>>4116690I've never bought a lens based on MTF chart, and never have bought without looking at many "real world" sample shots either. Lab test results are great to get an idea of how a lens performs in many areas (vignette, spherical and longitudinal aberration, coma, and bokeh), and great for comparing with similar lenses.
Most good modern lenses are adequately sharp for my needs though, and sample shots can tell me more than an MTF chart does. I'm certainly willing to sacrifice a bit of points on an MTF chart, if it means I get improvements in the characteristics above.
Size is a big priority for me, probably the next thing after the optical qualities. Then other stuff like AF speed or MF haptics, weather sealing, etc.
Price is really only a concern for the big +$5k exotic telephotos or modern Leica glass, everything else is "cheap enough" that it's just not a concern for me.
