Hi Guys, need some advise. I think Im having an issue with my 28-70 L. It just seems way soft for this type of lens considering what I paid for it. I sent it and my 1DMK IIn to Canon for Calibration and shot a wedding this weekend. Before I go off the deep end and scream at Canon, is it me or is this thing still soft. I have attached a group shot I did yesterday. Light source is 580 with Light Sphere Cloud. Please let me know if you think the lens needs to go back and me demand they replace it or am I doing something wrong. It or the camera just dont seem to be resolving the detail as my Fuji with $400.00 Tamron did. Thanx in advance

Andy - it does not look soft to me and I'm super obsessive about softness. I understand your frustration. What happens when you add sharpness? Is this right out of the camera? Raw or Jpeg?

My 24-70 L lens is soft also. Can only really count on it in really good light. And sometimes not even then. I suppose Ishould send it in and stop wishing it would just work right.

It's impossible to tell with a resized low-res file. Post a few 100% crops.

Hahaha!!! Very funny!! Actually, I've finally cleaned most of it out of the barrel. It only took a week.

I agree we need a bigger image for comparison. What's the metadata from this shot? focal length, shutter speed, aperture, iso, etc?

Hi Stacy,

I hope all is well, long time no speak:) This was staight out of camera, no retouching just large jpeg shot with a LS-cloud


Hi Anne,

Thanx for your reply, Im in another office rigth now and will upload a larger image tonight. I tried last night but the file is like 5mb.

Off the top of my head, ISO 400 FL was aprox 34mm shutter was 1/30 or 1/40

Was it on a tripod? if not, 1/30th is your problem. the flash in that shot isnt strong enough IMO to freeze the image 100% so you might possibly be getting some sharpness from the flash and some blur from the ambient

Thanx I thought that may be an issue, Im using the lightsphere cloud and it seems to not punch out enough light with the default settings, Im also new to Canon and the MK IIn so I need to get my settings down. This is starting to bum me out alittle becasue I did not think I would have such a problem making the switch.

I agree - personally, I don't try to go as low as 1/30 or 1/40 without a tripod on anything formal......also, have you checked the sharpness setting on your camera for Jpegs? It may be really low, which I think is good....because I think it's best to sharpen as a last step. It is possible that with a little added sharpness that it won't look so if-y to you.

Hey Andy! Things are great - good to see (type?) you again!

Hey Stacy;

I got in the habbit of dragging the shutter when I shot Fuji and nikon, I like the ambient/flash balance. I think Im just really needing to learn this lens..I am almost tempted to sell it and get the 25-105 IS. But I love the 2.8 apperature.


Sounds like that was my problem. Will post more results soon.

I wouldn't shoot any slower than 1/60th for formals.
That image does look a little soft, but it still looks good. If you want it sharper, you can still fix this with a slight smart sharpen.

Thanx Bumatay;

I think thats what I will keep in mind for the future, I did not really have an issue before because i previously shot rear Fuji, but this really brought it to my attention pluss I think i did not use enough flash on this wedding, I am going to pump up the ev value on my flash in the future.

Andy