Soft Focus

[eddlum25]

I posted some photos 2 weeks ago with my Canon 55-250mm IS lens, and was told that my images were a bit soft ( which they were ). Went out again with the same lens and my new Canon 7D. Here are among some that came out good ( I think). What do you think ? Are they in focus ?
I am thinking of buying a Canon EF 70-300mm USM non IS lens to replace my Canon 55-250mm IS. The Canon EF 70-300 will give me more reach on my Canon 7D. Is 70-300 IQ better, compatible or worse than 55-250 ? Please advice.

1. Empty Bird Feeders
Taken this image handheld at 250mm, ISO 1600, f7.1, 1/800 sec, to test how my
lens perform at stationery object. I purposely set the ISO to 1600 to test how my
camera perform at 1600. I used noise ninja to reduce the noise. The focus is sharp
and image is usable at small size (image is slightly grainy after noise ninja).

2. Goose in the pond.
This fella is swimming slowly towards me (about 20-25 feet from me). I took this
image handheld at 250mm, ISO 200, f7.1, 1/1000 sec, focus : Al-servo. Sharp
focus.

3. Diving Birds
This two were in a diving competition (about 20-25 feet away). I took this image
at 250mm, ISO 400, f7.1, 1/1000 sec, focus Al-servo. Focus came out sharp.

Some of the photos that I took came out blurry especially when the birds are moving quickly. This make me think that my lens is not fast enough to capture the move. This is when I'm thinking upgrade to Canon 70-300 which has USM motor. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Thank you for your visit.

 

[marmots]

these are fine but birds do move pretty quick so usm and higher shutter speeds may be necessary

 

[eddlum25]

Another one taken at 250mm, f7.1, ISO 400, 1/1000 sec, Focus : Al-servo. The eye on this one came out blurry. Does anyone know why ?

 

[eddlum25]

these are fine but birds do move pretty quick so usm and higher shutter speeds may be necessary

Thank you for your quick response.

 

[marmots]

it probably just locked on to the wrong point

 

[reedshots]

looks like the duck was moving his head right as you fired. the 70-300 is a fine lens but not any faster then the 55-250 if you want a faster lens the 70-200 F2.8 is the way to go.

 

[fokker]

As far as I'm aware, the 70-300 only comes in IS form. Not to be confused with the cheap and nasty 75-300, the 70-300 is actually a pretty good piece of glass, and you can usually pick them up pretty cheap second hand (because people so often confuse them with the 75-300).
AS reedshots mentions, if you need a fast lens (f/2.8) you'll have to look at the much more expensive 70-200L series.