As I was reading this post I was printing off a copy of the test chart on my new HP 7960 inkjet. By the time I read the comments below I realised that all the chart will tell me is how well the ist D and my lenses take photos of test charts! I really don't plan on becoming a test chart photographer. Some of my lenses such as the Super Tak 85/1.9 will never see the test chart anyway. Don't have to, I fell in love with that lens after only 3 or 4 images. I do see a use for the chart in evaluating relative performance of zooms at different FL's, or perhaps trying all the stops on a lens under controlled conditions. Add the fact that I find testing lenses rather fun.
Other than that I tend to agree with William, the test that counts is the real world images. I'm still glad that I printed the chart though, my $179.00 printer made me get out an 8x loupe to see the finest detail it could print. Now that's impressive! If it's better than my eyeballs, it's good enough for me. ;-) Don > -----Original Message----- > From: William Robb [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2004 5:09 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: USAF target and resolution tests > > > > Maybe it's because I spent so many years in the game, but I just > don't care about this sort of thing any more. I just go out and take > pictures and I don't go looking for trouble. > If the film/ lens/ digital sensor/ whatever makes pictures that I > find pleasing, then I am happy with the equipment. I can't be > bothered with trying to squeeze the last possible drop of performance > out of something. That's too much like work. > If small format, be it digital or film, won't resolve enough for a > situation, I pull out a larger camera. > > I just don't think the difference between doing it right, and going > to extraordinary measures makes a whole lot of difference. > William Robb
