Feature Guide
Visual Lens Tests
Each tested lens has a comprehensive suite of real-world tests. View video and stills, compare f-stops side by side, and make your own visual judgements — all with full control over every variable.
Overview
Every lab-tested lens gets a full suite of visual tests — flare, bokeh, sharpness, vignetting, chromatic aberration, distortion and more. These are presented on each lens's detail page with intuitive controls so you can compare across f-stops, toggle between video and stills, and switch to widescreen for a cinematic viewing experience.
Visual tests walkthrough video — coming soon
F-Stop Controls
Most tests are shot across multiple f-stops. Use the f-stop selector to view how a lens performs wide open versus stopped down — flare softens, bokeh discs tighten, and sharpness improves as you close down. You can also view all f-stops side by side in the 'All F-Stops' view, which lays out every aperture in a single scrollable row for instant comparison.
Video & Stills
Tests include both video clips and high-resolution stills. Switch between them depending on whether you want to see motion behaviour (focus breathing, flare movement, bokeh transitions) or pixel-level detail. The toggle is persistent within each test, so your preference carries across f-stops.
Screenshot showing video and stills toggle in the test viewer
Keyboard Shortcuts
Use arrow keys to navigate test data without touching your mouse. Up and down arrows cycle through f-stops; left and right arrows step between shot slots. These shortcuts work both on the test page and inside the fullscreen viewer. The keyboard shortcuts button in the bottom-left corner shows a quick reference at any time.
Change F-Stop
Cycle through available f-stop values for the current test
Change Shot Slot
Step between different shots / frames within the current sub-test
In fullscreen mode the same shortcuts apply — ↑↓ change f-stop, ←→ change shot slot.
Widescreen & Full-Screen Viewing
Use the widescreen toggle for a cinematic 21:9 viewing experience on large monitors — perfect for evaluating anamorphic lenses. Tests can also be viewed in true full-screen for maximum detail with no UI distractions. In fullscreen, you can step through f-stops, switch sub-tests, and toggle frame guide overlays.
Screenshot of widescreen mode with a test image
Sub-Tests & Slots
Each test category contains multiple sub-tests — for example, the Flare category includes Sun Test, Night Flare, and Specular Highlights. Some sub-tests have multiple slots (numbered frames), letting you see different moments or angles from the same test setup. Use the sub-test bar to navigate and the numbered frame buttons when available.
Screenshot showing the sub-test bar with frame numbers
Frame Guides & Crop Overlays
Enable frame guide overlays to see how the test imagery sits within standard cinema aspect ratios — 2.39:1, 1.85:1, 1.33:1 and more. Crop coverage overlays show how the lens's image circle performs against different sensor sizes. These tools let you evaluate edge behaviour, vignetting, and coverage without leaving the test viewer.
Screenshot of frame guide overlay on a test image
Acquisition Selector
Some lenses have been tested across multiple acquisitions — different camera bodies, sensor sizes, or test sessions. When available, an acquisition selector lets you switch between them to see how the lens performs on different platforms. This is especially useful for evaluating image circle coverage and sensor-specific rendering.
Screenshot of the acquisition selector dropdown
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