I picked up a 14-24 about a week ago. I've got 10 days for any exchanges so I thought I'd run a simple test comparing it with my 24-70 and 24/1.4. The result at 24mm has surprised me quite a bit and I'm wondering if I should exchange the 14-24.
I'd have expected it might perform a little weaker than the 24/1.4, but not the 24-70. In the following JPEGs, not only does it show the 14-24 doesn't quite reach 24mm, but it's also significantly softer to my eye. All shot at /4, but the story doesn't change at 5.6 +. I focused directly on the wall and had the camera on a tripod. These are 100% crops all processed the same in Lightroom 4.
Assuming the test comparison was done correctly without any unwanted variables, I would exchange the 14-24. Sharpness should match closely with the 24-70 @ 24mm.
Just ran one final test. Shot my garage which felt a little weird, but theres no mistaking it now. That 14-24 is horribly soft at 24mm. Going back to the store today. Hope they have more stock.
Bond wrote:
snapsy, single point focus. The 14-24 seems ok at 14mm.
My copy has over a 10-point AF tune spread between 14mm and 24mm. You'll either need to AF tune your copy at 24mm or focus in Live View in order to establish whether the optics are off. I can tell you with almost certainty that it's most likely a misfocus rather than a bad copy, esp. since you're looking at the center of the frame.
from what i read online before i got my copy, 24mm is not the strongest end, and i can confirm that my sample. if i need 24mm i will use my 24-105L, below 18mm and below there is no competition.
i also think the 16:9 tests confirm this
I dunno. Mansurovs shows the 14-24 besting the 24-70 handily.
I went to the shop today. Apparently those lenses are on back order so they swap it once they get them in stock. In the meantime, I'll see about AF fine tuning it a little.
Since you have experimental time, you might as well check for the focus shift made famous by Digi-Lloyd. He says it's pretty significant going from f/2.8 to f/4. I've never bothered to test my copy of the 14-24....too busy making photographs and all that stuff.
I'll happily take the exchange whether it's focus shift or not. I'd rather have one that auto focuses well out of the box. And from what I've read of focus shift, having it to this degree on an f/2.8 lens when shooting at f/5.6 - f/8 at 24 mm is not only unlikely, but it's also unacceptable for me when an exchange is an option.
Keith B., it must suck to be so busy as not to have enough time even to determine if a product is functioning 100% the way it ought to. At nearly $2Gs, I like to make sure things are working as well as possible.
Honestly looks like the difference in sharpness is due to focus. Never test a lens sharpness by using AF. Always focus manually using live view and on a rock solid tripod. Then after you are sure the lens is sharp use focus adjustment to get the AF to work right.
Bond wrote:
I'll happily take the exchange whether it's focus shift or not. I'd rather have one that auto focuses well out of the box. And from what I've read of focus shift, having it to this degree on an f/2.8 lens when shooting at f/5.6 - f/8 at 24 mm is not only unlikely, but it's also unacceptable for me when an exchange is an option.
Keith B., it must suck to be so busy as not to have enough time even to determine if a product is functioning 100% the way it ought to. At nearly $2Gs, I like to make sure things are working as well as possible. ...Show more →
I'm that case you're in for more disappointment from your replacement copy as well.
Going back to the store today. Hope they have more stock.
