The Red Ring Power Pair...Samples.

[cdifoto]

Ok instead of waiting on the weather, I shot my little pooch @ the EXIFs shown on each crop. For clarification, each actual image precedes it's crop. This is pretty much pushing ANY lens. While I'm not exactly thrilled with the 24-70mm, I'll have to shoot something else - perhaps in better light or with flash or some such thing to decide if I want to send it to Canon. It seems soft at 2.8 to me @ 24mm and improves at 70mm.

No editing was done to the crops, however the resized images were given 50%-1-1 USM and my usual watermark/border.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2470L/20051022-24-70L24mm.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2470L/20051022-24-70L24mmcrop.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2470L/20051022-24-70L70mm.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2470L/20051022-24-70L70mmcrop.jpg

Didn't bother stopping down since almost all lenses improve when stopped down anyway.

EDIT: I forgot to include my shutter speeds. They are 1/100th for the top one (24mm) and 1/50th for the bottom one (70mm). I can attribute some of the 70mm's softness to camera shake but I can't convince myself of the same for the 24mm. I can handhold Bigma @ 500mm and get sharpness @ 1/500th. Surely I can get a sharp shot handheld at approximately 1 over 4x shutter.

I'll get 70-200 f/2.8L samples later when I can go outside. I'll also supplement with brighter, lower ISO samples from the 24-70.

[cdifoto]

Here is an indoor 70-200 f/2.8L shot. Used flash on this one. I believe my 24-70 is far inferior to the 70-200. I'll probably send it into Canon under warranty. I think it should perform far better than that, given the price paid.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/70200L/70200Lat200.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/70200L/70200Lat200crop.jpg

[cdifoto]

I don't have 100% crops for these, but I think they turned out well. Color and everything seems to be spot on with nice bokeh. I used my Sigma EF-500 DG Super with Lightsphere II attached, bounced 90 degrees off the ceiling.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/2470L/20051022-004.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/2470L/20051022-006.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/2470L/20051022-007.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/2470L/20051022-009.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/2470L/20051022-012.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/2470L/20051022-013.jpg

[cdifoto]

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/2470L/20051022-014.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/2470L/20051022-015.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/2470L/20051022-019.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/2470L/20051022-022.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/2470L/20051022-023.jpg

This is the only one where I didn't use flash:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/2470L/IMG_4697.jpg

[cdifoto]

I used my car license plate holder/frame this time, which can be seen as a 100% crop below. No post processing of any kind.

http://img416.imageshack.us/img416/6499/2005102224ltest24mm2ge.jpg

This is still handheld so not ultimately scientific, but the EXIF is as follows:

1/50th
ISO400
f/2.8
24mm

Here is the actual image, resized with USM added.

http://img415.imageshack.us/img415/3708/2005102224ltest24mm6tu.jpg

Additional test images (pixel peeper versions!) lol:

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/8509/200510230015ht.jpg

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/1682/200510230039jo.jpg

[Balrog]

I love cats, but I gotta say this - the head looks "disembodied" in that picture (half due to the DOF, and the other half because of the wall behind it, i think)... scary :D
Both your new toys are looking pretty good ... have you made up your mind about the 24-70 yet?

[cdifoto]

I love cats, but I gotta say this - the head looks "disembodied" in that picture (half due to the DOF, and the other half because of the wall behind it, i think)... scary :D

lol yeah it is kinda creepy. I was in the bathroom doing my thing and as usual my camera was around my neck. I turned around after finishing up, and there was the cat on the dryer. I snapped a shot. I had to. I printed a little 4x6 for my sister (it's her cat) and she loved it. Pretty cool shot I thought.

BTW I hate cats. :rolleyes:

Both your new toys are looking pretty good ... have you made up your mind about the 24-70 yet?

I'm iffy. I have mixed results with the 24-70 but I do have that wedding to get a real-world test of it. Color is awesome (no PP except USM required unless I want the photo to look cartoonish with extra saturation), focus is FAST even in low light...it doesn't hunt much at all even in a pretty dark room. I think I just need to get used to the minimal DOF of a 2.8 lens. I rarely ever use my 50mm prime so I don't have much experience with it.

I'm definitely not returning it to the dealer but whether I send it to Canon for a fix/calibration/whatever is yet to be determined.

[TheObiJuan]

The 24-70 is a soft lens wide open on the wide end. It's sad, but that's all canon can output. I have seen some sharp copies as I have seen some sharp copies of the 28-75 tamron. I guess it's luck of the draw.

lol at your cat, it's a killer.

[cdifoto]

The 24-70 is a soft lens wide open on the wide end. It's sad, but that's all canon can output. I have seen some sharp copies as I have seen some sharp copies of the 28-75 tamron. I guess it's luck of the draw.

lol at your cat, it's a killer.

I was hoping for a bit more sharpness though. I suppose it would be worth a try to send it to Canon to get either fixed or replaced...but if it can output a nice 20x30 then I wont bother sending it in. That's all I really ask since I do sell that size print and offer it in my premium wedding package.

[cdifoto]

This lens is sharp as all he77 so I'm not gonna do the pixel-peep stuff. These were at f/4, ISO100 taken a few minutes ago:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/70200L/20051023-079.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/70200L/20051023-084.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/70200L/20051023-113.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/70200L/20051023-122.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/70200L/20051023-124.jpg

[Rex914]

I'm sold on the 70-200 f/2.8. For what amounts in my situation to $1000, it's worth the leap from the Sigma f/2.8 and the Canon f/4. Looks like your 70-200 is doing very well. :)

[cdifoto]

I'm sold on the 70-200 f/2.8. For what amounts in my situation to $1000, it's worth the leap from the Sigma f/2.8 and the Canon f/4. Looks like your 70-200 is doing very well. :)

Yeah the nice part is f/4 on this lens is actually stopping down...so the 2.8 (still sharp) isn't really required unless the lighting is lower. I was getting well over 1/1000th shutter speeds at f/4 for those shots even at ISO100. With Bigma being a 6.3 at best on the long end, I'm not used to that! :D

Only thing I miss when the Canon is mounted is that extra 300mm of reach.

[Rex914]

Only thing I miss when the Canon is mounted is that extra 300mm of reach.

A 1.4x TC with the 70-200 yields nice combo as the loss in image quality isn't too much, and you still have a 98-280 f/4 lens. Or if you really yearn for that reach, the 300mm f/4 IS is another option and will qualify for the third lens in the rebate. :)

[cdifoto]

A 1.4x TC with the 70-200 yields nice combo as the loss in image quality isn't too much, and you still have a 98-280 f/4 lens. Or if you really yearn for that reach, the 300mm f/4 IS is another option and will qualify for the third lens in the rebate. :)

lol. I'm soooo poor right now bro! I'm not getting rid of Bigma though...she's staying in my bag. As a matter of fact, I figured out how to get the 24-70, 70-200, Bigma, 50mm, kit lens, Sigma flash, and one body in the Tamrac backpack! :eek: 'Tis heavy but dangit I'm schpoilt.

[aparmley]

Good stuff man. Glad you to see you got your gear and are having fun testing them. Hope the 24-70 proves to work out for you.

[cdifoto]

Good stuff man. Glad you to see you got your gear and are having fun testing them. Hope the 24-70 proves to work out for you.

Thanks. I hope so too. Seems like every time I try it I get mixed results. One time the shots will come out clean and sharp, then I take it out again and they're OOF. It may have a little front-focusing going on - and in the right conditions it happens to have enough DOF to look good regardless. Other times it's too narrow and the misfocus is obvious.

I might have to tolerate it at 3.5 or 4.0 for these next 2 important events then send it back for calibration.

I'm sooooo confuzzled...

At any rate, I decided to put a pic of my gear up on my website. No real reason other than for the heck of it. Lemme know how this looks:

http://www.cdi-ink.com/images/gear.jpg

The "Equipment Profile" page is here: http://www.cdi-ink.com/bigma.htm. Lemme know how that looks. I haven't linked to it on the other pages yet...and ultimately may not. Haven't decided yet.

[TheObiJuan]

Sweet setup!
You have 2 XTs?

[cdifoto]

Sweet setup!
You have 2 XTs?

Yeah but only one grip/handstrap. I'm getting another grip & strap next week once a customer's check clears.

[ReValveiT]

Hey CDI...

Thanks for the review/shots of the 24-70mm.

Are you sure that, in the 24mm test pic, the Lens isn't front-focusing a little? Looking at the 100% crop, things are clearly a bit soft. But looking at the full-frame shot, there *seems* to more of the fore-ground in focus than behind. Perhaps a re-test using auto, and manual focusing? Just an idea and it would help determin just what the problem is there...

Your kit's looking cool in the pic...That 24-70 doesn't look as big on the XT as I thought it would. How's the weight?

Cheers!

[cdifoto]

Hey CDI...

Thanks for the review/shots of the 24-70mm.

Are you sure that, in the 24mm test pic, the Lens isn't front-focusing a little? Looking at the 100% crop, things are clearly a bit soft. But looking at the full-frame shot, there *seems* to more of the fore-ground in focus than behind. Perhaps a re-test using auto, and manual focusing? Just an idea and it would help determin just what the problem is there...

Your kit's looking cool in the pic...That 24-70 doesn't look as big on the XT as I thought it would. How's the weight?

Cheers!

If you read my post #16 you'll see I mentioned that I believe it is indeed front focusing enough to matter at f/2.8 but not at f/3.5 and up (or down, depending how you look at it). The more I test it the more varied my results are! :D :eek: I'm just going to use it for now, until I get a chance to send it in & do without it for a bit.

It's really not all that big. I have the grip attached which helps...and I need to get another grip for the silver body since it's holding the 24-70 more than the black one. The black one holds the 70-200 or Bigma. Without the grip, and with the flash mounted...it's quite forward-heavy. With the grip it's a perfect balance. The entire setup feels nice and meaty - rough & ready versus fragile & delicate.

[aparmley]

I get mixed results with my 1.8 50 - at 1.8-2.0. shoot even at F5.6 this past weekend I had a few OOF shots, its not like I was focused on the background either, just didn't lock great accurate focus for some reason- but all my 85 1.8 shots including at 1.8 were tack sharp.
So, I might be turning the 1.8 over into the 50 1.4 here shortly, but that 28 1.8 USM is calling my name.

[cdifoto]

I get mixed results with my 1.8 50 - at 1.8-2.0. shoot even at F5.6 this past weekend I had a few OOF shots, its not like I was focused on the background either, just didn't lock great accurate focus for some reason- but all my 85 1.8 shots including at 1.8 were tack sharp.
So, I might be turning the 1.8 over into the 50 1.4 here shortly, but that 28 1.8 USM is calling my name.

Since I had the 24 on the black body for the gear photo, I decided to shoot with it a little. I was using the silver one with it for everything. I shot a lamp with it (just the post) and at 24mm it's definitely front focusing. At 70mm it's dead on. I deleted the samples but I'll definitely send it back to Canon after the banquet & wedding. I can deal for now by stopping down & using flash but it's not acceptable for the price paid.

[ReValveiT]

Great to hear you pinned the problem down cdi...

I wonder why there are so many sample-to-sample inconsistencies with this Lens (and the 17-40L) when the 70-200L is consistently good. Perhaps wider zooms require tighter tolerances or something (?)

Canon's QC does have a lot to answer for though IMO...A standard zoom costing this much should blow the socks off every time.

Should I get one? Knowing my luck I'll get the worse copy out there like I did with the 17-40L...Buying Lenses is becoming a right royal pain in the butt.

[Rex914]

28 1.8 USM is calling my name.

Wouldn't the Sigma be a better choice? It's the same price, and you get a lot more...

[cdifoto]

This is a self portrait @ 24mm, f/2.8, about a foot from the lens. The focus point was on the tip of my nose (hence the eyes being slightly OOF - can't hardly align with yer eyes when it's a self-shot):

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/20051024.jpg

Here's a 100% crop:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/20051024test.jpg


This is the kinda stuff I expect from this lens!

[aparmley]

Wouldn't the Sigma be a better choice? It's the same price, and you get a lot more...

I was considering the Sigma 30 1.4 EX HSM - at 450. 50 bucks more, not too shabby, 2mm longer - well 3mm longer with crop. a little faster at 1.4 - The sigma 28 is EX but not HSM. I am in love with USM, so I am wanting at least HSM . . . I am still not 100% commited, still looking at samples. . .

[Rex914]

I was considering the Sigma 30 1.4 EX HSM - at 450. 50 bucks more, not too shabby, 2mm longer - well 3mm longer with crop. a little faster at 1.4 - The sigma 28 is EX but not HSM. I am in love with USM, so I am wanting at least HSM . . . I am still not 100% commited, still looking at samples. . .
Actually, it's fairly easy to find it for barely under $400 now. Sigma4Less ($380 currently) ran that deal many times, and Dell is selling Sigma now (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A0540538&c=us&l=en&cs=19&category_id=2999&page=external). Combine that with a coupon to counteract the sales tax.

[cdifoto]

Anyone know why my 24-70 would front-focus (or misfocus) @ 24mm & f/2.8 from distances of more than 4 feet, yet be sharp at 24mm & f/2.8 within 4 feet?

I was using my mother as my test subject for a real-world type of handheld wide shot that might occur at a wedding or portrait shoot (full body for example). I focused on her face, and the camera locked focus with a confirmation beep, but the Penn State lettering on her shirt was sharp while making her face horridly out of focus - extreme blur as if her head was WAY behind her body. I took that shot above of myself from within the 5 foot or so range (I was maybe a foot from it), and as you can see I'm pretty sharp.

At 70mm the lens is fine regardless of the aperture...and I can zoom to 70mm, half press to lock focus, then zoom back to 24mm and the focus is alright.

Why won't it lock proper focus at 24mm and a distance from the outset? From 10 feet or so there's enough DOF and the face is still a big enough target to be in focus...

I don't know whether to send it to Canon and have them check it out or what. It performs beautfully besides the 24mm f/2.8 from a distance misfocus/front-focus issue. I can stop down for group shots but what if I want to lock on a bride's face, recompose, and get a full body shot @24mm? I couldn't do it with this lens....I haven't tried the same situation with a tripod because I see no point. A tripod will rarely ever be used when it's wide open and I'm using flash (like I was doing with my mom and my own photo).

[ReValveiT]

Hey cdi,

Try contacting Canon (for what it's worth) and see what they say.

I have read of a fair few cases of the 24mm focus issue thing over on FM. But most, if not ALL of those were BACK focusing.

Could also be an XT / 24-70L compatibility issue too, though I doubt it. Do you have access to another Cam like a 20D, 10D, 1D or 300D etc.? Would be interesting to see if you were getting identical results.

[cdifoto]

Hey cdi,

Try contacting Canon (for what it's worth) and see what they say.

I have read of a fair few cases of the 24mm focus issue thing over on FM. But most, if not ALL of those were BACK focusing.

Could also be an XT / 24-70L compatibility issue too, though I doubt it. Do you have access to another Cam like a 20D, 10D, 1D or 300D etc.? Would be interesting to see if you were getting identical results.

I don't have another model or access to done, but both of my XTs are the same. with this.