Canon EF-S 10-22mm .. Lack Of Contrast

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Jay B - 17 Nov 2006 22:57 GMT

I've noticed a distinct lack of contrast with my Canon EF-S 10-22mm.

Is this normal for this particular lens or is it a characteristic of
very wide angle lenses in general?

Thanks for any thoughts...

Jay Beckman
Chandler, AZ

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G.T. - 17 Nov 2006 23:31 GMT

> I've noticed a distinct lack of contrast with my Canon EF-S 10-22mm.
>
> Is this normal for this particular lens or is it a characteristic of
> very wide angle lenses in general?

I have no problems with contrast with mine. It could be sharper, but
contrast is fine.

Greg

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Mark² - 18 Nov 2006 01:34 GMT

> I've noticed a distinct lack of contrast with my Canon EF-S 10-22mm.
>
> Is this normal for this particular lens or is it a characteristic of
> very wide angle lenses in general?
>
> Thanks for any thoughts...

It's more likely an exposure/lighting problem than anything with the lens.
Lens contrast can indeed differ, but not usually so much as to be blaringly
bad...without doing something else wrong.

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Images (Plus Snaps & Grabs) by Mark² at:
www.pbase.com/markuson

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Jay B - 18 Nov 2006 03:47 GMT

> > I've noticed a distinct lack of contrast with my Canon EF-S 10-22mm.
> >
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Images (Plus Snaps & Grabs) by Mark² at:
> www.pbase.com/markuson

Thanks Mark,

I should go out and spend an entire day or two with it and try some
bracketing to see if I get better results with a wider variety of
lighting and f/stop combinations.

Jay
www.pbase.com/flyingphotog

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Ken Lucke - 18 Nov 2006 05:31 GMT

> I've noticed a distinct lack of contrast with my Canon EF-S 10-22mm.
>
> Is this normal for this particular lens or is it a characteristic of
> very wide angle lenses in general?

Neither. I use the same lens (as a matter of fact, I was using it just
a couple of hours ago and am sitting here reveiwing the pictures,
getting ready to build an HDR image out of a 13 shot range [-2 through
+2 EV]), and have experienced no problems with the contrast.
Unfortunately, Canon doesn't have an MTF chart on their site for the
10-22 to be able to look at their data, but I really like my 10-22.

Oh, and wide angle lenses "in general" have no more contrast problems
than any other lens category "in general". :^)

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Roger - 20 Nov 2006 01:54 GMT

> I've noticed a distinct lack of contrast with my Canon EF-S 10-22mm.
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Jay Beckman
> Chandler, AZ

Yes, I can relate to the "softness" of the 10-22 but not the contrast
problem. I had tried a comparison with Sigma equivalent & the canon is
definitely softer. However I think the Canon has much better "flare"
performance & consistency (i.e., lens to lens of same brand). Caution: be
very careful when using a polarizer on the Canon. I discovered the problem
to my horror (see "www.pbase.com/roger.boulanger", galleries: San Diego &
Midway). This was my first experience with the 10-22 & I was having a
great time! I just discovered the problem with shading in the corners on
10mm shots after I got home. Just don't go below about 12mm with a
conventional polarizer. Guess I should spend the money & get an ultra-thin
polarizer for it. This way I'll get to use the last couple of mm of wide
angle, which really do make a difference.
The Canon 10-22 is a good lens. The Sigma has the edge on sharpness, but
how do you know if you'll really get a good Sigma lens when you open
the box? Would I get the Sigma next time? - maybe.
Roger

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G.T. - 20 Nov 2006 04:14 GMT

>> I've noticed a distinct lack of contrast with my Canon EF-S 10-22mm.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> definitely softer. However I think the Canon has much better "flare"
> performance & consistency (i.e., lens to lens of same brand).

Yeah, flare resistance is very good.

> Caution: be
> very careful when using a polarizer on the Canon. I discovered the problem
> to my horror (see "www.pbase.com/roger.boulanger", galleries: San Diego &
> Midway). This was my first experience with the 10-22 & I was having a
> great time! I just discovered the problem with shading in the corners on
> 10mm shots after I got home.

In addition, keep in mind there are other issues with polarizers, you
can get some very uneven polarization on wide-angle lenses:

http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/wide-angle-uneven-polarization.html

Greg

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Revelries of dance and wine
Waking to the sound of laughter
Up I'd rise and kiss the sky" - The Mekons

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Roger - 21 Nov 2006 02:37 GMT

> ny thoughts...
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>> Midway). This was my first experience with the 10-22 & I was having a
>> great time! I just discovered t

I couldn't even get the URL correct. It should be
"www.pbase.com/roger_boulanger" to get to the San Diego & USS Midway
galleries to see the 10-22 in action.

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nick c - 20 Nov 2006 23:20 GMT

>> I've noticed a distinct lack of contrast with my Canon EF-S 10-22mm.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> the box? Would I get the Sigma next time? - maybe.
> Roger

Although I haven't tried it .... yet, I would guess corner "shading"
will also occur with conventional screw-in graduating filters too.

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