On Wed, 05 Mar 2003 16:36:33 -0000, Bill Tuthill <ca_creekin@yahoo.com> wrote:

>Alan Browne <alan.browne@videotron.ca> wrote:

>>> Although I retain very little faith [in] Pop Photo SQF numbers...

>>>

>>>       28mm    50mm    80mm

>>> 2.8     C       F       C+

>>> 4.0     B+      B       C+

>>> 5.6     A       A       A

>>> 8       B+      A       A

>>> 11      B+      A       A

>>> 16      B       B+      B+

>>> 22      C+      C+      B

>>>

>>>       28mm    50mm    70mm

>>> 2.8     C       C       C

>>> 4.0     C       C       C

>>> 5.6     C       C+      C

>>> 8       C       C+      C+

>>> 11      C       C+      C+

>>> 16      C       C+      C+

>>> 22      C       C+      C+

>>>

>>> The 28-70/2.8 was able to produce B+ quality 11x14 enlargements

>>> stopped down, and C+ quality 16x20 enlargements at all apertures.

>>

>> Do you happen to have comparable data for Minolta, Canon and Nikon?

 

>Here are new-style SQF grades for the Minolta 24-105/3.5-4.5 D, which

>appears to be better (if you believe SQF) than the Tokina 28-70/2.8.

>But note: Chasseur d'Images found more softness at 105 than at 70.

>

>        24mm    70mm    105mm

> 3.5      C+

> 4,4.5    B       C+      B

> 5.6      B       C+      B

> 8.0      B       C+      B

> 11.0     C+      C+      B

> 16.0     C+      C+      B

> 22.0     C+      C       C+

> 27.0             C       C+

>

>At all apertures the 24-105 D produced A quality 11x14 enlargements

>at 24 and 105mm, and B+ quality at 70mm.  Grades for 16x20 were:

>

>        24mm    70mm    105mm

> 3.5      B

> 4,4.5    B+      C+      B+

> 5.6      B+      B       B+

> 8.0      B+      B       B+

> 11.0     B+      B       B+

> 16.0     B       B       B+

> 22.0     B       C+      B

> 27.0             C+      B

>

>Sorry, I did not record SQF scores for similar Canon or Nikon lenses.

 

With all of these, what does any given "grade" mean?

Is there any indication of corner performance compared

with center? I consider a lens soft at a given stop

if the corners are soft, regardless of center

resolution. If the lens is not at least acceptably

sharp over just about all of its image area, it is

not a sharp lens for me...