Is this Canon 100-400mm L lens "soft"?

[sungoban]

I just bought a brand new 100-400mm L lens this Friday and I'm trying to decide whether the lens is soft @ 400mm or not.  Or whether the poor images are caused by heat haze, low lighting, etc.  Basically, trying to figure out if I should keep it or exchange it.

I met someone from apsocal.com w/ an 100-400mm lens (sorry, I didn't get the name) earlier today @ Imperial Hill, who suggested that I take a picture of a street sign to judge this.  So I took a pic of the Sheldon & Imperial Ave. sign @ 400mm across the street from the Hill.

I'm pretty new @ photography so I'd value other people's opinions.  Is this a "soft" image? 
   

[CHILIBEAN]

this looks as if it was the weather..i have this lens and its pretty good one...take a look at the lax thread and look at code20photos he also uses a 100-400mm L lens

[phantomphan1974]

Duy was having a similar issue.  Contact him.  Service center may be your answer.

[sungoban]

@chilibean - I went to Westchester bridge for a little while on Memorial Day and caught the green Cathay Pacific. My pics aren't nearly as sharp as code20 although the heat haze was awful and bluntly put, he's a much better photographer.  I'd just like a foolproof way to confirm it's the lens and not me.

@phantom - I'd probably just exchange the lens unless you think a service return is a better idea. I just received it from amazon on Friday. 

[phantomphan1974]

@chilibean - I went to Westchester bridge for a little while on Memorial Day and caught the green Cathay Pacific. My pics aren't nearly as sharp as code20 although the heat haze was awful and bluntly put, he's a much better photographer.  I'd just like a foolproof way to confirm it's the lens and not me.

@phantom - I'd probably just exchange the lens unless you think a service return is a better idea. I just received it from amazon on Friday. 

Maybe if you feel that it is soft and not a hassle to return.  Dragonskiss is an Amazon shopper as well and had the same issues.  Like I said contact him, would be a good idea.  Good luck!

[Diegos Aviacion]

Maybe it's not the lens! Can be the body!  

[Dragonskiss]

Whether or not an image is "soft" is somewhat subjective to each individual's eye; but I'll chime in. Inherently, this lens is known to be soft at 400mm. However, I've had issues with it throughout the entire focal range. Usually, a lens performs at its sharpest 2 stops down from its widest aperture. In this case, on the tele end, it being f/5.6, the lens should theoretically be at its sharpest at f/11. I've done a variety of controlled tests (tripod, manual focus, etc.) with results that leave something to be desired. I'd be more than glad to take a look at some of the results you get with your copy. Send me a full resolution JPEG/RAW, and if possible, take the image with the body on a tripod with the image stabilization off. Since Amazon is so generous with their return policy, you may want to consider returning the lens and hope for the best on your next copy. Unfortunately, time was not on my side when I had the opportunity to return it, and it may actually be going to the service center in Irvine this week. Also, of note, set your picture style to "Neutral", as this will not add any in-camera sharpening. Hope that helps!

[sungoban]

Thanks Duy.  My pics look slightly soft to me but maybe I'm expecting too much.  I'm still trying to get over the sticker shock of the lens.  My wife's still shakes her head when I tell her the lens was 1.5X the cost of the camera. 

I'll take some pics @ 100, 200... 400mm w/ a tripod and email them to you.  What's the best way to send RAW files that are about 21 MB large?