What is the sharpest lens?

[sabee]

I see a poll so I must vote As always I will vote for the underdog!

Honestly, why do you care which is the sharpest lens? They're not even the same focal length. Are you going to buy one just because it is the sharpest although its the wrong lens for your shooting style / subject?

 

[Jed]

i'vd used all of those lenses so i can choose.:sticktong

Good for you!

So did you choose based on... (maybe I should start a poll)

[1] Scientific tests with a resolution chart.
[2] Subjective tests in the field shooting the same subject with all lenses under very similar conditions (ie at about the same time).
[3] Subjective tests in the field shooting the same subject with all lenses but different conditions (ie at a different time).
[4] Subjective tests in the field without shooting the same subject, but with all the lenses under the same conditions (ie at about the same time).
[5] Subjective tests in the field without shooting the same subject, and under different conditions (ie at a different time).

And what criteria did you use...

[1] Sharpness in centre wide open.
[2] Sharpness in corners wide open.
[3] Sharpness somewhere between the centre and corners wide open.
[4] As option 1, but one stop down.
[5] As option 2, but one stop down.
[6] As option 3, but one stop down.
[7] Similar to options 1 to 3 but some other arbitrary aperture.
[8] Wide open but with some mathematical formula to rate the sharpness across the frame, weighted towards the centre.
[9] Wide open but with some mathematical formula to rate the sharpness across the frame, weighted towards the corners.
[10] Something else.

 

[Jed]

i think you're carrying too far.

I'm carrying on because people are still voting.

yes, by your standards, most of the pollers do not have sufficient experience with the lenses listed.

By my standards? If I ask someone, let's say, which desert is the sweetest of the five on offer, then if someone states that something is the sweetest, then you'd expect him or her to have tried all five.

I would hope that's not just my ridiculously high standards...

So why is it when it comes to lenses that are the sharpest or the most pro or the sexiest, all that goes out the window? Or it's an Internet poll, suddenly everyone becomes an expert?

The only reason I'm stating 'extensive experience' is because sticking a lens on your camera for 2min in a shop does not qualify you (by anybody's standards I would hope) to determine sharpness relative to another lens. Believe me I'm not trying to uphold everybody to high standards.

but then, consider that the TS did not state any pre-requisites for voting. so, who cares?

The requisite was "sharpest". How are you going to know that if you are not in a position to compare them? Come to think of it I'd be willing to wager at least one of those people who voted in the poll will not even have any real experience with any of those lenses nevermind all eight.

besides, this is not the first of such polls. so just give it a rest.

Not quite directly sheep theory, but just because it's not the first doesn't mean I can't have a go. Nor does it mean that the people who poll in them are doing so with any more information than the last.

 

[engrmariano]

Good for you!

So did you choose based on...

based on the focus point i used. thats sharp/unsharp enough for my liking. no scientific tests was done, purely snap shots.

to TS, why not go to tdp and check the crops of these lenses?...:dunno:

 

[Jed]

based on the focus point i used. thats sharp/unsharp enough for my liking. no scientific tests was done, purely snap shots.

It wasn't necessarily a serious question

I honestly don't mind and frankly if someone has *some* experience with all the lenses concerned then that's fair enough for a forum like this.

But when someone doesn't have experience with some or all of the lenses then that's what gets me going.

As you point out, going to a website that does comparative tests is the best bet, rather than asking about it on a forum where the vast majority of folk will not have direct experience with the equipment asked about (and who seem to feel they're qualified to respond anyway...)

 

[yrh0413]

aww, how come the 18-55 kit lens is not on the list? :bsmilie:

 

[engrmariano]

aww, how come the 18-55 kit lens is not on the list? :bsmilie:

15mm fisheye not on the list aswell.

 

[Teegongkia]

sharpest lens!

 

[Wai]

There are MTF charts in Canon website that show the resolving power of these lenses

http://www.usa.canon.com/home

That should be the most scientific way to test?

 

[KY1977]

haiya, not sharp using PP loh.

 

[Garion]

sharpest lens!

I lol'd. :bsmilie:

 

[mrhobbit]

I have experience with all the lenses above(and alot more), week in week out for I think close to a year and a half already.

I cant tell which is the sharpest though, so I am not really sure how those who do, did it.

Although if you were to point a gun at me and ask, the 35L and 85/1.8 comes to mind pretty quickly.

 

[calvintan]

you forgot to add the sharpest of all CANON lens! That is the new 200mm F2.0 IS, it is using the latest lens coating and improved lens element.

 

[hetfieldpaul]

sharpest lens!

indeed! this is Ts's answer :bsmilie:

 

[danielteng]

sharpest lens!

:thumbsup: buay tahan... :bsmilie:

 

[geekbrains]

I have owned and used all these lenses extensively so I would be the best person on earth to answer the question..... just trying to be helpful..



























As I recall, all these lenses are packaged in cylindrical form. All 90 deg edges are either chamfered and rounded. I also don't recall getting any lens cut for these. As such, I conclude that none of these are sharp and are extremely safe for handling.

LMAO:bsmilie:

 

[night86mare]

sharpest lens!

that must be the legendary 35mm f/128

as sharp as a toothpick

 

[Anson]

'nuff said.

Well a macro lens is often "sharper" than the typical..... :think:

 

[Dream Merchant]

Sharp pieces of glass velli dangerous leh! CAN CUT!

 

[Teegongkia]

that must be the legendary 35mm f/128

as sharp as a toothpick

Indeed, this is the legendary heavenly sword of canon lens, 35mm F/128 USM IS MK 14 !