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