Nikkor Lenses test -- your thoughts

[McGene]

Equipment
Nikon D500
Nikkor 16-80 2.8-4 E DX ED VR
Nikkor 70-300 4.5-5.6 E VR ED

I printed a test chart, set my camera on a tripod and took shots as follows:
Nikkor 16-80 shots at 16, 24, 35, 50, 80mm
Nikkor 70-300 shots at 70, 100, 135, 200, 300mm

Results:
Nikkor 70-300 sharpest at 200 other lengths so,so
Nikkor 16-80 sharpest at 50 & 80 other lengths so,so

Does this seem acceptable or should I be looking at ways to calibrate or replace?

Thanks for your feedback

 

[Golem]

Equipment
Nikon D500
Nikkor 16-80 2.8-4 E DX ED VR
Nikkor 70-300 4.5-5.6 E VR ED

I printed a test chart, set my camera on a tripod and took shots as follows:
Nikkor 16-80 shots at 16, 24, 35, 50, 80mm
Nikkor 70-300 shots at 70, 100, 135, 200, 300mm

Results:
Nikkor 70-300 sharpest at 200 other lengths so,so
Nikkor 16-80 sharpest at 50 & 80 other lengths so,so

Does this seem acceptable or should I be looking at ways to calibrate or replace?

Thanks for your feedback

.
What with the wrong size sensor, and not a hint of decent procedure other than "camera on a tripod", my suggestion is to not lose sleep over the results.

 

[24megapixseal]

Your 16-80 is a DX lens, matching the DX D500, and test reviews say it should be sharp thru the whole range....I have just recently bought one used from MPB, so I'll need more time with it, but early pics look good.

Your 70-300 is the FX version, and every test I've EVER read says it is just not sharp at 300mm...the Nikon AF-P DX 70-300 4.5-6.3 VR on the other hand is known for its extreme sharpness from 70 to the full 300....and I can attest to that, I have it and it's an under-rated sleeper lens....used for many years, with tack sharpness at max zoom.

Itll be up to YOU on whether the lens are acceptable....best of luck in your endeavor!

 

[Ozzie_Traveller]

Does this seem acceptable or should I be looking at ways to calibrate or replace?
Thanks for your feedback

G'day mate

Just about all of us do / have done our own sort of lens testing over the years ...
It ends up as being "if you're happy with it mate - keep it and use it every day"

As a general comment - images from my film-camera days on what I considered really sharp lenses, are less sharp than today's lenses, meaning that lens design and performance seems better these days. Overall I would suggest that you accept what you've got and just get on with enjoying your photography

Hope this helps
Phil

 

[McGene]

Excellent advice, Phil!!!
I have been considering selling the 70-300 f/4.5 to moving to the 70-200 f/4. It wouldn't be very expensive to do so, but I'm still on the fence.
I'm beginning to think Phil has it figured out -- unless there's a significant weakness in the lens (which I really don't see generally) -- then if I may quote him:
"Get on with enjoying your photography"
Amen!

 

[greybeard]

Equipment
Nikon D500
Nikkor 16-80 2.8-4 E DX ED VR
Nikkor 70-300 4.5-5.6 E VR ED

I printed a test chart, set my camera on a tripod and took shots as follows:
Nikkor 16-80 shots at 16, 24, 35, 50, 80mm
Nikkor 70-300 shots at 70, 100, 135, 200, 300mm

Results:
Nikkor 70-300 sharpest at 200 other lengths so,so
Nikkor 16-80 sharpest at 50 & 80 other lengths so,so

Does this seem acceptable or should I be looking at ways to calibrate or replace?

Thanks for your feedback

I have shot the 70-300 in crop mode and I would say that 200mm is where it is at its' best. At 300 it is pretty soft on the edges and so so in the middle.

 

[McGene]

My results as well, greybeard! 200mm is the sharpest - the others are acceptable -- especially with a little post processing