In article <5dh3p7$6bk@cello.hpl.hp.com>, jacobson@cello.hpl.hp.com says...
[most deleted....]

>But I honestly don't recommend this. Lens testing is extremely
>difficult. Those of us who have tried are the biggest skeptics.
> -- David Jacobson

Aaaaaah-mennnnn! ;-)
It seems like it would be SO simple, 'till you get into it,
then it's TOO LATE - you're hooked (as you madly try, and try
again [and again!] to meaningfully test a lens)! The best method
I have found (though far from perfect!) is to compare (on the same
piece of film - with the same several subjects - in the same light)
a known lens with a new lens (to see how they compare). In addition,
I check the lens against itself (to see how the center compares with
the edges and corners, and to see if all four corners [and the two
opposite sides] are equally sharp, since I don't like mis-aligned
lenses).
Hope This Helps