Way to test camera / lens? E-300 + 14-54

[BigB]

Well I bought a 14-54 after being disappointed with my 14-45 performance the last time I was out shooting. I just got it in last night and took a few test shots. Granted, they were in low light and at ISO 400 and at f/2.8 to f/3.2, but they didn't really wow me even on the focus point itself, which was surprising seeing as people rave about it being sharp even wide open. I'm beginning to wonder if there is something with my E-300 or if I got one of the fabled "soft" 14-54s? I'm going to try and do some tests in daylight when I get home, but is there a good way to test either or? I have some flood lights to set up if I do have to take shots indoors, so if I have to print out a chart or something I should be fine.

[Paul Shields]

From tests I've carried out the 14-54mm is not pin sharp wide open (but what lens is?). Stopped down a half a stop or more really made a difference for me. Oddly enough though, I once tested this lens against the 50-200mm at the 50mm setting and found the 50-200mm was sharper. Can't remember the exact apertures, but I guess that the 50-200mm would have been at f/2.8 at 50mm and the 14-54mm would have been around f/3.? - which made the result even more impressive.

[BigB]

It's strange, I shot the same subject last night after I took some other test shots and for some reason it just comes out softer than the rest. Don't know, seems to be plenty of contrast to have focus lock, perhaps it's the plastic? Dunno. Either way, I probably jumped the gun, all is well now.