Lens review

Nikon Nikkor AF 35 mm f/2D

4. Image resolution

This time we had an opportunity to test the lens by using both the RAW files from the Nikon D200 and from the full frame Nikon D3. Let’s check out how the lens fared on a smaller sensor.

In the frame center we get a very good, or rather outstanding performance. One thing that could have been better was the result by f/2.0, because there the 30 lpmm decency level was barely exceeded. On stopping down a little bit we stop having any reservations.

A bit more complaints we must include, discussing the frame edge and corners. Here, to make the picture quality acceptable even by the most fussy users, you must stop down to at least f/4.0.

The comparison between the frame center excerpts from our test chart, taken at different apertures, shows the picture below. We would like to remind you that these are JPEG files and they are saved for the standard camera set.

When we look at the performance on the Nikon D3 full frame (the picture below) we’ll notice that the f/4.0 limit is valid also in this case. The full frame picture quality by f/2.0 and f/2.8 is very weak and it becomes acceptable only by f/4.0.

How look the edges at the maximum relative aperture, for the DX and FX formats respectively, can be seen on the picture below.

At the end, we would like to clarify why the MTF50 values for the Nikon D3 are much smaller than for the D200 camera. The linear pixels density on a full frame D3 detector is almost 40% lower than on a small D200 detector. In fact the MTF values should be diminished by the same factor.