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Lens ComparisonsStefano Prezioso

Lens Image Characteristics

Resolution (Sharpness)

Distortion

Vignette (Light Falloff)

Chromatic Aberration

Resolution

How “sharp” the lens is Contrast Resolving Power of

Detail

Measured and Quantified in MTF Charts

Lenses “Out Resolve” the Sensor

Distortion

Three types Pincushion Barrel Mustache

Most noticeable at edges/corners

Usually Correctable

Vignette

Amount of Light Fall Off in Lens

Increases as Distance from Center Increases

Measured in Exposure Value (EV) Stops

Correctable in Post Processing

Chromatic Aberration

Different Colors Converge at Different Points

Good Lenses are Corrected

Correctable in Post-Processing

Nikon Brand Lens Candidates

Nikkor AF-S 14-24 f/2.8 G ED

Nikkor AF 14mm f/2.8 D ED

Nikkor AF-S DX 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED

Nikkor AF-S 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED DX

Sigma Brand Lens Candidates

Sigma EX 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM

Sigma AF 10-20mm f/4-5.6 DC EX HSM

Sigma AF 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX HSM DG

Tamron/Tokina/Samyung Lens Candidates

Tamron SP AF 10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di II LD Aspherical IF

Tokina AF 12-24mm f/4 AT-X Pro DX

Samyang 14 mm f/2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical

Pricing Overview

Nikkor AF-S 14-24 f/2.8 G ED $1549

Nikkor AF 14mm f/2.8 D ED $1390

Nikkor AF-S DX 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED $780

Nikkor AF-S 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED DX $900

Sigma EX 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM $649

Sigma AF 10-20mm f/4-5.6 DC EX HSM $479

Sigma AF 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX HSM DG $859

Tamron SP AF 10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di II LD Aspherical IF

$474

Tokina AF 12-24mm f/4 AT-X Pro DX $499

Samyang 14 mm f/2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical $426

Resolution at f/8 14mm

Lens Center f/8

Edge f/8

Extreme f/8

Nikkor AF-S 14-24 f/2.8 G ED @ f/4 2212.5 2143.5 2051.5

Nikkor AF 14mm f/2.8 D ED 2176 1981 1750.5

Nikkor AF-S DX 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED 2099 2038 1863

Nikkor AF-S 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED DX @ 18mm

2113 1898.5 1839.5

Sigma EX 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM @ 15mm

2144 2020 1861

Sigma AF 10-20mm f/4-5.6 DC EX HSM @ f/5.6

2181 1993 1780

Sigma AF 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX HSM DG @ 17mm

2037 2000.5 No Data

Tamron SP AF 10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di II LD Aspherical IF

2100 1884 1479

Tokina AF 12-24mm f/4 AT-X Pro DX @ f/5.6 18mm

2104.5 1890.5 1756

Samyang 14 mm f/2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical Awesome

Superb Great

Bad Resolution Results

Nikkor AF 14mm f/2.8 D ED

Nikkor AF-S 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED DX

Sigma AF 10-20mm f/4-5.6 DC EX HSM

Tamron SP AF 10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di II LD Aspherical IF

Tokina AF 12-24mm f/4 AT-X Pro DX

Distortion Results

Nikkor AF-S DX 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED

Very Good from 14mm-18mm

Nikkor AF-S 14-24 f/2.8 G ED 14mm: Very Slight 18mm+: Exceptional

Sigma EX 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM

15mm: Almost Perfect

Sigma AF 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX HSM DG

Very Good throughout

Samyang 14 mm f/2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical

Absolutely Awful

Chromatic Aberration Results

Nikkor AF-S DX 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED

Moderate

Nikkor AF-S 14-24 f/2.8 G ED Good

Sigma EX 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM

Moderate

Sigma AF 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX HSM DG

Terrible

Samyang 14 mm f/2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical

Stunning

Vignetting Results

Nikkor AF-S DX 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED

0.51 EV

Nikkor AF-S 14-24 f/2.8 G ED 0.2 EV

Sigma EX 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM

0.45 EV

Samyang 14 mm f/2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical

1.36 EV

DxO Optics Pro 6

Automatically corrects… everything.

Calibrated to specific camera and lens set up

Compatible with only certain lens/camera combinations

$169 for standard edition. EDU discount?

Final Picks

Sigma 10mm-20mm f/3.5 Distortion free from 14mm-20mm Sharp Decent CA and Vignetting Characteristics

Samyang 14mm f/2.8 Super Sharp Perfect CA Characteristics Bad Distortion and Vignetting

Surprise Lens

Sigma 14mm f/3.5 Older Lens (Replaced by f/2.8 version) No Profiles for Corrections (To my knowledge) Sharp, Good Distortion Characteristics Long Term Loan… Free