Helios 35mm 2.8 "Made in Japan"

[hacksawbob]

Let us know what you think about how I can improve my tests. Thanks.
100% quater frame crops 1000X1700



full file
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=414153420&size=o

[Attila]

In my opinion, this test is ok for see the resolution. Not only resolution important to know from a lens. Many other point of view also important or more important like color rendering DOF etc. I suggest to select a nice scene like garden or beach etc. I like that kind of test, boring subject kill my interest.

[hacksawbob]

Yes I can see your point Atilla, Although comparison between lenses becomes difficult as the enviroment is not repeatable outside. I would like to compare all my lenses in the same situation so I can get an idea what they are like "back to back"

[LucisPictor]

Hi!

Actually, if you really want to test a lens, you need at least three set-ups.

1) One to test resolution and sharpness, similar to yours, perhaps even with a Siemens star in the centre and at the edge.

2) Some kind of lit 3D-set-up (similar to this simulated one) in order to test the DoF performance and the bokeh.

3) A "real life" situation to judge the colours, the warmth or coolness of the lens, the bokeh again and what is often called "Three-Dimensionality". (This is why Steve from Steve's Digicams often shoots the colourful surfboard scene and the harbour.)

No.1 can be quite objective, 2 and 3 are rather a matter of personal favour.

Carsten

[hacksawbob]

Thats a lot of work! I shot two tests last night, I only got one up on the net and as it was I didn't get to bed before 1:30am! may be the other tests can be added as the lens gets used more. Any ideas about the exposure changing? I set to spot metere, took reading off a white sheet and under exposed by 1 stop. Set the camera to aperture priority and stepped down for each shot. The exposure should remain constant but seems to chage throughout the test, I wonder why? The smallest apertures the shutter was possibly around 1second, am I getting reciprocity failure?

[Attila]

[LucisPictor]

As far as I'm concerned, exposure time is not that important. Much more important are comparable apertures.
If you shoot test photos outdoors, you will have different exposure time.

"Thats a lot of work!"

Yes. Nobody said that "testing" lenses is easily done. It is fun, though.

Carsten

[hacksawbob]

Just saw there is a tests forum here I'll post them over there next time! Tonight is the mighty 11A! BTW I am a little concerned by jpg quality for these pictures. Is it best to use in camera compression? or convert from raw in PS or DPP? I same my images at full quality jpg but there were four "saves" one in the camera, one for the crop one for the vertical panorama and one to add the information in PS. Does it get compressed each time so I loose quality on each save?

[visualopsins]