Canon EOS 7D Mark II Soft focus

[magmo]

Hi, I have had a Canon EOS 50D for a long time and decided to upgrade to a 7D Mark II since this fitted my need for indoor sports photography. I also purchhased a used Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L USM. But I am not happpy with the images, they are not sharp but have a soft focus. I saw that a focus screen (EH-S) is available suitable for lenses with f2.8. Does anyone have experience of this focusing screen?

The images shoot indoor is usually at 1/800, f/2.8 and ISO 6400

[Waddizzle]

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@magmowrote:

Thanks, here are 2 images taken today. Both are shoot with Canon EOS 7D Mark II and Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 L USM. Focus point has been on word "Canon" on the lens in the image (not the lens hood)

 f2.8, ISO 100, 1/160 at 200 mm

Second image 
f/4, ISO 100, 1/160 at 200mm

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There is probably nothing wrong.  You are focusing on a fairly close subject using 200mm and f/2.8. You DOF is quite narrow.

http://www.dofmaster.com/doftable.html

[magmo]

@waddizzle, I disagree there are 2 versions. One with f2.8 and one with f4. If it is a DOF issue then the f4 version should have been in focus or at least better than the 2.8 version which is not the case.

[Waddizzle]

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@magmowrote:

@Waddizzle, I disagree there are 2 versions. One with f2.8 and one with f4. If it is a DOF issue then the f4 version should have been in focus or at least better than the 2.8 version which is not the case.

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Do you know how to use and read that table?

It is not a matter of whether or not you agree with me. You are disagreeing with the facts. I do not know what distance your subject is, but your DOF is probably less than half of an inch with the f/4 lens, and even less at f/2.8.

[magmo]

Anyway, if I focus on the word canon the focus should not be a bit back as displayed on the images

[lly3988]

Did you shoot the images handheld or on a tripod ?

Have you tried liveview focusing ? Take some images with liveview focusing or even manual focusing and compare to the results of focusing using focus points.

Magnify the images taken with different focusing methods and compare them. Then you may consider whether you need to AFMA for individual lenses.

Try shooting in a controlled enviroment, may be avoid some lighting conditions that will reduce the contrast of the subject or even confuse the focusing sytem of the camera.

Focus screen will not help you in auto focus at all. Try manual focus with subject magnify in the liveview to acieve critical focus. If softness persists, you might also have problem with your lens(es). Glasses may have to be re-aligned by Canon.

Good luck.

[magmo]

Hi, i used a tripod. I am not happy at all with the picture Quality/sharpness and really expected more from a lens like this. I will send it to Canon after this weekend and will post the result when I get it back

[Waddizzle]

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@magmowrote:
Hi, i used a tripod. I am not happy at all with the picture Quality/sharpness and really expected more from a lens like this. I will send it to Canon after this weekend and will post the result when I get it back

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You might want to send the camera and the lens, too, if you can.

[magmo]

Hi, yes I spoke to the service center and I will send both the lens and the camera to them.

[Waddizzle]

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@magmowrote:
Hi, i used a tripod. I am not happy at all with the picture Quality/sharpness and really expected more from a lens like this. I will send it to Canon after this weekend and will post the result when I get it back

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I figured you used a tripod.  What focusing mode were you using, One Shot or AI Servo?  IS, on or off?

[magmo]

One Shot