticable difference.... on the T1i that center text is not in focus either and the numbers done either side of the chart are about the same result as the previous one (70d pic attached)....  ;( ;( ;(

going to go back out and wait for the sun to be under some clouds then take again using the 70d at f/4 and see what happens.... anything else i should try???

[ebiggs1]

You are using a tripod?

[Maria]

yes using a tripod and a remote so that i don't move it .... there is a little wind but dont' think it's enough to move anything.... tried to take the shots when there was none.... or is should say when i didn't feel any 😉

[Maria]

i believe the test said to not use a flash thus why i had to venture outdoors today 😉