Testing Lenses to Determine 50% MTF with an EOS-1Ds
50% MTF (modulation transfer function):
Perceived image
sharpness is more closely related to the spatial frequency (lp/mm) where
MTF is 50% (i.e., where contrast has dropped by half) than to resolution
alone. I used the EOS-1Ds and the Koren 2003 lens test chart
developed
and explained by Norman Koren to calculate 50% MTF. Printed test
charts were placed on the Edmund Scientific Test Chart as in the middle
and edge of the chart as shown
here. The chart was photographed with an EOS-1Ds under tungsten bulb
lighting at 35.5 inches so that the MTF test charts were photographed at
25 magnification. Images were shot at ISO 100, Raw mode, aperture
priority, compensation +1.3, and converted with Phase One DSLR v. 3.6.
The
distance from the chart was calculated at d1=(M+1)f where
d1 = lens to target distance (mm) and f = lens focal
length (mm) and M=25. This distance allowed the entire Edmund Scientific
chart to be photographed and for resolution and 50% MTF to be measured and
chromatic aberration to be detected from the same images. The imaged sine
patterns were analyzed with
ImageJ software and measurements were made on the resulting Plot
Profile to determine line pair per mm frequency of 50% contrast as
explained in detail on the Norman Koren website. Center weighted 50% MTF
was calculated (70% center, 30% edge).