How many of you test your newly purchased lenses? I'm going to receive my new Canon 100-400 lens tomorrow and was reading on how to properly test a lens for focus issues. I found the...

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

I'm going to receive my new Canon 100-400 lens tomorrow and was reading on how to properly test a lens for focus issues. I found the following two links:

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2010/11/how-to-test-a-lens

http://www.dphotojournal.com/focus-test-chart.pdf

I'm just wondering how many folks find issues with their NEW lens purchases while testing them? This seems pretty simple and thought for what a lens cost that every one would do this, but I don't see much when I search this forum.

BTW, I use a Canon 60D for what it's worth.

JKSde Loc: Middletown, De

Just go out and take some phtos??
JKSde

Dazay Loc: Laurentians

I'm lazy with a new lens. I fiddle about, take few dozen shots and if all seems to meet my expectations and AOK then that's that. I don't put the new lens through a rigorous test and am not sure I'd even know how to. Then again never bought third party glass, just Nikkor and Canon, and never a regret. Perhaps lucky.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I too have never tested a lens. My 5dmll has micro adjust and I've never had time to stop long enough to test anything. On the other hand all of my lenses appear to be sharp enough. What else is there. Any given shot makes me wonder, but then any given shot when viewed at 100% seems sooo sharp that the lenses seem fine.
We'll have to wait and hear from the testers out there.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Never in 40 years, the best test is to use it

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

It just seems to me that you would want to test your lens within the return period after purchase in case you get one that might have issues.

I find when researching lenses that a lot of people have mixed reviews on any given lens. I know these reviews are from the users perspective and it certainly can be due to incorrect use of the lens, but why chance not testing it upon receiving a new lens?

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

DavidM wrote:

It just seems to me that you would want to test your lens within the return period after purchase in case you get one that might have issues.

I find when researching lenses that a lot of people have mixed reviews on any given lens. I know these reviews are from the users perspective and it certainly can be due to incorrect use of the lens, but why chance not testing it upon receiving a new lens?

You do test it by taking photographs

I don't know anyone who buys a £20k car and takes it straight to a garage for a full report, they drive it, and if they notice a problem they have 12 months like a lens to return it

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

When I get a new lens, I usually take several test shots mainly to get the feel of the new lens and to check its sharpness and color rendition. I have an old tree that is my usual target.

John KA9PGC

I take pictures I know I can compare with a similar lens. That is as far as I go even with used lenses.

John KA9PGC

John KA9PGC

I take pictures I know I can compare with a similar lens. That is as far as I go even with used lenses.

John KA9PGC

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

I have to admit I find it surprising that more extensive testing is not done or mentioned due to the high cost of lenses and lack of quality control with some manufacturers.

I would hate to find out a month from now that my focusing is off and it is not due to my misuse of my camera or lens.

Radioman Loc: Ontario Canada

DavidM wrote:

I'm going to receive my new Canon 100-400 lens tom... (show quote)

*******
I do a quick and dirty test. e.g. I recently bought a Nikon
AF-S DX VR II Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm lens. There is a small park on the other side of the road - estimate about 150 to 200 feet away. ( See picture 1 from my front door). It has a sign with information. I took a photograph of it hand-held at 200mm, selected an aperture of f9 and 1/320 Sec exposure. See Picture 2. Cropping just the sign from this I can read the text. See Picture 3.
As is was a test, there is no processing or sharpening.
I was quite impressed by the VRii

I took the photograph with the Nikon D5200

i really must get the tape out and measure the exact distance.

Panacea Particulars Loc: Fort Lee, NJ

I tested my new Nikon kit 18-55 and 55-200 lenses because of so many warnings I read on this site about poor quality with focusing problems. I'm pretty sure I got the link from this site too. B/T/W the test was easy to do and my lenses tested fine. http://photographylife.com/how-to-quickly-test-your-dslr-for-autofocus-issues

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

Radioman wrote:

******* br I do a quick and dirty test. e.g. I re... (show quote)

I appreciate you showing this test, but I don't see it being a real test. You can't determine if it may have back or front focusing problems. It only test that you can zoom and see a blurry crop.

Again I don't mean to sound unappreciative of your comments, just that this isn't a valid test for a lens.

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

Panacea Particulars wrote:

I tested my new Nikon kit 18-55 and 55-200 lenses because of so many warnings I read on this site about poor quality with focusing problems. I'm pretty sure I got the link from this site too. B/T/W the test was easy to do and my lenses tested fine. http://photographylife.com/how-to-quickly-test-your-dslr-for-autofocus-issues

Thank you for this reply. Now I agree with this test as it is a more reliable way for testing your camera and lens for focusing issues and is more inline with what my findings are on the web.

I was just curious how many folks on this forum actually tested a new lens before its return date from the seller expired and what your method was. So far it's been surprising to me.