Lens test database

[Evin Grant]

I'm going to start testing various still lenses on my Nikon D2x which has an almost identical size and pixel count to the Red One. When I do get #199 I will begin to test cinema lenses and add actual Red frame grabs to that database. I'll include both web viewable and downloadable full res files. I'm going to try and keep the testing consice and consistent. I'll be doing this in my spare time so don't get antcy. I'd like to test at three different apertures and at medium distance and infinity. If any of you have suggestions for lenses you'd like to see or specific informaion you'd like me to incude please post it here.

I'll be starting with these Nikon lenses: (but give me some time)
17-35mm f2.8 AFS-D
28mm f1.4 AF-D
24mm f2.8 AF-D
35mm f2 AF-D (Newer formulation than AI)
50mm f1.4 AI
50mm f1.4 AF-D
60mm f2.8 AF Macro
85mm f1.4 AIS
105mm f2.8 AI Macro
135mm f2 AIS

This will not be a "Mesurbators" test, I'll post 100% crops but no trumpets or rescharts. I feel a subjective test gives a more useful indication of a lenses quality than pure numbers. I'm also open to testing annyone elses Nikon mount lens if you're curious how it stacks up. I'll test Canon FD lenses when I get the Red but there currently is no EOS camera with a dense enough sensor to match Red one.

Let the games begin.
I'll try to post the 50mm f1.4 this weekend.
E.

[Jared VanLeuven]

This will be a great resource. Thanks much, Evin!

[Akcelik]

thanks Evin! if you can get hold of a Voiktlander 12mm that would just make it even more special.

[Evin Grant]

Sorry Ace, I can't attach that lens to my D2x. Even though it has a mirrior lockup it's a pre-relese, so it goes back down immediately after the exposure. that means attaching that lens to my camera will essentially ruin both. We'll have to wait for Red One.

[chuck colburn]

Sorry Ace, I can't attach that lens to my D2x. Even though it has a mirrior lockup it's a pre-relese, so it goes back down immediately after the exposure. that means attaching that lens to my camera will essentially ruin both. We'll have to wait for Red One.

Wait for your RED camera and do the lens tests on it. Also do you have the proper lens test targets for the required tests? Or an eqvulanit sensor to record the results.

[chuck colburn]

Wait for your RED camera and do the lens tests on it. Also do you have the proper lens test targets for the required tests? Or an eqvulanit sensor to record the results.

I forget to ask . What is a "Mesurbators test" And also a "trumpet or rescharts"

Chuck

[Blair S. Paulsen]

Evin - that would be a tremendous service to this community. Thanks in advance and I promise not to be antscy.

[Poi Boy]

hey Evin,
If you get a chance and have them available can you include these manual lenses, 180 2.8,105 2.5, 20 2.8 , 35 2.0 and a 55 micro 2.8.
Aloha
-A

[Evin Grant]

Mesurbators are people who care more about the numbers than the pictures.
Numbers can help you determine if a lens resolves more but it tells you little about how the character of the lens might respond in diffrent situations.
I'm not intending to create an excell sheet of MTF graphs or LPM numbers.
Those can be found many other places on the web. Trumpets and res charts are the tools to measure resoution. I'm trying to create a call sheet of glass that you can refrence when you need either a particular look, or to fill a gap in your own arsenal. I'm starting with the glass I own plus what I'm buying for Red. I'll continue on from there.
My tests will still tell you if a lens is sharp and after looking at a few results you'll be able to see the differences yourself.
But sometimes you may want a softer lens for close ups and a crisp lens for wide shots. This has more to do with micro contrast than lines of resolved detail. That's why even though the Zeiss 50mm 1.4 has a higher rated resolution I prefer the Nikkor, it's smoother although not as smooth as the Leica M Summicron.

[chuck colburn]

Mesurbators are people who care more about the numbers than the pictures.
Numbers can help you determine if a lens resolves more but it tells you little about how the character of the lens might respond in diffrent situations.
I'm not intending to create an excell sheet of MTF graphs or LPM numbers.
Those can be found many other places on the web. Trumpets and res charts are the tools to measure resoution. I'm trying to create a call sheet of glass that you can refrence when you need either a particular look, or to fill a gap in your own arsenal. I'm starting with the glass I own plus what I'm buying for Red. I'll continue on from there.
My tests will still tell you if a lens is sharp and after looking at a few results you'll be able to see the differences yourself.
But sometimes you may want a softer lens for close ups and a crisp lens for wide shots. This has more to do with micro contrast than lines of resolved detail. That's why even though the Zeiss 50mm 1.4 has a higher rated resolution I prefer the Nikkor, it's smoother although not as smooth as the Leica M Summicron.

Hello Evin,

I see now said the blind man.

Chuck