EFCS without atmospheric effects

Yesterday, I did some testing of the Nikon 400mm f/2.8 lens on the Nikon D810 with and without EFCS, and didn’t see much difference.

I went back and looked at the MTF testing I did with the D810 and the 400/2.8, and there wasn’t much difference at shutter speed faster than 1/125 second.

So I set up on my distant subject in the early morning, before the fog had burned off and the wind started to blow, and made a series of exposures at various shutter speeds of 1/125 and faster.

Here’s the scene, with still a touch of fog in the air:

Here’s a look at 200% at the central tree, f/8 at 1/125:

We are now getting close to pixel level sharpness with EFCS on. It’s not bad at all with EFCS off, either.

I set up on a somewhat nearer subject, a bit over half a mile away:

The crops, f/11 at 1/60:

EFCS helps.

I’ve never used a really long lens at distances like this, and I’m surprised how much the atmospheric conditions have to do with sharpness.