lens help

[calladine]

hi can anyone help me with some info on buying a canon 70-300 is lens .i already own a tamron 70-300 and find it not very good tried it on tripod ect and still dont get very good results soft at all focal lengths (might just be a bad copy or me) the canon seems to have decent enough reviews, but i would like to hear from anyone who has got one, and their views on its performance
thanks tezza

[mystictonka]

I use the Tamron 70-300 & all photos come out sharp, are you shooting RAW or JPEG as canon dslrs are known for their soft JPEG images

[RichBrew]

Originally Posted by calladine

hi can anyone help me with some info on buying a canon 70-300 is lens .i already own a tamron 70-300 and find it not very good tried it on tripod ect and still dont get very good results soft at all focal lengths (might just be a bad copy or me) the canon seems to have decent enough reviews, but i would like to hear from anyone who has got one, and their views on its performance
thanks tezza

First of all, I'd establish whether it's your technique or the lens itself. There's no point in buying another lens if it's you causing the problem.
Mounting a long lens on a tripod does not necessarily ensure sharp results, as vibrations from mirror slap (amongst other things) can cause unsharp images. The longer the focal length, the more support you need.

RichBrew

[nightshade]

I have a 70-300 Sigma which I thought was too soft,I tried my tripod and a series
of a nearby brick wall images at 70,200,300mm focal lengths with manually selected
apertures.
What a difference, best is around 200mm f8-f9 I shoot in jpeg fine
give the Tamron a fair crack or get a trusted pal to try it

[David Hyde]

Hi tezza,
You have been given excellent advice above. Your problem is not likely to be the lens or the camera, more probably your technique or tripod, or both. The problem sounds like camera shake. If you have a small, lightweight, tripod and are using it with the centre column raised, then you are almost certain to get camera shake. Similarly if you are using a quick-release plate, check that the fit is tight and does not wobble. If you have no-one with some experience of long lenses who can help then check the above on your tripod, make sure your camera is set with a reasonable shutter speed (at least 1/125sec – higher if possible) and try some test shots again.
David

[RichBrew]

calladine,

I think your main problem is that the camera mounts on the tripod head, and not the lens. Long telephotos usually have mounting collars that allow you to attach the lens to the tripod, not the body. This way, you have a better balanced set up. Add to this the fact that your lens extends as you zoom to the 300mm mark, moving the front element further away from the sensor/film plane. The slightest movement will result in blurring of the image. Your only real solution is to keep your shutter speed up when shooting from a tripod, and use a remote release. I would at least try this technique before condemning the lens.

RichBrew

[glsammy]

Personally I'd not use a tripod to test for all the reason given above. I suggest you set the camera on a table top, supported on a bean bag or cushion, that way there's no chance of movement at all. Have some suitable object to focus on, and shoot away.That way you'll know for certain that camera shake, movement etc. are not effecting those test images. If the images are then OK, you at least know where the problem is!

[Blackbrook Eye]

Along with the excellent advise in the other posts, if you wish to test the lens further it may help to set up the camera in a fairly dark room and take a few shots at different focal lengths and appertures using the flash gun, the speed of the flash should eliminate mechanical movement, also a point to bear in mind if you should decide to change lenses is that the Canon 70 - 300 is extremely light for its size and therefore needs very rigid support to eliminate mirror vibration effecting its stability, not having used a comparable Tamron I do not know how this measures up in the weight department, but having used other Tamron lenses I would be very supprised if you would gain by changing it. Most people when first using a long lens are dissapointed with the early results but practice is usually the answer.

[calladine]

hi everyone thanks for the kind advice on my question for lens advice ,i have taken good heed and reviewed my technique, and equipment i have now got a cable release,bean bag, shoot in raw,and plan to scrap my wobbly week tripod and buy a decent one, i have already seen a big improvement in my photos. many thanks tezza

[galanthus]

Originally Posted by calladine

hi can anyone help me with some info on buying a canon 70-300 is lens .i already own a tamron 70-300 and find it not very good tried it on tripod ect and still dont get very good results soft at all focal lengths (might just be a bad copy or me) the canon seems to have decent enough reviews, but i would like to hear from anyone who has got one, and their views on its performance
thanks tezza

I bought the canon 70-300mm IS lens a few months ago to replace my canon 75-300 non IS lens. One of my most favourite lenses ever, it's the one mostly on my camera; the Image stablilisation means I can get hand held shots in woodland or later in the day that I never could on my old 75-300. When the tripod is out it's even better.