Zeiss ZF vs RED 18-50mm Sharpness?

[Andrae Palmer]

On a sharpness test with the Zeiss ZF 50mm f/1.4 lens we got around 150 lp/mm (tested at f/5.6). My buddy recently got he Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8 and is getting around 150 lp/mm too. Is this normal? What are you guys getting?

With the RED 18-50mm we got 200 lp/mm. I would like to know how the sharpness of these lenses compare to the RED 18-50. To me it seems strange that a prime lens would be less sharp that a zoom.

[chuck colburn]

200 lpm, really?
At what focale length and what stop?

[Andrae Palmer]

I'll have to find my notes... but here is the result: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/2927510524_0feb7c820d_o.jpg

Here's Gibby reporting the same:

When I was working with Matt Uhry and Finner on a project in September, we had the opportunity to project my 18-50. As Matt will attest, the results were impressive - somewhere around 200 lp/mm, with almost no CA or bending. I also have shot the 18-50 on a multi-burst chart, output a frame to 4k TIFF, and projected that TIFF on a full sized screen using a Sony 4k projector. The result: one of the best multi=burst charts me or my associates have seen, with at least 1200 lines of resolution, almost no CA, etc.

[Matthew Duclos]

I assume you were testing the ZF 50mm f/1.4.
Try this test again with the f/2 macro 50mm.
I think you will be pleased with your results.

[Vincent Thomas]

Here is a good ressource

http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/255-zeiss-planar-zf-t-50mm-f14-review--lab-test-report?start=1

http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/230-nikkor-af-s-17-35mm-f28-d-if-ed-review--lab-test-report?start=1