Canon 100-400 Zoom - not sharp

[sdixon2380]

I recently bought a second hand Canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6L lens. I can't seem to get sharp images even on a tripod and using shutter release. Is it because I really need to practice with this lens or is it just not a good lens.

[flake]

Make sure you have the IS switched off when it's on the tripod, later versions sense the tripod but this lens has a very early IS system in & as I remember it cannot sense the tripod and will possibly affect image quality. Also bear in mind that you do need to focus on subjects a reasonable distance away, the closest distance is 1.8 Metres, but if you have the focus limiter switched it could be set to 6.5 Metres.

Optically the lens should be quite good as long as there are no obvious bangs then it's more likely to be technique than problems.

It does help though if you give a full picture, what are you trying to photograph? If it's a moving image you're still going to need a fast shutter speed to avoid motion blur, no tripod will avoid this.

What shutter speed, aperture & Iso were you using?

[matt wilson]

My secondhand copy is very sharp.

Flake is right though I have been caught out by the focus limiter switch.

If you didn't get the lens manual give me a shout and I can give you some of the important info.Note there are 2 types of image stabilisation for example .

[Cutter]

Originally Posted by sdixon2380

I recently bought a second hand Canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6L lens. I can't seem to get sharp images even on a tripod and using shutter release. Is it because I really need to practice with this lens or is it just not a good lens.

HI sdixon I too have been having problems with my BRAND NEW Canon 100-400 L lense and have been getting some blur in my photos. Yes I have got shutter release and tripod but still suffered from blur.
Anyway having got some great links and guidance from the members I think my problem all along has been focus. Have a look at the link to one of my photos and see what you think, it was shot at 400mm with a shutter speed of about 1/50 at f5.6. I am really please that I can at last see the feathers. Ps there was no sharpening done only what cs4 raw normal settings are.
Let me know what you think? you may not be as impressed as I am.

http://www.photoradar.com/files/imag...7nosharpen.jpg

[flake]

Sorry but the rumours site is saying that it might be discontinued (only a rumour though!).

[anglefire]

Its been on the slate for replacement on the rumour sites for as long as I can remember!

One things for sure, if it does get replaced, its list price will be ~15% higher!

[flake]

Everything is expensive when it's released, but the optics of this lens were always quite good, it's the 1st generation IS which needs modernised. A four stop advantage would certainly be worth the upgrade, you and I both know that this shouldn't result in a price hike, but more than likely it will because it always does!

[flake]

How very interesting! Canon Uk are listing the 100 - 400mm IS L as 'New' on their web site here

[BeckH]

Well, that lens is quite different to the one I have used for the last 3 years! It doesn't pull out to get the long telephoto range.

[matt wilson]

Beck H ...it does (it's not new at all)