Lens Resolving Capabilities

[CharlesB]

Hello Everyone!

I've been wondering how to figure out which lenses have enough "resolving power" (I believe that's the term) for my Canon r5 mark ii; or any camera for that matter. I have all EF glass adapted.

Is there a website that let's you know each lens? Is this even an issue that I should/shouldn't be worried about?

It comes up from time to time in different places but it doesn't seem to be often.

I could list all my glass when I get time if that's necessary. I just feel like there might be a website or something where you can put which camera(s) you have, then which lenses and see if you'll get the full "power" of the camera using that specific lens.

An example would be: Is my Canon mp-e 65mm going to be able to resolve the 45MP of the camera?

I feel like if this was a big deal, there should/would be labels on the lenses (or listings), essentially stating what the most MPs it can handle.

Thanks in advance for any advice/help!

 

[Loswr]

It’s a can of worms, and those worms have been fed mainly chicken poop.

The simplified version of truth is that the resolution of the system (i.e., the output) is the product of the sensor solution and the lens resolution. So, increasing sensor resolution will increase system resolution with the same lens.

Using a lens with more resolving power (higher MTF) will also increase system resolution.

Not surprisingly, using a better lens on a higher resolution sensor will increase system resolution even more.

The ultimate limit on resolution is diffraction, the relevant practical consequence of that is that wider apertures are better. For example, diffraction starts to soften an image on the R5II at f/7.1. But it’s not like IQ falls off a cliff.

Anyone who talks about a sensor ‘outresolving’ a particular lens has been feeding their brain with the aforementioned worm food.

 

[CharlesB]

It’s a can of worms, and those worms have been fed mainly chicken poop.

The simplified version of truth is that the resolution of the system (i.e., the output) is the product of the sensor solution and the lens resolution. So, increasing sensor resolution will increase system resolution with the same lens.

Anyone who talks about a sensor ‘outresolving’ a particular lens has been feeding their brain with the aforementioned worm food.

Thank you!

So basically it's something I really shouldn't worry about much, it seems.

I've heard it brought up from time to time but really not a whole lot of discussion about it.

I can't say I've noticed a difference negative difference in my photos but I've also haven't shot and examined a whole lot since I've got the camera. Which should change soon!

Thanks again, it sounds like a can of worms I don't want to be a part of! Lol

 

[Loswr]

So basically it's something I really shouldn't worry about much, it seems.

Your understanding of the issue exceeds that of many.

 

[Sporgon]

Hello Everyone!

I've been wondering how to figure out which lenses have enough "resolving power" (I believe that's the term) for my Canon r5 mark ii; or any camera for that matter. I have all EF glass adapted.

Pretty soon after moving to the 50mp 5DS in 2017, and using reasonably good, ‘mid range’ EF prime glass, I began to think of the much higher mp in terms of native output size, not ‘resolving power’.
The larger display of the captured image at 100% size from a 45mp sensor against say a 20mp one is a much greater difference that the extra detail that has been resolved. Once the 45mp is reduced to the same size output as the 20 it is going to show better resolution when compared at the same size.
As @neuroanatomist says, when it comes to resolution it is the system that has the influence - sensor, lens, camera body (shutter shock etc), technique (stability, focus etc). Incidentally, this was just the same with film, it was system resolution, but in those days the system involved the lens, film, camera body, technique, developer, enlarger lens / scanning lens !
So irrespective of how bad the lens is, when the 50mp output is viewed at the same output size as say the 20, what was originally the higher mp one is going to show more defined, improved resolution of fine detail, even though if you viewed them both at full output size there will be no difference in what has been resolved; one is just bigger than the other.

 

[CharlesB]

Pretty soon after moving to the 50mp 5DS in 2017, and using reasonably good, ‘mid range’ EF prime glass, I began to think of the much higher mp in terms of native output size, not ‘resolving power’.
The larger display of the captured image at 100% size from a 45mp sensor against say a 20mp one is a much greater difference that the extra detail that has been resolved. Once the 45mp is reduced to the same size output as the 20 it is going to show better resolution when compared at the same size.
As @neuroanatomist says, when it comes to resolution it is the system that has the influence - sensor, lens, camera body (shutter shock etc), technique (stability, focus etc). Incidentally, this was just the same with film, it was system resolution, but in those days the system involved the lens, film, camera body, technique, developer, enlarger lens / scanning lens !
So irrespective of how bad the lens is, when the 50mp output is viewed at the same output size as say the 20, what was originally the higher mp one is going to show more defined, improved resolution of fine detail, even though if you viewed them both at full output size there will be no difference in what has been resolved; one is just bigger than the other.

Thanks so much for the information and response!

As I was writing the question, I was thinking there's probably a good reason why it's not a big topic. That being said, I wanted to ask and be sure I'm not missing anything that could make my photos better....or worse. There's a lot of people on here with loads more experience than myself, so I'm very happy I joined.

I consider many of my photos great but when it comes to a lot of the technical aspects, I really never followed that. So I know how to take photos I love but when it comes to a lot of the "behind the scenes" technical information, I'm definitely not a pro.

I think if I have more questions in the future, it may be about certain gear or even settings on my camera. When I first got the camera, I followed a couple "must have" settings guides BUT I know what works for one, may not work for me. Most of the guides are very good about stating that. I really did it so I can learn the settings and navigation of the camera. Which I still need to work on, a lot! I don't know why but these mirrorless cameras seem 10x more complex than my dslr. The fact that I haven't gotten in a lot of shooting time, certainly doesn't help. That's going to change very soon, I hope.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond to my silly question; I hope you have a great day!