Lenses tested!!!

[Marvo]

For anyone who's interested, I've just got hold of a F2.8 55mm Micro Nikkor to try out and am dissapointed with the results. At both f11 and f32 this lens doesn't quite perform as well as my 20yr old 50mm f1.8 standard lens. At f32 the resulting pictures are verging on the unsellable, so I can't find my extra depth of field here.
I've also tried alongside these a f2.8 105mm Macro Sigma EX which is taking the focal length a bit high for studio product photography but thought the comparison would be useful. The 105mm EX IS razor sharp at f11 but goes progressivly downhill as it's stopped down further towards f32. I'm not going to get my sought after depth of field from this lens either.
In fact, my f2.8 24mm-85mm AF-D zoom is sharper than the 55mm Micro across all appertures, sharper than the 50mm f1.8 at all appertures except f22 and matches the Sigma 105 EX down to f16, after that the zoom is sharper. So at the moment, to get the maximum depth of field, the 50mm standard lens is giving the sharpest f22 image of all the lenses I've tried (only beating the zoom by a whisker though - I love that lens!). Now who's going to lend me a PC Nikkor to try out? ... Anyone?.............:D

Marvo.

[NIKKOR]

Marvo
I thought all lenses were designed to get best performance at f8.
Have you compared these lenses at f8 ????
Don

[Marvo]

Hi Don,
I'm with you on the f8 thing but I'm finding that I can't pick up any difference in these lenses between f8 and f11 which surprised me. I've got a Sigma 15-30mm lens which is equally sharp in the centre of the frame at f8 AND f11 but in the corners it is MASSIVELY sharper (& at its sharpest) at f11 but then starts to fall away progressively all over through f16 and on to f22.
I'm finding that it's starting to hamper the creativity when I know I'm going to get the best "quality" picture by shooting at f8-f11.
Shooting at f22 on the S2 I'd get the same quality file as shooting it on the S1 and interpolating it up. Not having the resolution in the lenses makes a mockery of developing these cameras with ever more Megapixels. What do you reckon?:rolleyes:

Marvo.

[NIKKOR]

Marvo
I see in your first post that you tested the 55mm Micro Nikkor
The 55mm is an older lens -- have you tested the 60 mm Micro or the 105mm Micro ????
Don

[Marvo]

Don,
I haven't had the chance to test these newer micro lenses, have you (or anyone else tuning in) any experience of these? It may be my only hope that the newer optics perform better at the f32 end of the scale.

Marvo.

[memobug]

Originally posted by Marvo
Now who's going to lend me a PC Nikkor to try out? ... Anyone?.............:D
Marvo.

What type of products are you photographing? If you give me an idea I will try to do a test for you.

Regards,

Matt

[Marvo]

Hi Matt,
Thanks for the offer of a test, much appreciated.
I shoot all kinds of product in the studio, you name it. Often square boring boxes that need to be sharp all over!

Marvo.

[NIKKOR]

Marvo
Here are my results....60MM Micro Nikkor lens
Straight out of the S2 -- no photoshop work...

[Marvo]

Hi Don,
I owe you many many beers! It was very good of you to take the time to shoot those test for me, It REALLY is appreciated (nice house you got there Don by the way!).
I am quite knocked out by the lack of drop off in quality when you stopped down to f32. This is something I haven't found in any of the Nikkors (or Sigmas) that I've tried to date. I think you have just saved me from lashing out on the PC Nikkor which is to "long" for most of the general studio stuff I'm going to be using it for. It would be nice if Nikon could make a 55 or 60mm PC lens for these cameras with the undersized sensors.
So, it looks like I'll be on the phone to the store on Monday morning to check on the stock sittu regarding the 60mm Micro. £400 including tax was the price they gave me last week. How does that compare over the pond?
Thanks again Don and all the best,

Marvo.:cool:

[NIKKOR]

Hi Marvo
Glad to be of service.....I'll pass on the beer...served warm on your side of the pond.
Cost for the 60mm Micro Nikkor here is about $400.00 USD plus tax (8% in California)
Don