legalese78 Loc: New Orleans

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Yes, it's a worthwhile article. However, lab tests are lab tests. There is probably little difference that is noticeable to people looking at an image. Sure, I want the best lens I can purchase. That said, I've my personal choice of manufacturers for each of the cameras I use. Their reputation for producing sharp lenses is all that's necessary.
--Bob

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Key messages I tok generally,
1) primes are better than zooms at a given focal point.
2) Zooms of 1 Part number vary from copy to copy in sharpness and at different focal points
3) dont argue online about "this zoom is better at 70 than 200" because you are likely just arguing about point#2 :-)

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Roger Cicala is a good source of information when it comes to lenses. His business is to check and rent lenses of all kinds. I know he is very knowledgeable and when he tests a lens I am confident in his opinion.
I agree with Bob, tests are tests. For a long time we have known that primes are "better" than zooms but when we talk about professional zooms perhaps a testing bench will throw light at us but in practice things are totally different.
I for one am not living searching for the sharpest lens that exists. Modern lenses are sharp enough regardless of who manufactures the lens. It is our expertise and technique what get the best of lenses.
I do not have a single lens and, I have zooms and primes, that did not do a good job when I did my part. Lenses for some reason are all of the sudden sharper when we place the camera on a tripod and use good techniques.
I see so often in the forum photographers looking for the "sharpest" lens they can buy. A professional can do with an entry level camera what many amateurs cannot do with a professional lens and body.
Think about this the next time you ask about the best lens available for your camera.

G_Manos Loc: Bala Cynwyd, PA

Excellent article, very informative. Thank you, Legalese.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

I have no doubt that a "good" prime may be very slightly sharper than a zoom of equal quality. The problem is tho, using a prime means that 99% of the time, the final image will have to be cropped because the prime lens will be too short (forget all that crap about "cropping with your feet" which results in a less desirable perspective). A good zoom allows one to determine the optimum perspective (camera location) first, then crop in the camera, probably resulting in a superior final image.