85 1.8 and 70-200 4L

[msvadi]

85 1.8 and 70-200 4L are, probably, the most popular telephoto lenses around here. Can somebody post comparison pictures (100% crops, unprocessed), the same subject taken with each lens at 85mm and, say, f/4 or f/5.6? And it would be absolutely fantastic also too see the same picture taken with 75-300.

Thanks a lot in advance :)

[maderito]

msvaldi,

I have both lenses and love them both with the edge to the 85/1.8 for sharpness. But I've never shot a comparison. So I'm midly interested, even though the results won't likely change my habits since I use the lenses for very different settings.

If nobody posts an example before the weekend, I'll give it a try.

[roanjohn]

I'll try to grant your request as I have both lenses in quetion - when I get the chance.

Without a doubt though, the 85 f1.8 will be sharper. This lens is super super sharp from 2.8 and beyond.

Ro1

[msvadi]

Thanks, guys :) I cannot wait to see the pictures :)

I have an idea actually. Why won't we start a few "sticky" threads for various lenses, where people can post their opinions and test shots? Questions regarding lenses are being asked all the time

A thread for each lens is too much, but we can make one for wide angle, one for telephoto and another one for universal zooms, like 28-135 and 24-70. What do you think?

[Haifidelity]

You can view Pbase.com's Camera Database for pictures from certain lenses. What I really like about it is that there are also lens shots on film bodies.

[drisley]

I have both these lenses and they are both awesome!

I dont have exactly the same picture, but I took these pictures within 10 minutes of each other, both at F4, and the quality is VERY similar.

70-200F4L @70mm
http://www.mts.net/~lftbrain/rebel/dance/hi_nbour_june05_035_std.jpg

85F1.8 @F4.0
http://www.mts.net/~lftbrain/rebel/dance/hi_nbour_june05_037_std.jpg

[drisley]

Your wish is my command
http://www.mts.net/~lftbrain/genie.gif

Here are 100% crops, both taken at F4.0.
The 70-200mm shot was actually at 81mm instead of 85mm unfortunately.
Shots were RAW, processed with C1 Pro default settings. No other post processing.
But, just as my past experience with these lenses has shown, the iq is VERY close. I used AF on both shots. I probably should have used MF instead to make the comparison more fair. The 85mm looks SLIGHTLY softer, but I would chalk that up to chance (AF, positioning, etc)

85mm F1.8 @F4.0
http://www.mts.net/~lftbrain/rebel/comparison/85.jpg


70-200mm F4L @F4.0
http://www.mts.net/~lftbrain/rebel/comparison/70_200.jpg

[maderito]

In preparation for the assignment, I read Norman Koren's "tutorial" on lens testing here (http://www.normankoren.com/Tutorials/MTF5.html) and quickly decided to leave lens resolution testing to pros like Norman. My approach was more utilitarian and perhaps reflective of real-world shooting experience.

I downloaded a resolution chart, snipped out the horizontal resolution part, pasted it onto the back of Photoshop Magazine, clipped it onto a box of Ilford Galeries Smooth Pearl Paper, propped up everything on a convenient spot in our sunporch, attached my 10D to a sturdy tripod (as instructed), mounted the 85/1.8 followed by the 70-200/4.0, and fired away (RAW captures) ignoring all advice about mirror lock up and other niceties. I then RAW processed, added a little sharpening (controversial, I know), and cropped out the resolution chart.

Here are the 100% crops. The uncropped image is in the lower left corner. Except for the 85mm @ f/1.8 (which ain't bad), I think the results are about the same for both lenses. Surprising to me!
http://display.lifepics.com/imgdisp.asp?filespec=%60foxhx2cuxmwdogx%5D9%3C%3D8 %3B9dOjeOrmlffwoubyrysxb90oqn%1264%3E7%3D9%0E17975 %3D


I went out later in the day and snapped this shot of a young lady at a neighborhod fair with my 70-200/f4 @ 200mm f/8.0, 1/500, ISO 200.
http://display.lifepics.com/imgdisp.asp?filespec=%60foxhx2cuxmwdogx%5D9%3C%3D8 %3B9dOjeOrmlfFZYd%3A%3C%3A92tso%0B51%3A%40%3D5%133 8252%3E

I searched my files for a similar shot with the 85 mm, cropped out the eye (100%), and made this comparison with the above shot. Note that the shooting conditions are quite different. But in terms of sharpness, the results again are quite similar.
http://display.lifepics.com/imgdisp.asp?filespec=%60foxhx2cuxmwdogx%5D9%3C%3D8 %3B9dOjeOrmlffwoubyrysx66luh%10968%3D9%3C%0B5179%3 A8

That's my first and last attempt at lens comparisons. Comments welcomed. Criticism will be appropriately filed. :D

[msvadi]

Thanks a lot, guys, for posting the pictures! I think that even if 70-200 is a little bit sharper, one would not notice the difference in the real life shots. Now I have to decided which one is better for me.

[drisley]

Maderito, great test!
That pretty much shows what I have found in real use.
The two lenses are almost exactly the same sharpness, however the L lens controls fringing better (although it's not that bad at all on the 85mm)