How do I test HD/SD lens performance?
 

I have an SD 2/3" and HD 2/3" camera, along with a Canon J22 and J9 lens set.

I just purchased a Fujinon HA16x6.3ERM HD lens, and I want to test it's resolving power compared to my old SD lenses, which seem to work fine with my old DVCPRO HD camera.

Is there a resolution chart online somewhere that I can print out and point at, that would give me some "standard" spec for each lens so that I can decide if the $8000 for a single HD lens is worth it over a nice $3500 SD set?

Thanks!

Paul

Re: How do I test HD/SD lens performance?
 

I can't think of anything you can print out yourself, but the "real" charts are available.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/584789-REG/DSC_Labs_MT12ST_MegaTrumpet_12_Standard_CamAlign.html

Re: How do I test HD/SD lens performance?
 

Ah! That's a bit expensive. :)

I have been using a still camera chart for testing stuff recently. It works well to evaluate my gear against other "my gears", but the results cannot be used elsewhere. I was most interested to see the resolution difference between DVCPRO HD and Uncompressed 10bit recordings with my old rig. Uncompressed was so sharp.

Re: How do I test HD/SD lens performance?
 

If you just need a comparison then you can easily produce one on a decent printer. Diverging lines with cross markers work quite we'll to check what can be resolved. Test charts can give you quantifiable results but you can produce gratings and other fine detail. You can draw lines at x distance apart and see if one lens can resolve them if the other cant. The printer usually controls the fine detail test, but it's an interesting experiment!

Re: How do I test HD/SD lens performance?
 

Sorry to admit it but I have only ever used HD lenses on 2/3" cameras when I have been working as a freelancer for other companies. When I have hired in my 3700 they have come with an HD lens too but I have also used the J22 and J9 and have not noticed any major issues or had any complaints.

Re: How do I test HD/SD lens performance?
 

I just purchased a used Canon J11ex4.5 to replace my older J9 version. I think the J11 and J22 last generation eIXFS SD models are some of the best deals on the used market, and can be had as a pair for less than the cost of a "standard" telephoto HD lens without extender. There should be many people who would like to know how these models stack up against a premium HD lens.

Below are a couple of still frame grabs from testing I was doing with my old HDC27H Varicam. The first frame is a resolution chart recorded at 8 bit uncompressed 1280x720. The second frame is the same chart as recorded by the onboard DVCPRO HD tape deck, and played out via HD-SDI jack. A very noticeable difference. Lens for those tests was the J22ex. I am very interested to see how much of a difference the HD glass makes on the same chart.