So I went over to Konijnenberg yesterday to pick up my camera and to see whether Canon managed to fix it. They didn't (I tested the body with a 10-22 they have for testing purposes, and it's not me; the salesman who helped me concurred, although he told me that wide-angle lenses are prone to create "softer" images compared to my 17-85 zoom lens.
I mailed a friend (who happens to be a photographer) for a second opinion; I'm curious of what he will say.
That salesman also thought it might be the lens, but logic rules that out, as I tried two Tokina 12-24's and a Canon 10-22. I also tried my 17-85 at 24mm; those pictures are sharp.
So I made some test shots; these will be mailed to Canon to explain the difference and in addition, I left my 17-85 lens with the camera.
To say that I'm kind of miffed would be an understatement; the body alone has cost me well over a grand, and to find there is something wrong with it is rather annoying.
We'll see; you have to give the manufacturer a chance to fix a flaw, but if this keeps up, I'm demanding a new body.
It has not diminished my faith in Canon camera's however; there are lots and lots of people out there who create beautiful pictures with it -one of the reasons I bought the 40D, it's just that my body apparently has a few kinks.
Cheers, K.