SHARPEST lenses for Nikon DSLR's

I was wondering what YOUR opinion is on which lens is sharpest for Nikon DSLR's

Depends on the use and how you're printing or using. on an 8x10, I defy anyone to identify a big difference between a

50mm f1.8 or a cheapo 18-55 both stopped down to f8 or f11.

 

I think that you need to specify sharpest (or best) for a particular use. My 55mm micro is a GREAT sharp lens... also not

so great for wide-angle... ;-)

btw,

 

check http://www.photodo.com/

 

You can get pretty good, objective measurements of sharpness there.

By sharpest do you mean greatest resolving power or highest contrast, and do you mean an average across the range of f stops or a particular f stop? Are you limiting the discussion to Nikon lenses or can others qualify, including older MF lenses which work on current model Nikon DSLRs? You need to provide more info to qualify your question so an answer is possible.

I left this question open-ended...I want people to discuss their favorite lenses and why? any use...any aperture...what lens hits it every time?

In that case.

 

No lens I've ever used comes close to the results I get from my 50mm f1.8 and my 55mm f3.5. the 55 close up, the 50 at

6' or more.

<i>what lens hits it every time?</i>

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None that I've ever used. By all reports, the new 14-24/2.8 is pretty swell that way. Never the less, it's sort of a silly, the-laws-of-physics-meets-real-life-but-who-cares question. "Hitting" a sharp image every time is easy, if the lens is only designed to work under very narrow circumstances, and you stay within those bounds. So, you could say that any of a number of Nikkor macro lenses jump right out... but they're only deadly sharp when used for what they're supposed to do.... which is very, very specific.

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So, come now... what are you <i>really</i> asking?

The answer is easy--the one used with a tripod and lens hood and set at the f stop to produce the sharpest image for that lens given the conditions present at that time. Joe Smith

I agree with the above. REAL sharpness comes from a solid tripod. If you are trying to handhold and want maximum sharpness, you are kidding yourself.

 

 

Kent in SD

But Kent, you are being a realist, and that doesn't work for I spent $x,xxx on the best lens in the world for bragging rights does it. :)

I am absolutely amazed...floored by

 

Nikkor 105 Micro f2.8 AF-D.

 

Same quality results f2.8 to f16. Be it Macro, Portrait or Landscape. I personally think it is better than the AF-S version in a given scenario. May be it is my sample.

I think a more appropriate question, is what Nikon lens isn't so sharp. . .as has been mentioned, per tripod and f stop, all of mine perform well per application, except the 24-120mm which I ditched because it never was clean for me after trying three different models.

 

If you are aging, sharp ain't all that great if you get my wrinkly drift. . .

Of course assuming good technique or high speed (>1/500) shooting. Technique definitely makes the glass sharper. ;-)

 

50 f1.8/1.4 is great, but the apperture range for sharp pics is limited May be f5.6 - f12. Can get a bit soft.

The question is not easy to answer a practical perspective, it's even more difficult to answer from a practical perspective, since there are so many factors determining sharpness.

 

The 50 1.8 at f/8 produces the sharpest results I know. The 24-70 f/2.8 comes very close; and though it's "slighly less sharp", it does seem to produce more vibrant and saturated colors. The 24-70 f/2.8's performance is also fairly uniform throughout its FL coverage. It's sharp even at f/2.8 (sharper than the 50 f/1.8 at f/2.8), has a buttery bokeh and minimal distortion.

70-200mm at f2.8. My copy is exceptional!

I think Rochelle was merely looking to facilitate an interesting discussion on our personal experiences and objective

opinions - not write a published research report.

 

Personally, I love the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 (I'm sure the new 1.4 is outstanding as well). I tend to imagine that you'll yield

the very best image with a prime lens as opposed to anything else, but as stated numerous times above, an f.1,4 or 1.8

(even the 2.8 lenses) result in excellent images. I love my 105mm 2.8 and even though I think the results are amazing,

I think compared side-by-side, and in the right conditions, that the prime 1.4/1.8s may be a bit sharper.

 

Good question - I'm interested in hearing what people think.

Of the lenses I use often, I find the 35/2 consistently sharp especially when used at f/4 and above. It really is a

wonderful lens for the money.

 

Same story from 85/1.4 though its applications are different

I have been REAL happy with all my Nikkor lenses.

 

I have the 24-70mm, the 14-24mm, the 85mm and the 70-200mm and they have all been much sharper than the Canon equivalents. The Canon 70-200 was pretty nice but my 16-35mm had horrible edge to edge sharpness and 24-70mm was bad with back focusing and the typical issues that others complain about.

My favorites: 16mm fisheye, 14mm, 15mm, 17-35mm, 18mm (had one that was and one that wasn't), 17-55mm, 20mm f/2.8, 24mm f/2, (the f/2.8 is good as well), 45mm f/2.8 GN and P, 50mm f/1.8, 105mm f/2.5, 105 Micro (as mentioned before), 85mm f/1.8 and f/1.4 (though the 1.8 is a little cooler), 180mm f/2.8, 200mm Micro, 300mm f/4, f/2.8 are my favorites. I shoot with other Nikkors, and I like them for other reasons besides sharpness alone. There are also others I simply don't have enough experience with. I suspect the 14-24mm is one of those for example, but not enough all around experience to know. 70-200mm f/2.8 maybe.

My favorite lens that I've used is the 17-55 f2.8, but the reasons are not only for its sharpness, but for it's beautiful color and contrast.

Don't forget the 300's thru 600's super telephotos. My 600 f4 is the sharpest lens I have.<div></div>

This question is hounding me. So I did some tests. This is Nikon D300 Nikon AF 85 mm f1.8. Full frame with the widest

edge sized to 700 pixels.<div></div>

This is the same bottle with the Canon 1DsMk3 Canon 85 mm f1.2L Mk2. Full frame with zero manipulation from

Photoshop except for sizing.<div></div>

The Nikon image at 100% crop.<div></div>

100% crop from Canon<div></div>