Canon EF20mm/24mm/85mm/200mm Image Comparison.

[KrishnenduKes]

This is not a review. Nor is it a shootout between lenses. I have taken 4 images with 4 block (prime) lenses to show the image comparison of the 4 lenses.

All images were taken with the 5D, hence a full frame sensor as you all know. All 4 images were taken in identical conditions from exactly the same place, the camera placed on a tripod, the only aspect that is variable is the colour temperature which was set on AWB which changed as the focal length changed. The 4 lenses used were as follows:

Canon EF 20mm f2.8
Canon EF 24mm f2.8
Canon EF 85mm f1.8
Canon EF 200mm f2.8

All photographs were taken at f5.6 and 1/160sec at ISO 50


Canon EF 20mm f2.8
http://i41.tinypic.com/x4hvug.jpg

Canon EF 24mm f2.8
http://i42.tinypic.com/1j9ma.jpg

Canon EF 85mm f1.8
http://i44.tinypic.com/qq4lfc.jpg

Canon EF 200mm f2.8
http://i39.tinypic.com/2z8ql2w.jpg

The lenses in question can be seen here:
http://i40.tinypic.com/2ihqna9.jpg

These pictures are Not pretty. They are not meant to be so. There has been absolutely no PP work done on them. I have just resized them to 800 width for posting on the site. This is purely for info sake.

If there are any queries regarding the lenses, please do not hesitate. If you want different pictures taken in a different manner for further comparison, do let us know. We will try to comply to do the best. I have the 20mm for another 2 weeks.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

The above serves as a pretty good comparison of the focal length and FOV capabilities....

I do feel that the wide primes are slightly warmer in color balance, though that might be the AWB thrown off by the dark indoors part of the frame in the wide angle shots..

for a slightly better lens image quality comparison, perhaps the wide open(max aperture) shots of some controlled lighted subject with a constant WB setting, with the same framing (gotta move the cam/tripod) would be good.

PS. is that a manfrotto i can see in between the 200 and the 85?

PPS. that 20mm has some heavy use wear on it!!!

[KrishnenduKes]

The above serves as a pretty good comparison of the focal length and FOV capabilities....

for a slightly better lens image quality comparison, perhaps the wide open(max aperture) shots of some controlled lighted subject with a constant WB setting, with the same framing (gotta move the cam/tripod) would be good.

PS. is that a manfrotto i can see in between the 200 and the 85?

PPS. that 20mm has some heavy use wear on it!!!

Thanks Psycho for the appreciation.

I will try to put forward another series of photographs in a few days' time to show on a controlled lighted subject without too much contrast at wide open apertures (which is ofcourse different for the 85mm as you see) fixing the colour temperature manually.

Yes, that is indeed a Manfrotto that you see. :)

And yes, the 20mm has been heavily used in Bangladesh floods, the Afghan war, etc...

[powerslave]

Hey Ken, nice lineup! Thanks for taking the time out. I would urge you to post images of a well defined subject as a comparison. It would be a lot easier to compare the quality with the same subject, say set in the center of the frame so it doesn't change with the focal length.

Thanks. I'm jealous of your collection.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

shoot a model!!:p

i mean a scale model.(of course not barbie!!)

[nelson_sanjoy]

Kenda : I would idealy like to see you in an empty place outdoors and take four shoots from the same place.

[KrishnenduKes]

Hey Ken, nice lineup! Thanks for taking the time out.

Thanks. I'm jealous of your collection.

My pleasure. And yes, the 20mm f2.8 is not mine. It is a borrowed lens. Somehow I find the 24mm to be warmer though it is not as wide.

[KrishnenduKes]

Due to few demands on a different kind of subject, this is what I present of the same four lenses with keeping a constant ISO, manual settings, and constant colour temperature of all photographs in relatively low light conditions after sundown. No PP, only resized to fit on the screen.

ISO 50
Temp 4950K
Manual Programme
f6.3, 1/25sec


20mm
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j305/krishnendukes/20mm.jpg

24mm
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j305/krishnendukes/24mm.jpg

85mm
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j305/krishnendukes/85mm.jpg

200mm
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j305/krishnendukes/200mm.jpg

[nelson_sanjoy]

@Kenda - thanks a lot for bringing this up.

Tells you a lot about the characteristics of the for lenses .

I personally liked the the first one which is shot with 20mm and the last one with 200mm fabu'L'ous portrait.

Also I do see some specs of dust in the first and second one - time to clean :)

[Aryan]

I liked the third shot. The fourth one is a little too close or 'in your face' shot. The 85mm f1.8 is a lovely piece of glass. Perhaps, someday I would like to replace my 50mm slow focusing f1.8 lens with this superb one (85mm f1.8).

[KrishnenduKes]

I liked the third shot. The fourth one is a little too close or 'in your face' shot. The 85mm f1.8 is a lovely piece of glass. Perhaps, someday I would like to replace my 50mm slow focusing f1.8 lens with this superb one (85mm f1.8).

I shot all the four shots from the same place. Which is where you get to compare the differences of the focal lengths I felt. Maybe I should choose a subject then which is "further away", identical WB and put it up once more. In any case, I have to put up the photographs with aperture full open as well.

Yes, the 85mm is a terrific piece of glass for sure. But if you look at the colours and resolution of the 200L f2.8 USM, it is a fantastic piece of glass as well.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

great shots this series, showing the consisntency that canon maintains in its lenses. To my eyes, there does not seem to be any difference in the color balance and exposure of these apart from maybe the slight change in lighting over the time of these shots.

the 200L shows its class by having wonderful contrast, and that awesome bokeh even at 6.3. I do feel that the image sharpness at 200 mm focal length is limited by the slow shutter speed. slightly more subject distance, and this woulda been an killer portrait. (hint hint check out the 135/2 hint hint)

the 85/1.8 ofcourse is a world reknowned short portrait lens, and it too shows. for the best image quality, one's gotta have a few such primes in his one's bag always....

PS. I going Akihabara on friday in all probability - to look for lenses - and the lenses' availability will also help me decide what system I invest in. And its gotta be primes in the beginning, the desirable zooms are way too expensive.

[Xavier]

Nice shots!
I see some vignetting in the 1st shot (20mm)

[KrishnenduKes]

Nice shots!
I see some vignetting in the 1st shot (20mm)

Bingo! I thought so too. But I guess that will go away as soon as start having larger apertures. Lets see... I will be putting up that series soon.

[Dipanjan Paul]

Nice Job. This is really very interesting.

Could you post your test result also?
I mean the Pros and cons of the lenses.

[KrishnenduKes]

Nice Job. This is really very interesting.

Could you post your test result also?
I mean the Pros and cons of the lenses.

Thanks for the appreciation.

I put this up for people to see and do the comparison themselves based on the photographs taken by the various lenses on a FF sensor of the 5D. Seeing that these are very good primes, there aren't too many cons to these lenses barring the 20mm f2.8 which is a bit bulky and heavy. The 85, f1.8 and the 200, f2.8 being legendary lenses with warm tones and sharp images. I feel that my next action would be to remove the 20mm f2.8 (which is not mine in any case) and add the 14mm f2.8 which would be an expensive acquisition but well worth its weight in performance.

[Psycho_McCrazy]

14/2.8 L II
things are getting interesting here!!!!

[KrishnenduKes]

14/2.8 L II
things are getting interesting here!!!!

Not yet. Hold your horses. Have you seen the state of the economy? GDP falls this year to 5% from 9%. It is official now. That is like negative growth! But I will try to present the images... Lets see.

[nelson_sanjoy]

Kenda - Did you ever get a chance to compare Canon 50mm f/1.4 with Canon 85m f/1.8 ?

[KrishnenduKes]

Kenda - Did you ever get a chance to compare Canon 50mm f/1.4 with Canon 85m f/1.8 ?

Unfortunately no! I have neither held nor even seen the 50 f1.4!

[KrishnenduKes]

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