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- Name
- Bob
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I made a bit of an idiot of myself today.
I have recently acquired an EF 24-105 F4L lens but for a number of reasons have not had a chance to try it out much. It is to replace my EF-S 15-85 lens as I need that bit longer length. Anyway I thought I'd try a direct comparison of the two lenses by setting them up on a tripod in turn, photographing a distant vista then taking 100% crops from each and comparing.
I was astounded! the 15-85 appeared to knock spots of the L. After trying various focal lengths and apertures, I called the supplier to tell them I would be sending it back. They were excellent about it and they made arrangements to collect it.
Having glugged a couple of mugs of tea to calm my nerves and to ponder further this heresy, I picked up my camera still with the "offending" lens attached. Then I noticed my gaff. I had left on the IS whilst on the tripod. I've done this before with other lenses and not noticed a deal of degradation, but I repeated the comparison tests. It was a transformation! All crispy sharpness and glorious colours. I've never noticed this effect so much before with any other lens and I now wonder if some poor reviews of the 24-105 have been as a result of a similar mistake.
Then I had to call my supplier to cancel the return ...

By the way, the 15-85 is not a bad lens at all!
I have recently acquired an EF 24-105 F4L lens but for a number of reasons have not had a chance to try it out much. It is to replace my EF-S 15-85 lens as I need that bit longer length. Anyway I thought I'd try a direct comparison of the two lenses by setting them up on a tripod in turn, photographing a distant vista then taking 100% crops from each and comparing.
I was astounded! the 15-85 appeared to knock spots of the L. After trying various focal lengths and apertures, I called the supplier to tell them I would be sending it back. They were excellent about it and they made arrangements to collect it.
Having glugged a couple of mugs of tea to calm my nerves and to ponder further this heresy, I picked up my camera still with the "offending" lens attached. Then I noticed my gaff. I had left on the IS whilst on the tripod. I've done this before with other lenses and not noticed a deal of degradation, but I repeated the comparison tests. It was a transformation! All crispy sharpness and glorious colours. I've never noticed this effect so much before with any other lens and I now wonder if some poor reviews of the 24-105 have been as a result of a similar mistake.
Then I had to call my supplier to cancel the return ...

By the way, the 15-85 is not a bad lens at all!