Sharpest standard wide zoom lens

[siejones]

Ok forget build quality...forget focus luxuries...forget super wide open apertures.

What is the best IQ standard zoom when stopped down from between f8 to f16. This includes edge to edge sharpness, contrast and colour. The best image blown up to large print size. This is all regardless of available light and wether it's hand held or not. In fact lets say it's on a tripod to be sure.

Not super wide but lenses that could be regarded as walk arounds.

Lets add bang for buck marks as well.

And the contenders are (in no specific order):

1. Canon 17-85 IS
2. Canon 17-40 L
3. Sigma 17-70 2.8/4.5
4. Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC
5. Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8

I won't include the up and coming Tokina. Apoligies if I missed something.

Let the contest begin!

Sie

[lee]

You dont rate Nikons then? :D

[siejones]

Sorry I don't know much about those. You could always include them for me :)

[Steep]

I would expect any L glass to be sharper than the rest, but I own the 17-85 IS and it's certainly sharp enough for me!

[lee]

Sorry Sie, I couldn't resist putting that in. I knew you were a canon user from your other thread. Was really impressed with your research by the way.

I have got plans get a wide zoom lens, but not until finances allow so haven't looked into the Nikon options yet. But I'm sure there are few other forum members that have and could rate them against the list you provided.

[Hacker]

There is an article in Photography Monthly covering this, I'll dig it out and post the results, IIRC the Nikon 17-55mm came out best.

[Jonny]

I've ordered the Tamron 17-50mm so I'll be able to comment on that as of tomorrow hopefully :)

[SDK^]

There is an article in Photography Monthly covering this, I'll dig it out and post the results, IIRC the Nikon 17-55mm came out best.
That article tested standard zoom lenses i.e. those in the 24-70 range.
The Canon 24-70L F2.8 came out with the highest score - 90/100

[SDK^]

In response to the original question.
The only comparison possible is to compare MTF charts. Unfortunately Sigma and Tamron do not publish their full MTF charts

How to read the Canon MTF charts below

The higher up the chart a line is, the higher the contrast.
0 to 20 across the bottom scale represents from the center of the lens to the edge. (0-15 EF-S)
Ignore the dashed lines
The higher up the chart the thick lines is the higher the contrast reproduction capability of the lens.
The higher up the thin lines is, the higher the resolving power and thus subjective sharpness of the lens will be.
The black lines show the lens wide open
The blue lines show the lens stopped down to F8Canon 17-40L F4 - 17mm

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/images9/17-mtf-jp.jpg

Canon 17-85 F4 - 5.6 IS - 17mm

http://www.ph-digitalphotography-motorsports.com/17-85-IS-MTF.jpg

[Warspite]

There is an article in Photography Monthly covering this, I'll dig it out and post the results, IIRC the Nikon 17-55mm came out best.

Was that not the kit lens review?

[stephenb]

I have the sigma 17-70 and find it very good, massive improvement on the crappy kit lens but don't know how it compares to the 17-40. Couldn't afford one anyway.