RF800mm F11 IS STM Images do not seem sharp...ringing around image

[dcomora]

I am new to Canon products and recently purchased an R5 with the the RF 800 fixed f11 lens.  I have been shooting birds over the past few months.   I have been comparing my shots to those I see posted on line and it seems I am not able to get the sharp focus that I see others getting.  I am using the animal eye focus setting, I am shooting at  shutter speeds of  between 1000 and 2000, my ISO is usually never above 2000.   I have the image stabilization engaged and I most recently used a tripod.   When I zoom into my images, I see a little "ringing" around the outside of the birds and birds eyes.   Someone said I should use Topaz AI sharpen to get sharper images, but I am thinking that should not be necessary.  Is it possible that the lens is out of calibration or am I still doing something wrong?  I also have an R 25 - 105 lens and photos are super sharp. Any advice would be appreciated. 

[kvbarkley]

How far away are you?

[ebiggs1]

" I would not use eye detect. It really doesn't matter when you are 100 yards away!"

I agree turn this off. Also IS doesn't help at the SS you are using, in fact it may hurt. Turn it off, too.

Yous samples do appear soft but we need to discover the reason. Keep in mind a lot of factors effect the IQ of a super tele.

In the first place it will never be as sharp as any of your shorter FL lens like your 24-105mm. The biggest factor with how sharp a tele is is distance. As distance increases resolution decreases. In other words the farther away you are will result in less IQ.

A misconceptions about a super tele is to use it to shot far away subjects. Although it can do the the best use is shooting a small subject,a bird, at close range. Making the small 'bird' appear larger in the frame.

[dcomora]

Well as a follow up, I sent my lens into Canon for repair and yesterday I received an email that they are unable to replicate the problem and they are asking me to send the camera and clear filter in. Since the camera takes great shots with my 24 to 105 lens and with the RF800mm F11 lens that I rented, its hard to believe its a camera issue.  My clear filter appears to be perfect as well, but I'm willing to send it in. I'm wondering if anyone things the clear filter could actually cause distortion?  I sent Canon the unedited images comparing my lens with the identical rented lens which clearly show the issue that I have encountered.  I'm wondering if anyone has experience with Canon repair and if they typically use the "can't replicate issue" as a way to buy time or avoid dealing with problems.  Thakns. 

[jrhoffman75]

I have read of instances where reflections from the lens bounce back to the filter and cause problems.

[dcomora]

Thanks!  I think I will ship them my clear filter then. 

[ebiggs1]

Perhaps I missed it but I did not know you had a filter on the lens. If I had, I would have told you to discard it altogether. It can most definitely cause problems and likely has. Unless it is a very high quality filter like B+W don't use it. It is not needed.

As to Canon service, it is at the top bar none. All companies should be as good. Even though you made a comparison of two lenses you did so in an uncontrolled condition. In order to do such a test you must eliminate the camera and you from the factors. You did neither. Canon will. There still may be a problem with your lens don't get me wrong but Canon will find it. They need your camera and your filter  and your lens to determine that. Not all camera/lens manufacturers will go to this level of customer satisfaction, believe me.

[dcomora]

Thanks!!! I don't think I posted that I had a clear filter on the lens, so you didn't miss it. 

[ebiggs1]

Good luck and I hope you get it sorted soon.

[dcomora]

Thanks, if the culprit winds up being the clear filter, I will be relieved...embarassed, but relieved!  Will let you know. 

[ebiggs1]

"Will let you know."

Please do.