Playing with a buddies Canon 100-400

[Shaun Liddy]

These are were shot raw on my 7d Mkii and are 100% crop but no other post processing.
Most are slightly under exposed but learning.
If targets are static, I find auto focus is slightly out, but if I switch to manual it is much better.
Auto with tracking gives me almost no hits

I find at 340mm I want more reach, above 350mm it seems to loose some of it's crispness.

Besides adjusting for better lighting and micro focus adjustments to the lens, what else can I do to sharpen up actual shots to lessen post processing?

Image 005
Manual Focus
260mm
ISO 400
F/stop 5.6
Shutter 1250

Image 006
Manual Focus
340mm
ISO 400
F/stop 5.6
Shutter 1250

Image 003
Auto Focus - AL Servo
340mm
ISO 400
F/stop 5.6
Shutter 1250

Image 004
Auto Focus - AL Servo
340mm
ISO 400
F/stop 5.6
Shutter 1250

 

[Shaun Liddy]

Also took this guy up high..

 

[Shaun Liddy]

Couple from Monterey Zoo today. Both are through a chain link fence.