The purpose of this test was to check other lenses I currently own or have access to against a 24-85 f/3.5-4.5 Nikon mid-zoom. I recently acquired the latter at a low price and suspected its sharpness was inferior..especially at the long end. Thus the test.

The sharpest lense appears to be the Nikon DX 18-135 although it has the worst color and bokeh (although the latter may be a function of its f/5.6 minimum aperture at 85mm). This lense is followed by the 85 f/1.8 Nikon and APO DG Sigma. Close behind is the Nikon 80-200mm. Next=to-last is the original APO Super Sigma, and bringing up the rear (and confirming my hunch) is the 24-85 Nikon.

From a bokeh standpoint, the original Sigma APO Super is the winner, closely followed by the Nikon 80-200 (which may have tied at f/4.5 instead of f/5). The 85 1.8 and APO DG are both another step down, then the 24-85, and finally the 18-135, the worst.

From a color standpoint, I give a slight edge to the lenses that have not been "digitally improved" (the top row here). These include the APO Super Sigma,the 80-200, and the 85mm Nikons. The "digitally improved" lenses (bottom row) to my eyes have an unaturally "darkish" cast to them and don't look quite so "true". The 18-135 Nikon is the worst offender by a good bit.

The "Original" sizes here are D300 "Large" prints, so will take time to load but let you look closely. The focus point in all cases was about 3/4ths of the way (from L to R) on the cross-bar at the back of the chair. Because of the angle of the chair, both the bar and the mesh behind it should be in focus from f/4.5-f/5.6, but the mesh will be at its sharpest right at the upper right hand corner, where the crossbar joins the sidebar (and the cobwebs exist).

You may not agree with me, so have a look...and enjoy.