Best aperture for 18-55 kit lens sharpness?

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

03/08/2005 05:11:36 PM · #1

I'd like to try to wring out the best possible performance from my kit lens for the lines challenge, so, dust spots or no, I'm planning to stop down to at least f/11. I'd like to take it to its limit (f/22-f/36?) but I've read that diffraction effects start to creep in when you stop all the way down.

I'm not too concerned about DoF, just best possible sharpness.

So, barring build differences, does anyone know the sweet spot for sharpness with the 18-55? Does it vary depending on focal length?

TIA,
Ara

deapee

Kodak V803

03/08/2005 05:14:11 PM · #2

From my experience, the lens has no issues whatsoever being sharp. I'd say probably at 55 mm, it will be sharpest at around 6 and at 18mm should be sharpest around 4. The smaller the aperture really the less sharp it's going to be, but the more that will be in focus.

It depends what you're shooting. I've never shot anything smaller than f/11...that puts pretty much everything infront of you in focus. The only reason I could see doing it would be if there was a lot of light and you needed a slower shutter speed.

Zap228

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

03/08/2005 05:15:36 PM · #3

I'd recommend messing around with it and use the DOF preview button before you hit the shutter.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/08/2005 05:18:20 PM · #4

As a General rule lenses are sharpest stopped down 2 stops from their maximum aperture. For example if the biggest aperture of a given lens is f/2.8 it will be sharpest at f/5.6. There is also another saying "f/8 and be there".

Message edited by author 2005-03-08 17:18:46.

bledford

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

03/08/2005 05:28:47 PM · #5

Why not shoot some test shots of a fairly challenging subjects to see how sharp the images come out? I find the lens sufficiently sharp at f5.6-8 between 35-55mm and f8-11 at 18-35mm. Wide open aperatures and wide angles with this lens will not impress anyone, in my experience.

Originally posted by deapee:

It depends what you're shooting. I've never shot anything smaller than f/11...that puts pretty much everything infront of you in focus. The only reason I could see doing it would be if there was a lot of light and you needed a slower shutter speed.

And, as for never stopping down past f11, I find that sometimes since this lens can focus so closely, the DOF is too shallow even at f11 when zoomed all the way to 55mm.

Flash

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

03/08/2005 05:36:27 PM · #6

When I absolutely need the subject to be pin point sharp, and the dof is not a consideration, then f/8 is what I choose. Tri-pod mounted.

03/08/2005 05:41:33 PM · #7

deapee: Thanks, I didn't realize you sacrificed overall sharpness for a wider DoF with smaller apertures. But, the numbers you gave are almost wide open for that lens -- I thought lenses were never their sharpest wide open.

Zap228: Thanks, but it probably wouldn't work in this case b/c the lighting is terrible and the viewfinder image will go from bad to almost none. Also, I can barely tell if my subject is in focus on a bright sunny day let alone in difficult lighting. =]

doctornick: Thanks, that's kinda jibes with where I was going to start shooting. Where's the "f/8 and be there" from?

I guess I'll bracket the aperture and shoot a lot. =]

03/08/2005 05:41:35 PM · #8

bledford: Thanks. Yup, I think I'm going to end up shooting a lot and looking for differences with my face up against the screen - I was just hoping there was some "magic" number specifically for this lens -- "Shoot at f/9 with the 18-55, kid, and you'll always strike gold!" =] I know people here have gotten very nice (at least when resized) shots with it, but I haven't usually been too lucky with it.

Flash: Thanks, I think that will be my starting point.

Edited for those pesky internets

Message edited by author 2005-03-08 18:00:22.

utro

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

03/08/2005 05:57:18 PM · #9

Originally posted by Zap228:

I'd recommend messing around with it and use the DOF preview button before you hit the shutter.

what?? the canon 300d has a DoF preview button? How could I have missed that? Where is it?

03/08/2005 06:53:25 PM · #10

Originally posted by utro:

Originally posted by Zap228:
I'd recommend messing around with it and use the DOF preview button before you hit the shutter.

what?? the canon 300d has a DoF preview button? How could I have missed that? Where is it?

It's below the lens release button. On the side of the barrel the lens locks into instead of the front like the lens release.

Check this link: //www.dpreview.com/reviews/CanonEOS300D/Images/allroundview.jpg

Zap228