Lens Comparison Tools
It is with great pleasure that I announce the latest addition to the site's tools: Lens MTF Comparison
Required Reading: To get the most out of these beautiful charts and to learn about MTF measurements, please take some time to read through the Lens MTF Help page.
Many prime lens results are immediately available in the MTF tool and many additions are planned, including zoom lenses. We'll announce the additions as they become available. Aperture tests in addition to wide open are also expected to be included at some point.
These MTF charts are made available under agreement with my friend Roger Cicala and his crew at Olaf Optical Testing with support provided by LensRentals.com. Go rent a lens!
Lens product images were added to the following review pages, which means they are also available in the Lens Product Image Comparison Tool:
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens
Samyang 24mm f/1.4 US UMC Lens
Samyang 24mm f/3.5 Tilt-Shift Lens
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Lens
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM
Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Lens
Standard product images (included in the comparison tool) and additional on-camera images have been added to the following review placeholder pages:
Nikon 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro Lens Review
Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S Lens Review
Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC Lens Review
Samyang 35mm f/1.4 US UMC Lens Review
Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Lens Review
Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro FX Lens Review
Tokina 17-35mm f/4 AT-X Pro FX Lens Review
Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review
On-camera product images have been added to the following review placeholder pages:
Zeiss 28mm f/2.0 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review
Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review
Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZE Lens Review
Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar T* ZE Lens Review
For better functionality on mobile devices, I have added a pair of arrow buttons to the lens comparison tools listed below.
When comparing two lenses in these tools, the mouseover functionality still works as it did before (and still does not work on mobile devices). The new buttons, located between the lens names near the top of the pages, can now be clicked to select the lens results to be displayed. Mobile device users should find these buttons to work for them. The results shown after clicking on these arrow buttons will hold until the other button is selected (or a mouseover is used).
ISO 12233 Resolution Chart Comparison
Vignetting Test Results Comparison
Lens Flare Test Comparison
Lens Distortion Test Comparison
As always, suggestions are appreciated. Thank you to those who made this suggestion.
Grid lines are now optionally available in the Lens Distortion Tool.
Simply click on the "show grid" or "show no grid" text near the top of the page to turn on or off the grid lines.
Approximately 90 lenses have been added to the Lens Distortion Test Comparison Tool. Newly added lenses include most Nikon lenses and many third party lenses.
Some of you have indicated that a grid overlay would be a useful addition to this tool and I plan to make such a grid optional. If you know of an easy way to create a grid using Photoshop, would you mind emailing me instructions for doing so? Thanks!
A new tool has been added to the Digital SLR Lens Comparison Tools. Introducing what is perhaps the most drool-inducing page on the site:
Big Lens Product Image Comparison
Both Canon and Nikon super telephoto lenses are included.
Sorry if the site seemed soggy this week. The rain gauge here at The-Digital-Picture.com's world headquarters captured just under 14" of rain this week. Recall hearing about the "Susquehanna River" on the news? I'm about 4 miles from it. If it rains any more, I will be able to see it. Fortunately I am high and dry, but my prayers go out to those of you who are not. Stay safe!
The timing of the rain was not good as my new 300 II and 400 II lenses arrived with the storm. I have been working on the studio portion of the reviews and will get you some standardized results soon. Images of the new lenses are included in the new Big Lens comparison above and more are available on the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens Review and Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens Review placeholder pages.
A Lens Distortion Tool is now available on the site.
Similar to the other Lens Comparison Tools, the Lens Distortion Tool allows lens & setting selection and mouseover comparison with other lenses. Hit the Lens Distortion Help ("?") button for more information.
Most of the current Canon lenses are currently loaded into the tool. Many more lenses will be added in the near future.
I have been considering the addition of optional grid lines overlaid on the checkerboard result image. If you feel strongly about this possible feature, send me an email with your ideas.
As always, thanks for your support!
Many new flare test results have been added to the site's Lens Flare Comparison Tool. Nearly all Nikon lenses are now represented and a handful of Sigma and Tamron lenses were also added. The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens represents the lone Canon addition with the balance of the current Canon lenses being already included.
Focus and zoom ring rotation values have been added to the Lens Specifications and Measurements Tool. Videographers especially have been asking for the focus ring rotation values. Many of the lenses included in this tool have these specs now and the rest of the current lenses will get them in the future.
Flare test results have been added to the following lens review/review placeholder pages:
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens Review
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM Lens Review
Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM Lens Review
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM Lens Review
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC Lens Review
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Review
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS Lens Review
Tamron SP AF 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 DI II LD Lens Review
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX Lens Review
Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED AF-S DX Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED AF-S DX Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR DX Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED AF-S DX Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR DX Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR II Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 24mm f/1.4G AF-S ED Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 85mm f/1.4D AF IF Nikkor Lens Review
Nikon 180mm f/2.8D IF-ED AF Nikkor Lens Review
I have added a Lens Flare Comparison Tool to the Lens Comparison Tools page.
Most of the current Canon lenses are included. Nikon and many third party lenses will be added as clear skies and schedules allow.
Be sure to read the Lens Flare Help page for test details.
A new specification, 47.25" x 31.5" (1200mm x 800mm) Subject Framing Distance, has been added to the Lens Specifications and Measurements Tool.
This is the laser measured distance from the camera sensor plane to a subject framed the specified size at the specified focal length. Use these values to compare lenses or to determine if a lens will meet your needs. Most Canon and Nikon lenses and many other third party lenses have this information included in the database.
I frequently get asked questions about Nikon gear - and have friends who use Nikon. So, to help me answer those questions and to give my friends help in making their lens selections, Nikon lens information is now available on the site. With few exceptions, all of the Nikon lenses have been added to the standardized comparison tools. Full text reviews are going to take a lot of time to complete, but I intend to finish them.
My priority remains with Canon gear and reviews.
Even though I have all of the Nikon lenses and a pair of D3x bodies (all purchased retail - no assistance from Nikon - same as Canon) at my disposal, my personal preference remains Canon, and I will continue to make reviews of new Canon gear my top priority.
But, if I was forced to change brands, Nikon would be an easy next choice for me. With a wide range of top-quality gear, a choice for Nikon can certainly be justified. The ISO 12233 Resolution Chart Help page has been updated with the need-to-know information about the Nikon results from this test. I recommend that you read this page.
Please tell your Nikon friends about the addition to the site. Thanks!
Many new lenses can now be found in the Lens Product Image Comparison Tool.
The Vignetting Comparison Tool has been updated. The biggest change is that the test results have been regenerated and output at a larger contour results image size. All images are larger, but APS-C images are now shown full-size as well. Full frame lens results will delineate the APS-C field of view via a superimposed frame.
The ISO 12233 Chart Resolution Comparison Tool has also been tweaked - primarily to move the sample images higher on the page (for less scrolling).
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