lens question from anonymous

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  pathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,699 moderator

  October 22, 2005 edited October 22, 2005

  PM'd to Andy..
  "Originally Posted by anonymous
  I put this query elsewhere on the forum but thought you could help
  having quite a number of cameras and lenses in your arsenal:
  
  I am soon going to purchase a Canon EOS 5D and want to be sure to buy
  the best optics in terms of sharpness, contrast, color, distorsion, etc.
  
  I have for years been using Leica M and the lenses which are known for
  their very high quality.
  
  First, I would like to know if I should expect all Canon lenses to
  behave similarly on the 5D compared to the 1Ds Mark II (given that both are
  full frame while however not having exactly the same sensor).
  
  Second, will I obtain superior results with the following lenses
  compared particularly to the 24-70 f/2.8L lens (and if so, with which lenses
  and for which criteria):
  
  - 24mm f/1.4L
  - 28 f/1.8 or 28mm f/2.8 (Aside from lens speed, which lens is superior
  in terms of sharpness, contrast, color, distorsion, etc.?)
  - 35 f/1.4L
  - 50 f/1.4
  - 85 f/1.8 or 100 f/2.0 (Which lens is superior in terms of sharpness,
  contrast, color, distorsion, etc.?)
  
  In essence I am seeking the ultimate quality for my landscape and
  portrait use and want to have the most objective opinion possible.
  
  Many thanks for your feedback as I want to invest wisely in my new
  system without regret."
  
  If you want the most objective opinion possible, start by purchasing an optical lab bench and a resolution chart..... Nah, I'll just ask the dgrinners
  
  In my casual understanding of the 5D versus the 1DsMkll, the images seem very similar, maybe very slightly less noise in the 5d in the images Andy posted.
  
  As Michael Reichman has stated several times, the resolution of the sensor in the 1DsMkll will challenge the very best of lenses, and yields images that compare favorably to medium format or 6x6 color negative images. I agree with this opinion. Good glass is worthwhile and noticeable with the 1DsMkll.
  
  The best online source of information about lenses that I am aware of, is still, photodo.com. Their evaluation of Canon lenses can be found here - http://www.photodo.com/nav/prodindex.html
  
  They do not and will not have evaluations of all Canon lenses, but do for most of them.
  
  They do not rate the 24 f1.4 L
  
  They rate the 28 f2.8 higher than the 28 f1.8 3.8 versus 3.2 Modest numbers both of them
  
  The 35 f1.4 L is rated a 4. This is pretty good. The lens has nice bokeh. I like it.
  
  The 50 f1.4 USM is rated even higher at 4.4 Inexpensive too. Everyone should own one!!
  
  The 85 f1.8 receives a 4.2, but the 85 f1.2 gets a bell ringing 4.6 The slower lens focuses much faster with a USM motor, but the color and bokeh of the f1.2 is superb. I own both of them.
  
  The 135 F2 L gets a 4.5 also - Also very nice.
  
  The 100 f2 USM gets a 4.2
  
  Generally lenses rated higher than a 4 are thought capable of first class images.
  
  Canon telephotos tend to be higher rated than their wide angles. If you ask Andy real nice ( send him some ribs maybe) he might relate his experience with the Zeiss 21mm lenses on an EOS adapter on a 1DsMkll
  
  The sensor is so demanding in the 1DsMkll, that meticulous technique is required to fulfill its promise. Heavy tripods, mirror lock up, cable release, yadda yadda yadda . Lack of very meticulous technique will negate any benefit of great optics.
  
  I hope this discourse wil be of some limited help to you.

  Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com
  
  Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin

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