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Canon 100mm f/2.8L: Blur example 2
This page evaluates a second brand-new sample of the 100/2.8L IS. Like the first sample, it has an optical alignment problem, though the problem is considerably muted compared to the first awful sample.
In field shooting, I observed some unexplained sharpness across the frame, which I first dismissed (mentally) as field curvature of variations in focus. Still, an uneasy sense remained that something was amiss.
The subject
I set up a careful tripod comparison on my best outdoor test target: a detailed mosaic at Stanford’s Memorial Church. For the 100/2.8L, image stabilization was disabled, and my usual careful protocol involving mirror lockup was used. I shot the lenses three times each, refocusing each time.
The camera was angled just slightly up, an intentional device to help reveal the plane of actual focus. Foreground and backup (top) help also in analysis. Focus was on the two pink flowers near center. Lighting was dull overcast and no attempt was made here to spiff up the results.
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Diglloyd DAP is DSLR-oriented, but also contains workflow and other topics. Much of the focus is on Canon and Nikon but also Pentax and Pentax medium format.
Special emphasis is placed on lens evaluation, focusing on Canon and Nikon and Sigma lenses, but with a few others like Rokinon/Samyang.
- Make better images by learning how to get the best results right away.
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- Workflow discusses image organization, raw conversion and post processing. Many examples show processing parameters for direct insight into how the image was converted.
- Jaw-dropping image quality found nowhere else utilizing Retina-grade images up to full camera resolution, plus large crops [past 2 years or so].
- Real world examples with insights found nowhere else. Make sharper images just by understanding lens behavior you won’t read about elsewhere.
- Aperture series from wide open through stopped down, showing the full range of lens performance and bokeh.
- Optical quality analysis of field curvature, focus shift, sharpness, flare, distortion, and performance in the field.
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