photo_dark Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Well, I never believed the whole soft-copy nonsense until I finally had one of my own. Fortunately, I am still within the 'exchange' period with my dealer who agreed to let me swap for a different one. Attached is a comparison image cropped at 100%. Note this is one of many tests at all focal lengths compared to both my 70-200L and 17-40L. It is not a focus issue (used only the center focus point, very particular about where it focused), and it is not due to camera shake (1/500 @ 24mm)<br/><br/> The below image is a comparison at f8, 1/500, 24mm, ISO100 100% crops. The 17-40L is the sharper one on the right, the 24-70L is the soft, jagged edged one on the left. Very typical results at all focal lengths and apertures. At first I thougth it was just my brain, but close examination at identical settings are confirming that indeed the lens itself is to blame, not my crummy photography. <br/><br/> Not really apparent in this image, but this copy also had a horrendous red chromatic abberation that wasn't really fixable with any software I could find. Also had a re-occuring 'Err01 faulty lens contacts' problem. All in all, I guess it is possible to get a crummy copy sometimes, even from excellent dealers.<br/><br/> <img src=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/2467983226_7ecf13d7ca_o.jpg> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdigi Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Its does look bad ( the 24-70 ) that is. I would exchange it if you can. Please post again when you get a new one. I have been considering this lens as an upgrade to my Tamron 28-75 but I hear a lot of this "bad sample" with this lens so I am in no rush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo_dark Posted May 5, 2008 Author Share Posted May 5, 2008 I think you can get a 'bad copy' with any lens really... it's just the law of averages. But, being in no rush is a wise choice I think. And yes, I've already talked to my dealer, I'm getting a straight up exchange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken munn Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Sigma makes a very nice 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro! ( ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iqbal Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 I also never believed in "soft" copy theory. I thought, it is the inexperience or fault of the photographer, unless I saw your presentation/comparison. Very convincing, But still before reaching to a firm conclusion, I will do exactly the same test with a Tripod. Or did you use the Tripod? 1/500 or so does not matter, you have to use a Tripod to make it a real scientific test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo_dark Posted May 5, 2008 Author Share Posted May 5, 2008 yes to tripod... also, this is cropped from the centre not the edge. You will notice the grass is also much sharper in the 17-40L version... even extending farther away. at f4 I might question things, but this is f8... should be sharp as a tack, if the other online reviews are to be believed. Trust me, i've never believed the 'soft copy' thing, but this is one of about 30 comparisons at all apertures and focal lengths all with the same results. It took a lot for me to go back to the dealer and tell him i wasn't happy with the lens. I chose this image because it is very easy to see the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve torelli Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 "Soft copy" isn't a theory. Not every lens that leaves the factory is a gem, there are bound to be some klinkers. In this case, it looks like you've got a klinker. But at least you did a series of real world tests and took your time with it rather than just assuming "it's not me, it must be my gear" like so many do. Despite the results in this case, most of the complaints about a soft copy are paranoid reactions to internet BS. Good luck with your new lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sattler123 Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Quote: "Sigma makes a very nice 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro!" Not so nice compared to the Canon 24-70L lens. Looking at the digital picture it is significantly softer at all focal lengths and all apertures: http://www.photozone.de/Reviews/Canon%20EOS%20Lens%20Tests/318-sigma-af-24-70mm-f28-ex-dg-macro-canon-lab-test-report--review?start=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sattler123 Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Sorry, wrong link - this should work (too many windows open and getting confused) http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=372&Camera=9&Sample=0&FLI=3&API=0&LensComp=101&CameraComp=9&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=3&APIComp=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobatkins Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 There's something wrong with the lens if that's acrop from the center. You can see green/magenta lateral chromatic abberation. Lateral CA is an off axis aberration, so even in a cheap lens (that's properly assembled) it should be zero in the center of the frame, even it it's really bad at the edges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo_dark Posted May 5, 2008 Author Share Posted May 5, 2008 ^ exactly what Bob said. If it was only at the corners I wouldn't have cared perhaps, but it was corner to corner soft... the centre being equal to the edges. The abberations were also pretty horrendous as bob pointed out. blue was 'manageable', but the red was REALLY bad. Either way, I picked up the replacement... i'll take some test shots and see how it stacks up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo_dark Posted May 5, 2008 Author Share Posted May 5, 2008 Ok, I got my new one....<br/><br/> The old one was DEFINITELY crap. This is a quick snapshot (F8 / ISO100 / 1/250) on my way back to the office from the store. MUCH improved. Have a look...its sharp as a tack, and I can't see any abberations. Plus, no 'lens contact err01' either. I'm now a happy camper.<br/><br/> resized full image<br/> <img src=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2269/2467557783_a7eb59a4fd_o.jpg><br/><br/> 100% crop from near centre<br/><img src=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2106/2467557839_61b863f0ec_o.jpg> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason_hall4 Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Glad you Purchased from a good dealer. This could have been a nightmare had you purchased over Ebay or something. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freelance Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 This case seems not to be exceptional with this lens. Otherwise, photozone wouldn't have said..."if you can get a good sample". They haven't written this on any other lens. Well, it could be the same sample going from hand to hand ... :) I hope the 24-105 I chose instead doesn't have this problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo_dark Posted May 5, 2008 Author Share Posted May 5, 2008 I think very few do. It's just that the unhappy minority is often louder than the satisfied majority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xbow Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Crap.... Now I am thinking my 24-70L is soft too.....but I am outside the exchange period.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo_dark Posted May 6, 2008 Author Share Posted May 6, 2008 I wouldn't worry too much... most 'softness' is user error or hoopla. And i'm sure canon would tune it for you for free if it's under warranty. I was having other issues with mine too, otherwise I woulda sent it for tuning instead of replacement.... terrible Abberations, and Err01 'lens communication error' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george_tietz Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Just got one for our studio and it is tack sharp with colors that pop your eyes out of your skull. It's going home with me for the weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xbow Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 So has anyone sent the camera/lens comibination to Canon for adjustment? How long will I be (gulp) without my gear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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