- Mar 12, 2006
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So one morning over the summer I had some free time, and I decided to test all my lenses to see how they performed. These tests are entirely subjective and really only apply to the system comprising the lens and my D50's 6MP sensor; thus I will not be linking to this thread from my Nikon Lens Guide.
I used a tripod and kept the same subject for all lenses (though the field of view obviously did change), shot RAW at the base sensitivity of ISO200 for my D50, used Autofocus (or electronic rangefinder for manual-focus lenses), tested at Infinity and 2meter focusing distances (and Macro where applicable), tested wide-open and at all full-stop apertures, used a 2-second self timer but no mirror lockup, and checked the center and corners for sharpness.
For infinity focus I took pictures across a canyon, so about a quarter-mile distance, and before 10am.
For 2meter focus I took pictures of a stucco wall with wood trim pieces running through and surrounding it.
For macro focus I took pictures of a knot in the aforementioned wood.
I did not explore performance with teleconverters.
I did not take pictures of a test chart to obtain hard numerical data.
I only evaluated for sharpness, because corner light falloff, distortion, chromatic aberrations, and low contrast can be easily corrected in software.
my handy little table, which I printed out and put in my camera bag
So, I learned four things:
1) Every lens has a sweet spot at f/8 to f/11.
2) I do not have the capability to get sharp wideangle shots. The next lens that I purchase will most likely be a wideangle zoom (Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8?).
3) Superzooms perform poorly at extremes, while primes and f/2.8 zooms have much larger sweet spots.
4) It's nice to know what the best lens for the job is, so if you have the luxury of time then you can prepare properly and get the sharpest shot possible. Otherwise, the 18-200VR superzoom is good enough.
I will be retesting all my lenses when I get a D90, to see how they perform on a sensor with 40% more linear resolution. I really wish I had a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 to test and see whether it outresolves my 24-85mm f/2.8-4.0.
P.S. I also discovered today that my D50's AutoISO function adjusts ISO in sixths of a stop. I.e. 200, 220, 250, 280, 320, 360, 400, 450, 500, 560, 640, 720, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1250, 1400, 1600. Cool.
I used a tripod and kept the same subject for all lenses (though the field of view obviously did change), shot RAW at the base sensitivity of ISO200 for my D50, used Autofocus (or electronic rangefinder for manual-focus lenses), tested at Infinity and 2meter focusing distances (and Macro where applicable), tested wide-open and at all full-stop apertures, used a 2-second self timer but no mirror lockup, and checked the center and corners for sharpness.
For infinity focus I took pictures across a canyon, so about a quarter-mile distance, and before 10am.
For 2meter focus I took pictures of a stucco wall with wood trim pieces running through and surrounding it.
For macro focus I took pictures of a knot in the aforementioned wood.
I did not explore performance with teleconverters.
I did not take pictures of a test chart to obtain hard numerical data.
I only evaluated for sharpness, because corner light falloff, distortion, chromatic aberrations, and low contrast can be easily corrected in software.
my handy little table, which I printed out and put in my camera bag
So, I learned four things:
1) Every lens has a sweet spot at f/8 to f/11.
2) I do not have the capability to get sharp wideangle shots. The next lens that I purchase will most likely be a wideangle zoom (Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8?).
3) Superzooms perform poorly at extremes, while primes and f/2.8 zooms have much larger sweet spots.
4) It's nice to know what the best lens for the job is, so if you have the luxury of time then you can prepare properly and get the sharpest shot possible. Otherwise, the 18-200VR superzoom is good enough.
I will be retesting all my lenses when I get a D90, to see how they perform on a sensor with 40% more linear resolution. I really wish I had a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 to test and see whether it outresolves my 24-85mm f/2.8-4.0.
P.S. I also discovered today that my D50's AutoISO function adjusts ISO in sixths of a stop. I.e. 200, 220, 250, 280, 320, 360, 400, 450, 500, 560, 640, 720, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1250, 1400, 1600. Cool.
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