Last week I posted a set of lens evaluations:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1030&message=12934006

The following lenses were judged:
17-55mm f/2.8 DX
18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 DX
45mm f/2.8 P
105mm f/2.5
50mm 1.8 Series E

I thought I'd also share the actual image crops on which my evaluations were based. You can down the 1.25mb JPG file here:
[ http://emptyfortunecookie.com/tao/photo/Battle_Royale/Battle_Royale.jpg; ]

The file was compiled from 100% center crops of a 24"x36" test chart, which was lit using a single strobe positioned at a 45 degree angle from the subject plane. The standard crop measures roughly three inches square.

The distance from sensor to subject was altered for the various focal lengths to produce the same reproduction ratio across the range.

The images were captured in RAW and converted with Adobe ACR. Conversion settings for all images were identical except for minute changes to exposure to match histograms -- the total latitude for EV compensation was a quarter stop across the exposures.

Shadows: 0
Brightness: 50
Contrast: 50
Saturation: 0
Sharpness: 0

You may compare the raw data to my graphed evaluations, which you may find in PDF form here:
http://emptyfortunecookie.com/tao/photo/Battle_Royale/graphs/battle_royale_graphs.pdf

Some noted that I was easy on the kit lens in my evaluations and that it should have received a "poor" rating at the wide end at maximum aperture. I'll leave that up for discussion.

I'd like to welcome owners of any of the featured lenses to share their own experiences with the lenses in actual use or other opinions.

Enjoy.

Todd

PS: Let me know if you have any questions regarding the test.

http://www.emptyfortunecookie.com/tao/photo/1755/1755_DSC0015.jpg