Hogs, yes I've done it..., I've finally done something useful with myself and it had nothing to do with Brands OR Curmudgeons!!!
I have designed a Test Target that will allow us to compare both lenses and cameras with visual accuracy and no test numbers.
It's easy and cheap to build. The materials are as follows:
The paint chips are from Home Depot so that we all have access to the same exact chips. The paint line is Behr, Premium Plus Ultra. I used this one since it was the only one with a PURE white chip. The $1 bills are standard the world over. Use a new crisp one. Total materials cost for me was $2.
I've included a row of feathers along the top since resolving feather detail is important to many shooters.
Any material can be used for the backer. My Backer is cut into a 3:2 aspect ratio so that fits the format of most cameras.
I used a spray foto adhesive but I'm sure a glue stick will be fine.

Let me know what you think??
If we shoot a test from say 10 feet from a chain link fence we can also test the DoF/Bokeh of a lens since chain link is fairly std. as well.
Shooting a test from about minimum focus distance will maximize DoF and keep resolving power pretty much at it's max.

I have used the three primary colors and white. That way we can see if the colors match our samples if we all use the same samples. You can get the color name and number right off of my chip. And the $1 bills have a ton of fine etching and a std. color and are also mostly identical. The feathers give is an idea how well a lens works for detail on birds and can be shot at bird shooting distances.

If you have any questions on building one just let me know.

If it matters to anybody, this was posted SOOC.

Thanks ;-)
SS

Yes, well, in real world few, very few, I should say have access to optical instruments that allow a rigorous testing. In real world situation, anything will do, including some of the gizmos you mention (I even use my hand at times).

The target here? Imagination, thinking outside the box and a source of ideas for many, including the feathers as this is usually a source of moire in lesser cameras. The currency also is a good target due to the minuscule imprints in there (many lines are made of small letters) so, real world, again.

Show me anything that is 'weird', 'strange', bizarre' and I pay attention as often there is something in there that pushes additional thoughts, concepts and observation, something I thrive on.

Your effort to create a test chart for lens comparison is appreciated; however, I would like to point out that what you referred to as 'primary colors' is incorrect and so is your reference to to the pure white chip. I have taken the liberty of superimposing the true primary colors and pure white on your target for comparison.

The real value of your test chart however is that the Behr chips are available almost anywhere, which will allow the construction of a very inexpensive tool for lens comparisons among UHH members and others. I will also like to point out that there are certain rules that apply to the photographing and duplicating currency.


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