some advice

[docholiday]

I have been using a 350Dand EF-s 55-250 zoom, I was happy until I joined this sight and realised how soft my photos are, I have just purchased a 7D and 100-400 canon lens,which I pick up next weekend. will I see a real difference in the quality of my pics, or is it the nut behind the bolt thats the problem
:bonk::bonk::shrug::shrug:

 

[artyman]

You should see a difference, but having said that, the 350D and 55-250 is also capable of producing good shots, so don't expect anything that dramatic. Also using a long telephoto needs some practice as well, so perhaps it is your technique that will need attention to get the best from your new kit.

 

[driver_wedge]

I have a 70-200mm 2.8L IS which I use with a 500D and it is head and shoulders above my previous 55-250mm. Much sharper, faster focus speed, better all-round IQ... so I would expect the 100-400mm to give similar results, particularly on a 7D.

 

[docholiday]

Thanks Guys, it was the softness that worries me was out yesterday and even with high shutter speeds and good light I couldn't get really sharp pictures, this is uncropped taken at 250mm I have looked through the whole depth of field and it really doesn't have sharp focus anywhere, this was at 500th second

 

[tirc83]

Is it your post processing? I just did a quick usm 150, 0.3, 0 and it looks much sharper?

 

[Marc]

I think it's over exposure that's the main problem. If you bring it down by a stop or two, it's looks much sharper. Also, the problem with some lenses (have no knowledge of this particular one) is that they are not at their sharpest at full zoom.

 

[Marc]

Here's a quick go, gave it a bit of a sharpen as well

 

[docholiday]

Appreciate the replies, but shouldn't I be able to get a sharper picture without the photoshop?
PS you have done a great job with the picture

 

[Marc]

Appreciate the replies, but shouldn't I be able to get a sharper picture without the photoshop?
PS you have done a great job with the picture

As I said, the main issue was with the exposure. If you get the exposure spot on in camera then yes, you will be able to get a sharper picture without photoshop. That said, digital photos often need a little sharpen, especially when resizing. What metering mode did you use?

 

[docholiday]

Thanks for your help, I took a whole series of photos at different exposures and shutter speeds, but was so disappointed I deleted them and only thought to post on here and only had this poor shot to put up, metering mode was
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which I think is centre

would i be better of with

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or

|_|

 

[Marc]

I think the issue is that, as you were using centre weighted metering, it was metering off the wing which is in shadow hence the overexposure. Try the middle one (Don't know what those symbols are), should get a better overall exposure of the subject in this case.

 

[docholiday]

Thanks ever so much for your help, have taken these three with the different metering central being the last first was full screen, difficult due to light could only get 90th second

do you think this is reasonable sharpness ?