How to quatitatively test camera and lenses

churin

Is there a simple way to evaluate performance of a camera(D800) to determine whether it is working as is support to be?

Ironheart

Simple answer? No.
Longer answer, you can send it to nikon if you think there is something wrong.

Badger

This is a much debated topic, and possibly one that doesn't have any short, simple answers.

Roger Cicala at Lensrentals have typed up a number of (IMO; excellent) articles touching on this topic, here's a few of them:

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/09/there-is-no-perfect-lens
http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/10/there-is-no-perfect-lens-test-either
http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/11/inspecting-an-in-spec-lens

Have a look at Roger's articles and see if they shed som light on your conundrum.

(Apologies if providing links to other sites is not kosher, please delete my post if this is in violation of any rules or etiquette.)

Cheers
Badger

~ If it works, take it apart and find out why. ~

churin

I am relatively new to DSLR camera and afraid that my unexperienced eye may not be able to catch that "something wrong" with images just taken arbitrarily.

I have reviewed the links in Badger's post and noticed many test charts that are quite expensive. I wonder if there is any free chart I can download.

Ade

You can download a free chart here (download the PDF version):

http://www.graphics.cornell.edu/~westin/misc/res-chart.html

But really if your everyday pictures look fine, then there's nothing wrong with your camera. You can try using different AF points if you'd like, but if the pictures look good, then don't sweat it.

TaoTeJared

@churin - what are you seeing or think is wrong?

churin

Thanks everyone for your replies.
I have not yet gotten the camera. The delivery has been delayed due to the weather condition. I posted what I thought about while waiting for it. If there is something wrong then I may eventually catch it but I want to be able to do that sooner. Maybe I am worrying for nothing.

Msmoto

I think you may be worrying for nothing…. but this is fairly common here…..we all do it from time to time…. )

sevencrossing

Simple test for D800
is the IQ of photos better than anything you have shot before
if they are, then the D800 is working fine
if they are not, post some examples, we should be able to tell you if its you or the camera

churin

What is "IQ of photos"?

ThomasHorton

What is "IQ of photos"?

Often higher than the IQ of the photographer. LoL

In this context IQ means Image Quality..... a rather diffcult and complex thing to measure.

Ironheart

Churin, you can send it to me, I'll be happy to check it out for you :-)

churin

sevencrossing & Ironheart:
Thanks for your offers to help me evaluate sample pictures.
Let me take some pictures including the test chart which Ade helped me obtain, and see how they turn out.
Regardless of the results I will post back. The FedEx's estimated delivery is 1/17/2014 so I may come back here some times next week.

sevencrossing

In real life you rarely. if ever, photograph test charts

I am suggesting you take photographs of real things and real people in real life situations

the D800 is incredibly good at this

what I am trying to say is "don't go looking for problems" ( pixel peeping )

Because In real life, if you go looking for problems, you will find them

churin

Thanks for your advice. I am certainly going to take pictures of real things.

TaoTeJared

I guarantee you that if you miss a shot, 99% of the time it will not be gear

Charmdesign

Did you buy it new or used?

I too have wondered about what basic tests to do to check for the left focus issue or back focusing , stuff like that. But I'm paranoid because my d7000 has a bit of problems along those lines and I have got a lens with back focusing too. You can fine tune small issues. Suppose having a warranty gives peace of mind. It isn't too surprising how many people worry about their equipment considering how much it costs. Also I think I worry more about NEW stuff than old. For example I really was bothered by a new lens that back focused but the fact my body is doing it a bit, I don't mind as much I figure, I got it years ago. Truth be told you may not even notice unless you go looking like others said if there is something minor. That said I totally get where you are coming from. And I don't see the harm in testing because I learned a LOT in doing so, about my camera, how it works, how AF works. It was a great lesson for me!

I used http://www.kscameraclub.org/docs/pdfs/focus_test_chart_edited.pdf and discovered some back focusing issues like I mentioned. sometimes you just find the limitations of your gear. Be prepared for whatever you may find lol! But don't stress too much. Maybe someone can link to a free test chart for the left focus issue.

Ironheart

Churin, this may get you pointed in the right direction. There is a link to several test charts in Thom's article:
http://www.dslrbodies.com/cameras/camera-articles/image-quality/d800-autofocus-problem.html

churin

The camera has arrived this morning. I am now getting familiar with all those settings.

Charmdesign: Thanks for the link. BTW; I have gotten it new.
Ironheart: I could not locate the link at the website. Could you help me?

Ironheart

Try this one: http://www.bythom.com/D800autofocus.htm
And this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1951_USAF_resolution_test_chart

churin

Thanks.