Canon 5D MKII disappointments

Don,
read this. Kind of explains the look of softness.

http://blog.planet5d.com/2009/06/canon-eos-5d-mark-ii-and-focus-my-images-arent-sharp/

Ya I read that article yesterday too. Today I played with the micro focus adjust. With the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 EX DG Macro I couldn't get a good sharp focus. With the Canon 70-200 L IS f/2.89 the photos were significantly;y sharper. I started to look closer at the Sigma and realized it was the main problem. It just was not focusing right. Time to replace it. Sorry Jake, hope yours works longer ;). I might go with the Canon 24-70 f/2.8 L USM. Hate the cost at $1,200 but really need a sharp piece of glass for photos. I'll call Sigma tomorrow and see what they can do. I think it's out of warrante.

Hey Don,
For video the Sigma is working great. I do wish it had a longer zoom like the 24-105 I may get that. Or I may just get some primes. I like the 50mm 1.4 and 100mm 2.8 both are very sharp.

The sharpest lens I've ever had on the MKII is my Tokina ATX PRO 100mm Nikon mount. Just a pain that the light meter doesn't work using non Canon lens.

I hear the 85mm fixed is one of the sharpest and best lens for portraits, probably would be great for video too.

how is the canon 24-105 f4? I was looking at potentially getting this with the camera. I am still looking at getting the camera. hahaha

It seems to be a sharp lens the drawback is the f4. Not much for low light stuff or great DOF but very usuable.

Here is a review.
http://www.dphotojournal.com/canon-ef-24-105mm-f4l-is-usm/

The IS makes a big difference with low light and the f/4 is a very sharp f stop. I also have the 70-200 L f/4 non IS and it is incredibly sharp. I just use the 70-200 f/2.8 IS L more since it is more capable but also a lot bigger and heavier. A good place to compare photos against almost any lens and get reviews is http://www.dpchallenge.com/lens.php.

Don

I have got the - at the time (spring 2007) highly recommended, 'Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS zoom' bought as a kit lense with my 5D I.
To get tack sharp photos I may partly agree with Yuri Arcurs, who said on his site that it may not be tack sharp under f 9 (I go at least to f 8 with success). What I find worse is the tendency to make chomatic aberration with certain thin objects highly contrasted. So I may also agree with those who say that the way to top quality photos is to use fixed lenses and avoid zooms. (More glass to make trouble). That said, it is still my only lense except for a Canon macro - and I like the freedom of wandering around and being able to take photos without carrying a bag of expensive lenses. I would guess this lense would be great for video, too.
I thought of exchanging my 5D I for the new 5D II, but the mentioned issues about softness - and the money - has stopped me for the time being.

After a looooooooong wait just got my new Canon 5D Mark II. I cannot wait to upload my first clips shot with this camera. It is a marveleous camera, please do not buy it!!!

God help us all!

the high MP count on the 5D mk2 may out resolve your lens. Just resize your image and submit at lower resolution.