I have used L lenses, Nikkor, Leica, etc. This is not true in all cases and I speak from experience. I wrote the equipment review column in Professional Photographer Magazine from 1994 to 2002 so I can tell you about nearly every lens made. Take a look at the alleged flawed Photodo tests. Compare the 35mm F1.4L to the cheap 35mm F2. At F8 they yield identical resolution. The reason you buy a fast lens is for the wide aperture, that is why you pay the price for L glass as it provides a better image at a faster aperture that does not always translate to better at every aperture.
I agree! The wider-aperture lenses are usually designed for maximum performance wide open. However, the consumer lenses are usually designed to be best stopped two stops down. That's one of the biggest differences.
At f/8, the difference narrows tremendously to the point where you can pretty much use anything. However, the consumer zoom often cannot "catch up". This is the case between the IS and L lens in question.
Besides, if the OP wants absolute sharpness as their prime criteria, they should be using a prime. Nothing beats a contemporary prime. Sharpness isn't everything. You use a lot of sharpness and a lot of light with a zoom. That's why I've tended to avoid them like the plague.
KN -- Karen Nakamura http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/ * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
