New 70-200 2.8 Opinion

stu.artd

stu.artd

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Stuart
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I got a new 70-200 2.8 lens recently but I'm not sure if it's as sharp as I'd hoped, maybe I'm expecting too much so thought I'd show a sample and get an opinion or two.

70-200 test by stu.artd on Talk Photography

This was taken from 7-8 metres away. Using a 7D, 70-200 @ 200mm, 2.8, 60th sec on a firm tripod. 100% crop, no sharpening or retouching. The hand lotion tube is 15 cm high.
 
not the best subject and back lit so really difficult to say try another image hth mike
 
I agree, the camera will have struggled with that subject due to its colour and backlighting causing issues for it to find high contrast. How much better is it if you disable AF and focus manually?
 
As above, plus a higher shutter speed. Also, which 70-200 is it?
 
I'll try using live view and manual focus, hadn't thought of that.

Shutter speed shouldn't matter as was on a tripod. ;)

I take on board the comments about the subject matter but do notice no one saying they'd be happy with it.
 
What was your ISO...

Its really easy (& unfair) to take soft images with a 70-200mm.
Can you redo the shot with lots of light first?
If you cant get a sharp focus in good light then it will never happen in bad.

Shoot at 200mm, 1/200, Base ISO & F2.8 also using a tripod & self timer.

Does your 70-200 have OS ?
Did you turn it off when mounting it on the tripod?
 
As above. Flat, clear subject, lots of light, high shutter, low ISO, tripod.

Which 70-200 is it? The Sigmas are often a bit soft at 200mm in my experience.
 
It's a Tamron 70-200 2.8 VC. I've been very happy with my Tamron 70-300 so decided to forego the Canon 70-200 2.8 (non IS) I'd been looking at getting. I happilly use a 24-70 2.8, 60 and 100mm 2.8 so I'm used to working with a f2.8 lens.

I printed off a test page and gave it a try, camera at iso 100, lens mounted on tripod, wireless remote release used to trigger shutter. Shutter speeds were low due to indoor lighting but I can't see any effects from vibration etc.. The files are big so they're linked individually (if anyone feels interested enough to open them). Can't say that I can see much wrong with the one at 2.8.


Lens Chart 1 f2.8 by Stuart Delaney, on Flickr
f2.8 Link to page with full res file http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartdelaney/10750351983/

Links for f4 http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartdelaney/10750294093/

I'll try something else tomorrow, at least a different test page tomorrow as the centre of this one's not got much to check resolution with. The weather's lousy (too windy for tests of trees and leaves etc..) and I've very little time for getting out and about just now.
If the sky's clear I'll try a moon photo, that should be far enough away to keep everyone happy. ;)
 
Yep, it's the new Tamron 70-200 2.8 VC, same model that Phil has.

I think I was just trying to take a couple of tests of the wrong thing and getting a little worked up about it. I'm happy with the lens chart result @ 2.8.
I didn't manage to take any photo's today other than trying a couple of the moon. I can happilly confirm that the lens works fine with my Kenko 2x TC from f5.6 on a 7D with full AF. AF is slower as would be expected but it's not too bad.

The photo below was taken at 200mm with the 2x TC on (so effective 400mm), handheld at 1/50th on a 7D.


Crescent Moon 1 by Stuart Delaney, on Flickr
 
I was (even posted couple) then somebody asked what was wrong.
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Edited because the smilies didn't appear 1st time.
 
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I have a Kenko 2x Teleplus Pro 300 DGX. It's got a blue dot on it beside the Made in Japan text, I think that relates to something like a version identifier but can't say for sure.
I'm sure I'll be able to get hold of one of the kids soft toys and take a couple of photo's, with and without the TC. Probably won't be until Thursday or Friday though.
 
Here's link to a flickr set of test photo's. All are straight from camera and copied to PC, unadjusted, nor sharpened etc... The exif should be intact but there's a clue to the settings in the filename as well. ;)
To see how useful VC is they were all taken handheld as well. If you'd like me to try something different let me know and I should be able to try again tomorrow.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartdelaney/sets/72157637664120225/
 
IMHO the best way to test a lens is to shoot someone in the face wiht it... sounds brutal :) aim for the eyes... gives best test results for sharpness.. better than static objects.. IMHO!
 
KIPAX said:
IMHO the best way to test a lens is to shoot someone in the face wiht it... sounds brutal :) aim for the eyes... gives best test results for sharpness.. better than static objects.. IMHO!
Click to expand...
That's just insanity - that'd be like using it for intended purpose. One has to build a portfolio of cereal boxes, newspapers, industrial-sized rulers and test charts.
 
The 150-600 does look interesting, I've considered a 150-500 or 100-400 for a while. I got the 2x TC for a good price (£80) and couldn't really resist getting one to try out.
 
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