Lens Sharpness
Apr 20, 2020 20:20:09 #
I am using a 1950's vintage NIKKOR-Q 200mm f/4 prime lens designed to be used on a Nikon F full frame camera which was modified for use on a Nikon d750. The attached photo shows A Bald Eagle photographed at
approximately 120 yards. The photo was shot at aperture priority, f/8, ISO 200, 1/400 sec. The camera was handheld but braced against a railing. Needless to say I am disappointed with the quality/sharpness of the photo. I re-created the shot using a tripod (focusing on the branches) and had the same results.
My question has to do with the quality of the lens. To members with experience using prime lenses, especially those with knowledge of older lenses, is this lack of clarity/sharpness/quality the best I can expect from this lens at similar distances?
approximately 120 yards. The photo was shot at aperture priority, f/8, ISO 200, 1/400 sec. The camera was handheld but braced against a railing. Needless to say I am disappointed with the quality/sharpness of the photo. I re-created the shot using a tripod (focusing on the branches) and had the same results.
My question has to do with the quality of the lens. To members with experience using prime lenses, especially those with knowledge of older lenses, is this lack of clarity/sharpness/quality the best I can expect from this lens at similar distances?
Apr 20, 2020 20:29:32 #
MRHooker2u wrote:
I am using a 1950's vintage NIKKOR-Q 200mm f/4 pri... (show quote)
It wasn't very sharp on my Nikon Ftn, so I am not surprised. Though I think that you may have a focus problem. Try focusing on other targets. I wouldn't spend much time with it - these are available for $30 on eBay.
Apr 20, 2020 20:31:59 #
MRHooker2u wrote:
I am using a 1950's vintage NIKKOR-Q 200mm f/4 pri... (show quote)
How much was this image cropped? It is very soft, but I’m not sure if it is out of focus (as it appears) or just an extreme crop. Perhaps testing on a closer target with no cropping might be useful in diagnosing this issue.
Apr 20, 2020 20:32:43 #
I did a BBF prior to taking the original photo. On the test with the tripod I used the LCD screen to focus on the limbs.
Apr 20, 2020 20:37:18 #
Apr 20, 2020 20:57:12 #
MRHooker2u wrote:
Yes the file was cropped. The original is attached.
My amateur opinion is that you need to get a lot closer or get a lot longer lens, but the experts may have a different opinion.
Apr 20, 2020 21:21:50 #
That much of a crop with that old of a lens might be the problem. Remember, that was the first 200mm Nikon made for their new, at the time, Nikon F, (in 1961, not the "50's). It might have only 4 elements and be single coated, adequate for the films of those days, not for the digital sensors of today's cameras. I had one just like it for my Nikon FM, and really liked the images I got with it in the '70s.
Apr 21, 2020 02:20:36 #
Pablo8
Loc: Nottingham UK.
Not long after I got mine, I got the MF. 180mm f/2.8. The 180 seemed much better, but heavy. That was later superceeded with the AF. 180 2.8. Much lighter. and currently still in use.
Apr 21, 2020 05:44:30 #
MRHooker2u wrote:
I did a BBF prior to taking the original photo. On the test with the tripod I used the LCD screen to focus on the limbs.
OK, I'm confused. The lens in question, the Nikon 200 f4 (I got mine in 1966) is a fully manual lens. Using BBF before shooting will do nothing as autofocus functionality wasn't invented for another decade. In my thinking your shot of the eagle is in remarkably good focus. The lens must have been set at something near infinity...
Those were very solid, sharp lenses for what they were.
Apr 21, 2020 05:53:30 #
As Steve Perry says, sometimes you just don’t have the shot. IMHO, a 200mm lens of any vintage is not really suitable for most wildlife photography.
Apr 21, 2020 06:00:39 #
MRHooker2u wrote:
Yes the file was cropped. The original is attached.
A lens of that era is unlikely to compare favourably with a modern lens. Much has been achieved with lens design in that 60 year span.
Even so, you are asking much of any 200mm lens at that distance and for that purpose. Your focus seems to be spot on, as the attached PP shows.
Apr 21, 2020 06:12:27 #
You can't ask for miracles when your subject is taking up such a minute part of the frame. Modern lenses would not do too much better at that magnification. Here is your image run through Topaz Sharpen AI plus a tiny dash of Focus Magic
Apr 21, 2020 07:38:18 #
ELNikkor wrote:
That much of a crop with that old of a lens might be the problem. Remember, that was the first 200mm Nikon made for their new, at the time, Nikon F, (in 1961, not the "50's). It might have only 4 elements and be single coated, adequate for the films of those days, not for the digital sensors of today's cameras. I had one just like it for my Nikon FM, and really liked the images I got with it in the '70s.
My 200Q lens, which I purchased in '71 was a big disappointment. I sold it shortly after I bought it, replacing it a few years later with a 300 mm f/4.5 ED. Unfortunately I have no images taken with either lens. My opinion is entirely based on recollection.
Crop or no crop, it is not a particularly sharp lens.
Here are a few heavily cropped images shot with a Sigma 150-600 Sport. The first a 1509x1997px crop from a 7360x4912px image. The second is an 1169x1157px crop from a 7360x4912px image.
As you can see, even with the extreme crop, it is quite sharp.
.
Apr 21, 2020 08:14:33 #
you are cropping too much .there are limits to enlarging pictures .with me , that shot would have been taken with my 800mm nikkor from the middle 80 s on a tripod with a D300 12 mp crop sensor camera at 400 iso , f8 , 500 sec .f8 is the max on that lens .most time i use f11 .i would end with something similar then you .you need to try to sneak closer .
Apr 21, 2020 08:23:16 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
MRHooker2u wrote:
I am using a 1950's vintage NIKKOR-Q 200mm f/4 pri... (show quote)
At 200 yards with a 1950's lens, I surprised it is as sharp as it is. I do wildlife photography, I would personally never attempt to shoot an Eagle at 200 yards, way too much atmosphere between me and the bird.
YOU NEED TO WORK ON WORKING CLOSER. I would also advise shooting a bottle of Dawn that has the little yellow duck on the label. Shoot it at about 30 feet, stop down on stop to f5.6 at 1/200 sec. or higher, blow up the result on your computer and see what you got. If your happy, learn how to get closer, if you don't like it, sorry, your out of luck.
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