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View Full Version : 3 way lens test 'quiz'

RobertP
21-05-2006, 13:33
When its a dull boring afternoon and you've got a new lens what do you do?
Try some test shots :)

I compared my new 17-40L with the Tamron 28-75 and the 18-55 kit lens.

I expected to see more difference that there was. Instead of a boring list that you can find on many web sites I have set the test pics out below so you can guess which is which :)

First the test shot.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robertmpeacock/talkp/lt/all.jpg

All were taken on a tripod with cable release, converted to tiff with identical compensation in RSE and no sharpening ever.
They are 100% crops from top left corner and center frame and saved with the same jpg settings.

17mm (18mm) F4 Corner center

Lens 1
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robertmpeacock/talkp/lt/1740mmf4_17cnr.jpghttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/robertmpeacock/talkp/lt/1740mmf4_17.jpg


Lens 2
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robertmpeacock/talkp/lt/1855mmf4_18cnr.jpghttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/robertmpeacock/talkp/lt/1855mmf4_18.jpg

The Tamron only does 28mm so its not in the above ;)
continued....
RobertP
21-05-2006, 13:34
28mm (appx from scale on lens) F4 (f4.5 for kit) Corner Center

Lens A
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robertmpeacock/talkp/lt/2875mmf4_28cnr.jpghttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/robertmpeacock/talkp/lt/2875mmf4_28.jpg


Lens B
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robertmpeacock/talkp/lt/1855mmf4.5_28cnr.jpghttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/robertmpeacock/talkp/lt/1855mmf4.5_28.jpg

Lens C
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robertmpeacock/talkp/lt/1740mmf4_28cnr.jpghttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/robertmpeacock/talkp/lt/1740mmf4_28.jpg
RobertP
21-05-2006, 13:34
40mm F8 Corner Center

Lens X
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robertmpeacock/talkp/lt/1855mmf8_40cnr.jpghttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/robertmpeacock/talkp/lt/1855mmf8_40.jpg

Lens Y
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robertmpeacock/talkp/lt/1740mmf8_40cnr.jpghttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/robertmpeacock/talkp/lt/1740mmf8_40.jpg

Lens Z
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robertmpeacock/talkp/lt/2875mmf8_40cnr.jpghttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/robertmpeacock/talkp/lt/2875mmf8_40.jpg



You can see whats what from the file names but the answer is below anyway
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Kit lens is Lens 2, Lens B and Lens X

17-40L is Lens 1, Lens C and Lens Y

Tamron 28-75 is Lens A and Lens Z


Well it kept me amused for a while!

Verdict? The test is restrictive and ignores other considerations like flare but shows what I've said before - don't knock the kit lens it's better than it feels.
Now why did I buy that 17-40.....;)
Ally
21-05-2006, 17:57
I really love the test, but I have to disagree about the kit lens. When I first got my 20d I would look at the photographs and was not impressed what so ever by the 18-55. It was soft as hell, my sony v1 with a carl zeiss lens could give me a sharper photograph. This is the only one that has impressed me with this lens -

http://www.tpfgallery.com/gallery2/d/12861-2/RamikinX.jpg

After being sharpened. Thanks Ally