[Leica] USAF Lens Resolution Chart

[marcsmall at comcast.net (Marc James Small)]

At 06:08 PM 4/1/2007, Jeffery Smith wrote:
 >For now, my lens resolution chart is the electric meter on the side of my
 >house. At some point, I need to upgrade to something actually made for
 >testing lens resolutions. ;-)

Jeffery

That noted manufacturer of the finest small 
telescope yet produced (pace, my APO-Televid 77), 
the Questar, argue for a "dollar bill test" and 
have been urging this for more than 50 years.  It 
works.  Remove those six SUV's and Lincoln Limos 
out of your garage.  Then tack up (or should that 
be, "ack up"?  <he grins again>) a dollar bill 
(in this age of electronic fund transfer, I do 
hope that you recall just what a dollar bill 
was), and then focus on it, take a picture, and 
develop and print it.  The results will be as 
good as the USAF Lens Resolution Chart, albeit 
you will have to take a number of pictures to 
obtain a baseline to determine quality.  I'd 
start with Nikon lenses as they represent the 
worst in modern lens design and 
construction.  Then I'd process them on a Mac to 
ensure you have a lousy result.  <just kidding, 
just kidding!  "Last night they hanged the coach 
in Effigy, a small town outside of Iowa City, 
Iowa ..." I can hear the thumping of the tribal 
drums as the offended work up to my house in offense at my words!)

Seriously, try the Questar "dollar bill test".

Marc


msmall@aya.yale.edu
Cha robh b?s fir gun ghr?s fir!