Sharpness Problem with Nikon 70-200 VRII Lens?

[photogjohnb]

Hello all,
I was hoping to poll the community and get some feedback as to whether or not I may have a potential sharpness problem with my Nikon 70-200mm VRII lens.

I bought this lens back in August 2010. It wasn't too long after receiving the lens when I had the misfortune to drop it . I didn't think the 'drop' was too bad; the lens simply slipped off the covers of a hotel bed hit the carpeted floor. Well, after that drop, the lens would not auto focus properly. I sent the lens into the Nikon service center, and they repaired it. The repair statement said that they had to replace the VR Unit and the lens mount. I guess the drop was more significant than I originally thought. At any rate, the repair statement also said that the lens went through (and passed) focusing tests, etc. before it was returned to me.

Now that I've used the lens after getting it back from repair, I'm still not entirely confident that it is giving me the tack sharp images that I thought it would. When I look at my photos, they do appear to be sharp. When I zoom in on the image up to 100%, the image in my opinion looks too soft. I unfortunately did not take too many shots with the lens prior to the drop, so I don't have much performance history with the lens prior to the drop. This is my first real "professional" grade lens, and I'm wondering if I just have unrealistic expectations as to how sharp the images should be when zoomed in. I did get a chance to look at some photos a friend took using his Canon 70-200mm lens, and his images are MUCH sharper when zoomed in.

At any rate, I would sure appreciate any feedback as to whether folks think the lens is operating properly. I've attached an image I shot the other day which I believe is sharp at normal viewing, but way too soft when zoomed in 100%.

thanks!
-john

[ldelacruz]

100% might be your issue? Would you print a 24x36 poster and view it from 6" or 6'? Don't pixel peep. There are better ways to check focus. Use a yard stick and tripod.

[photogjohnb]

All,
Please disregard this post. I realized after constructing the thread the I am limited to uploading images that are just too small to adequately address the sharpness issue I am concerned with.

Thanks
-john

[KenJulio]

if you have a web host, you can link the picture from there using the IMG tags

[srwatters]

In order to determine critical sharpness of a lens/camera system, you really need to shoot a resolution target from a tripod in optimal conditions. You might also simply have a front/back focus issue. Have you done an A/F test? Shooting a ruler at a 45 degree angle with a wide aperture will help determine if you have a front/back focus issue.

Once you've done all your homework, then post some of your test images and perhaps someone else with the same system can compare. I can tell you that my 70-200mm f/2.8 VR-I is spot on and brutally sharp on my D3 as it was on my old D200.

Of course, YMMV.

[digger331]

John, do you have a photobucket.com account or something similar? upload them there and post a link

[rfortson]

Just attach a 100% crop. No need to attach the full image.

[photogjohnb]

I'm sorry. The only account I have for posting pictures is a smugmug account. And when I upload photos to smugmug, the photos are automatically reduced significantly in size.

I borrowed a friends 70-200mm lens, and I am going to shoot some comparison shots tomorrow.

Thanks to all for reading through my post. I appreciate it.

-john