fmw
No longer a newbie, moving up!
Deleted to satisfy critics.
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macro" zoom lenses don't focus as closely real macro lenses
The D800 really pushed lens quality when it first came out.
DxO mark identifies the resolved resolution of lenses so one can compare to the sensor resolution.
such as this example of the 60mm and d7000 ==> Nikon AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED mounted on Nikon D7000 : Tests and Reviews | DxOMark
macro" zoom lenses don't focus as closely real macro lenses
I'm finding that out. In Pentax line, 35mm macro limited will go down to about 6". The 100mm is double that at 12". Both are 1:1. Zooms are closer to 15"
Given that distance to subject affects lens performance it's no real surprise that when you set it to very close focus the dedicated macro prime lens wins against an expensive zoom and a known old crock.
And f18 on a DX sensor? Again the macro prime will perform much better at smaller apertures than the zooms because it's design is not as limited by the effects of diffraction.
Is this really an accurate guide to lens sharpness, or are you just saying that a lens that's specifically designed for close focus work at small apertures works better at close focus and smaller apertures than ones that aren't?
Finally it isn't a guide to lens sharpness.
All of these lenses were focused from about the same distance.
If you are worried about diffraction, then how do you explain that all three were shot at the same aperture? Diffraction is aperture dependent.
Finally it isn't a guide to lens sharpness. It is a demonstration for beginners (this is the beginner forum) about how lens quality matters and, in fact, matters more than sensor resolution. The lens forms the image. The sensor merely captures it. A great sensor can't fix a poorly formed image.
Finally it isn't a guide to lens sharpness.
Then why is the title of the thread "A Look At Lens Sharpness"?
Also, note this little gem from your original posting:
"If we were looking at the entire frame, the image would look sharp to us."
Isn't that what we should be looking at? As long as the image itself as it was meant to be presented is sharp, isn't that really what should be of concern to most folks?
Is there really any point at all to go pixel peeping to specifically find issues that can't really be seen when the photograph is viewed as intended?
Finally it isn't a guide to lens sharpness.
Then why is the title of the thread "A Look At Lens Sharpness"?
Also, note this little gem from your original posting:
"If we were looking at the entire frame, the image would look sharp to us."
Isn't that what we should be looking at? As long as the image itself as it was meant to be presented is sharp, isn't that really what should be of concern to most folks?
Is there really any point at all to go pixel peeping to specifically find issues that can't really be seen when the photograph is viewed as intended?
No reason. How silly of me to want to give information to beginners.
Interesting. I've really been torn between a fixed or zoom for a macro. After seeing this, I'm leaning toward a fixed.