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Testing used large format lenses

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euswdwj

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4x5 Format
Having purchased a used lens over the internet it would be useful to test the lens for resolution and f-stop at different apertures and the shutter at different shutter speed settings.

Is there a step-by-step procedure or maybe a description of the best way to perform such tests? My thought at this point is to use a digital 35mm camera mounted in place of the film holder on a view camera to perform the tests. Would this yield decent results for all tests?
 
A digi cam could verify shutter speeds, but wouldn't do much for checking overall image quality.

Paper negatives could be done quickly and easily.
 
The only "kitchen table" test that makes sense, and I have just referred to this on my Rollei 35 thread, is to see if it does what you want in practice at your largest planned print size - That is all we really need to know

PS - Use film, paper negs are a waste of time and materials, use film in the camera and paper under the enlarger

John
 
Photograph something at the distance you plan to use the lens most and evaluate what you get. I find evenly lit brick walls to do the trick... you can see distortion/fall off/ sharpness/field flatness this way.
Otherwise until a lens stops doing or doesn't perform what I ask of it, I don't mess with testing much.
 
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