Bokeh and Blur
How a lens blurs when out of focus is a Big Deal..
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2023-01-28 Sony A7R V Pixel Shift: Diffraction Effects, Pixel Shift vs Single Shot, Enhance Details
2022-07-25 Fujifilm GFX100S: How Much Does Diffraction Affect Image Quality from f/5.6 to f/32?
2022-05-04 Best Camera for You? Reader Comments
2022-03-22 Challenges of 100 Megapixels in 35mm Format?
2022-02-24 Canon Goes with the Big Artillery: Canon RF 800mm f/5.6L IS, Canon RF 1200mm f/8L IS
2021-12-27 Reader Comment: Focus Stacking a Necessity
2021-12-13 In Praise of Digital vs Film (UPDATED, v3)
2021-04-01 Sony A1 vs Diffraction: Siemens Star
How a lens blurs when out of focus is a Big Deal..
Blur from optical behavior or subject-related issue..
Sharpness loss by camera or support or technique..
Glossary and further reading..
Digital capture technology is discrete, and not the same as film..
Making image captures look sharp..
Controlling the zone of sharp detail..
Increasing Depth of Field by means other than stopping down..
Bypass the limits on depth of field and diffraction..
Examples of Focus Stacking..
Getting peak performance from your lens.
Understanding resolution and contrast graphs..
How to verify a good sample and assess all aspects of lens performance..
Unique challenges of digital infrared..
Evaluating Multi-Shot High-Res Mode..
All-arounder entry-level mid-range zoom for L-Mount..
Image stabilized classic 70-200mm for L-Mount..
Fast short wide angle lens for L-Mount cameras..
Sigma/Foveon true-color sensor in a DSLR body..
The best becomes better..
36 megapixels in a compact full-frame DSLR..
D800E supplement and comparisons with Nikon D800..
Nikon’s pro-body high speed low light wonder..
24-megapixel APS-C consumer DSLR..
50 megapixel successor to the 22 megapixel Canon 5D Mark III..
Nikon’s finest 70-200 zoom as of 2017..
Which speed zoom for the Nikon D800/D800E?.
Includes: D3x resolution comparisons (res chart) with Nikon D3, Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, resolution comparison on outdoor shot with Nikon D3, large examples, large wildlife examples, Nikon 200mm f/2 VR on D3x, long exposure noise ISO series, D3x sensitivity on diffraction, D3x dynamic range at ISO 100 vs ISO 50, D3x vs D3 color and noise..
Canon 1D Mark IV 16-megapixel DSLR..
Ultra wide angle tilt shift with tremendous versatility.
Verions 2 — 36-megapixel full-frame DSLR with SuperRes Pixel Shift Mode..
36-megapixel full-frame DSLR with SuperRes Pixel Shift Mode..
Full frame ultra wide angle zoom..
All-new high performance design..
Macro lens focusing to life size 1:1 in a normal lens..
Macro lens focusing to life size 1:1..
APS-C wide angle lens equivalent to 22mm on full-frame..
APS-C normal lens equivalent to 53mm on full-frame..
Canon’s tiny and lovely pancake lens..
Canon’s updated fast 35mm prime, evaluated on Canon 5DS R..
A whopping 4/3 stop faster than other lenses in its range..
Sigma’s fast high performance wide angle..
Sigma’s best portrait lens..
Fastest 135mm lens yet, with ultra high performance..
Sigma’s fast telephoto APO macro lenses..
Tilt/Shift by Schneider for Canon and Nikon and other brands..
Nikon’s latest 50mm lens compared with the Zeiss ZF 50/1.4, Nikon 50/1.4D and Sigma 50/1.4..
Nikon’s High performance normal lens.
Nikon’s workhorse 200mm macro lens, and not just sharp at close-ups!.
Nikon’s fast ultra wide angle..
A superlative multi-spectral lens with perfect color correction..
Extreme wide angle zoom..
Is the 3rd time the charm?.
Nikon’s best-ever f/1.4 lens?.
Comparing Nikon 16-35mm f/4 VR, 17-35mm f/2.8, 14-24mm f/2.8, 18-35mm, 24-70mm f/2.8 along with Nikon 20mm f/3.5, 24mm f/2, 28mm f/2, 35mm f/1.4 AIS, and more..
A review of Canon’s new 70-200mm zoom, along with comparisons to other models and the 200mm f/2L IS. Extensive comparisons at multiple focal lengths..
Comparing the 16-35mm f/2.8L II to most of Canon’s wide angle prime lenses. Optical performance, ergonomics, focus, build quality..
Medium format Zeiss glass in Hartblei precision tilt/shift lens barrels!.
Perspective control for architecture or landscape as an alternative to Nikon and Canon brand name offerings..
Articles written for MediumFormat.com..
100 megapixels in a portable package!.
Is 100 better than 45/50/60 megapixels?.
100 megapixels in a body the size of a 35mm DSLR!.
100 megapixels in a portable package!.
Tips on getting the best results..
Compact wide angle.
Ultra wide angle equivalent to 19mm f/3.3. .
Compact wide angle.
Mid-range zoom lens equivalent to 26-53mm f/3.3..
Compact wide angle.
Moderate wide angle equivalent to 37mm f/2.3..
Standard normal lens equivalent to 52mm f/2.3..
Ultra high speed telephoto equivalent to 90mm f/1.6..
High performance macro photography on medium format, equivalent to 99mm f/3.3..
How does the very best perform in the field?.
Mirrorless large format with leaf shutter lenses, 3rd generation..
18mm equivalent..
25mm equivalent..
Normal lens equivqlent to 32mm..
37mm equivalent..
Moderate wide angle..
Normal lens equivqlent to 45mm..
Normal lens equivqlent to 53mm..
Moderate telephoto..
Medium format telephoto lens, 74mm equivalent..
Telephoto macro lens, 99mm equivalent..
Moderate telephoto..
A price/performance breakthrough?.
High end image quality, but what about lenses?.
Moderate wide angle lens for Pentax 645..
Wide angle zoom for Pentax 645..
Medium telephoto macro lens for Pentax 645 digital and film..
How does Hasselblad’s 3rd generation medium format entry measure up?.
Lens performance at 80 megapixels..
How does Leica’s medium format entry measure up in ergonomics, image quality, etc?.
Examples and comparison from the various lenses.
Extreme wide angle with ultra high performance..
The classic 21/2.8 Distagon improved..
Highest performing 25mm from Zeiss ever..
Classic design in the latest Milvus build..
Outstanding build and optical quality in a normal lens..
The classic 50/2 Makro-Planar improved..
Outstanding build and optical quality in a medium tele..
The classic 100/2 Makro-Planar improved..
An Otus, in effect. Milvus garb for the 135/2 APO, with improved lens coatings on one element. See the ZF.2/ZE 135/2 review pages..
Ultra high performance in an extreme wild wide angle lens..
Brilliant imaging, even wide open, but with a few quirks. (Review in progress) .
Ultra high performance with a fast aperture..
An artist’s drawing tool..
Balance and poise..
Versatility in a “normal” lens and macro too!.
Fast high performance APO wide angle..
Ultra high performance apochromatic normal lens, first in the Otus line..
Rendering style, bokeh and beauty..
Ultra high performance apochromatic medium telephoto, overview and technical..
Rendering style, bokeh and 'transparency' without peer..
Peering into shadows at night with the very best..
King of bokeh! Corner-to-corner sharpness, world class..
Beautiful bokeh, razor sharp, superb color correction..
Articles written for Lenspire.ZEISS.com..
Understanding lens performance..
[ARCHIVE, see Making Sharp Images]. Exploring depth of field..
The limits of resolution are governed by physics..
Photography Hints and Tips..
Various articles..
A reference lens for color correction..
Medium format Zeiss glass in Hartblei precision tilt/shift lens barrels!.
Vintage 2006 comparative review of Nikon D200 vs Nikon D2x..
Fast standard zoom lens..
High speed normal lens optimized for Canon mirrorless..
Super telephoto, ultra slow aperture..
Super telephoto, ultra slow aperture..
Fast ultra wide angle for Nikon Z..
Ultra wide compact zoom for Nikon Z cameras..
Mid-range zoom expressly designed for Nikon Z cameras..
Fast portrait telephoto for Nikon Z..
5th Generation standard-setting camera..
Technological tour de force..
4th Generation standard-setting camera..
Full frame compact mirrorless with interchangeable lenses..
Ultra high performance extreme wide angle..
Compact moderate wide angle for Sony mirrorless..
High performance, high speed..
High performance, high speed..
High performance, high speed..
Top-grade medium telephoto..
Native-mount ultra wide angle high performance zoom for mirrorless..
Ultra high performance medium telephoto..
Anything wider would be a fisheye..
High-grade manual focus wide-normal lens..
High-grade manual focus normal lens..
Fast extreme wide angle zoom..
Pro-grade f/2.8 wide angle zoom..
Comapact ultra-wide zoom for Sony full frame mirrorless..
Premiere mid-range zoom for Sony full frame mirrorless.
Wide angle to telephoto zoom with optical stabilization..
Eliminating the camera body barrier— any kind of lens with Live View EVF and LCD.
Fixed 28mm lens with APS-C sensor free of anti-aliasing blur with wonderful color..
Diminutive full-frame camera with 35mm f/2 fixed lens..
Full frame camera in an ultra-compact body with or without anti-aliasing filter..
Stunningly high image quality in a 20MP point and shoot tiny camera..
Stunningly high image quality in a 20MP point and wide range zoom..
Ultra high performance zoom lens..
A high performance mid-range zoom..
A fast moderate wide angle..
Super telephoto with superb bokeh and color correction..
A fisheye with great contrast and high resolving power..
A fast and lovely 'normal' lens (50mm equiv) for Micro 4/3..
Superb ergonomic design in a compact camera..
Wide angle zoom equivalent to 15-36mm.
Short telephoto macro lens..
24 or 16 megapixels in a compact body with APS-C sensor..
Value camera: 24 megapixel APS-C sensor with EVF and vibration-free shutter..
Moderate wide angle for Sony NEX..
Outstanding ultra wide angle performer..
Autofocus extreme wide angle for Sony full-frame mirrorless..
Autofocus wide angle for Sony full-frame mirrorless..
Autofocus portrait lens for Sony full-frame mirrorless..
Apochromatic pin-sharp medium telephoto for Sony full-frame mirrorless..
Ultra wide angle lens for Sony NEX or Fujifilm X..
Normal lens for Sony NEX or Fujifilm X..
Moderate telephoto macro lens for Sony NEX or Fujifilm X. Useful on full frame too!.
21mm f/5.6 equivalent FOV lens..
45mm f/2.8 equivalent FOV lens..
28mm f/2.8 equivalent lens on APS-C sensor..
45mm f/2.8 equivalent lens on APS-C sensor..
24-megapixel CMOS monochrome sensor..
24-megapixel fixed lens compact full-frame..
Leica’s ultra wide angle zoom lens..
Leica’s widest prime lens..
Leica’s fastest and widest lens..
Leica’s best-performing 21mm..
Leica’s best-performing 24mm, and with a flat field..
Leica’s fast 28mm..
Leica’s widest lens utilizing built-in frame lines..
Leica’s smallest and lightest M lens with superlative performance..
Leica’s superlative and most natural lens for the M..
Understanding the Rendering Style of the Noctilux..
High performance but flawed 50mm normal lens..
Leica’s budget 75mm medium telephoto..
Compact lens for portraiture or similar..
Superb all-around macro and general-purpose lens..
World’s best mid-range telephoto lens..
Compact wide angle with brilliant contrast..
Fast and ultra high performance moderate wide angle rangefinder lens..
World-class performer for Leica M..
ARCHIVAL MATERIAL. Eliminating the camera body barrier— any kind of lens with Live View EVF and LCD, and especially Leica M-mount.
HISTORICAL, please see Guide to Mirrorless..
2023-01-28 Sony A7R V Pixel Shift: Diffraction Effects, Pixel Shift vs Single Shot, Enhance Details
2022-07-25 Fujifilm GFX100S: How Much Does Diffraction Affect Image Quality from f/5.6 to f/32?
2022-05-04 Best Camera for You? Reader Comments
2022-03-22 Challenges of 100 Megapixels in 35mm Format?
2022-02-24 Canon Goes with the Big Artillery: Canon RF 800mm f/5.6L IS, Canon RF 1200mm f/8L IS
2021-12-27 Reader Comment: Focus Stacking a Necessity
2021-12-13 In Praise of Digital vs Film (UPDATED, v3)
2021-04-01 Sony A1 vs Diffraction: Siemens Star
2019-11-28 Need Advice/Help with Phase One Capture One Pro Sharpening Tools (UPDATE with reader comments)
2019-09-16 Sony A7R IV: Diffraction with High Grade Lenses
2019-04-13 Panasonic S1R Multi-Shot High-Res Mode: the Largest Advance in Image Quality in a Decade?
2018-08-25 Nikon Z7: Pinpoint AF
2018-08-25 Nikon Z7 Diffraction Compensation
2017-11-01 Zeiss Milvus 25mm f/1.4 Stacking Examples: Glacier Canyon and Dana Lakes (Nikon D850)
2017-04-13 Fujifilm GF 32-64mm f/4 @32mm Focus Stack: Barroom Interior
2017-03-07 Fujifilm GFX 50s + 120mm f/4 Macro Plus Diffraction and Sharpening Evaluations
2017-02-25 MTF for Fujifilm GFX GF Lenses
2016-11-07 MTF for the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
2016-02-21 Pentax K1: Impressive Innovation Unmatched by CaNikon
2016-02-04 Sony Diffraction-Free Computed (not measured) Fantasy MTF Charts
2015-07-08 Reader Question: Diffraction
2015-05-27 Leica M Monochrom Typ 246: Aperture Series to Assess Diffraction and Digital Artifacts (Dolls)
2015-04-30 Leica 30-90mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario-Elmar-S ASPH Aperture Series @ 51mm: 'Pescadero Creek Pool'
2015-04-29 Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 Sonnar: MTF Series from f/1.8 - f/16 + Distortion
2015-04-29 Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2 Distagon: MTF Series from f/2 - f/16 + Distortion
2015-04-29 Leica 30-90mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario-Elmar-S ASPH Aperture Series @ 90mm: 'Grass Clumps in Boulder'
2015-04-21 Leica S with the Leica 30-90mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario-Elmar-S ASPH
2015-02-25 Mitigating Color Aliasing via Diffraction (Leica M240, but applies to any/all)
2015-02-24 Mitigating Color Aliasing via Diffraction
2014-02-15 Readers Comment on the Sony A7 / A7R
2014-01-13 Mitigating A7R Micro Contrast Diffraction Losses with Sharpening
2013-07-16 Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon: Eroding Bristlecone Giant (Nikon D800E)
2013-04-21 Mitigating Contrast Loss From Diffraction aka How to Make f/16 Look Crisp
2013-04-02 Mitigating Contrast Loss From Diffraction aka How to Make f/16 Look Crisp
2013-03-22 How Does the Zeiss 135mm f/2 APO-Sonnar Perform on a 56-Megapixel DSLR?
2013-03-19 MTF at f/22 with the Zeiss 135mm f/2 APO-Sonnar
2012-07-27 At Which Aperture Does Diffraction Degrade Olympus OM-D E-M5 Image Sharpness?
2012-06-04 Reader Comments: D3x vs D800
2012-05-03 Nikon D800E Diffraction Behavior with Aperture Series
2012-04-26 Optimal Aperture for Nikon D800
2012-04-25 Nikon D800 Optimal Aperture (Diffraction)
2012-04-25 Nikon D4 Optimal Aperture (Diffraction)
2012-03-07 Diffraction, Sharpness and Nikon D800E
2012-02-09 What Does Depth of Field Mean on a 36 Megapixel Camera?
2012-02-07 Nikon D800E: Moiré
2012-01-05 Sony NEX-7: Loss of Contrast and Resolution from Diffraction
2010-09-15 Nikon D7000
2010-07-14 Leica S2 37.5 megapixel DSLR review additions
2008-12-28 D3x diffraction study
2008-06-26 Depth of field, diffraction, and megapixels
2007-11-13 Diffraction, a real-world example
2007-11-03 Diffraction and digital SLRs
2006-05-30 Consumer digicams and diffraction
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