What is the F-stop that you get the sharpest image with .
My lens seems to be the best at F8 for 17-25 mm and around f11 for 25 to 40 mm . I only tested it by taking a photo of something at around two feet . Will this change at longer distances ??
Thanks in advance !!!!!!!!!!
Robk.
Posted by Zack Schnepf on March 6, 2008 at 3:36 AM
It's a pretty solid lens all around, I've gotten very good results throughout it's range. The sharpest range seems to be from f/8 - f/16
This has been my workhorse lens for a number of years now, I'll be upgrading to the 16-35L II soon, but the 17-40 has been very good to me, especially considering the relative low cost.
I have been trying to convince my wife that i need to up grade from my 20D to a 5D . She just went from a $3,000 Violin to a $10,000 one , so she can't say tooo much !!!
Agreed, it's a very solid lens, and mine seems to be at it's best at around f/11. That's on a 1DmIII. Diffraction might be more pronounced sooner on a smaller sized sensor.
f8-f11 is usually the sharpest aperature for most lenses. It depends on the lens though, but that region is usually a safe bet.
You'll probably find there is some difference in sharpness at different focussing distances, especially with a zoom and close. But if you need to shoot a zoom at something 2 feet away, shoot. Your lens has a very high starting point for image quality and any loss will be slight.
Don't get too hung up having to use just that aperature range. If you need f22, go for it. Yes, you'll lose some quality due to diffraction, but there are worse things. Just because an image can be printed to 20x30 doesn't mean you have to or even that it is a good idea.
As other have said already I believe that f11 is the best compromise. Lower than that and you will see corner softness. If you go higher diffraction will kick in.
I own the lens and use it on a 5D. As others have noted, I get the best results at about f11 but I don't hesitate to use the full f-stop range. Great all-around lens. The 5D is a workhorse for me. I moved from a 10D to it and, wow , it was nice. So much detail and the ability to crop if needed. Plus you got the wife right where you want her. How can I get my wife to take up the violin??
I own a 5D, before that, I had a 40D,which is a fine camera.About a month ago I was shooting indoors with the 40D,when a friend showed up with his 5D.He let me try the 5D with the 24-105L I was using on the 40D,,what a difference!!!! with only natural light, the images were great.Two days after that I sold the 40D ,,,(had no other choice) and got the 5D. jjsifo
Discussion
8 repliesMy lens seems to be the best at F8 for 17-25 mm and around f11 for 25 to 40 mm . I only tested it by taking a photo of something at around two feet . Will this change at longer distances ??
Thanks in advance !!!!!!!!!!
Robk.
This has been my workhorse lens for a number of years now, I'll be upgrading to the 16-35L II soon, but the 17-40 has been very good to me, especially considering the relative low cost.
How do you like your 5D ??
I have been trying to convince my wife that i need to up grade from my 20D to a 5D . She just went from a $3,000 Violin to a $10,000 one , so she can't say tooo much !!!
Wim
You'll probably find there is some difference in sharpness at different focussing distances, especially with a zoom and close. But if you need to shoot a zoom at something 2 feet away, shoot. Your lens has a very high starting point for image quality and any loss will be slight.
Don't get too hung up having to use just that aperature range. If you need f22, go for it. Yes, you'll lose some quality due to diffraction, but there are worse things. Just because an image can be printed to 20x30 doesn't mean you have to or even that it is a good idea.
It works great on my 5D.
Then i woke up and released i did not have one yet !!!