Test of three fast Nikkors: 55/1.2, 50/1.4 SC, and 50/1.4 AF

[Brian]

Another test, using a Monochrome Digital camera. Center Crop: 2.5x.

Pixel Resolution is 9microns, image size is 1536x1024, sensor is a KAF-1600. Lenses tested with a Hot Mirror filter to cut Infrared.

Focus point is the side-trim of the super-27 viewfinder, to the right as seen in the image.

Nikkor 55mm F1.2 AI series lens,
At F1.2



At F1.4


At F2


At F4:

[Brian]

Nikkor-SC 50mm F1.4 Factory AI Converted,

At F1.4


At F2


At F4:

[Brian]

The AF Nikkor did much better on this camera, a N8008s with a DCS200 Digital Back. I'm not sure what happened on the other test. I used manual focus with used focus confirm for this test, and did not let the camera perform AF. Maybe a mechanical backlash?

Another test, using a Monochrome Digital camera. Center Crop: 2.5x.

Pixel Resolution is 9microns, sensor is a KAF-1600. Lenses tested with a Hot Mirror filter to cut Infrared.

At F1.4


At F2

[Brian]

The images are read from the camera's SCSI Hard Drive in Raw format, and converted to lossless BMP files using my FORTRAN/Assembler program. Photoshop is used to convert to JPEG using Lossless compression. No contrast enhancements used, this is basically the grey-scale coming off of the sensor. This is a 1992 DSLR, and does not use an AA filter, Bayer Filter, or IR cutoff filter. I used the same Hot Mirror filter over the lenses for the test. Crop factor is 2.5x, and the camera was at ~3.5ft. Nikkor primes have always been good wide-open and close-up.

[spiralcity]

The 55 wide open looks very soft in this series of test. Actually it seemed quite soft until f/4. Maybe a bit more crisp that the 50mm-S at f/4. Not much, but maybe it has a slight edge.

[Brian]

Bear in mind that this is a 2.5x crop factor with a sensor that is about 14mm across, and >50LP/mm resolution. My monitor is set to 1600x1200 resolution. Looking at it on a monitor, It's about the equivalent of the center section of a 20"x30" enlargement of a 35mm negative.

I'm surprised that the light-chrome print "Made in USA" on the chrome finish on the Instamatic 150 can be read at all.

[FK]

This is an interesting series of photos however, it also demonstrates depth of field more than lens sharpness.

Regards,
FK

[Attila]

Nice to see you here !