How Do You Test a New Lens?

[Kayaker72]

I am almost done testing my third version of the 24-70 f/2.8 II. Most everything about this copy checks out, except I am concerned about two things:

1. It may be soft at 70 mm. In comparing the "quality of focus", the 24-70 II is ~100-150 units better than the 24-105 at 24 mm and 50 mm. But the 24-70 II is equal to or less than the 24-105 at 70 mm for apertures f/4.5-f/9.
2. In addition, at 70 mm, there is an odd dip in "quality of focus" from f/8 to f/4. Below are examples from two different runs with slightly different set ups.

I am thinking this goes back as well. No clicking while zooming, but it is soft at 70 mm.

Of course, this is based on my assumption that Reikan's "Quality of Focus" a reasonable approximation of sharpness...

[HDNitehawk]

Also, I would set up a make shift chart and take pictures with both lenses at 70mm, same lighting same target and compare the two using live view and manual focus. Do not count on the Reikan results for a quality comparison, especially if you are using the AF to take the pictures.