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Nikon D810

2.8G (D810, Rulers)

Lens performance is first and foremost about focus accuracy; the sharpest lens in the world is not so when focus is off, and no “fine focus adjust” feature compensates for focus shift (well, it could with some innovation at Nikon).

Focus shift complicates matters considerably because the optimal focus changes by aperture. See the case studies of focus shift in Making Sharp Images.

Focus shift is sometimes all to the rear (distance), but often it can change direction (rearward shift in the central areas, forward shift in peripheral areas). The Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G and Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM are two lenses which have this differential focus shift.

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Diglloyd DAP is DSLR-oriented, but also contains workflow and other topics. Much of the focus is on Canon and Nikon but also Pentax and Pentax medium format.

Special emphasis is placed on lens evaluation, focusing on Canon and Nikon and Sigma lenses, but with a few others like Rokinon/Samyang.

Make better images by learning how to get the best results right away.
Save money by choosing the right lens for your needs the first time, particularly some of the new Sigma Art lenses vs Nikon and Canon.
Workflow discusses image organization, raw conversion and post processing. Many examples show processing parameters for direct insight into how the image was converted.
Jaw-dropping image quality found nowhere else utilizing Retina-grade images up to full camera resolution, plus large crops [past 2 years or so].
Real world examples with insights found nowhere else. Make sharper images just by understanding lens behavior you won’t read about elsewhere.
Aperture series from wide open through stopped down, showing the full range of lens performance and bokeh.
Optical quality analysis of field curvature, focus shift, sharpness, flare, distortion, and performance in the field.

Want a preview? Click on any page below to see an excerpt as well as extensive blog coverage, for example on Nikon or on Canon or on Pentax.

Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED and 20mm f/1.8G ED