Canon 17-40L - More Contrast?

Vin · 27th July 2005

While gathering info about this lens, this term "more contrast than kit lens" appears quite often. Could someone help to explain more what it means

? Better still if there are pictures (or URL links) to illustrate the differences.

Thanks in advance.

Russ · 28th July 2005

It means blacks are darker, whites are whiter, difference between dark and light is stronger and more real. In comparison, with lenses like the kit lens, the photos are pale. Apart from contrast, with the 17-40L, reds are redder, greens are greener etc. This also helps the photos becoming less pale. With the kit lens, in comparison, photos look as if there is a mist between the camera and the object.

The kit lens can take nice photos when stopped down but the 17-40L beats it hands down every time. That is why it costs 10x as much.

jsbn · 28th July 2005

I'm not sure if its myself or the lens. 17-40 is a nice contrasty lens, but the contrast leans towards a slight orangey feel.

Anyone?

metalgear · 28th July 2005

contrast is the range of brightness/darkness - regardless of colour.

what you are describing here is a colour tone; generally I find that the 17-40L and 24-70L produce warm tones (orange) on my 20D on Auto White Balance and more so for longer duration shots. I suppose you have to consider the entire system and settings to be sure.

Halfmoon · 28th July 2005

Originally Posted by Vin

While gathering info about this lens, this term "more contrast than kit lens" appears quite often. Could someone help to explain more what it means ? Better still if there are pictures (or URL links) to illustrate the differences.

Thanks in advance.

Try playing around with your monitor contrast setting and you might understand better.

Vin · 28th July 2005

Now I understand it better. Thanks!

Question:
What factor is the lens that makes the black darker and white whiter? Sorry for asking so much question.

Anyone with photos with 17-40L and Kit lens comparison on contrast?

DEADMETAL · 28th July 2005

I'll try to post some sample for u tonite.

n0d3 · 28th July 2005

Originally Posted by Vin

Now I understand it better. Thanks!

Question:
What factor is the lens that makes the black darker and white whiter? Sorry for asking so much question.

Anyone with photos with 17-40L and Kit lens comparison on contrast?

Hmm, optical design/construction? The elements used? Probably that.

Vin · 28th July 2005

Originally Posted by DEADMETAL

I'll try to post some sample for u tonite.

Thank u thank u

DEADMETAL · 28th July 2005

17-40mm at 17mm F4

Top left crop

18-55mm at 18mm F3.5

Top left crop

Sorry for the lousy pictures.

metalgear · 28th July 2005

Originally Posted by Vin

Now I understand it better. Thanks!

Question:
What factor is the lens that makes the black darker and white whiter? Sorry for asking so much question.

Anyone with photos with 17-40L and Kit lens comparison on contrast?

quality of materials
engineering precision
sheer genius

you've got to ask an optics expert. otherwise pickup a copy of the EF Lens Work III that will give you ample information about design and differences across the various lenses.

Vin · 29th July 2005

[quote=DEADMETAL]
17-40mm at 17mm F4

Top left crop

18-55mm at 18mm F3.5

Top left crop
[quote]

Thanks. The white in the signage and the flash looks whiter and blacker with the 17-40L. The sharper is really wow! compared to the Kit Lens. The Kit lens overall picture appears defocus. Could it be due to wrong focusing?

DEADMETAL · 29th July 2005

Can't remember where I focus, I will try to take a few shots later, since I'm home today. Get more samples for u.

n0d3 · 29th July 2005

He was focusing on the signboard in the background, the one with the green words. Hmmm can try posting smaller sized images? Its a tad big.

DEADMETAL · 29th July 2005

To prevent slow loading I've upload the pictures into clubsnap gallery, go there and take a look for comparison.

http://gallery.clubsnap.com/showphot...4/limit/recent

Vin · 29th July 2005

Originally Posted by DEADMETAL

To prevent slow loading I've upload the pictures into clubsnap gallery, go there and take a look for comparison.

http://gallery.clubsnap.com/showphot...4/limit/recent

Thanks DEADMETAL. Pls check yr PM.

Vin · 31st July 2005

After searching through the internet and DEADMETAL's tests shots, I've decided not to spend that extra $$$ on the 17-40L. The differences was below my expectation considering the price difference between both lenses.

Snowcrash · 31st July 2005

Originally Posted by Vin

After searching through the internet and DEADMETAL's tests shots, I've decided not to spend that extra $$$ on the 17-40L. The differences was below my expectation considering the price difference between both lenses.

How about a tamron 17-35/f2.8-4? cheaper than 17-40 and you gain 1mm and 1 stop over the kit lens.

Here's one that did a comparison:-

http://nododo.home.comcast.net/ultrawide/index.html

Vin · 1st August 2005

Originally Posted by Snowcrash

How about a tamron 17-35/f2.8-4? cheaper than 17-40 and you gain 1mm and 1 stop over the kit lens.

Here's one that did a comparison:-

http://nododo.home.comcast.net/ultrawide/index.html

Gain 1mm??

Snowcrash · 1st August 2005

Originally Posted by Vin

Gain 1mm??

gain 1mm on the wide and 1 stop over your kit lens 18-55.

27th July 2005	#1
Vin Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 190	Canon 17-40L - More Contrast? While gathering info about this lens, this term "more contrast than kit lens" appears quite often. Could someone help to explain more what it means ? Better still if there are pictures (or URL links) to illustrate the differences. Thanks in advance.

28th July 2005	#3
jsbn Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Planet Eropagnis Posts: 2,977	I'm not sure if its myself or the lens. 17-40 is a nice contrasty lens, but the contrast leans towards a slight orangey feel. Anyone? __________________ "Wonders of the Human Mind. Unfathomable to the highest degree."

28th July 2005	#2
Russ Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Pasir Ris Posts: 1,613	It means blacks are darker, whites are whiter, difference between dark and light is stronger and more real. In comparison, with lenses like the kit lens, the photos are pale. Apart from contrast, with the 17-40L, reds are redder, greens are greener etc. This also helps the photos becoming less pale. With the kit lens, in comparison, photos look as if there is a mist between the camera and the object. The kit lens can take nice photos when stopped down but the 17-40L beats it hands down every time. That is why it costs 10x as much.

28th July 2005	#4
metalgear Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 590	contrast is the range of brightness/darkness - regardless of colour. what you are describing here is a colour tone; generally I find that the 17-40L and 24-70L produce warm tones (orange) on my 20D on Auto White Balance and more so for longer duration shots. I suppose you have to consider the entire system and settings to be sure.

28th July 2005	#7
DEADMETAL Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 953	I'll try to post some sample for u tonite.

28th July 2005	#10
DEADMETAL Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 953	17-40mm at 17mm F4 Top left crop 18-55mm at 18mm F3.5 Top left crop Sorry for the lousy pictures.

29th July 2005	#12
Vin Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 190	[quote=DEADMETAL] 17-40mm at 17mm F4 Top left crop 18-55mm at 18mm F3.5 Top left crop [quote] Thanks. The white in the signage and the flash looks whiter and blacker with the 17-40L. The sharper is really wow! compared to the Kit Lens. The Kit lens overall picture appears defocus. Could it be due to wrong focusing?

29th July 2005	#14
n0d3 Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,494	He was focusing on the signboard in the background, the one with the green words. Hmmm can try posting smaller sized images? Its a tad big.

31st July 2005	#17
Vin Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 190	After searching through the internet and DEADMETAL's tests shots, I've decided not to spend that extra $$$ on the 17-40L. The differences was below my expectation considering the price difference between both lenses.