So, which lenses are ready for high res. sensors

[tonccy]

My question is: how many Canon lenses are serious support high resolution sensors (over 17 MP like 7D, 5DIII...)?

Will it be any replacement for 17-40 mm L?

LP

 

[WarStreet]

All of them, including the old ef lenses. The best lenses will perform better, but even the worst lenses will deliver more resolving power with higher res sensors. You can verify this via DXO.

 

[tonccy]

I writeing about replacements like 24-70L USM with 24-70L USM II, 70-200L USM with 70-200L IS USM II... Because, why changin them if they are perfect already?

LP

 

[Flake]

The problem with very high res sensors is not that they outresolve lenses, but that resolution falls off towards the borders & more still in the corners. The more MP the more you will notice this effect, but lenses such as the 70 - 200mm f/2.8 IS L MkII excel in keeping resolution across the whole frame. On the other hand the 17 - 40mm f/4 L has 'no measureable resolution'* in the corners, the centre on the other hand remains at quite a reasonable level so you really notice the fall off effect. The higher the MP count the more noticeable it becomes.

On a crop frame camera this effect is much less noticeable as the sensor uses the 'sweet spot' of a FF lens and thus avoids the more marginal borders & corners.

*photozone.de tests

 

[AJ]

the 17 - 40mm f/4 L has 'no measureable resolution'* in the corners,

*photozone.de tests

Wide open, yes. Things do improve when stopped down.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

As noted, lenses will continue to outresolve sensors for quite a while. DPP will not supposedly help with diffraction, so that will also help with high mp sensors, at least when they get up to 200mp or so.

Higher resolution sensors do let you see lens flaws better, so, in that respect, better lenses will be in demand.

It won't be a big issue for a few years, and by then we will have a lot of new lenses.

Canon's weakest point is wide lenses, they are the most difficult to design. I've never been entirely happy with any of the Canon ultra wide lenses except my 15mm FE.