Lens "Sweet Spot"
Feb 20, 2023 12:12:39 #
Here are acuity/sharpness graphs of several diff ent lenses I own. As you can see, there is no universal rule for the aperture of the “sweet spot”
Feb 20, 2023 13:05:37 #
Canisdirus wrote:
Depends on the lens...as always.
The goal is...to find the lens you need...that has no real sweet spot...great out of the gate...only falling to diffraction at f/16 or something.
That's the holy grail....and they 'usually' cost a pretty penny.
Quality almost always involves increased cost.
The goal is...to find the lens you need...that has no real sweet spot...great out of the gate...only falling to diffraction at f/16 or something.
That's the holy grail....and they 'usually' cost a pretty penny.
Quality almost always involves increased cost.
For most ALL photography I have seen posted here a "sweet spot" is not needed.
Most modern lenses are excellent and even for birds which seem to be just the center of the photo corners are irrelevant.
There are many other factors that come into play with most photos like stability, subject motion, focus accuracy and the atmosphere among others that have a far greater effect than a sweet spot with very few photographic exceptions like flat chart photos etc.
Feb 20, 2023 13:24:52 #
Architect1776 wrote:
For most ALL photography I have seen posted here a "sweet spot" is not needed.
Most modern lenses are excellent and even for birds which seem to be just the center of the photo corners are irrelevant.
There are many other factors that come into play with most photos like stability, subject motion, focus accuracy and the atmosphere among others that have a far greater effect than a sweet spot with very few photographic exceptions like flat chart photos etc.
Most modern lenses are excellent and even for birds which seem to be just the center of the photo corners are irrelevant.
There are many other factors that come into play with most photos like stability, subject motion, focus accuracy and the atmosphere among others that have a far greater effect than a sweet spot with very few photographic exceptions like flat chart photos etc.
Most lenses have sweet spots...no denying that.
Only the very best ones...have the slightest improvements.
But most perform best at a certain aperture...cost vs engineering.
Other things always come into play.
Feb 20, 2023 15:10:16 #
Canisdirus wrote:
Most lenses have sweet spots...no denying that.
Only the very best ones...have the slightest improvements.
But most perform best at a certain aperture...cost vs engineering.
Other things always come into play.
Only the very best ones...have the slightest improvements.
But most perform best at a certain aperture...cost vs engineering.
Other things always come into play.
I don't deny that there is some sweet spot.
But it is way down on the list of concerns.
You have a f1.2 lens for a reason, shallow DOF. Stopping down 2-3 stops destroys that.
Feb 20, 2023 15:32:50 #
LXK0930 wrote:
I have read that the "Sweet Spot" for prime (fixed) lenses is generally about 2 stops down from the lens's maximum aperture.
What about for zoom lenses, where the maximum aperture decreases as you zoom?
What about for zoom lenses, where the maximum aperture decreases as you zoom?
Your opener line is "I have read that .... ".
IOW you begin with something you do not actually *know* and then ask if, based on what youve only read about, would some other situation be similar or be different.
I can assure you, based on my use, not based on something someone else wrote, that you can rest easy and erase your question from your mind. It just wont actually matter.
Acoarst the problem is that my advice to you, as received by you, is ALSO merely more stuff that you have only read about but not experienced. IOW, reality bites.
Feb 20, 2023 16:07:13 #
Manglesphoto wrote:
Just shoot the photos!! Most people will never know if you hit "The sweet Spot" including you!
.........ALL lenses are better stopped down - this is NOT urban legend but the laws of physics - and yes, DXO has their own way of doing things - which may or may not reflect REALITY !Feb 20, 2023 16:25:28 #
2 stops down from maximum is usually the best but I would never let this get in the way of creativity.
Feb 20, 2023 17:08:13 #
Dennis833 wrote:
2 stops down from maximum is usually the best but I would never let this get in the way of creativity.
Again all modern lenses are excellent even wide open.
Compared to all the old favorites rehashed as being so wonderful.
Additionally most modern mirrorless make up for flaws that are there.
These old "Rules" in spite of "Physics" being bandied about.
Take the photo with the needed aperture and don't worry about some elusive sweet spot.
Feb 20, 2023 17:39:37 #
imagemeister wrote: .........ALL lenses are better stopped down - this is NOT urban legend but the laws of physics - and yes, DXO has their own way of doing things - which may or may not reflect REALITY !
.........ALL lenses are better stopped down - this is NOT urban legend but the laws of physics - and yes, DXO has their own way of doing things - which may or may not reflect REALITY !Did you see the first two acuity charts of actual tests of real lenses I own that I posted a few posts back on this thread? I can name some number of lenses that are sharpest wide open (including) the ones I tested. The Canon fast L series teles such as the 300 f2.8L are sharpest wide open for example. Not an urban legend - factual data.
Feb 20, 2023 18:08:40 #
TriX wrote:
Did you see the first two acuity charts of actual tests of real lenses I own that I posted a few posts back on this thread? I can name some number of lenses that are sharpest wide open (including) the ones I tested. The Canon fast L series teles such as the 300 f2.8L are sharpest wide open for example. Not an urban legend - factual data.
I was always told that the high end long primes are designed to be sharpest wide open . I always shoot my 500 & 800s wide open to use higher shutter speeds.
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Feb 20, 2023 18:20:17 #
TriX wrote:
Did you see the first two acuity charts of actual tests of real lenses I own that I posted a few posts back on this thread? I can name some number of lenses that are sharpest wide open (including) the ones I tested. The Canon fast L series teles such as the 300 f2.8L are sharpest wide open for example. Not an urban legend - factual data.
How many times have you (or others) "wasted your breath" trying to school Imagemeister ? The username and avatar ought to tell you all you need to know :-(
Leave him to his image "meistery" and his galaxy ruling RX1xx pocket cameras.
Feb 20, 2023 18:30:13 #
Canisdirus wrote:
Depends on the lens...as always.
The goal is...to find the lens you need...that has no real sweet spot...great out of the gate...only falling to diffraction at f/16 or something.
That's the holy grail....and they 'usually' cost a pretty penny.
Quality almost always involves increased cost.
The goal is...to find the lens you need...that has no real sweet spot...great out of the gate...only falling to diffraction at f/16 or something.
That's the holy grail....and they 'usually' cost a pretty penny.
Quality almost always involves increased cost.
Feb 20, 2023 18:32:48 #
Feb 20, 2023 18:55:59 #
maranatha wrote:
Yes son in law has one 25000 pound sterling
Your daughter seems to have married well, if not wisely ...
Feb 20, 2023 19:04:17 #
Architect1776 wrote:
I don't deny that there is some sweet spot.
But it is way down on the list of concerns.
You have a f1.2 lens for a reason, shallow DOF. Stopping down 2-3 stops destroys that.
But it is way down on the list of concerns.
You have a f1.2 lens for a reason, shallow DOF. Stopping down 2-3 stops destroys that.
I'm not sure about that.
I will always take every advantage...if I can.
But... when I buy a lens for shallow DOF ... I buy the lens that is stellar wide open already.
So stopping down isn't a concern.
I nip it in the bud before I go into the field.
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