Why does my Nikon 18-55mm kit lens look softer than my 35mm f/1.8 at the same settings?
Asked 5/19/2011
4 views
2 answers
0
I’m comparing my Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR kit lens to a Nikkor 35mm f/1.8. At 35mm, I shot the same subject with the same shutter speed (1/100) and aperture (f/5), with similar ISO, VR off, and autofocus aimed at the same spot on the box. The image from the 18-55mm looks noticeably softer or “foggy” compared with the 35mm prime.
Is this likely a fault with the kit lens, or just normal lens behavior? What should I test to troubleshoot it?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
3
The lower of the two images is not as sharp. I would have to see more to know for sure what the cause is, but I think this is just inherent in the lens design.
Although the settings used were the same, there are a lot of differences in the lens design. The key difference here is that at f/5.0 the 35mm is stopped down a full 3 stops from it's maximum aperture, whereas the 18-55 is almost wide open. This makes a big difference in the sharpness, because in general, a lens will be sharper when stopped down a bit. You might want to try finding the "sweet spot" of your 18-55 (I would guess around f/8) and see if you notice a difference.
Originally by user67. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user67
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
What you’re seeing is likely normal, not necessarily a defect.
At f/5, the 35mm f/1.8 is stopped down about 3 stops from wide open, where many lenses get noticeably sharper. But your 18-55mm at 35mm is close to its maximum aperture, so it may be showing more softness. Kit zooms are also generally less sharp than a good prime.
Another possibility is slight misfocus in the softer shot, since the focus point doesn’t look quite as crisp.
To troubleshoot:
- Test the 18-55mm at several apertures, especially around f/8, to find its sharpest “sweet spot.”
- Repeat the comparison carefully on a steady setup with the same focus target.
- Try VR on and off to see whether it changes results in your real-world shooting.
If the lens becomes much sharper stopped down, it’s probably behaving normally. If it stays unusually hazy or soft at all apertures and with careful focus, then it may need further inspection.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI15y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Is a Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX prime worth buying if I already have the 18-55mm VR kit lens?
Are the Nikon 18-55mm VR II and AF-P 18-55mm VR lenses compatible with the D7100?
Which lens should I buy after the kit lens for a Nikon D5100 if I shoot portraits and landscapes outdoors?
Which Nikon f/1.8 prime should I buy for a D3100: 35mm or 50mm?
Why does my Nikon D90 lose lens communication when I stop down the aperture?