Unfortunately many lenses suffer from an infrared hotspot. We have compiled the world’s largest collection of lenses and their hotspot performance. The lists below are based on our own tests and what others have reported. Lenses with a * have had mixed reports or only have a hotspot in limited situations. Please note, even poor performers can generally be used. Most hotspots only occur at smaller apertures and some shooting angles.
Luckily we are now offering our new AR coated conversion filters that reduce hotspots, which improves the lenses on this list. It will take time for us to retest lenses, but you can generally expect that with the AR coating you will get several additional hotspot free apertures compared to what is on this list, making many of the poor performers usable.
Please note: This list has errors, or you may find lenses listed as “poor” that you use well. This is because this is a compilation from many different sources, and people have different judgements for what is acceptable. For example, a lens that has a moderate hotspot at f10, some people may use primarily at f6 and below and think it is a fantastic lens, while someone who uses the lens around f11 will think it is terrible, while yet another person may use it at f11 and think the hotspot even there is mild and can be worked around and still think its a good lens. Additionally, hotspots tend to be worse with deeper IR filters like the 850nm, than the color IR filters, like the 590. Ideally, every lens should specify the aperture range that causes hotspots, but until we get there, please take this list with a grain of salt, and if you find any errors, please let us know and we will fix it!
After you know what lens is good, order one on Amazon or Ebay
, or have us convert your camera and calibrate it to that lens here.
Updated 10/02/16
Nikon Lens IR Hotspot Performance
| Good Performers | Poor Performers | |
| Nikon 10.5mm Fisheye f/2.8 G ED AF DX | Nikon 12-24 mm f/4 AF-S G IF-ED DX | |
| Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 G ED AF-S DX | Nikon 20 mm f/1.8 G ED (hotspot starting at f8) | |
| Nikon 14 mm f/2.8 AF-D ED | Nikon 24 mm f/2.8 AF-D | |
| Nikon 14-24 mm f/2.8 AF-S G IF-ED | Nikon 24 mm f/2.8 (Pre AI, AI, AI-S) | |
| Nikon 15mm f/5.6 QDC Pre-AI | Nikon 24-120 mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR * | |
| Nikon 16mm Fisheye f/2.8 AF-D | Nikon 25-50mm f/4 (AI, AIS) | |
| Nikon 16mm Fisheye f/2.8 AI* | Nikon 35 mm f/1.4 AI-S | |
| Nikon 16-35mm f4 G ED VR AF-S | Nikon 35 mm f/2.8 PC pre-AI | |
| Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR AF-S | Nikon 40mm f/2.8 G AF-S DX Micro | |
| Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF-S | Nikon 43-86mm f/3.5 AI | |
| Nikon 17-55 mm f/2.8 G ED-IF AF-S DX* | Nikon 50 mm f/1.4 AI-S (severe hotspot starting at f4) | |
| Nikon 18 mm f/3.5 AI-S | Nikon 50 mm f/1.2 AI | |
| Nikon 18-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 AF-D IF-ED* | Nikon 50 mm f/1.4 G AF-S | |
| Nikon 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 G AF-S DX ED | Nikon 50 mm f/1.8 G AF-S | |
| Nikon 18-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 G IF ED AF-S DX * | Nikon Micro-NIKKOR 55mm f/2.8 AI-s (all apertures but wide open) | |
| Nikon 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED AF-S VR DX * | Nikon 60 mm f/2.8 G AF-S ED Micro | |
| Nikon 18-105mm f/2.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX | Nikon 60 mm f/2.8 AF-D Micro | |
| Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX | Nikon 60 mm f/2.8 AF Micro | |
| Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX | Nikon 70-210 mm f/4-5.6 AF-D (starting at f8) | |
| Nikon 20 mm f/2.8 AI-S | Nikon Nikkor-H 85mm f1.8 (diffuse hotspot from f4) | |
| Nikon 20 mm f/2.8 AF | Nikon 105 mm f/2.8 AF – Micro | |
| Nikon 20 mm f/2.8 AF-D | Nikon 105 mm f/2.8 (AI-S) – Micro | |
| Nikon 20 mm f/3.5 AI-S | Nikon 180mm f/2.8 ED AIS | |
| Nikon 20mm f/4 (pre-AI, AI)* | Nikon 200mm f/4 (AI, AIS) (starting at f8) | |
| Nikon 24mm f/2 AI-S* | Nikon 200mm f/4 ED AF | |
| Nikon 24mm f/2.8 AF-D* | Nikon 400mm f/5.6 P C Pre-AI | |
| Nikon 24mm f/2.8 AI-s | ||
| Nikon 24mm f/3.5 PC-E D ED | ||
| Nikon 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E D ED | ||
| Nikon 24-70 mm f/2.8 G ED-IF AF-S* (varies by model, bad after f5.6) | ||
| Nikon 24-85 mm f/2.8-4 IF AF-D | ||
| Nikon 28mm f/1.4 AF-D | ||
| Nikon 28mm f/1.8G AF-S (bad hotspot after f5.6) | ||
| Nikon 28mm f2 AI* | ||
| Nikon 28 mm f/2.8 (AI, AI-S)* | ||
| Nikon 28mm f2.8 AF-D* | ||
| Nikon 28mm f/3.5 (AI, AIS) | ||
| Nikon 28-70 mm f/2.8 AF-S D IF ED | ||
| Nikon 28-80 mm f/3.3-5.6 G | ||
| Nikon 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G IF ED | ||
| Nikon 35 mm f/1.8 G AF-S DX* (hotspot at f11 and smaller) | ||
| Nikon 35mm f/2 Pre-AI * | ||
| Nikon 35mm f/2.8 Pre-AI * | ||
| Nikon 35mm f/2 (AI, AIS)* | ||
| Nikon 35mm f/2 AF-D | ||
| Nikon 35mm f/2.5 Series E AIS | ||
| Nikon 35-70 mm f/2.8 AF | ||
| Nikon 35-70 mm f/2.8 AF-D | ||
| Nikon 35-70 mm f/3.3-4.5 AF | ||
| Nikon 35-70mm f/3.5 AI | ||
| Nikon 35-135 mm f/3.5-4.5 AF | ||
| Nikon 35-105mm f/3.5~4.5s Zoom-Nikkor Ai-S MACRO | ||
| Nikon 45mm f/2.8 GN Auto Nikkor | ||
| Nikon 45mm f/2.8 AI-P | ||
| Nikon 45mm f/2.8D ED PC-E (very good from f2.8 to f11, mild hotspot starting at f16) | ||
| Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S (hotspot at f4, but at f2.8 very good) | ||
| Nikon 50 mm f/1.4 AF-D | ||
| Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G | ||
| Nikon 50 mm f/1.8 AIS* | ||
| Nikon 50 mm f/1.8 AF * | ||
| Nikon 50 mm f/1.8 AF-D (can start to hotspot around f8/f11) | ||
| Nikon 50mm f/2 (H-HC) Pre- AI * | ||
| Nikon 50mm f/2 (pre AI, AI)* | ||
| El Nikkor 50mm f/4 Enlarger lens (very crisp with absolutely no flare) | ||
| Nikon 55mm f/3.5 Pre-AI * | ||
| Nikon 58 mm f/1.2 Noct-Nikkor AI * | ||
| Nikon 70-80 mm f/4.5-5.6 ED AF-D VR Micro | ||
| Nikon 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6 ED AF Micro | ||
| Nikon 70-200 mm f/2.8 G IF-ED VR AF-S | ||
| Nikon 70-210 mm f/4-5.6 AF | ||
| Nikon 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR | ||
| Nikon 80mm f/2.8 AF IF | ||
| Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF | ||
| Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S | ||
| Nikon 85mm f/1.4 IF AF-D | ||
| Nikon 85mm f/1.8 AF-D | ||
| Nikon 85mm f/2.8 PC Micro | ||
| Nikon 85mm f/2.8 PC-E Micro | ||
| Nikon 85mm f/2.8 (AF/AIS) | ||
| Nikon 85mm f/2 (AI/AIS) | ||
| Nikon 85mm f/2.8 D PC-E Micro | ||
| Nikon 86mm f/1.8 Pre-AI | ||
| Nikon 105mm f/1.8 AIS | ||
| Nikon 105mm f/2.0D AF DC (no hotspots to at least f11, very sharp) | ||
| Nikon 105mm f/2.5 (Pre-AI, AI, AIS) | ||
| Nikon 105mm f/2.5 Nikkor PC AIS | ||
| Nikon 105mm f/2.8G AF-S VR IF-ED | ||
| Nikon 105 mm f/2.8 AF-D – Micro (mild hotspot starting at f16) | ||
| Nikon 105mm f/4 AIS Micro | ||
| Nikon 105mm f/4.5 UV-Nikkor | ||
| Nikon 105mm f/4 Bellows | ||
| Nikon 135mm f/2.8 Pre-AI | ||
| Nikon 135mm f/2 AI-S | ||
| Nikon 135mm f/2 AF DC | ||
| Nikon 200mm f/2 ED IF (AI, AIS) | ||
| Nikon 200mm f/2 G ED IF VR AF-S | ||
| Nikon 200 mm f/4 AF-D IF ED Micro * | ||
| Nikon 200mm Nikkor Q f/4 (Pre-AI) | ||
| Nikon 300mm f/4.5 ED-IF AI | ||
| Nikon 300mm f/4.5 ED IF AI-S | ||
| Nikon 300mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF-S (no hotspots but a little softer for IR) | ||
| Nikon 400mm f/3.5 ED-IF (AI, AIS) |
Canon Lens IR Hotspot Performance
| Good Performers | Poor Performers | |
| Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM* | Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 | |
| Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM (good at all apertures and very sharp) | Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L USM | |
| Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 USM | Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 II L USM (bad after f16 wide, bad at f8 zoomed) | |
| Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 II * | Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS | |
| Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye* | Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM | |
| Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM | Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8 L | |
| Canon TS-E 17mm f/4 L | Canon TS-E 24 mm f3.5 L II* (see comments for details) | |
| Canon EF 17-35mm f/2.8 L | Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L USM | |
| Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L | Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 | |
| Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM (f16+) | Canon EF 24-85 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM | |
| Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS* | Canon EF 28-70mm f/2.8 L USM | |
| Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 | Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM I | |
| Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II* (no hotspot but flares easily | Canon EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 USM | |
| Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS | Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8 | |
| Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM* | Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM | |
| Canon EF 22-55mm f/4-5.6 USM | Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM | |
| Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM (mostly f16 and above, better zoomed) | Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Macro | |
| Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM* | Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM | |
| Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5 L | Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM II | |
| Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM | Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS | |
| Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 | Canon EF 85 mm f/1.8 USM* | |
| Canon EF 28-70mm f/305-4.5 II | Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-f/5.6 | |
| Canon EF 28-80mm USM | Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L | |
| Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM | ||
| Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM* | ||
| Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM | ||
| Canon EF 40mm f2.8 STM | ||
| Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 L USM* | ||
| Canon EF 35mm f/2 | ||
| Canon EF 50mm f/1.0 L USM | ||
| Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 | ||
| Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II | ||
| Canon EF 50-200 f/3.5-4.5 L USM | ||
| Canon EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM | ||
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm 1:4-5.6 IS | ||
| Canon EF-S 60mm 1:2.8 macro | ||
| Canon EF 70-200 mm f/4 L USM | ||
| Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM | ||
| Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM | ||
| Canon EF 80-200 mm f/2.8 L | ||
| Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 II L * | ||
| Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 | ||
| Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro (after f16) | ||
| Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM | ||
| Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro | ||
| Canon EF 100-300mm f/5.6 L | ||
| Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM | ||
| Canon EF 135 mm f/2 L USM | ||
| Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 sf | ||
| Canon EF 180mm f3.5L Macro USM | ||
| Canon EF 200mm f/2 L IS USM* | ||
| Canon EF 200 mm f/2.8 L USM * | ||
| Canon EF 300 mm f/4 L USM | ||
| Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM | ||
| Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM | ||
| Canon EF 500 mm f/4 L IS USM |
Canon EOS-M Mount Lens IR Hotspot Performance
| Good Performers | Poor Performers | |
| Canon EF-M 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM (f10 or wider) | ||
| Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM (f16 or wider) |
Sigma Lens IR Hotspot Performance
| Good Performers | Poor Performers | |
| Sigma 8mm f4 EX DG Fisheye | Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX HSM DC* | |
| Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD (flares, but ok with hotspots) | Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG II | |
| Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG I* | Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro HSM | |
| Sigma 14mm f2.8 EX HSM | Sigma 18-50 mm f/2.8 EX DC* | |
| Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG | Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM (problems when not at 18 and 200mm) | |
| Sigma 15-30 mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG | Sigma 28mm f/1.8 EX DG | |
| Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro | Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG (only bad at 28-40mm) | |
| Sigma 18mm F3.5 | Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC | |
| Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 | Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art (Useable up to f2.8) | |
| Sigma 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DC | Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Art | |
| Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX DG | Sigma 70-300mm f/4–5.6 DG (non-APO) | |
| Sigma 24mm f/1.8 EX ASP DG Macro | Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM* | |
| Sigma AF 24mm f/2.8 Macro | Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro | |
| Sigma 24-50mm F4-5.6 UC | ||
| Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG * | ||
| Sigma 24-70 mm f/3.5-5.6 UC | ||
| Sigma 28 mm f/2.8 EX | ||
| Sigma 28mm f/2.8 (manual focus) | ||
| Sigma 30mm F2.8 EX DN (E mount) | ||
| Sigma 50mm f/2.8 (manual focus) | ||
| Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM | ||
| Sigma 55-200 mm f/4-5.6 DC | ||
| Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM | ||
| Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG AF Macro* | ||
| Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro | ||
| Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG APO HSM Macro | ||
| Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX HSM APO macro (non DG) | ||
| Sigma 400mm f/5.6 |
Olympus 4/3 Mount Lens IR Hotspot Performance
| Good Performers | Poor Performers | |
| Olympus 7-14mm f/4 ED | Olympus 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 ED | |
| Olympus 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye ED | Olympus OM 28mm f/3.5 | |
| Olympus 11-22mm f/2.8-3.5 | Olympus OM 50mm f/1.4 | |
| Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ED | Olympus 50mm f/2 ED Macro | |
| Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 ED* | ||
| Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 ED II* | ||
| Olympus OM 24mm f/2.8 | ||
| Olympus OM 35mm f/2.8 | ||
| Olympus 35mm f/3.5 Macro | ||
| Olympus 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 II | ||
| Olympus 50mm f/1.4 OM F.Zuiko | ||
| Olympus 50mm f/1.8 OM F.Zuiko | ||
| Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 ED SWD | ||
| Olympus Zuiko 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 ED | ||
| Olympus OM 135mm f/2.8 |
Panasonic Lens IR Hotspot Performance
| Good Performers | Poor Performers | |
| Panasonic Leica D Summilux 25 mm f/1.4 (four thirds) | Panasonic 14-50 mm f/2.8-3.5 D OIS | |
| Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50 mm f/2.8-3.5 ASPH |
Micro Four Thirds Lens IR Hotspot Performance
| Good Performers | Poor Performers | |
| Olympus 12mm f/2 | Olympus M. Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 * (slight hotspots) | |
| Olympus M ED 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6 *(worse after f11) | Olympus M.Zuiko 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ *(from f9 and above) | |
| Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R | Olympus M.Zukio 75mm f/1.8 ED Lens | |
| Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH | Panasonic 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 * (hotspots from 14-25mm) | |
| Olympus M. Zuiko 17mm f/2.8* (above f12) | Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4 | |
| Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ED Micro | Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. (low contrast in IR) | |
| Olympus 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 ED MSC | Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 | |
| Panasonic 14 mm f/2.5 H-H014 | ||
| Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 | ||
| Panasonic G Vario 14-42mm f/3.5 -5.6 H-FS014042 | ||
| Panasonic 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 | ||
| Panasonic Leica Macro 45mm f/2.8 |
Pentax Lens IR Hotspot Performance
| Good Performers | Poor Performers | |
| Pentax SMC-DA 14mm f/2.8 ED [IF] | Pentax DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL (IF) | |
| Pentax SMC-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited | Pentax SMC-DA 16-45mm f/4 ED AL | |
| Pentax SMC DA 17-70mm f/4 | Pentax SMC DA 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR | |
| Petnax SMC P-FA J 18-35mm AL (up to f11) | Pentax FA-J 28-105 mm | |
| Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 | Pentax SMCP-D FA 50mm f/2.8 Macro | |
| Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II | Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/2.8 Macro | |
| Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 WR | Pentax SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED IF | |
| Pentax SMC DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 | Pentax SMC DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM | |
| Pentax M 20mm f/4 | Pentax SMC-FA 100mm f/2.8 macro | |
| Pentax SMC-FA 20-35mm f/4 AL | ||
| Pentax SMC-DA 21mm f/3.2 Limited | ||
| Pentax SMC-FA 28mm f/2.8 AL | ||
| Pentax SMC-FA 28-70mm f/4 | ||
| Pentax SMC-FA 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 | ||
| Pentax SMC-FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited | ||
| Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited | ||
| Pentax A 35mm f/2 AL | ||
| Pentax SMC-FA 43 mm f/1.9 Limited | ||
| Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Lens | ||
| Pentax A 50mm f/1.4 MF | ||
| Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.7 Lens | ||
| Pentax A 50mmf/1.7 | ||
| Pentax A 50mmf/1.7 | ||
| Pentax SMCP-A 50mm f/2 | ||
| Pentax SMC-DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED | ||
| Pentax SMC-DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR | ||
| Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED | ||
| Pentax SMCP-DAL 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED | ||
| Pentax 55mm f/1.8 MF | ||
| Pentax SMC DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] | ||
| Pentax SMC P DA 70mm f/2.4 | ||
| Pentax SMC-FA 77mm f/1.8 limited | ||
| Pentax FA* 85mm f/1.4 | ||
| Pentax SMC-FA 135mm f/2.8 [IF] | ||
| Pentax SMC-DA* 300mm f/4.0 | ||
| Pentax SMC-FA* 300mm f/4.5 ED [IF] |
Samsung Lens IR Hotspot Performance
| Good Performers | Poor Performers | |
| Samsung NX 20-50mm f/3.5-5.6 | ||
| Samsung NX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 |
Sony A Mount Lens IR Hotspot Performance
| Good Performers | Poor Performers | |
| Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 DT (hotspot starts at f8) | Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM Vario-Sonnar T* | |
| Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS (hotspot starts at f8) | Sony Sonnar T* 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA DT | |
| Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM SAL1855 | Sony 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6 DT (mild hotspots) | |
| Sony 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 DT* | Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss T (mild hotspots but useable) | |
| Sony 24mm f/2.0 Carl Zeiss T* | Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA Lens (mild at 2.8, bad after f4) | |
| Sony 35mm f/1.4G | Sony 50mm f/1.4 | |
| Sony Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 ZA | Sony 85mm f/1.4 (mild hotspots) |
Minolta A Mount Lens IR Hotspot Performance
| Good Performers | Poor Performers | |
| Minolta 20mm f/2.8 | Minolta AF DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 D | |
| Minolta 24mm f/2.8 RS | Minolta AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 D | |
| Minolta AF 24-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D | Minolta 35mm f/2 (mild hotspots) | |
| Minolta 28mm f/2 | Minolta AF 100mm f/2 | |
| Minolta 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 | ||
| Minolta AF 28-135mm f/4-4.5 (soft at tele end) | ||
| Minolta Rokkor MC 35mm f/2.8 | ||
| Minolta A 35mm f/2 | ||
| Minolta AF 35-70mm f/4 | ||
| Minolta AF 50mm f/1.7 | ||
| Minolta AF 50mm f/2.8 Macro | ||
| Minolta Maxxum AF 70-210mm f/4 |
Sony E/FE Mount Lens IR Hotspot Performance
| Good Performers | Poor Performers | |
| Sony E 16mm f/2.8* SEL16F28 (hotspot starting at F5.6) | Sony 10-18mm f/4 OSS (mild hotspots start at f5.6) | |
| Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS (Good to f/16 at 35mm, good to f/5.6 at16mm) | Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6* (Strong hotspot at F8+) | |
| Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS (mild hotspot starting at F5.6, works best with 590nm) | Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS | |
| Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS SEL1855 * (mild hotspot starting at F7, mostly at 18mm) | Zeiss Batis FE 25mm f/2 (hotspots start around f2-f4) | |
| Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS | ||
| Sony E Zeiss T* 24mm F1.8 ZA | ||
| Sony FE 28mm f/2 (hotspot starts at f8) | ||
| Sigma E 30mm F2.8 EX DN | ||
| Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA (hotspot starting at f8) | ||
| Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS(hotspot starting at f12) | ||
| Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 | ||
| Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster FE 50mm f/0.95on Speedmaster II 50mm f/0.95 | ||
| Zeiss Touit 50mm f/2.8M Macro E mount (good to F8) | ||
| Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA (good throughout) | ||
| Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 | ||
| Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS | ||
| Rokinon FE 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC |
Fujifilm X-Mount Lens IR Hotspot Performance
| Good Performers | Poor Performers | |
| Samyang 8mm f/2.8 Fisheye (X-Mount) | ||
| Fujifilm XF 14mm f/2.8 (Mild one starting at f11 on some reports) | Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS (hotspot at most apertures) | |
| Fujifilm XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS (useable at f8 and below)* | Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR (hotspot past f2.8) | |
| Fujifilm XF 18-135 f/3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR | Fujifilm XF 18mm F2.0 (Soft wide open, hotspot starting at f8) | |
| Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 | Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS (hotspot at most apertures) | |
| Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 (Mild hotspot starting at f11) | Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 (useable to f/4) | |
| Fujifilm XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR | Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R (useable up to f/2.8 only) | |
| Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS (none wide open, small hotspot at f11, bad hotspot at F22) | Fujifilm XF 60mm F2.4 Macro (useable uo to f/5.6) | |
| Zeiss Touit 50mm f/2.8M Macro (X mount) (good to F8) |
Tokina Lens IR Hotspot Performance
| Good Performers | Poor Performers | |
| Tokina 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 Fisheye Zoom | Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro IF SD DX (can have some mild hotspots) | |
| Tokina 17mm f/3.5 RMC | Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro IF SD DX II* (hotspots start at f5.6) | |
| Tokina 20-35mm f/3.5* | Tokina 12-24 mm f/4 AT-X Pro DX | |
| Tokina 28-70mm f/2.8 AT-X | Tokina 12-24 mm f/4 AT-X Pro DX II | |
| Tokina 28-200mm f/3.5-5.3 SZ-X* | Tokina 16-50mm f2.8 | |
| Tokina AT-X 287 PRO SV AF 28-70mm f/2.8* | ||
| Tokina AF 28-70mm f/2.8-2.6 AT-X Pro II |
Tamron Lens IR Hotspot Performance
| Good Performers | Poor Performers | |
| Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 DI II | Tamron 11-18mm F/4.5-5.6 | |
| Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD | Tamron 17-35mm f/2.8-4 SP AF Di LD IF | |
| Tamron 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD AF | Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 SP AF XR Di-II LD IF | |
| Tamron 24mm f/2.5 | Tamron 18-50mm f2.8 | |
| Tamron 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 | Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 AF XR Di-II Macro | |
| Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro | Tamron 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 | |
| Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 AF 72E* | Tamron SP 20-40mm f/2.7-3.5 (mild hotspot) | |
| Tamron 200-500mm f/5-6.3 SP AF Di LD (IF) | Tamron Adaptall-2 24mm f/2.5 | |
| Tamron 500mm f/8 SP Macro | Tamron SP AF 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AD Macro | |
| Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD* | ||
| Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 AF XR Di LD | ||
| Tamron 28-105MM F/2.8 AF LD | ||
| Tamron 28-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 AF XR Di LD Macro * | ||
| Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 AF Di LD Macro | ||
| Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 AF LD Macro | ||
| Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro (hotspot at f8 and smaller) |
Zeiss Lens IR Hotspot Performance
| Good Performers | Poor Performers | |
| Zeiss 25mm f2.8 Distagon ZF-IR | Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 ZE Distagon T* | |
| Zeiss 25mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZF* | Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZE | |
| Zeiss 25mm f/2.8 (Contax) | Zeiss 35mm f/2 Distagon ZE | |
| Zeiss 50mm f1.4 Planar ZF-IR Lens | Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* | |
| Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 IR | Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* (Contax) | |
| Zeiss 100mm f/2 Makro-Planar | Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZE | |
| Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE | Zeiss 85mm f/2.8 (contax) | |
| Zeiss 25mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZF | Zeiss 100mm f/2 ZK | |
| Zeiss Jena 35mm f/2.4 Flektogon | ||
| Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 T* Planar (Contax) | ||
| ZEISS 50mm f/2 Planar ZM T |
Other Lens IR Hotspot Performance
| Good Performers | Poor Performers | |
| Asahi 35 mm f/3.5 Super-Takumar | Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 (bad at all apertures and not sharp) | |
| Asahi 55 mm f/1.8 Super-Takumar SMC | Voigtländer 15mm f/4.5 Heliar III | |
| Coastal Optics 60mm UV-VIS-IR APO | Voigtländer 125 mm f/2.5 APO-Lanthar | |
| Coastal Optics 105 UV-VIS-IR APO | Mitakon 50mm f/0.95 (bad starting from wide open) | |
| Contax 28mm f/2.8 Biogon | Soligor 200mm f2.8 (Mild starting around f4) | |
| Contax 35mm f/2 Planar | Konica 50mm f/1.4 (starting at f4) | |
| Contax 45mm f/2 Planar | Samyang 12mm f/2 NCS CS | |
| Konica 40mm f/1.8 | ||
| Konica 57mm f/1.4 | ||
| Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux M (Good to f4) | ||
| LEICA 90mm f/2.8 ELMARIT-M (good to f8) | ||
| Leica APO-Telyt-M 135mm f/3.4 | ||
| LEICA ELMAR 135mm f/4 | ||
| Leica 35-70mm Vario-Elmar-R f/4 (good to f11 at 70mm, good to f8 at 35mm) | ||
| Leica Elmarit-R 180mm f/2.8 | ||
| Lensbaby II | ||
| Lensbaby 50mm f/2.8 | ||
| Lensbaby 0.6X Wide Angle/Macro Conversion Lens | ||
| MTO 500mm f/8 | ||
| Peleng 8 mm f/3.5 Fisheye | ||
| Quantaray 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OS DI | ||
| Rokinon 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC | ||
| Rokinon (Samyang, Bower, ProOptic) 35mm f1.4 | ||
| Samyang/Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 Fisheye | ||
| Samyang 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye | ||
| Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC* | ||
| Samyang 24mm f/3.5 ED AS UMC Tilt-Shift | ||
| Samyang/Sirius/Cambron 18-28mm f4-4.5 | ||
| Samyang/Vivitar/Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 | ||
| Soligor 21mm f/3.8 | ||
| Vivitar 24mm f/2.8 MF | ||
| Voigtlander Ultra Wide-Heliar 12mm f/5.6 | ||
| Voigtländer Ultron 28mm f/2 | ||
| Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 | ||
| Voigtlander Nokton 35mm II f/1.2 | ||
| Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 Color Skopar | ||
| Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 | ||
| Voigtländer Ultron 40mm f/2 SLII | ||
| Voigtlander Heliar 75mm f/1.8 | ||
| Zenitar MC 16mm F2.8 Fisheye |
Now that Kolari Vision is offering AR coating for the sensors the Hoot Spot list will most likely need to be revised for people who get the AR coating.
Konica 50mm f1.4 — terrible hot spot all the way down to f4
Konica 57mm ƒ1.4 — no hot spot at all
I test by using a tree in my alley and centering the lens int he open sky just above the bright trees. My camera is 720nm A7II. No AR coating.
Samyang T-S 24mm f3.5 ED AS UMC on converted to full spectrum Canon 50D.
Outstanding resolution, no hot spot on every aperture.
Perfect for visible and IR spectrum.
Tested on visible light, 690nm and 720nm.
ZEISS 50mm f/2 Planar ZM T* : No problem at all
Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 Color Skopar Leica M mount : No problem at all
Just to be more precise about the FUJI XF 27mm f/2.8, it’s usable at f/4 no hot spot visible,it begins to be very faint and wide at f/5.6, very bright small hot spot at f/16.
All the tests were done on FUJI X-Pro1 camera.
I just got testing a Sigma 35mm Art lens on my Kolarivision converted 60D and experience a hot spot at all apertures smaller than F2.8. The intensity increases as the aperture size decreases and is really intolerable at F6.7 or smaller. At apertures wider than F2.8 you really have to look for it.
I’ve got the Fuji 16 F 1.4 – very bad at all apertures past F2.8 and not so good at 2.8 and lower. The only good thing to say about the otherwise wonderful lens is that the hot spot does not have a hard, harsh border, and is very wide – hiding the effect a bit.
So I have gone crazy with testing Standard/Normal old glass over the past three months. I shoot a pair of oak trees in front of my apartment building late in the afternoon. Testing season will be done soon
Konica AR 57mm ƒ1.4 – fantastic lens both color and IR.
Konica AR 50mm ƒ1.4 – well defined hot spot from ƒ4
Konica AR 50mm ƒ1.7 – clean lens, great performer
Konica AR 50mm ƒ1.8 – hot spot looks like smudges in the imager after ƒ11, also Ninja Star
Mamiya Sekor 55mm ƒ1.8 SX – clean lens that has smudge Hot Spot after ƒ11
Mamiya Sekor 55mm ƒ1.8 – clean great performer
Olympus 50mm ƒ1.4 Zuiko – Ninja Star, and bad hot spot, really bad
Olympus 50mm ƒ3.5 Macro Zuiko – lovely performer, sharp and no hot spot
Canon FD 50 ƒ1.8 – clean great performer
Canon FD 50mm ƒ1.4 – one of the worst from ƒ4 on
Minolta MD 50mm ƒ2 – visible hot spot starting at ƒ8
Minolta 50mm ƒ1.7 Rokkor – clean nice lens
Minolta MD 50mm ƒ1.7 Rokkor-X – clean great performer
Minolta MD 50mm ƒ1.4 Rokkor-PG – terrible hot spot one of the worst starting at ƒ5.6
Minolta 50mm ƒ1.7 AF – clean but the lack of live preview of aperture is a no-go
Yashica 50mm ƒ1.5 Yashinon DS-M – Bad, really bad, one of the worst
Nikon 50mm ƒ2 Nikkor pre-AI – clean sharp and no hot spot
Nikon 50mm ƒ1.4 Nikkor pre-AI – not terrible just unusable after ƒ8
Nikon GN 45mm ƒ2.8 Nikkor – crazy sharp and no hot spot.
Fuji 55mm ƒ1.8 Fujinon – Ninja Star, nice lens otherwise with slight smudging at tine apertures
Pentax 50mm ƒ1.8 Takumar – No hot spot, but not as sharp or interesting as the Konica/Mamiya/Minolta lenses.
So what can we learn from all of this.
1. The Konica 57mm ƒ1.4 is the only ƒ1.4 that I have tested that has no hot spot at all. Combine that with it’s color performance and despite my best efforts to replace it, I still find it to be a winner.
2. The color and bokeh of the ƒ1.4 lenses all made me happy with the exception of the Ninja Star issue on the Oly. If I was not shooting IR there is not a loser among the rest.
3. I have not tested any m39, M, Pentax 50mm ƒ1.4, Leica R or Contax lenses.
4. Simpler design seems to make for less hot spots. Though that is not always the case. The ƒ1.8-ƒ2 lenses seem at worst to have more of a smudging issue or than the cheap Minolta 50mm ƒ2.
5. I own too many of these lenses and need to sell off most of them.