How should I properly test the sharpness of a Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS, and does this sample suggest a problem?
Asked 4/3/2011
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2 answers
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I tried a few test shots with a Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS and one handheld sample at 70mm, f/4, 1/400s with IS on does not look as sharp as I expected at 100% view. The autofocus point was highlighted on the subject, but another nearby area appears sharper. Given this lens’s strong reputation, does this sample suggest a bad lens, or are my test conditions not reliable for judging sharpness? What is the best way to test it properly?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
13
When performing a test to determine X its best to remove all the variables you're not testing for.
If you're wondering about the sharpness of your lens:
- Shoot on a tripod
- Use manual focus with live view for critical focus
- Use mirror lockup
- Shoot in RAW
- Use a low ISO, at a reasonable shutter speed
- Turn IS off
- Shoot a well lit target
The problem with your example is it looks like your focusing was off (the 'B' looks much more in focus) which could mean you focused and then moved the camera slightly, the AF mis-focused because of a myriad of reasons, in camera processing did something weird, your body has back focusing problems...
Some of those things are your fault, some of them are the camera's fault and some of them are both your faults but if you want to determine where the cause of the sharpness problem is you need to narrow down the variables and test each thing individually.
Originally by user1819. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1819
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
This single sample does not prove the lens is soft. The more likely issue is testing method, especially focus accuracy.
A handheld AF shot can be affected by many variables besides the lens: slight subject/camera movement, AF missing the intended point, focus-and-recompose error, in-camera JPEG processing, body calibration issues, or even shooting closer than the lens’s minimum focus distance.
To test lens sharpness more reliably:
- use a tripod
- turn IS off on the tripod
- use a well-lit, flat target
- shoot at low ISO
- use RAW if possible
- use live view/manual focus for critical focus
- use mirror lockup or a remote/timer to reduce vibration
This lens is generally regarded as very sharp, even wide open, so a soft-looking handheld sample at 100% is not enough to conclude there is a lens problem. If repeated tripod tests with careful focus still look soft, then investigate autofocus calibration or a lens/body issue.
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