The Putora acuity indicator is the most advanced and accurate test chart. Any photographer will be able to accurately evaluate the sharpness and resolution of all types of film, video and camera.The sharpness indicator consists of test targets with concentric circles printed on the background at the level of the reference field. The background has the same…
The Putora acuity indicator is the most advanced and accurate test chart. Any photographer will be able to accurately evaluate the sharpness and resolution of all types of film, video and camera.The sharpness indicator consists of test targets with concentric circles printed on the background at the level of the reference field. The background has the same reflectivity as the average reflectivity of the targets. When the target appears to blend into the background, the table shows that the target is out of focus of the system under test.
The PUTORA 7A9 Sharpness Indicator Chart is a professional resolution and focus‑testing tool designed for filmmakers, broadcast operators, and photographers who need precise, repeatable image‑quality evaluation. Ideal for camera and lens calibration, it helps you quickly identify sharpness, micro‑contrast, chromatic aberration, and focus accuracy across the entire frame. Perfect for studio, rental, and production environments where consistent, high‑quality results matter.
The PUTORA 7A9 Sharpness Indicator Chart is an essential tool for anyone who demands reliable, scientific image‑quality testing in film, broadcast, and photography. Built for professional workflows, this chart allows you to evaluate the true performance of any camera and lens combination — from high‑resolution mirrorless systems like the Sony A7R V with 24–70mm GM II, to broadcast setups such as the URSA Broadcast G2 paired with Fujinon LA16.
Designed with high‑frequency detail patterns, contrast blocks, and precision alignment markers, the PUTORA 7A9 chart reveals how well your equipment reproduces fine detail, maintains focus accuracy, and handles optical challenges such as chromatic aberration, edge softness, and codec‑related resolution loss. It is widely used in rental houses, QC departments, studios, and production companies to ensure cameras deliver consistent, professional‑grade results.
Using the chart is simple: mount it securely, light it evenly, align your camera parallel to the surface, and capture images or video at different focal lengths and apertures. When reviewing the footage, you can easily assess center and corner sharpness, micro‑contrast, color fringing, moiré behavior, and backfocus accuracy — especially important for broadcast lenses. This makes the PUTORA 7A9 chart a powerful tool for camera matching, lens comparison, equipment calibration, and pre‑production quality checks.
Whether you are preparing for a commercial shoot, calibrating a multicam setup, or verifying the performance of a new lens, the PUTORA 7A9 Sharpness Indicator Chart provides the clarity and confidence needed to achieve the highest image quality in every project.
Understanding and Using the PUTORA 7A9 Sharpness Indicator Chart
The PUTORA 7A9 Sharpness Indicator Chart is a professional test chart designed to evaluate the sharpness, resolution, focus accuracy, and optical performance of any camera and lens combination. It is commonly used in cinema production, broadcast studios, rental houses, and photography labs to verify that a camera system delivers the highest possible image quality.
This chart helps operators detect:
Lens sharpness (center and corners)
Fine detail reproduction
Micro‑contrast performance
Chromatic aberration
Focus accuracy
Backfocus issues (especially on broadcast lenses)
Codec or sensor detail loss
Using a chart ensures objective, repeatable, and scientific evaluation of your equipment.
Using the chart is simple and follows a standard testing workflow:
Mount the chart flat and stable at eye level.
Light it evenly with soft, uniform lighting.
Place the camera at the correct distance (usually several focal lengths away).
Align the camera so the sensor is perfectly parallel to the chart.
Set your test settings (ISO 100–400, mid aperture, neutral profile).
Record or photograph the chart at different focal lengths and apertures.
Review the captured image on a calibrated monitor.
This procedure works for both high‑resolution mirrorless cameras (Sony A7R V) and broadcast cameras (URSA Broadcast G2).
When reviewing the captured chart, pay attention to:
Center sharpness Fine lines should be crisp and clearly separated.
Corner sharpness Corners should remain sharp; softness indicates lens limitations.
Micro‑contrast Tiny black‑and‑white patterns should appear clean, not muddy.
Chromatic aberration Look for purple/green fringing around high‑contrast edges.
Moiré and aliasing Repeating patterns may reveal sensor or codec limitations.
Backfocus accuracy (URSA Broadcast G2 + Fujinon LA16) Zoom in → focus → zoom out → check if focus remains perfect.
This analysis helps you understand how your camera and lens perform in real production conditions.
Because it allows you to:
Verify your equipment is performing correctly
Compare lenses and cameras under identical conditions
Match multiple cameras for multicam shoots
Detect optical issues before a job
Optimize your settings for maximum sharpness
Whether you shoot commercials, documentaries, live broadcast, or studio work, the PUTORA 7A9 chart ensures your gear delivers consistent, professional‑grade results.
Below is a full professional workflow using the PUTORA chart.
Proper chart placement ensures accurate sharpness evaluation.
Mount the chart perfectly flat and vertical
Position it at eye level of the camera
Ensure the camera sensor plane is parallel to the chart
Use a stable tripod for both cameras
Uniform lighting prevents false softness or contrast loss.
Use two soft lights at 45° angles
Avoid shadows, hotspots, reflections
Keep illumination consistent across the entire chart
Correct distance ensures the chart fills the frame without distortion.
Sony A7R V + 24–70 GM II: place camera 2–3 meters away
URSA Broadcast G2 + Fujinon LA16: place camera 3–4 meters away
Ensure the chart fills 70–80% of the frame
Use optimal settings for sharpness evaluation.
Sony: ISO 100, f/4–f/5.6, shutter 1/125, AF-S single point
URSA: ISO 400, f/2.8–f/4, shutter 1/60, manual focus
Disable sharpening, noise reduction, picture profiles
Accurate focus is essential for valid sharpness testing.
Sony: use magnified manual focus or AF-S with center point
URSA: perform backfocus adjustment on the Fujinon LA16
Re-check focus after zooming (broadcast lenses shift!)
Record multiple samples for reliable comparison.
Shoot at wide, mid, and tele focal lengths
Capture at different apertures (wide open → f/8)
Record still photos (Sony) and video (URSA)
Take at least 3 shots per setting
Evaluate resolution, contrast, and optical performance.
Zoom to 100–200% on a calibrated monitor
Inspect center sharpness and corner sharpness
Look for chromatic aberration (purple/green edges)
Check micro‑contrast in fine patterns
Evaluate moire, aliasing, and codec softness
Compare sharpness at different focal lengths and apertures
Charts reveal problems you cannot see in normal shooting.
Backfocus errors (URSA + Fujinon)
Field curvature (corners sharp only at different focus)
Astigmatism (horizontal vs vertical lines differ)
Edge softness or vignetting
Sensor sharpening artifacts
Look at the highest frequency lines in the middle of the chart.
Sony A7R V should resolve extremely fine detail
URSA Broadcast G2 will show lower resolution due to B4 optics
If lines blend together → softness or focus error.
Check all four corners.
Sony 24–70 GM II is very sharp even wide open
Fujinon LA16 will soften at edges, especially at full tele
If corners are blurry while center is sharp → field curvature or lens limitation.
Look at tiny black/white patterns.
High micro‑contrast = crisp image Low micro‑contrast = “muddy” or “flat” look
Check edges of black lines:
Purple/green fringing = CA
Sony GM II has excellent CA control
Fujinon LA16 may show CA at telephoto
Look at repeating patterns.
Sony A7R V (high resolution) → minimal moiré
URSA Broadcast G2 → may show aliasing depending on codec
Compare:
ProRes
BRAW
Different bitrates
Lower bitrate = softer fine detail.
Zoom in → focus → zoom out → check focus.
If focus shifts → backfocus needs adjustment.
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