Nikon 180mm af ed CA performance

Looks pretty typical for the 180. I've seen worse.

There is a lot to like about the 180 - relatively light, relatively fast, solid build, wonderfully sharp, nice bokeh, very reasonably priced. The tradeoffs are relatively slow focus (by modern standards) and some CA. I realize it's your opinion, but it is easily corrected by a single click in LR:

Unless a lens is a true, very expensive apochromatic design, sharply defined, light against dark edges will show some degree of color aberration. You might want to read about this in Wikipedia. The Nikon 180 has a well deserved reputation for excellence but your example is an extreme test, stopping down will reduce chromatic aberrations but not eliminate them entirely. Testing will show you the compromises or weaknesses in any lens, but photography will allow you to enjoy its virtues. Aloha.

Virtual Photon said:

Looks pretty typical for the 180. I've seen worse.

There is a lot to like about the 180 - relatively light, relatively fast, solid build, wonderfully sharp, nice bokeh, very reasonably priced. The tradeoffs are relatively slow focus (by modern standards) and some CA. I realize it's your opinion, but it is easily corrected by a single click in LR:

Click to expand...

Wow, I tried to edit the picture in Capture NX which came with the camera. Capture NX has worked wonders to lift details out of shadows or pull details from high-lights. However, I did not get it anywhere close to this. have to invest in lightroom next.

Do you mind doing the same trick to the following two Pictures, so I can see what's doable in post process?

NikonHaoleboy said:

Unless a lens is a true, very expensive apochromatic design, sharply defined, light against dark edges will show some degree of color aberration. You might want to read about this in Wikipedia. The Nikon 180 has a well deserved reputation for excellence but your example is an extreme test, stopping down will reduce chromatic aberrations but not eliminate them entirely. Testing will show you the compromises or weaknesses in any lens, but photography will allow you to enjoy its virtues. Aloha.

Click to expand...

I do understand all of what you say and I have read a considerable amount.

I was comparing shots from my particular copy of the lens with pictures from a newer version of this lens, especially this picture:

http://images.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/nikkor_180_28/samples/DSC_4311-01.jpg

(I have now posted a picture of a fountain in my home town taken at f2.8, as the one in the link)

Was starting to think something was off with my particular lens. Hopefully, as you say, it is normal though.

best

Lots of drops on this one.

LR 5.4 was used. I actually only corrected the first one then 'synched' the second with the same settings - that is you can construct a 'preset' (in LR lingo) to do the CA correction and then apply it across multiple files with a single action - you don't have to do each file individually.

Can CA be corrected with NX2 or Photoshop CC 14.2?

With most software, if you desaturate the appropriate color channel you can get similar results, but that may have an adverse effect on the overall color of the image. I'm not sure if that is how Lightroom handled this. Per my earlier posting, your image is a classic example and an extreme test for any optic that is not a true APO design and doesn't show you the Nikkor 180s strength and excellence. High contrast edges at maximum aperture with a non APO lens is bound to disappoint you. You could pay $2100 for the Zeiss 135, f/2, APO Sonnar, but that is manual focus and some buyers say they can still find some color aberrations. Personally, when I stop looking at the flaws in a motion picture lens, I'm able to enjoy some very fine films. Aloha.

It's a cliche but all lenses are compromises. My copy has the same CA phenomenon but to me it is an acceptable characteristic weighed against the reach and speed for the cost.

this is an older lens design, has chromatic aberration.

And... I love this lens: light, sharp and stylish.

maljo