clickalot Loc: Chicago area

I made a test of 4 lenses with images shot at about 100mm with the same (or almost the same) test image. All were shot on a tripod with a Nikon D610 with the same fine jpg mode in camera processing to eliminate possible differences I might have introduced with a RAW conversion. These images are posted. I have formed an opinion and would like to see what others think about the perceived image quality produced by the lenses.

I recommend downloading the full size images and review with your favorite post processing program; I use Photoshop Elements. I am ignoring any slight differences in focus, apparent exposure and color cast (the last 2 easily dealt with in a RAW image in post and any focus issue could have been my error). I have made my judgement based primarily on the histograms, especially the red and blue histogram information which shows the response of each lens to colors at the ends of the color spectrum. The test shot has significant red and blue colors. After some time I will reveal the identity of the lenses and my judgement, which is of course just my view with which others may disagree. There are two fixed focal length lenses and two zoom lenses in this test.

I am interested to see if others would make a similar judgement.

Thanks in advance for those who participate for taking the time to do so.

lens1

(Download)

lens2

(Download)

lens3

(Download)

lens4

(Download)

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

They all seem to show a distinct clockwise rotation of the subject matter.
--Bob

CO

I think that lens 1 has slightly more saturated reds and blues. I think it also has slightly better clarity than the others. The lines and ridges on the sea shells are defined a little better. It has a slightly darker exposure than the others so that could be a factor.

Lens 4 introduces a yellowish tint that is not attractive.

My vote goes to lens 1 for best lens of the group.

SS319

First, these are not your classic sets for lens quality I would shoot a young lady (and why not) and I would also shoot a building - with windows, and fill the frame with the windows and frames.

However, It is obvious that lens two is superior to three, and far superior to one and four, so for best to worst, 2,3,1 then 4. I will give others a chance to look before I tell you why

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

What is your light source?
What was your white balance setting?
What aperture did you use?
What was your subject to sensor plane distance?
Did you use Live View to focus - which would have eliminated even minor differences in focus, and any front/back focusing issues?
Why didn't you use a standard lens test target?
Since you shot in camera jpeg, did you employ auto distortion to address distortion in Nikkor lenses, putting non-Nikkor lenses at a disadvantage?
Did any of the lenses tested show above average focus shift when stopping down? Again, a lens known to have this problem may not look as good as others that have it to a lesser degree?

Are you just looking for color cast, contrast and saturation as a measure of lens quality, or are you also taking into consideration lens breathing, acuity, bokeh, distortion and other lens characteristics?

There are far too many variables to determine lens quality. State your criteria, isolate any variables and present the images again.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Now that is a brilliant observation!

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

No.1

excaliburgc Loc: Daytona Beach Florida

Number 1

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Sorry, I will not bite. This test has so many variables that change it would be difficult to reach a valid conclusion based on your photo's. In my world my subjects move and are under different lighting as they move. The lenses I use are made by the manufacture that made the camera. I rely on them for producing 16X24 and 20X30 show prints. I have yet to be disappointed in the results. Nice photo's of glasses by the way.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Were the lenses microtuned to the camera body using FOCAL or similar software? Sometimes it is not fair to blame the lens or the camera - the lens-camera union effects focus.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

Lens 2

Gspeed Loc: Rhinebeck, NY

To my eye, Lens 2 seems sharpest (background door handles, for example). I also think the reds and blues seem more alive. I think Lens 1 is the least sharp. Don't keep us in suspense... ~ Eileen

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

All photographs are sharp. All have a horizon problem (tilt to the right), which is a setup error. The first two seem to have the best color capture, while the last two have a distinct yellow tint.

Plieku69 Loc: The Gopher State, south end

I like lens #2. I like the colors better and it seems sharper.
And I have a kink in my neck from looking at them :)

Fun test, glad you did it for us.
Ken

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

There are some variables here that could explain the differences between the photographs. The first shot is or appears to be more saturated than the others. The last one has a yellow cast.
To my eyes sharpness is pretty close in all of them. The differences in color cast could be an erroneous WB or the lens. All of them need leveling.