Lensrentals proposes 'Roger's Law of Wide Zoom Relativity'
 |
Trippy stuff - this is MTF data from nine copies of the Canon EF 16-35mm F2.8L II, at 16mm. Nice and sharp in the center, less so at the edges. That said, all nine of these lenses test as 'good' samples. |
Arch lens nerd Roger Cicala has probably handled more lenses this week than an average photographer might use in a lifetime. And recently, he's been busy testing multiple copies of several popular wideangle zooms to try and prove what he calls 'Roger’s Law of Wide Zoom Relativity'.
Simply stated, Roger's 'law' states that wideangle zoom lenses are virtually always sharpest at the wide end of their zoom range, softening as the lens is zoomed. Although many of us have often wondered whether this is the case, Roger's exhaustive testing proves that it holds true over multiple copies of several modern lens designs, all the way from Nikon's 14-24mm F2.8 to Canon's stunning new 16-35mm F2.8L III.
 |
Averaged MFT charts for nine copies of Nikon's 24-70mm F2.8VR on the left, and data from the older 27-70mm F2.8 on the right. Advances in lens design are obvious from increased sharpness and better consistency across the zoom range. |
What does this mean for the average enthusiast photographer? Just that if you're the kind of shopper that obsessively tests and returns lenses which aren't up to your requirements (cough, cough - Rishi...) you can save a lot of time by only testing the long end.
Also of interest is just how good some modern lens designs are. Compared to its predecessor, the new Canon 16-35mm F2.8L III's MTF charts are extraordinary. Likewise Nikon's 24-70mm F2.8 VR, compared to the lens it replaced.
Thanks as always, Roger, for testing nine copies of everything so that we don't have to.
Read Roger Cicala's full blog post at LensRentals.com
|
|
|
|
Mar 26, 2018
|
Feb 20, 2018
|
Dec 28, 2017
|
Sep 27, 2017
|
The Sony a7 III sets a new benchmark for full-frame cameras thanks to its compelling combination of value and capability. It's at home shooting everything from sports to portraits, and is one of the most impressive all-around cameras we've seen in a long while. Find out all the details in our full review.
Canon's new EOS M50 mirrorless camera offers 4K video capture, expanded Dual Pixel AF coverage and improved connectivity. We've taken a closer look at these features and more in our in-depth review.
As digital imaging technology finds its way into more consumer devices, we here at DPReview do our best to keep you on the cutting edge. With that in mind, here's our first official review of a camera that can also shoot dog treats across the room.
Photographers shopping around for Lightroom alternatives have likely encountered Alien Skin's Exposure X3. Here's an overview of its organization and editing controls, and how they differ from the competition.
The Fujifilm X-H1 is a top-of-the-range 24MP mirrorless camera with in-body stabilization and the company's most advanced array of video capabilities. We've tested the X-T2's big brother extensively to see how it performs.
What's the best camera for a parent? The best cameras for shooting kids and family must have fast autofocus, good low-light image quality and great video. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for parents, and recommended the best.
What's the best camera for shooting landscapes? High resolution, weather-sealed bodies and wide dynamic range are all important. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for shooting landscapes, and recommended the best.
If you're a serious enthusiast or working pro, the very best digital cameras on the market will cost you at least $2000. That's a lot of money, but generally speaking these cameras offer the highest resolution, the best build quality and the most advanced video specs out there, as well as fast burst rates and top-notch autofocus.
Video features have become an important factor to many photographers when choosing a new camera. Read on to find out which cameras we think are best for the videophile.
What's the best camera for shooting sports and action? Fast continuous shooting, reliable autofocus and great battery life are just three of the most important factors. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for shooting sports and action, and recommended the best.
Comments