Where is the sweet spot on your lens?
Mar 8, 2012 18:13:11 #
Today y found this in Digital Photography School: where is the sweet spot on your lens? Your zoom lens has a smaller range that is sharper than the outer edges. Just because the camera says 70 mm 300 mm doesnt mean it is sharp for that entire range. That inner limit where your lens performs best is generally referred to as your sweet spot. Do you know what that range is on your favorite lens? I don`t. I have: Nikon D90, with af-s nikkor 18-105mm1:3.5-5.6 GED and af-s nikkor 55-300mm 1:4.5-5.6 GED. Can anyone tell me where are the "sweet spot" on my lenses?
Thanks
Thanks
Mar 8, 2012 18:27:18 #
I think you can change your sweet spot with the settings you use. I get nice sharp pictures pretty much through the full zoom on my 28-300, if I can keep the aperture at F8-16. If there is a sweet spot I never have noticed it.
Erv
Erv
Mar 8, 2012 18:30:49 #
There was another thread where this discussion had just started. The only "sweet spot" I've ever heard of is in relation to aperture - one or two stops down from wide open. For yours: the 18-105 is about f/5.6 - f/9; the 50-300 would be about f/7 - f/9. YMMV.
Zooms have a varied amount of distortion throughout their range, so I'm guessing that is what is being referred to.
Since I like science (as well as art), I'd take a test shot at every 10mm or so, keeping the exposure settings the same and see at which point(s) the photos are most sharp. Since you're lenses have variable aperture (the max aperture is different at either end of the zoom range) you should shoot no larger than f/5.6 on them - f/8 would probably be better.
Zooms have a varied amount of distortion throughout their range, so I'm guessing that is what is being referred to.
Since I like science (as well as art), I'd take a test shot at every 10mm or so, keeping the exposure settings the same and see at which point(s) the photos are most sharp. Since you're lenses have variable aperture (the max aperture is different at either end of the zoom range) you should shoot no larger than f/5.6 on them - f/8 would probably be better.
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Mar 8, 2012 18:40:18 #
The sweet "spot" is usually the center 2/3 of the glass. This is the advantage of using FX glass on a DX sensor body, you get to use that sweet center spot for your entire image. The sweet "range" is usually the mid aperture settings on your lens. Seldom is wide open or fully stopped down nearly as sweet as mid apertures. I find I usually shoot most of my wildlife and landscape shots at F8 to F11 for the best results. And all my lenses are full frame (FX) lenses that I shoot on my D90 and D7000 (DX) bodies to best utilize the sweet spots.
Mar 8, 2012 20:22:34 #
Mar 8, 2012 20:46:18 #
Wabbit
Loc: Arizona Desert
jlrivera wrote:
Today y found this in Digital Photography School: ... (show quote)
I've never heard of the sweet spot referring to anything other than the aperture.
But I haven't heard everything yet
Mar 9, 2012 09:50:53 #
Use Snowbird's suggestion but use a tripod. this will ensure consistency.
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Mar 9, 2012 11:11:18 #
If you reallty want to get into it - google "lensalign" - its a mechanical system for finding the sharpest "sweet" spot of your lense.
Mar 9, 2012 11:33:08 #
I agree with MT. I use Canon with crop sensors, 40d and 50d. All my lenses are meant for FF cameras. Even my 'cheapest lens' Tamron 70-300 f/3.5 is sharp through it's range as long as I am in the range of f/5.6 to f/11 f/8 seems to be the best on this lens.
The drawback to using FF lenses on crop sensors is the multiplication factor. My wide angle 17mm is really a 27mm on my cameras. But this can be an advantage with long lenses. My 300mm is really a 460mm.
The drawback to using FF lenses on crop sensors is the multiplication factor. My wide angle 17mm is really a 27mm on my cameras. But this can be an advantage with long lenses. My 300mm is really a 460mm.
Mar 9, 2012 12:16:36 #
docrob
Loc: Durango, Colorado
jlrivera wrote:
Today y found this in Digital Photography School: ... (show quote)
one could assume each lens would be different....you'll have to find it I guess
Mar 9, 2012 12:51:44 #
Wabbit
Loc: Arizona Desert
docrob wrote:
quote=jlrivera Today y found this in Digital Phot... (show quote)
Nope, nothing to look for Doc, it's primarily the center part of the lens and working outwards to approximately 2/3 of the objective lens. Can't be anything else.
Ever notice how sharp macro is when shot properly with a good macro lens. You only use the center of the glass.
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Mar 9, 2012 13:48:48 #
Mar 10, 2012 01:18:26 #
I suggest that you look for reviews of your specific lens. Well-tested lenses and well-written reviews should answer your question.
If you want to test your lens yourself, buy a target or use something like a newspaper. I wonder if your monitor resolution might affect your results.
If you want to test your lens yourself, buy a target or use something like a newspaper. I wonder if your monitor resolution might affect your results.
Mar 10, 2012 01:58:31 #
jlrivera wrote:
Today y found this in Digital Photography School: ... (show quote)
It's usually somewhere around the middle range.
Mar 10, 2012 12:09:54 #
abc1234 wrote:
I suggest that you look for reviews of your specific lens. Well-tested lenses and well-written reviews should answer your question.
If you want to test your lens yourself, buy a target or use something like a newspaper. I wonder if your monitor resolution might affect your results.
If you want to test your lens yourself, buy a target or use something like a newspaper. I wonder if your monitor resolution might affect your results.
Thanks for your help!
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