How do you test your "new" lens?

[Joao]

How do you test that “new” lens ?

You bought it, checked it for dirt, fungus or scratches, confirmed that the focusing is smooth and the shutter blades have no oil and move as they should. Then you load a trusted camera with your favorite film and attach the lens. Your most reliable lightmeter is at hand.

How do you do next ? Get out, shoot as usual and only check the results when the roll is over? Or do you deliberately make some photos at pre-determined distances and apertures ? Or do you proceed somehow between these two approaches ? How many frames are enough for you to have a first opinion about the lens? And are there any special settings for some frames (distance, light, subjects)?
I am interested in knowing RFF members routines (as users) for testing a lens ?
Thank you
Joao

 

[mfogiel]

A good rule, is to shoot a couple of frames on a tripod of a focus target from a short distance, to see if there is, and how much, of misfocus between what you see and what you get. Then, you simply need to shoot real things, similar to your typical style. It is a good rule to shoot some frames against the light, and even possibly with the sun inside the frame and just at the edge, to check for flare. Also, some close up wide open or slightly stopped down shots to verify the bokeh. If you are a sharpness fanatic, you can also shoot brick walls, but I leave that to the more technically minded...

 

[Rayt]

I have a friend who was Wetzler trained and now runs a Leica repair service. He checks over all my purchases and I take him to lunch.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I only checked FSU on M with the target for back focus to determine amount of shims.
Here is no reason to check Leica and Cosina glass for it. Only if it was in repair and results are unknown.
Usually, I'm only checking old lens for infinity focus with RF. This is how I determined what Hexar 135 isn't compatible with M and this is how local repair person, camera store owner and ex-Midland technician checked it at native LTM.

 

[Rob-F]

Decades ago I used to photograph NBS test charts. Now, I just take pictures. Well, with wide angle lenses I take shots of a building to check for distortion. And I might take a shot or two to test for flare and ghosting.

 

[brbo]

I take a few shots of my wife.

If she starts asking questions about the lens (when, where, how much...) I know that the lens was not worth the money I paid.

 

[presspass]

Usually, I just shoot with it. I should follow some of the advice Mfogiel gave above. His response is well reasoned.

 

[Kent]

I shoot with it a little and see if I like the results.
Sometime I shoot some extra shots to see if the focus is correct and if there is everything alright internally (sharpness, evenness of performance etc.)

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I put a roll of film in it and take the lot (but only 24 exposures) as I usually would. I'm not into billboards.

But I do make a point of a couple wide open at the nearest and usual distances. If the work justifies a tripod then I use a trusted camera and lens.

Regards, David

 

[jcb4718]

I shoot a roll of film but reserve a few shots at the end of for a standard set up I have, see attachment. It gives me a quick way of assessing various things like sharpness (centre and edge), colour fringing and the out-of-focus background. Most lenses are so good that they can only be compared under some kind of standard conditions. If I want to ask myself the question: is lens A better than lens B I need a standard set up; if I want to see if I like a lens, I simply use it.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Always the same way, take some pictures of my wife.

What I love to photograph is people. So people is what I test it on.

Best,
-Tim

 

[ferider]

I test close focus accuracy, infinity resolution/collimation, symmetry and coma, vignetting and distortion. Output is checked by eye, not measured. Takes me about half hour with a digital camera if the lens is ok.

 

[jsrockit]

I just go out and photograph and if something's wrong, it generally will show. I just can't get into testing and generally only care that it focuses properly. Do people get this many crappy lenses that they have to do such extensive testing? Seems like overkill.

 

[harpofreely]

I just go out and photograph and if something's wrong, it generally will show. I just can't get into testing and generally only care that it focuses properly. Do people get this many crappy lenses that they have to do such extensive testing? Seems like overkill.

Same here - I just go out and take my usual pictures. On the other hand, with the exception of my 8-element Summicron 35mm, I've never spent more than $500 on a lens and usually (much) less than half that. If I was in the league to be buying four-figure, current Leica lenses, I'd probably be a lot more stringent.

 

[ForestCap]

Before shooting film with the new lens I usually adapt the lens to my digital M4/3 camera. By comparing with other lenses in the same system as the new lens I own, I can figure out if the focus is off on the new lens, then get a brief idea about sharpness and so on.
I will also check the rangefinder coupling of the lens by 1 meter/infinite test if it's a RF lens.

With these done I usually don't worry more about the new lens. Simply put it on the film camera and start shooting a roll of film, normal shots and test shots mixed, in the end I would regret - why I shot the test shots.

 

[photomoof]

I have never tested a lens, other than to see if it mounts on the camera, so far so good.

I have a couple of Canon/Sigma lenses I have not taken out of the boxes yet, but I am hopeful.

 

[muser53]

I have a friend who was Wetzler trained and now runs a Leica repair service. He checks over all my purchases and I take him to lunch.

I like 🙂

 

[Joao]

Thank you for your input.
Some interesting answers and useful tips.
Regards
Joao

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I go out and see if it can stop bullets or help me in my cabinetmaking and finish carpentry hobby.

Phil Forrest

 

[ruby.monkey]

I photograph my kids. Well, I have to get my money's worth out of them somehow, and the wife says I may no longer refer to them as "My little organ donors".