10-02-2013, 09:16 PM
Hello,
I just picked up a used Nikkor 28mm 2.8 AI-s. A very nice lens, especially the close focussing distance of 20cm is amazing.
It's commonly described as top-notch and very sharp, according to reviews it should be better than the Sigma 30mm 1.4 EX DC HSM and of course the 18-55mm Canon kit lens.
I did quick comparisons and was surprised though.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zcqk113jhbhzoq...center.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ru6b2z7zz81te9...ter-02.png
https://www.dropbox.com/s/14ypgy78prp0vh...corner.jpg
(Canon 600D, f/5.6, 1/96s, ISO400, Adobe Camera Raw 6.3, manually focussed via liveview, 5x magnification and a screen loupe)
To my eye the Sigma appears sharper and more contrasty.
Why is that? Possible answers I could think of:
A. It's about good/bad copies
B. Reviews may be biased in favour of "underdogs", older manual lenses
C. MTF50 comparisons are not necessarily meaningful
I bought the lens at a camera shop, rated 'Good', clearly used but only little marks. The focus ring has a tiny bit of play, the glass is all clean.
Best regards,
Dan
I just picked up a used Nikkor 28mm 2.8 AI-s. A very nice lens, especially the close focussing distance of 20cm is amazing.
It's commonly described as top-notch and very sharp, according to reviews it should be better than the Sigma 30mm 1.4 EX DC HSM and of course the 18-55mm Canon kit lens.
I did quick comparisons and was surprised though.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zcqk113jhbhzoq...center.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ru6b2z7zz81te9...ter-02.png
https://www.dropbox.com/s/14ypgy78prp0vh...corner.jpg
(Canon 600D, f/5.6, 1/96s, ISO400, Adobe Camera Raw 6.3, manually focussed via liveview, 5x magnification and a screen loupe)
To my eye the Sigma appears sharper and more contrasty.
Why is that? Possible answers I could think of:
A. It's about good/bad copies
B. Reviews may be biased in favour of "underdogs", older manual lenses
C. MTF50 comparisons are not necessarily meaningful
I bought the lens at a camera shop, rated 'Good', clearly used but only little marks. The focus ring has a tiny bit of play, the glass is all clean.
Best regards,
Dan