Canon EF-S 35 mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM review - Image resolution

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Canon EF-S 35 mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM

25 September 2017

Arkadiusz Olech

4. Image resolution

The resolution test of the Canon EF-S 35 mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM was based on RAW files from the Canon EOS 50D. In the case of that reflex camera the decency level is situated near 34-35 lpmm and the best fixed-focal lenses can get to 52-55 lpmm at the most. It's also worth adding that the record on this sensor belongs to the Sigma A 50-100 mm f/1.8 DC HSM which was able to get to 59 lpmm.

Let’s check how the tested Canon compares – its results in the frame centre and on its edge presents a graph below.

Canon EF-S 35 mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM - Image resolution

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When it comes to the frame centre the results are excellent. Already at the maximum relative aperture the MTFs reach almost 53 lpmm and by f/4.0 they increase to over 54 lpmm. It is a level worth very good system ‘primes’.

The edge of the frame is a bit weaker than the centre but still there are no reasons to complain. At the maximum relative aperture the lens exceeds 40 lpmm, ensuring your images will remain still sharp. On slight stopping down the MTFs are increased to near 44-45 lpmm.

Similar discrepancy between the frame centre and its edge we’ve observed in the case of the Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 40 mm f/2.8G; the one we’ve seen during the test of the Tokina AT-X M35 PRO DX 35 mm f/2.8 was even greater. What’s more, the Tokina’s results on the edge of the frame by f/2.8 were a bit below the decency level. As you see the new Canon compares very favourably with its competitors.

At the end of this part of our test traditionally we present crops from photos of our resolution testing chart saved as JPEG files along RAW files we used for the analysis above.

Canon 50D, JPEG, f/2.8