Same lens, different cameras, different sharpness??

pope

pope

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john
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Is it possible that different cameras with the same lens can have different sharpness??

When I put my 400 f2.8 at f2.8 the images from my D4s seem sharper that when I have it on a D3s

Is this possible, or am I imaging it?:thinking:
 
Have you checked focus fine tune
 
at 100% or not?

the d4s may also have a less aggressive moire filter thingy or some other pixel optimisation
 
A top end lens like a 400/2.8 is probably capable of resolving more detail than the sensor can capture so a higher resolution sensor will produce an image with more detail (given equal and non-limiting conditions).

Bob
 
Most likely due to differences in the AF. It's very tricky getting the micro focus adjust calibration right on long lenses, especially the bigger aperture ones. It's also possible that the AF systems differ in precision and consistency. Finally there's the difference in MP. Other things being equal, not forgetting such things as AA, which of course they aren't, the higher MP sensor would be expected to reveal slightly more detail over the whole image, but to look a little softer when viewed at 100%.

So the general answer to your question about differences in sharpness with the same lens on different cameras is yes, yes, and yes, of course, even if they were actually the same model of camera.
 
This may come across as harsh, but I am a bit surprised how little people with such expensive kit can sometimes know about cameras...
 
JYC said:
This may come across as harsh, but I am a bit surprised how little people with such expensive kit can sometimes know about cameras...
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That's not harsh - its just insulting & ignorant on your part

I saw a chap in a Ferrari the other day, I doubt he was an experienced racing driver

If you can afford it why not buy the best, you can work your way into using stuff knowing the gear is not a reason for failing

Dave
 
DG Phototraining said:
That's not harsh - its just insulting & ignorant on your part

I saw a chap in a Ferrari the other day, I doubt he was an experienced racing driver

If you can afford it why not buy the best, you can work your way into using stuff knowing the gear is not a reason for failing

Dave
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We are talking on a thread where a guy can't get sharp photos with one of his cameras. The gear may well be a reason for failing!

Also to your 'why not buy the best' point, I'm sure the Ferrari owner also has a 'normal' car that he uses to go to the shops in. Horses for courses, as it were. Although I suppose if you had the 'Ferrari' of cameras maybe you should take it to the 'dealer' rather doing your servicing at home.
 
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pope said:
Is it possible that different cameras with the same lens can have different sharpness??

When I put my 400 f2.8 at f2.8 the images from my D4s seem sharper that when I have it on a D3s

Is this possible, or am I imaging it?:thinking:
Click to expand...

To answer the question, yes it is perfectly possible ... whilst it is possible that there are other reasons, each camera (of the standard of these) has the ability to perform a micro-af adjustment in order to match the lens to the camera for more accurate focusing; with the 400 f2.8 both cameras should be able to produce exceptionally sharp images when properly adjusted as necessary.

Nikon explanation: https://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com.../51633/~/how-to-use-the-af-fine-tune-function
Mansurov explanation: https://photographylife.com/how-to-calibrate-lenses
Tuning software: http://www.reikan.co.uk/focalweb/
 
•

John, even with new gear, body and/or lens, straight
out of the box they go to the workbench and AF Fine
Tuning will be performed, systematically

I have 16 lenses and 3 bodies and all lenses must go
through the AF Fine Tuning before they are taken out
for the first ride. It is not the bodies nor the lenses but
each combo.
 
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I suggest you take that lens with D3 and focus manually through live view and eliminate any camera shake. If that improves your sharpness relative to D4 you know the focusing needs microadjustment one way or another.
 
JYC said:
This may come across as harsh, but I am a bit surprised how little people with such expensive kit can sometimes know about cameras...
Click to expand...

Why?

Why does the cost of the kit have any relationship to how much someone should know about the tool they have purchased? With every high end piece of kit comes a learning curve, which the OP is navigating, I fail to see why you are suprised at all.
 
Seems obvious to me, if you are going to spend that much money on camera gear should you not do some research into what you are buying before you put down your cash? It's not like AF micro adjust is particularly esoteric after all, it's commonly mentioned in reviews and discussions about camera equipment.

I can see that some people just love to argue though, as this is the internet there is always someone to play devil's advocate.
 
JYC said:
Seems obvious to me, if you are going to spend that much money on camera gear should you not do some research into what you are buying before you put down your cash? It's not like AF micro adjust is particularly esoteric after all, it's commonly mentioned in reviews and discussions about camera equipment.

I can see that some people just love to argue though, as this is the internet there is always someone to play devil's advocate.
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Frankly what people do with their money is a matter for them, I can't see why it matters to you.
 
[QUOTE="JYC, post: 7381927, member: 69321...............I can see that some people just love to argue though, ......[/QUOTE]

pot - kettle - black
 
Really @gramps this seems to be a case of do as I say not as I do, as you weigh in on every grey import thread to tell people how to spend their money.

I'll bow out of this thread now, I'm clearly taking it off topic.

OP - as 1000001 people have already said, you should look into AF micro adjusting your bodies.
 
JYC said:
you weigh in on every grey import thread to tell people how to spend their money..
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Show me where I have told people how to spend their money ... my contributions in respect to grey imports has always been around the T&C's of one particular supplier, not whether people buy grey or do not.
 
So AF micro adjustment can change the sharpness of a lens/camera combo. Well b****r me.

Here`s me thinking that it just changed the focus plane forwards or backwards. And not some magic wand that can change lens alignment, in camera filters, image out put, ect

Even if you need to fine tune AF there's still going to be a plane of focus that is sharp .Try shooting a ruler at an angle, if af is out there is still something that is sharp. (Unless you can only afford crap kit)

D3S + 400 + af fine tune by a professional (I think Nikon service center is Pro??). @f2.8 sharpness ok, but I will not use it at 2.8. From 3.5 onwards

D4S + 400 no af fine tune. strait out of box. @f2.8 sharp as pin.

So is it possible that different cameras with the same lens can have different sharpness??
seems the answer is yes.




JYC said:
This may come across as harsh, but I am a bit surprised how little people with such expensive kit can sometimes know about cameras...
Click to expand...

This may come across as harsh, but fat bald people with ponytails are a joke. put the tissues down, move away from the computer and get a life JYC.
Places like this, are where you come for answers, to questions you have, isn`t it. sort thought the charf and get answers from people that you respect for their opinion. I curtainly dont know everything, unlike you it seems.

I sure that the people that use my images and pay (Vodafone, Sky, Fairfax, NZ Cricket, Crusaders, ect ect) think I know something.
 
pope said:
Is it possible that different cameras with the same lens can have different sharpness??

When I put my 400 f2.8 at f2.8 the images from my D4s seem sharper that when I have it on a D3s

Is this possible, or am I imaging it?:thinking:
Click to expand...
The only way of settling this question in the specific case of your two cameras is for you to post two shots of the same scene and find out if others see the difference.
 
Is there any significant difference in the firmware or Distortion Control Data versions on the two cameras?

(As somebody who grew up with film, I'm constantly surprised at how much electronic manipulation is done by camera bodies - and lenses - these days)..
 
LongLensPhotography said:
Did your D3 get bashed and / or is it soft with other "good" large aperture lenses?

And did you do live view focus test?
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No not been bashed for a while.
I did a dot tune test a few weeks ago on the d3s and is still fine.
The d3s is fine with other lens.


Talking to a couple friends, who also have lots to expensive gear. Yes some cameras, especially new ones can be sharper than others. Why??
 
Contax said:
Is there any significant difference in the firmware or Distortion Control Data versions on the two cameras?

(As somebody who grew up with film, I'm constantly surprised at how much electronic manipulation is done by camera bodies - and lenses - these days)..
Click to expand...

Probably, yes. New tech, coatings ect.
Yes, we had none to these quandaries with slide or film. Too much time in front of the computer and not out shooting.
 
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