Re: Nikkor AF 80-200/2.8 vs A70-210/4 pics

[Dan Scott]

On Friday, January 3, 2003, at 11:44  AM, Fred wrote:

Nikon F90X, Nikkor AF 80-200/2.8 ED IF (3rd generation, 2 touch
with tripod collar)

Pentax Super Program, SMC-A 70-210/4

What was the focal length(s) used for the two photos, Alan?

Also, was the Nikon rig mounted to the ball head by the lens' tripod
mount?  (I'm assuming that the Pentax rig was mounted at the base of
the SP.)

PS: This tripod is not particular rigid so the actual sharpest
should be better. Super program is also famous for mirror
vibration.

Upon first look, it would seem that the A 70-210/4 did a pretty good
job against its expensive (or so I'm assuming) competition.  I think
that the Nikkor seemed to show a slightly higher contrast and a
slightly higher resolution.  But, in both cases, it would seem (at
least to my untrained eyes) that the differences are really quite
small.  As for the SP's shutter vibration, damping it might make the
resolution differences even smaller, I would think.

Thanks for sharing the scans, Alan.

Fred

The Nikon looked sharper to me, but a small part of that might be due to the higher magnification. Considering the bouncy body the Pentax was mounted on (assuming the Nikon isn't bouncy) I think it did quite well. Where the Pentax blew away the nikon can be seen top center, where the overly contrasty Nikon can't pull the details out of the shadows that Pentax handles with ease.

This was one of the things I noticed about images from Nikons back when I was choosing a system to go with.

Dan Scott