Sharpest prime lens?

slawek · 03-05-2011, 08:49 PM

If you want sharp - get a macro lens. As simple as that.
The only exception ( without spending $$$) is good old M 28/3.5.
And perhaps 50/1.7

GeneV · 03-06-2011, 04:16 PM

Originally posted by mika.

Gene, I just came across your review of the Ultron. Looks like we're pretty much in agreement. Although, giving the lens a 10 out of 10, I think, is rather miserly.

I had trouble thinking of an improvement.
I guess it could be f/1.4 instead of 2. It could autofocus and still have a buttery manual focus. It could pick ideal subjects for you.

**jeffshaddix** · 03-06-2011, 06:11 PM

I've been amazed at the sharpness of the Tokina 90mm 2.5 macro even having once owned an FA 43. Even wide open the Tokina is ludicrous sharp. The 50/2.8 macro lenses put up quite a fight as well.

I think in general macros will provide the most critical sharpness if that's what you're looking for. There may be some exceptions (like the Ultron and the FA43).

**Digitalis** · 03-06-2011, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by civiletti

Stopped down to f8, the A50 f2 is sharper than the A50 f1.4.

And at f/8 the 50mm f/1.2 is sharper than both. Though on my Leica M9 I have trouble telling the difference between the FA43 and my Leica summilux 50mm f/1.4 ASPH at f/4. And the summilux is considered to be the greatest 50mm lenses ever made.

Pentaxor · 03-06-2011, 06:32 PM

Originally posted by jeffshaddix

I've been amazed at the sharpness of the Tokina 90mm 2.5 macro even having once owned an FA 43. Even wide open the Tokina is ludicrous sharp. The 50/2.8 macro lenses put up quite a fight as well.

I think in general macros will provide the most critical sharpness if that's what you're looking for. There may be some exceptions (like the Ultron and the FA43).

the Sigma 70 is one heck of a sharp lens as well. it may have bested the old FA50/2.8. I can only imagine how better the Sigma 150 is, especially if has been considered sharper than the 70.

8540tomg · 03-06-2011, 06:36 PM

Originally posted by slawek

If you want sharp - get a macro lens. As simple as that.
The only exception ( without spending $$$) is good old M 28/3.5.
And perhaps 50/1.7

I'm with Slawek on this one. A macro lens will almost always be your sharpest lens.

Tom G

**Digitalis** · 05-05-2011, 02:00 AM

the Pentax FA*200mm f/4 ED macro is absolutely superb, also the Pentax FA31mm f/1.8 is another outstanding lens.

m42man · 05-05-2011, 02:19 AM

I'm afraid the Pentax 50/2 is is a rather soft lens, so you won't need to look far in order to better it. However, if you want REALLY sharp on a budget and don't mind manual focus, I would suggest the Ricoh Rikenon 50/2 (preferably not the -P version, I suppose) and the S-M-C Takumar (or Pentax K) 35/3.5.

Or maybe the Pentax 50/1.7 or 50/1.4 (or 50/1.2, but they're rare and expensive).

Clavius · 05-05-2011, 03:31 AM

I'm a bit surprised the 35mm DA LTD Macro hasn't been mentioned. Since I own it, I stopped using my FA 43, because I find the 35 even charper. I ended up selling my FA 43 about two months ago.

**Aristophanes** · 05-05-2011, 04:17 AM

I agree. Macros are champs of sharp followed by the Ltd's.

Originally posted by Clavius

I'm a bit surprised the 35mm DA LTD Macro hasn't been mentioned. Since I own it, I stopped using my FA 43, because I find the 35 even charper. I ended up selling my FA 43 about two months ago.

Frogfish · 05-05-2011, 10:21 AM

Originally posted by Clavius

I'm a bit surprised the 35mm DA LTD Macro hasn't been mentioned. Since I own it, I stopped using my FA 43, because I find the 35 even charper. I ended up selling my FA 43 about two months ago.

Originally posted by Aristophanes

I agree. Macros are champs of sharp followed by the Ltd's.

I'm sorry but you are both wrong.

The DA 35 Ltd is a very sharp lense but isn't even near the 43 Ltd at ANY aperture, here are the MTF figures that prove it :

35 Ltd

Pentax SMC DA 35mm f/2.8 Limited macro - Review / Test Report - Analysis

43 Ltd

http://www.photozone.de/pentax/125-pentax-smc-fa-43mm-f19-limited-review--test-report?start=1

Eruditass · 05-05-2011, 10:37 AM

Macro lenses tend to be the sharpest, especially perceived sharpness at the borders due to flat focus fields, though the 31mm and 43mm can be just as good or better than some if you take into account field curvature.

efe9 · 05-05-2011, 12:45 PM

Ultron 50

RioRico · 05-05-2011, 07:30 PM

Apos Elgeet Colorstigmat 90/4.5
Novoflex Noflexar 105/3.5
Ilex Solar Anastigmat 140/4.5

Primes be damned. Enlarger lenses rule!

violini · 05-05-2011, 08:14 PM

A sharp lens but with shallow DOF is useless to me. I've seen enough macro shots but extremely few could bring the entire tiny insect in focus. I am looking for cameras with shorter lens-to-sensor distance such as Sony NEX. I am so used to looking at electron micrograph with large DOF.

05-05-2011, 10:37 AM	#57
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Macro lenses tend to be the sharpest, especially perceived sharpness at the borders due to flat focus fields, though the 31mm and 43mm can be just as good or better than some if you take into account field curvature. Last edited by Eruditass; 05-05-2011 at 10:42 AM.

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03-05-2011, 08:49 PM	#46
slawek Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 188	If you want sharp - get a macro lens. As simple as that. The only exception ( without spending $$$) is good old M 28/3.5. And perhaps 50/1.7

03-06-2011, 04:16 PM	#47
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by mika. Gene, I just came across your review of the Ultron. Looks like we're pretty much in agreement. Although, giving the lens a 10 out of 10, I think, is rather miserly. I had trouble thinking of an improvement. I guess it could be f/1.4 instead of 2. It could autofocus and still have a buttery manual focus. It could pick ideal subjects for you.

03-06-2011, 06:11 PM	#48
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	I've been amazed at the sharpness of the Tokina 90mm 2.5 macro even having once owned an FA 43. Even wide open the Tokina is ludicrous sharp. The 50/2.8 macro lenses put up quite a fight as well. I think in general macros will provide the most critical sharpness if that's what you're looking for. There may be some exceptions (like the Ultron and the FA43).

03-06-2011, 06:29 PM	#49
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by civiletti Stopped down to f8, the A50 f2 is sharper than the A50 f1.4. And at f/8 the 50mm f/1.2 is sharper than both. Though on my Leica M9 I have trouble telling the difference between the FA43 and my Leica summilux 50mm f/1.4 ASPH at f/4. And the summilux is considered to be the greatest 50mm lenses ever made.

03-06-2011, 06:32 PM	#50
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by jeffshaddix I've been amazed at the sharpness of the Tokina 90mm 2.5 macro even having once owned an FA 43. Even wide open the Tokina is ludicrous sharp. The 50/2.8 macro lenses put up quite a fight as well. I think in general macros will provide the most critical sharpness if that's what you're looking for. There may be some exceptions (like the Ultron and the FA43). the Sigma 70 is one heck of a sharp lens as well. it may have bested the old FA50/2.8. I can only imagine how better the Sigma 150 is, especially if has been considered sharper than the 70.

03-06-2011, 06:36 PM	#51
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	Originally posted by slawek If you want sharp - get a macro lens. As simple as that. The only exception ( without spending $$$) is good old M 28/3.5. And perhaps 50/1.7 I'm with Slawek on this one. A macro lens will almost always be your sharpest lens. Tom G

05-05-2011, 02:00 AM	#52
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	the Pentax FA*200mm f/4 ED macro is absolutely superb, also the Pentax FA31mm f/1.8 is another outstanding lens.

05-05-2011, 02:19 AM	#53
m42man Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southern England Posts: 623	I'm afraid the Pentax 50/2 is is a rather soft lens, so you won't need to look far in order to better it. However, if you want REALLY sharp on a budget and don't mind manual focus, I would suggest the Ricoh Rikenon 50/2 (preferably not the -P version, I suppose) and the S-M-C Takumar (or Pentax K) 35/3.5. Or maybe the Pentax 50/1.7 or 50/1.4 (or 50/1.2, but they're rare and expensive).

05-05-2011, 03:31 AM	#54
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	I'm a bit surprised the 35mm DA LTD Macro hasn't been mentioned. Since I own it, I stopped using my FA 43, because I find the 35 even charper. I ended up selling my FA 43 about two months ago.

05-05-2011, 04:17 AM	#55
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	I agree. Macros are champs of sharp followed by the Ltd's. Originally posted by Clavius I'm a bit surprised the 35mm DA LTD Macro hasn't been mentioned. Since I own it, I stopped using my FA 43, because I find the 35 even charper. I ended up selling my FA 43 about two months ago.

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05-05-2011, 10:21 AM	#56
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by Clavius I'm a bit surprised the 35mm DA LTD Macro hasn't been mentioned. Since I own it, I stopped using my FA 43, because I find the 35 even charper. I ended up selling my FA 43 about two months ago. Originally posted by Aristophanes I agree. Macros are champs of sharp followed by the Ltd's. I'm sorry but you are both wrong. The DA 35 Ltd is a very sharp lense but isn't even near the 43 Ltd at ANY aperture, here are the MTF figures that prove it : 35 Ltd Pentax SMC DA 35mm f/2.8 Limited macro - Review / Test Report - Analysis 43 Ltd http://www.photozone.de/pentax/125-pentax-smc-fa-43mm-f19-limited-review--test-report?start=1

05-05-2011, 12:45 PM	#58
efe9 New Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 7	Ultron 50

05-05-2011, 07:30 PM	#59
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Apos Elgeet Colorstigmat 90/4.5 Novoflex Noflexar 105/3.5 Ilex Solar Anastigmat 140/4.5 Primes be damned. Enlarger lenses rule!

05-05-2011, 08:14 PM	#60
violini Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Winnipeg MB Photos: Gallery Posts: 350	A sharp lens but with shallow DOF is useless to me. I've seen enough macro shots but extremely few could bring the entire tiny insect in focus. I am looking for cameras with shorter lens-to-sensor distance such as Sony NEX. I am so used to looking at electron micrograph with large DOF.