[fionaB]

just bought a second hand 24 - 105 L, and last night was the first night i have used it for any clsoe up work. to say i was disappointed was an understatement.
It is not focusing where the focus points are, im not sure if its front focussing or if its off to the side or a bit of both

what i want to know is, is this a fault that i should return it, or is it a calibration issue and if so is it something i can deal with or does it need returned>?

[john crossley]

If its on your 7D you can micro-adjust the focusing.

[VinnyP]

If you look carefully, where it should say Nikon does it say Canon??

Seriously this is a world renowned lens with a deserved reputation. I would try it on a tripod at a close distance comfortably within it's focus range at a number of focal lengths on 2 bodies. If it's not focusing it has to be a lens problem. Fine tuning is about a tiny corrrection for a shallow DOF an F4 24-105 shouldn't need any even at close focusing. I'd return it.

[fionaB]

its only noticeable on clsoe ups i had it donw mary kings close for a shoot and it was fab but as i said this is the first time i have used it for close up work.......... hmmmmm will give them a phone.

[dabhand16]

Fi - do you remember way back when Dave switched from Nikon to Canon? I remember that he found an issue with this lens when set on f4 IIRC.

Might be worth searching these old posts to see if it helps. If I can find them I'll post links here.

[fionaB]

hmmmmmmmm thanks graham its ringing bells,

[Dave Canon]

I cannot find the thread but it was back in 2005 because I still have PM's from Dave about this. He tested his 24-105 against mine in a critical contrast test. Mine was fine but Dave had a flare problem at f4 and f4.5.
I find my 24-105mm to be the best lens I have ever owned and it outperforms many fixed focus lenses (according to independent tests) and superb for infrared as well. However, there clearly has been a small number of faulty versions around. Dave was able to show the test images he took compared to mine and Canon replaced his lens though I am not sure he was entirely happy with the replacement. If you can clearly show a problem with the lens, I would take it back.

[stepheno]

I think this is the thread Dabs was referring to.

[dabhand16]

Originally Posted by stepheno

I think this is the thread Dabs was referring to.

Well done Stephen

[Russell]

Was looking at this as my next lens. Now worried

[stepheno]

Originally Posted by Russell

Was looking at this as my next lens. Now worried

Don't be...it's a belter, go read the reviews.

[Whipspeed]

Originally Posted by Russell

Was looking at this as my next lens. Now worried

No don't be worried. I've had mine a few years now and it's a cracking sharp lens. I've used it for portraits, landscape and sports and not had a problem.

Fi - what sort of close up work are you doing with it? I don't know if it's designed for really close work in the same way that say a macro lens. Not sure what the minimum focus distance is.

Edit, just found out the minimum focus distance is 45cm.

[fionaB]

minimum focussing distance is 17 inches, i dont do macro work it was merely shots of my reps and to say i was gutted is an understatementi got a handful which i have posted, but the majority the focal point was a bit of wood and the animals head was OOF,.... seriously unhappy about it all. We got the lens from MPB and have been asked to send insome test shots.

[fionaB]

latest update, sent MPB some photos last night, their response was " not sure that the photos clearly show the problem but happy to exchange it" so koudos to them for a swift resolution

now i need to keep my fingers crossed that i can get the new one before next friday!

[Russell]

Any update Fiona. Was the replacement any better

[fionaB]

got the new one on wednesday. shot wedding with it on friday..... happy as larry no probs whatsoever... only prob now is that when alan sent the other one back he forgot to take the filter off the front and they say they dont have it! lol not sure how they got the lens but no filter. anyway main thing is that this copy seems a whole lot better

[P-E]

Good to hear