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2.8G

This scene provides a number of challenges to lenses: tremendous detail, straight lines to reveal distortion, a range of color and tone, and front-to-back subject matter with a planar component.

Note: this comparison is also in Zeiss ZF Lenses, where it adds the Zeiss ZF 21/2.8 Distagon.

Camera and focusing

The 24.4MP Nikon D3x was used. Live View for focus, with mirror lockup and remote release for exposure, to ensure camera stability and frame-to-frame alignment.

This scene was actually shot twice, to cross-check. Two aperture series were shot for each lens the 2nd shoot, refocusing each time. There were very minor differences which required close scrutiny to detect; the best result was chosen for each lens, based on the best wide-open frame at the focusing point. Even so, it’s virtually impossible to be certain of a perfect match between lenses in a field comparison, so analysis throughout the frame is required, not relying on any one area.

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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.

Voigtlander 20/3.5 @ f/5.6