Optical test chart, USAF, 1951

[mirage]

I found this chart during my travels on the Internet. For those who - like me - use & enjoy fine optical instruments, this will enable you to make an objective judgement of just how fine they actually are.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/maximusotter/Optical%20test%20chart/OpticstestchartUSAF1951.jpg

On my setup, the print of the chart comes out at about 8" square.

mirage

[Ropeman]

How do you use it Mirage? I presume the smaller the numbered lines you can differentiate the greater the instruments resolving power but is there a distance to set it up at?

And I thought my pics were big.:O

[mirage]

You've got it, Nick. The better the instrument, the better the resolving power. Better quality glasses will see the horizontal & vertical lines as separate lines; poorer ones will cause them to "blob out" and be seen as solid squares.

I don't believe there's a fixed distance at which to use it. I'd set 'er up at about 25 yards and use a tripod to steady my binoculars.

Before anyone asks: No, I haven't got round to testing my stuff yet. If the Ultravids don't win by a wide margin, I'm going to be well hacked off!

mirage

[Ropeman]

Cheers Mirage, I can set it up in my newly cleared garden, thest out the twighlight abilities. I haven't got any top notch optics yet, my Eschenbach 8x40s are the best I've got so far. I should start looking around for something nice. Good resource, thanks.