Please Help 70-200MM 2.8L IS II USM Sharpness.

[c.edwards]

Hello All, I just purchased the 70-200 2.8L IS II and when comparing it to my old 70-200MM F4L it is not nearly as sharp @ 2.8 and F4. Any one had similar results?

[Jon Ruyle]

Well, you can

[neuroanatomist]

Based on Bryan's ISO 12233 charts and other reviews, the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II should be sharper than the 70-200mm f/4L with both wide open, especially away from the center of the frame. I haven't used a 70-200mm f/4L, but I can tell you that my70-200II is very sharp at f/2.8. Stopped down to f/4, it gets a little bit sharper, as you'd expect.


Here's an example from mine at f/2.8, original and a 100% crop:



[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dr_brain/5117397391/lightbox/][/url] [img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Components-UserFiles/00-00-00-35-15/EyeCrop.jpg[/img]
EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/2.8<span style="color: #ff0000;"]L IS II USM @ 70mm, 1/640 s, f/2.8, ISO 100


How are you testing? If you're using autofocus, it's quite possible that you need to do a microadjustment. Try testing sharpness using manual focus with 10x Live View. If your copy is not sharp when manually focusing with 10x Live View, I'd suggest exchanging it for another copy.

[elmo_2006]

This may sound silly if not moronic, but how are you comparing photos? Are you comparing the actual RAW images?


Edit:


Converted to jpeg from RAW:





I too questioned the image *prowess* of said lens when I first purchased it. When I switched from RAW to JPEG on the camera - WOW - I was totally blown away!

[Derek Reese]

My 70-200L f/4 was super sharp. My 70-200L f/2.8 IS II is as sharp or sharper.

[c.edwards]

Hey Guys, Here are some sample crops for youto take a look at. I printed a grid on the sheet of paper and then put a light on it. I took several shots and there are all very similar with their respective lenses. I do have a couple of slight bumps and the wall is textured so they are not completely flat. I was wondering of the DOF @ 2.8 is causing an issue, but the F4 crops don't look much better.


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/8/3617.70_2D00_200MM28_2D00_100MM_2D00_Crop_2D00_Cen ter.jpg[/img]


70-200MM F 2.8L IS II@ 100 MM Center Crop


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/8/2671.70_2D00_200F28_2D00_100MM_2D00_Crop_2D00_Uppe r_2D00_Right.jpg[/img]


70-200MM F 2.8L IS II@ 100MM Upper Right Corner Crop.


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/8/8054.70_2D00_200MMF4_2D00_100MM_2D00_Crop_2D00_Cen ter.jpg[/img]


70-200 F 4L @ 100 MM Center Crop


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/8/7673.70_2D00_200MMF4_2D00_100MM_2D00_Crop_2D00_Upp er_2D00_Right.jpg[/img]


70-200MM F 4L @ 100MM Upper Right Crop

[Jon Ruyle]

It

[HDNitehawk]

Are you comparing both at F4. Or is one at F2.8 and the other at F4? They need to be at the same setting for a comparison if one is better than the other.


Still, the corner looks like to much fall off. Unless your set at an angle and the narrow DOF is coming in to play. Personally if I were not happy with a $2K plus lens I would ask for another copy.

[neuroanatomist]

What camera are you using? If it is a crop body, that looks to me like too much degradation in the corner.

That looks like too much to me, even for FF....

[HDNitehawk]

If you go to the the tools and review the two side by side. The F4 will be sharper than the F2.8 in the corners if the comparison is at F2.8.


The 70-200mm F2.8L II is not showing to be just tack sharp at F2.8. Now if the comparison is both at F4 then the 70-200mm F2.8L II is the clear winner.


I would suggest the OP compare the charts at the settings he has used and see if the results seem similar.


http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=404&amp;Camera=453&amp;Sample=0&am p;FLI=2&amp;API=0&amp;LensComp=687&amp;CameraComp= 453&amp;SampleComp=0&amp;FLIComp=1&amp;APIComp=0