How do you test out new photo equipment?

[toverman]

While it's the photographer who creates the images, it's the tools we use that can make it a pleasure. A new tool can certainly be inspiring, or for pros help us produce results with less fuss.

But when you get a new piece of equipment, be it a Rebel XSi or a 300 f/2.8, how do you test it out?

For me, I usually end up chasing my kids and the dog around the yard, or in the house to test varying light conditions, or find objects around the house to photograph. Or search the garage for weird things, etc. I've cranked out some extremely mundane stuff. But it begins to teach me the limits of my stuff so that I can be prepared for the real world.

What do you do?

[crazeazn]

wait for TPF members to buy it first. then proceed from there

[johnastovall]

I shoot just it for a month. Carrying with me almost all the time and shoot most everything a la Winogrand. I get gear to use not test and using it daily is the best test of all and shooting it on all kinds of subjects and under all kinds of conditions lets me see what it does well and what it does poorly.

[toverman]

I meant "test" as "get acquainted with." I don't have a budget to buy things I don't use!

[rockpics]

My cat doesn't exactly volunteer to be a test subject, but she doesn't move out of the way either. She gets a bit P.O.'d if it's the flash I'm testing, especially if I test it over and over again, bouncing it off of different surfaces.

[David_3]

At the zoo, of course.

[ttusa]

Just wander around and take some pictures...Did someone say A New Toy???

[Imagebuffet]

Pretty much the same as you, I use the equipment every chance I get. I haven't bought any new photo equipment in a year (well, some memory cards last year), but I have rented a lot of gear, partly to try it out. I've decided that I like the Canon 5D (that I don't own), the Canon 17 - 40 f/4 L lens (that I don't own) and the Canon 24 - 70 f/2.8 L lens (that I don't own).

I would like to be able to use a professional testing rig, to be able to get precise values. I've suspected ever since I got my camera that it doesn't focus precisely all the time. It has never quite lived up to my expectations of a Canon SLR camera, though it does an OK job.

[CaptainTom]

I have a 215 point checklist that takes me through every conceivable variation of aperture, focus, Image stabilization, off camera operation, tripod mounting, monopod balance, case fitting, etc.

Don't I wish !! I just put it on the camera and shoot everything and anything until I feel comfortable with it and my purchase.

[BEphoto]

I'll let you know once i pick up my 40D later.

For my 70-200 f/2.8L IS i went straight to the pond and shot some ducks! With my camera obviously....

[hotshot38]

Remember those old Timex commercials? Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'? If my new equip doesn't pass the 'tied-to-a-snowmobile' test it ain't worth crap....oh, and if it ain't Scottish too :)

[ggeen]

I photograph my favorite model, my Beagle. He does not care for it much but I have a consistent model to compare against. -G

[photonewb]

I make the wife and kid pose when I am in test mode. It's made some great shots of both.

[jgrindal]

Photo the dogs and photo the ducks.

[joedanger11]

shoot the dog... and a trip downtown.