How should I compare Photozone MTF results for the Pentax DA* 300mm f/4 against Canon and Nikon 300mm f/4 lenses?
Asked 1/21/2012
4 views
2 answers
0
I’m considering the Pentax SMC DA* 300mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM for wildlife on a Pentax K-5. Photozone has MTF/resolution data for this lens, but I’m not confident about how to interpret it or how to compare it fairly with Canon and Nikon 300mm f/4 reviews—especially when some tests were done on APS-C bodies and others on full-frame. What should I look at in the charts, and can the results be compared directly across systems?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
3
Well looking at the data for the Pentax lens, vignetting (very little and less than the Canon), distortion (virtually none) and chromatic aberration (minimal) are nothing to worry about.
The main thing to compare is the resolution. They are measuring this in Line Widths per Picture Height (LW/PH). Think of this as measuring the limit the lens can resolve (distinguish) very narrow lines close together before it just becomes a grey blur.
The Pentax lens maxes at around 2400 (LW/PH) in the center, the Canon at 3300. The figure of 2400 seems to be an very good result, as I see sharp macro lenses (Nikon 105mm for example) in that same range. The Pentax is almost as sharp in the corners, whereas the Canon is softer in the corners than in the center.
So the Canon lens appears to be able to resolve more detail (more distinct lines, 3300 vs 2400). However Photozone also say the "visually relevant" range is up to 2250 LW/PH . By that I take it that beyone 2250 the lens will resolve more than the sensor can record, or more than the human eye can detect in normal use. In fact the Nikon 300mm f/4 has a LW/PH value that maxes out around 2100, and it is called "very good to excellent"
I'm not an expert on MTF charts but it looks like optically the Pentax lens is very good. I guess you'd want to also evaluate the build quality, weather resistance, auto focus speed.
Originally by user4191. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4191
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Use Photozone’s resolution figures mainly as a relative guide, not an absolute cross-system ranking.
What to look at:
- Resolution/LW-PH: higher means the lens can distinguish finer detail.
- Center vs corner performance: a lens may be very sharp in the center but weaker toward the edges.
- Also check vignetting, distortion, and chromatic aberration, though for these 300mm f/4 lenses they’re generally minor concerns.
Important caution: don’t compare Photozone resolution numbers directly between APS-C and full-frame tests. The same lens usually scores higher on full-frame in Photozone’s methodology, often by roughly 1.45–1.5×. So FF and APS-C results are not apples-to-apples.
Based on the answers provided, the Pentax DA* 300mm f/4 appears to be a very strong performer: very low vignetting, virtually no distortion, minimal CA, and very good sharpness with fairly even performance across the frame. One answer notes it compares very well, and may even outperform the Canon 300mm f/4L IS when looking at APS-C-based Photozone results.
So: compare only tests done on similar sensor formats if possible, and treat the Pentax as optically excellent from the available data.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI14y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Best camera settings and lens choice for whale watching with a Pentax K-5
How can I judge lens image quality from sample photos?
Which budget 70-300mm lens is best for a Nikon D5100?
How do MTF50 measurements compare with a manufacturer's MTF chart?
How does the Pentax DA 18-135mm compare to the 18-55mm for sharpness and image quality?