Canon ef 70-200 f2.8 MK1 problem

[Anthony]

I have been lent a ef 70-200 f2.8 MK1 and am trying it out. 200mm close up for butterflys etc. is working well on both the 1.4-infinity and 2.5-infinity settings but at a distance in either setting the lens says its focused but the photos are not in focus. Is my 500d not up to using this lens?
A couple of meters away from the subject at 200mm:



200mm at I guess 50ft





The EXIF data has been stripped on the last two as they are screen shots.

Heron:
File size: 20,289.3 KB
Camera: Canon EOS 500D
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
Dimension: 4752 x 3168 px (15.1 MP, 3:2)
Focal length: 200 mm
Aperture: F8
Exposure time: 1/25"
ISO speed rating: 400/27°
Program: Aperture-Priority AE (Manual)
Metering Mode: Evaluative
White Balance: Auto
Focus Mode: Single-point AF
Noise Reduction: On (Mode 3)
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode

Swan:
File size: 17,748.7 KB
Camera: Canon EOS 500D
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
Dimension: 4752 x 3168 px (15.1 MP, 3:2)
Focal length: 200 mm
Aperture: F2.8
Exposure time: 1/1600"
ISO speed rating: 100/21°
Program: Aperture-Priority AE (Manual)
Metering Mode: Evaluative
White Balance: Auto
Focus Mode: Single-point AF
Noise Reduction: On (Mode 3)
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode

Looking at the EXIF data I think see the problem with the heron image - Exposure time: 1/25" - that is why nothing in the photo is in focus as there must have been camera shake?
The swan image is in focus in front of the swan but as I have - Aperture: F2.8 - the focusing is not quite correct and the DOF is not large enough to compensate ?

[Anthony]

If the concensus that it is camera shake on the heron image I will have to sort a monopod out! I am not used to camera shake with the lenses I currently have

[Anthony]

I am still not sure if I have a problem with the camera or if its me!

The other day with the swan photo the area in focus was in front of the swan but today it has been behind - the focus area has been set spot on the subject.

I also need to use smaller apertures as in one photo I have a great quality photo of a goose tail but the head is not quite in focus!

I suppose I should try to be more scientific rather than just going out and taking photos.

[TheWengler]

I suppose I should try to be more scientific rather than just going out and taking photos.

Yup. All tests should be on a tripod. Try some MF, some AF, stopped down, wide open, etc

[Anthony]

I have tried a scientific test - waited until the light was going and took two photos with and without the tripod at f2.8 and between 1/500 and 1/640 both using auto focus.
I wanted to use f2.8 as I felt the smaller DOF would show up the problem more.

It is hard to tell and I probably need a better subject; if anyone has any suggestions of a test it would be interesting.

Anyway the outcome was the tripod version to me looked slightly back focused and clearer which is not a supprise. The hand held was slightly front focused and not a clear.

As I have said I think the camera is slightly back focusing as I have noticed it before on other photos taken on a tripod - I tried the test suggested by another forum member but it did not seem to be a problem but it could be worse at these apertures?

I am thinking that when I am taking the photo hand held the small delay between pressing the button and the shutter actuating I am dropping or raising the lens very slightly. I notice that I tend to half press the shutter and check the correct area is under the red dot before pressing fully which may be making matters worse?

I did try a manual focuse test on the tripod as well but that was the worse of the three