Which of these six photos is sharpest?

[AgentDrex]

In response to another thread I created where I was told my lens should not be sharper at f/22 than f/11:

All photos were taken while camera was on tripod and no movement towards or away from subject which was 8 feet away...again this is using my Vivitar 70-210mm


#1 - f/3.5 - 1/800 - ISO 400

#2 - f/5.6 - 1/400 - ISO 400

#3 - f/8 - 1/200 - ISO 400

#4 - f/11 - 1/100 - ISO 400

#5 - f16 - 1/50 - ISO 400

#6 - f/22 - 1/25 - ISO 400

 

[AgentDrex]

And sure enough...to my eye f/11 does seem to be sharper than f/22 but you'd have to have a pretty discriminating eye to tell the difference...

 

[ababysean]

Retest using a better subject/picture.
The photo looks like nothing to me.

 

[AgentDrex]

I chose this subject because of all the fine details...I figured if sharpness was lacking, it would be immediately noticeable...I was wrong apparently...what would be a good subject to use as a test...

 

[Longlens]

Well, gee you chose a very poor example of something to shoot for a comment on sharpness, given the limitations of many monitors and the fact that almost nothing is sharp on any of these images... Still, I'll go with your shot at f8 which has a very miniscule difference in sharpness, though it is almost imperceptible.

In response to another thread I created where I was told my lens should not be sharper at f/22 than f/11:


#1 - f/3.5 - 1/800 - ISO 400


#2 - f/5.6 - 1/400 - ISO 400


#3 - f/8 - 1/200 - ISO 400

#4 - f/11 - 1/100 - ISO 400


#5 - f16 - 1/50 - ISO 400


#6 - f/22 - 1/25 - ISO 400

 

[480sparky]

Looking closely at the full-size images, I'd say it's a tie between #2 and 3. But there appears to be some motion blur in some as well. No lens or f/# info is visible, but you've got some CA problems as well.

Looks like the right tail light of a mid-90's Toyota.

 

[SpeedTrap]

Just as a question, what make you think it will be sharper at F22 than F11.
Most lenses are at their sharpest between F8 & F16.

 

[Derrel]

Shot #4 looks to be the sharpest to me, but this test subject is rather tricky to evaluate.

 

[AgentDrex]

Now, so I can figure out if I need new glasses/prescription (I do actually), what is soft in this photo? I can see all the little specks of dust clearly, wouldn't that be an indication of sharpness?

Thank you all for your help....

SpeedTrap - I was thinking along those lines because I thought the sharpest parts of the image come through the center of the barrel...and bringing the shutter blades together would limit the light coming from the sides....but then of course I didn't put a thought to a diffraction...and of course I am usually wrong about things....I could use some enlightenment (get it, get it?)...

What should I point the camera at that would help me with these sharpness issues?

 

[inaka]

Is this a trick question?

 

[Hardrock]

What is the subject? You should do the test over and use a stuffed animal or a pineapple. Something with some good texture in it and that is not flat. I dont think I would judge my lens off of that subject matter.

 

[djacobox372]

#3 and #4 are about equal, the rest are less sharp.

 

[480sparky]

What is the subject?.........

It's a tail light.

..........You should do the test over and use a stuffed animal or a pineapple. Something with some good texture in it and that is not flat. I dont think I would judge my lens off of that subject matter. .

Or perhaps a proper lens test target.

 

[Robin Usagani]

tail light of a pontiac or something. 5 meg each file LOL. Dude, if you want to do a ghetto test, at least use a dollar bill. (stripper is optional)

 

[AgentDrex]

For reference, tail-light is from a 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix SE....thank you for the chart...how big should I make it and how far away from the target shall I place the camera for optimum testing?