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Archive 2010Useless Exercise, Part Deux
p.1 #1Useless Exercise, Part Deux
Let the flames begin!
Another test, with the attendant caveats that usually accompany my not-so-careful tests: I was a bit rushed for today’s session, and didn’t want to take too much of this kid’s time, so I only have one comparison. I shot similar frames with the Zeiss 100/2 ZF.2, the Nikkor 105/2.5, and the Nikkor 70-200 VR (v.1). I tried to match focal lengths and framing as close as possible, but the guy moved in between, so there are minor differences. So I overlayed the files and cropped in a little bit tighter, to roughly equalize the framing. The high-res files are therefore only 3200 pixels. These were all shot at f/4. The huge caveat here is that I had enough DOF at f/4 to get the eyes in good focus even if my precise focal plane had a bit of variance, which I’m sure it did. Best I could do.
I kept the processing simpler this time, no skin retouching beyond zapping a couple of minor blemishes. I applied a bit of (exactly the same amount) of sharpening and Clarity in LR3 before exporting to PS. I did the same final sharpening to each large file in PS, then converted to 8-bit and sRGB before saving. I downsized to 800 pixels, and those small files got a round of mild web sharpening that the big files didn’t get.
Lens A:
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/NvsZ/A_800.jpg
Click for Lens A high-res
Lens B:
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/NvsZ/B_800.jpg
Click for Lens B high-res
Lens C:
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/NvsZ/C_800.jpg
Click for Lens C high-res
Another test, with the attendant caveats that usually accompany my not-so-careful tests: I was a bit rushed for today’s session, and didn’t want to take too much of this kid’s time, so I only have one comparison. I shot similar frames with the Zeiss 100/2 ZF.2, the Nikkor 105/2.5, and the Nikkor 70-200 VR (v.1). I tried to match focal lengths and framing as close as possible, but the guy moved in between, so there are minor differences. So I overlayed the files and cropped in a little bit tighter, to roughly equalize the framing. The high-res files are therefore only 3200 pixels. These were all shot at f/4. The huge caveat here is that I had enough DOF at f/4 to get the eyes in good focus even if my precise focal plane had a bit of variance, which I’m sure it did. Best I could do.
I kept the processing simpler this time, no skin retouching beyond zapping a couple of minor blemishes. I applied a bit of (exactly the same amount) of sharpening and Clarity in LR3 before exporting to PS. I did the same final sharpening to each large file in PS, then converted to 8-bit and sRGB before saving. I downsized to 800 pixels, and those small files got a round of mild web sharpening that the big files didn’t get.
Lens A:
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/NvsZ/A_800.jpg
Click for Lens A high-res
Lens B:
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/NvsZ/B_800.jpg
Click for Lens B high-res
Lens C:
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/NvsZ/C_800.jpg
Click for Lens C high-res
Sep 27, 2010 at 07:46 PM
p.1 #2Useless Exercise, Part Deux
Hell, I dunno. I'll guess 105/2.5, 100/2, then the zoom, in that order. Maybe reverse the first two. Or not. Or mix up all three.
;- )
They're all good.
Edited on Sep 27, 2010 at 08:18 PM · View previous versions
;- )
They're all good.
Edited on Sep 27, 2010 at 08:18 PM · View previous versions
Sep 27, 2010 at 08:17 PM
p.1 #3Useless Exercise, Part Deux
That's why we have kids - right? Test subjects. I vote for A=Zeiss, B=70-200mm, C=105mm. Great results you got with all those lenses regardless!
Sep 27, 2010 at 08:17 PM
p.1 #4Useless Exercise, Part Deux
He's messing with us. These are all from the new 55-300mmDX. 
Sep 27, 2010 at 08:19 PM
p.1 #5Useless Exercise, Part Deux
I don't know Todd, but lens A is clearly sharper and with nicer colors IMHO
Sep 27, 2010 at 08:25 PM
p.1 #6Useless Exercise, Part Deux
Gary Clennan wrote:
That's why we have kids - right? Test subjects. I vote for A=Zeiss, B=70-200mm, C=105mm. Great results you got with all those lenses regardless!
+1
That would be my guess too!
That's why we have kids - right? Test subjects. I vote for A=Zeiss, B=70-200mm, C=105mm. Great results you got with all those lenses regardless!
+1
That would be my guess too!
Sep 27, 2010 at 08:29 PM
p.1 #7Useless Exercise, Part Deux
spentomuch wrote:
I don't know Todd, but lens A is clearly sharper and with nicer colors IMHO
Yes, and I prefer the boke over B an C. Whatever the lens
I don't know Todd, but lens A is clearly sharper and with nicer colors IMHO
Yes, and I prefer the boke over B an C. Whatever the lens
Sep 27, 2010 at 08:32 PM
p.1 #8Useless Exercise, Part Deux
This is tough because the first one has more focus towards the nose, the next two further back... so A appears to be sharper overall.
I'll go with (A) Zeiss, (B) 105, (C) 70-200, although I may have the zoom and the 105 mixed up.
I'll go with (A) Zeiss, (B) 105, (C) 70-200, although I may have the zoom and the 105 mixed up.
Sep 27, 2010 at 08:35 PM
p.1 #9Useless Exercise, Part Deux
dj dunzie wrote:
This is tough because the first one has more focus towards the nose, the next two further back... so A appears to be sharper overall.
That's very true, unfortunately, which is a huge problem with this test. I was hoping it wouldn't be totally useless, because we could still look at the 800-pixel versions and judge the overall character of the images, but that may not be true. This the hardest part of such a test....all I can do is focus as carefully as possible either by my eye or by the green dot confirmation. In this case I took several shots each with the Zeiss and the Nikkor 105, and chose the "best" (sharpest at the eyes) frame of each to my eye. I messed up on the aperture with the 70-200 at first and consequently only had one frame with that lens at f/4. It was sharp, though.
This is tough because the first one has more focus towards the nose, the next two further back... so A appears to be sharper overall.
That's very true, unfortunately, which is a huge problem with this test. I was hoping it wouldn't be totally useless, because we could still look at the 800-pixel versions and judge the overall character of the images, but that may not be true. This the hardest part of such a test....all I can do is focus as carefully as possible either by my eye or by the green dot confirmation. In this case I took several shots each with the Zeiss and the Nikkor 105, and chose the "best" (sharpest at the eyes) frame of each to my eye. I messed up on the aperture with the 70-200 at first and consequently only had one frame with that lens at f/4. It was sharp, though.
Sep 27, 2010 at 08:53 PM
p.1 #12Useless Exercise, Part Deux
williamkazak wrote:
I like the background in the third pic.
William, sometime I wonder about you.
I like the background in the third pic.
William, sometime I wonder about you.
Sep 27, 2010 at 09:05 PM
p.1 #13Useless Exercise, Part Deux
Lens A look quite a bit sharper with more details to my eyes.
Sep 27, 2010 at 09:10 PM
DavidWEGS
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p.1 #14Useless Exercise, Part Deux
I like the second best, third last.
Sep 27, 2010 at 09:12 PM
p.1 #15Useless Exercise, Part Deux
Agree with vchowtoomanyletters. I shoot the zoom a lot and when I glanced at A it just looked familiar.
Of course we're probobly wrong. These tests have been an interesting revalation. Thanks.
Of course we're probobly wrong. These tests have been an interesting revalation. Thanks.
Sep 27, 2010 at 09:49 PM
p.1 #16Useless Exercise, Part Deux
zoom, zeiss, old nikkor
of course i reserve the right to be wrong
J
of course i reserve the right to be wrong
J
Sep 27, 2010 at 09:55 PM
p.1 #17Useless Exercise, Part Deux
I'll let this go for a bit. It's already pretty clear though, that there won't be consensus. 
I am planning ONE more test, but probably won't have time this week. But I want to shoot someone with the specific intention of testing these lenses, rather than hijacking a regular session. I'll do inside and outside, 2.8, 4, and 5.6 or so.
I am planning ONE more test, but probably won't have time this week. But I want to shoot someone with the specific intention of testing these lenses, rather than hijacking a regular session. I'll do inside and outside, 2.8, 4, and 5.6 or so.
Sep 27, 2010 at 10:21 PM
p.1 #18Useless Exercise, Part Deux
I like B the best. The color and contrast are quite nice. I like the exposure of A the best. But I dislike the bokeh of lens A. C has the worst exposure, color and contrast.
S-
S-
Sep 27, 2010 at 10:46 PM
p.1 #19Useless Exercise, Part Deux
afm901 wrote:
I like B the best. The color and contrast are quite nice. I like the exposure of A the best. But I dislike the bokeh of lens A. C has the worst exposure, color and contrast.
S-
dude , these exposures are within tenths of a stop of each other
I like B the best. The color and contrast are quite nice. I like the exposure of A the best. But I dislike the bokeh of lens A. C has the worst exposure, color and contrast.
S-
dude , these exposures are within tenths of a stop of each other
Sep 27, 2010 at 11:10 PM
p.1 #20Useless Exercise, Part Deux
Todd,
f4 looks way better on all these dude , anyone saying one is way better well i will just stop now
f4 looks way better on all these dude , anyone saying one is way better well i will just stop now
Sep 27, 2010 at 11:11 PM