How to Read Nikon MTF Chart

Nikon - AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G MTF Chart

Note Nikon MTF Chart made on MAX Aperture of a lens, for example Nikon 50mm F1.8 Lens chart (shown above) based on F1.8 aperture, In Canon MTF Chart We see four lines, two represents F8 and other two MAX aperture.

As the line starts on the left of the chart this represents the centre of the lens and as the line moves to the right it indicates the edge of the lens. So you can see how much the contrast and sharpness of the lens decreases from the centre to the edge of the image.

Horizontal axis is in millimeters and shows the distance from the center of the image toward the edges. Contrast value (highest value is 1) is shown in the vertical axis. 

Red line shows the spatial frequency of 10 lines/mm, the blue line, 30 lines/mm. Red Lines shows the contrast and Blue lines show the resolution of the image.

Now Some Details 
'Sagital lines'(--------------) (the solid lines on the chart) represent a pair of lines that run parallel to a central diagonal line that passes through the middle of the lens from the bottom left hand corner to the top right hand corner.

'Meridonial lines' ( - - - - - - - - -) (the dotted lines on the chart) represent pairs of lines that also run parallel to the centre of the lens and pass through the middle, but running from the top left hand corner to the bottom right hand corner (so at 90 degrees to the sagital lines).

The red 10 line/mm (10 lines per millimetre) indicates the lenses ability to reproduce low spatical frequency or low resolution. This line indicates the lenses contrast values and the higher and straighter this line is the better. The higher the line appears the greater the amount of contrast the lens can reproduce.
TIP: Red Lines above 0.6 in Nikon MTF Graph indicated good contrast

The blue 30 line/mm (30 lines per millimetre) indicates the lenses ability to to reproduce higher spatial frequency or higher resolution. This line relates to the resolving power of the lens and again the higher the line the better.

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TIP: Blue lines above 0.6 in Nikon MTF graph indicate good Sharpness


The bokeh effect (out of focus areas a lens produces)

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Simple Rule - more blades produce a better circle and therefore a better 'bokeh' effect
The closer the solid line and the dotted line are together, the better the 'out of focus' effect will be on a particular lens.

How to read Canon MTF Chart

Click on the image to enlarge

Before your start, keep few things in your mind

1.  In canon MTF graph blue lines represents image taken at F8 aperture

2. In Canon MTF graph Black lines represents image taken at MAX aperture.

3. Thick Lines =  resolution

4. Thin Lines = Contrast

How to Read the Canon MTF Graph? (forget those blue lines of F8 aperture, see only black lines in the graph)

Sharpness of the image

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Thin black line / Resolution lines above 0.6 indicate good sharpness.

Blur:   

Click on the image for a larger view

The closer the thin black(Sagittal) line and the dotted black(Meridional) line together, the more natural the blurred parts of an image appear.

The more the S (solid line) and M (dotted line) curves are in line, the more natural the blurred image becomes.

Lens Edge Performance

 Click on the image to see larger version

Lenses that demonstrate good edge performance have almost horizontal lines.


Brief Details
A Canon MTF chart is made up of 8 graph lines in two colours. The 4 black lines represent the lens’ performance at maximum aperture while the 4 blue lines indicate performance at f/8. Thick lines show contrast (10 lpmm) and thin lines resolution (30 lpmm). The lines representing sagittal detail are shown as solid lines. The lines representing meridional detail are shown dashed.

MTF Chart for Zoom Lenses

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For zoom lenses, chartsare provided for both the minimum and maximum focal lengths. The perfect lens would show both solid and dashed lines running horizontally across the top of the chart – in other words, showing 100% accuracy throughout the frame. In practice no such lens exists, so you will see some amount of variance with even the very best lenses on the market.

Best Lenses For Canon 1D X

 Canon finally merged 1Ds and 1D line, the new Canon 1DX features Three image processor, Dual DIGIC 5+ image processors capable of delivering approximately 17 times more processing speed than DIGIC 4, and a dedicated DIGIC 4 for metering and AF control.

The EOS-1D X employs a completely new imaging sensor, producing the lowest noise of any EOS digital camera to date for stunning portraiture and studio work.  The new 18-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor utilizes large pixels – 1.25 microns larger than those in the EOS-1D Mark IV sensor and .55 microns larger than those in the EOS 5D Mark II sensor.

Best Lenses for Canon 1D X, The Basic MUST HAVE LENSES for your Canon 1D X Camera

Canon Ultra Wide / Zoom Lens

 Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
The 16-35mm is highly recommended for Professional and serious amateur photographers, The 16-35mm features wide aperture, wide focal lengths and Excellent performance.
Final word:  The EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM is a high performance, water-resistant Must have lens for photojournalism, wedding or Landscape photography.
Buy Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM from Amazon || Amazon UK

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All purpose Lens for Canon 1D X

 Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Best general purpose lenses for Canon 1D X, It features Excellent image quality, Very Fast and accurate AF. The 24-70mm is best walk around lens made by canon, highly recommended for all purpose use.
Buy Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM from Amazon || Amazon UK

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Canon Best Zoom Lens for Sports and Wildlife Photography

 Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
The New EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM features Fast AF speed, Enhanced optical and IS quality compared to old 70-20mm F2.8 IS Lens, The 70-200mm is one of the best L series lens I have ever used, The bad part - Expensive and bit Heavy.
Buy Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM from Amazon || Amazon UK

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Canon Best Macro Lens for EOS 1D X

Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro Lens
First of all 60 MP-E is a Manual focus lens, If you are not willing to buy a MF lens then EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is best option for you.
Canon  MP-E 65mm is an excellent performer, Canon only macro lens to features 5X magnification. Image quality, Color and contrast of MP-E is outstanding, but as per rule the higher the magnification, the more lighting is needed, You should also buy Macro Ring Lites and Macro Twin Lite with this lens.
Buy Canon 65mm MP-E 1-5X Macro Lens from Amazon || Amazon UK

Nikon D90 Budget Lenses

Nikon D90 is the most popular camera of Nikon and on of my fav, The Nikon D90 is the first DSLR to feature HD Video recording. The Best part of Nikon D90 that it supports Nikon FX and DX series of Lenses, even recently launched D5100 supports only DX and FX (AF-S) Lenses.

Nikon D90 Budget Zoom Lens

 
Nikon D90 Budget Zoom Lens- See more Nikon Zoom Lenses for Nikon D90 DSLR

AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

The 55-200mm lens capture sharp images and with good color and contrast, the 55-200mm lens will give you 3.6x optcal zoom range in your Nikon D90 DSLR. Recommended for entry level DSLR shooters.
Buy 55-200mm Lens form Amazon || Amazon UK

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Nikon D90 Budget Portrait Lens- See more Nikon Portrait Lenses for Nikon D90 DSLR

Nikon DX Format 35mm F1.8 Lens

 The 35mm F1.8 lens is made for DX format camera like D90 DSLR, Nikon / Nikkor 35mm gives you a wide range for your portrait / event / low-light photography.
Buy 35mm F1.8 from Amazon || Amazon UK

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Nikon D90 Budget Macro Lens- More Macro Lens for Nikon D90 DSLR

Nikon 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR Lens

Best Budget Macro Lens for Nikon D90 DSLR, The 40mm F2.8 Lens is lightweight and produces very sharp images, it can also be used for portrait photography.The lens produces pleasing out-of- focus background effect at maximum aperture of f2.8, the color and contrast output is also very good.
Buy 40mm F2.8 Lens from Amazon || Amazon USA

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Nikon D90 Budget Travel Lens / Event Shooting Lens- See more Travel Lens for D90 DSLR

Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens

Best budget lens for travel photography and all purpose use, images are sharp and you get wide range from 18 to 105mm.

Vibration Reduction is engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens and enables handheld shooting at up to 3 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper images.

Buy 18-105mm Lens from Amazon USA || Amazon UK 

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Nikon D90 Zoom Lenses

Nikon D90 Best Zoom Lenses, We have selected two Zoom lenses for Nikon D90, Both lens are DX format lens, we will start from 55-200mm VR Zoom Lens,

AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

The 55-200mm lens capture sharp images and features VR (Vibration Reduction stabilization system), It enables more flexible hand-held shooting, the 55-200mm lens will give you 3.6x optcal zoom range in your Nikon D90 DSLR.
Buy 55-200mm Lens form Amazon || Amazon UK

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Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

The Nikon 55-300mm lens will give you 5.5x Optical Zoom on D90 DSLR,It features VR II Image Stabilization; Tripod Detection Mode. The VR II IS of 55-300mm Lens automatically stops when you mount your camera on a Tripod, It also features SWM (Exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor) for fast and silent Auto-Focus.
TIP: The 55-300mm Lens will give you more zoom range and a better Image Stabilization (VR II) compared to 55-200mm Lens - Highly Recommended 
Buy this Lens form Amazon || Amazon UK

Nikon D90 Portrait Lenses

Nikon D90 Portrait Lenses are good for taking people / pet portrait images with smooth blurred background, you can also use your portrait lens for low-light / night photography or event shooting.

Nikon DX Format 35mm F1.8 Lens

 The 35mm F1.8 lens is made for DX format camera, 35mm give you a wide range for your portrait shot, the 35mm F1.8 is give you wide angle and best for low-light / event and portrait shooting.
Buy 35mm F1.8 from Amazon || Amazon UK

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Nikon 50mm AF-S F1.8 FX Lens

( FX Lens on DX D90 - Nikon D90 have DX format Sensor, So 50mm X 1.5 = 75mm Lens)

The 50mm Lens gives you more smooth background compared to 35mm F1.8, Excellent lens for portraits and low light photography.
Buy 50mm F1.8 Lens from Amazon || Amazon UK

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Nikon 50mm AF-S F1.4 G FX Lens

( FX Lens on DX D90 - Nikon D90 have DX format Sensor, So 50mm X 1.5 = 75mm Lens)

The 50mm F1.4 G Lens is costly but gives more  sharp pictures and great color, contrast and more DOF(Depth of Field), Compared to 50mm F1.8 Lens and more smooth background. The Nikon 50mm F1.4 also features very fast and very silent focus.
Buy Nikon 50mm AF-S F1.4 G Lens from Amazon || Amazon UK

Nikon D90 Macro Lens

Nikon D90 Best Macro Lenses, select your best Macro Lens for your Nikon D90 DSLR.

Nikon 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR Lens

The 40mm F2.8 Lens is lightweight and produces very sharp images, it can also be used for portrait photography.The lens produces pleasing out-of- focus background effect at maximum aperture of f2.8, the color and contrast output is also very good.
Buy 40mm F2.8 Lens from Amazon || Amazon USA

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Nikon 85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX ED VR Micro Nikkor Lens

The 85mm lens is for close-up, nature, portrait and general photography, it gives more smooth blurred background and more distance for shooting your macro subject, sharpness of 40mm and 85mm Lens is almost same.
Buy Nikon 85mm Lens form Amazon || Amazon UK

Nikon D90 Travel Lenses

Nikon D90 Highly Recommended Travel and All purpose Lenses, We will start from budget lens to High-End Lenses, select the best lens according to your needs.

Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens

Best budget lens for travel photography and all purpose use, images are sharp and you get wide range from 18 to 105mm.

Vibration Reduction is engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens and enables handheld shooting at up to 3 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper images.

Buy 18-105mm Lens from Amazon USA || Amazon UK 

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Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR

Nikon 18-200mm covers an extremely wide range and features good image quality, highly recommended for travel and event photographers.
Buy 18-200mm from Amazon || Amazon UK

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AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 17-55mm (Premium Style - Professional Performance)

The Constant Aperture Lens f2.8 3.2x zoom lens developed exclusively for use with Nikon DX Format Camera like Nikon D90, this lens provides excellent images, very nice and smooth background blur and the F2.8 fixed aperture helps you to take sharp images in low light.
Buy 17-55mm Lens from Amazon || Amazon UK

Recommended Lenses

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