? 17-55 Distortion at wide end

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Philly
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p.1 #1 · ? 17-55 Distortion at wide end

Is there serious distortion using the 17-55 at the wide-end?
If so, at what focal length does it diminish?
TIA

Edited on Jan 04, 2006 at 09:22 AM

Dec 26, 2005 at 10:48 AM

Kaj E
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p.1 #2 · ? 17-55 Distortion at wide end

The barrel distortion at 17 mm is about 0.8% (noticeable but easily fixed in PTLens). It lessens going to longer focal lengths and is not noticeable (0.3%) at 28 mm. Over that both barrel and pincushion is not noticeable (under 0.3%). The lens performs over all very well at f/2.8 to 11.

Edited on Jan 04, 2006 at 09:22 AM

Dec 26, 2005 at 01:38 PM

Philly
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p.1 #3 · ? 17-55 Distortion at wide end

HI Kaj, Thank you for the specs. 0.8% sounds like a LOT.

Anyone able to provide a couple pics (any resolution) of the 17-55 as I am just trying to clarify the distortion at the wider end before purchasing.

Also is there LESS distortion with the 12-24DX at similar focal lengths?
TIA

Edited on Jan 04, 2006 at 09:22 AM

Dec 26, 2005 at 04:10 PM

praveenk25
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p.1 #4 · ? 17-55 Distortion at wide end

Ken Rockwell talks about distortion with this lens here. He also suggests some possible fixes in PS.

Edited on Jan 04, 2006 at 09:22 AM

Dec 26, 2005 at 06:32 PM

travelingman
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p.1 #5 · ? 17-55 Distortion at wide end

I've been using the 17-55 all year and i just love it on my S3 /D2X , any distorsion is easily fixed in Photoshop , but if you keep verticals away from the very outside edges you hardly notice any .
But here are 2 images with verticals close to the outside .
number #1 is just to show the barrel distorsion

Brian

Edited on Jan 04, 2006 at 09:22 AM

Dec 26, 2005 at 06:51 PM

Philly
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p.1 #6 · ? 17-55 Distortion at wide end

Praveen,
Thank you for the link (to Rockwell) :-) I will keep that reference handy for when I receive my 17-55.

Brian,
Thank you for posting the images. That last image holds together nice (and I am assuming you did NOT tweak the image for distortion).

Edited on Jan 04, 2006 at 09:22 AM

Jan 04, 2006 at 03:16 AM

Mad Artist
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p.1 #7 · ? 17-55 Distortion at wide end

Looking at Brian's barrel photo I'm really impressed with the lack of wide-angle distortion with this lens. A wider lens would have had the barrel at the left edge of the upper row stretched out into an oval. This lens kept the round shape very well.

Most folks focus on barrel & pincushion distortions -- which are at least correctable with PP -- and pay little attention to the wide-angle distortion of a lens, which cannot be corrected at all. A poor wide-angle lens will stretch objects at the edge of the frame far beyond normal perspective distortion. Short of going large format with primes, there's no way to avoid this. But some lenses are just bigger offenders. This one is looking good!

Edited on Jan 04, 2006 at 09:22 AM

Jan 04, 2006 at 05:39 AM

travelingman
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p.1 #8 · ? 17-55 Distortion at wide end

Sorry should have mentioned , NO corrections at all , only a contrast adjustment .
Brian

Edited on Jan 04, 2006 at 09:22 AM

Jan 04, 2006 at 06:24 AM

ChrisSE
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p.1 #9 · ? 17-55 Distortion at wide end

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/927919/L/ full frame 17mm, f8. This lens is very sharp even out at the edges, and very little distortion.

Edited on Jan 04, 2006 at 09:22 AM

Jan 04, 2006 at 09:21 AM

jasin
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p.1 #10 · ? 17-55 Distortion at wide end

The only sweet spot I ever found with mine was right in the middle!
It has seriously been the worst Nikon lens I ever had!
Hope you have more luck!
Cheers,
Jasin.

Jan 04, 2006 at 09:22 AM


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