Distortion Chart - Printable | CSD01
Downloadable PDF, ready to print with clear instructions for your local print shop.
The CDD01 is the distortion chart. Just blocks — nothing else. Designed to help you spot barrel, pincushion, and mustache distortion fast. Clean lines, evenly spaced, so any bending or warping jumps right out at you.
Simple, effective, and especially useful when testing your cine- or photo lenses.
Built in A1 format, ready for any local print shop. Want to hang it in your studio or prep room? Grab a standard frame from IKEA (for example) and you’re set.
In a nutshell:
Here’s why having a focus chart is super handy for any filmmaker:
🔍 Spot distortion – quickly identify barrel, pincushion, or mustache distortion
🎯 Check lens behavior – see how your lens handles straight lines and if there’s any warping
🔲 Analyze consistency – evaluate how evenly your lens distorts across the frame
⚙️ Refine calibration – great for testing wide-angle lenses and ensuring no unwanted distortion
Why would you need a chart?
A focus chart isn’t just useful for rental houses — it’s great to have as an owner too. You’ll probably end up using it before every shoot. It’s a simple way to check your lenses, make sure your camera is dialed in, and double-check everything before rolling.
I’ve made it a habit to point my camera at the chart while building my rig. Whether I’m testing a wireless video feed, trying out new lenses, or just need a reliable reference in my workspace, it’s always there — consistent and trustworthy.
The chart is designed to be easy to use and understand. Each corner has numbered blocks, so you can quickly check and compare sharpness across the frame.
The straight lines across the chart help reveal subtle lens distortions. If distortion is your main concern, I also made a dedicated distortion chart that's perfect for that specific test.
Siemens and numeric targets
Siemens targets are placed throughout the chart — a key tool for checking critical focus. 1st ACs know these well, as they use them to dial in focus down to the centimeter.
The numbered targets serve multiple purposes. Their high contrast edges make it easier to spot chromatic aberration, and because they spread out toward the edges and corners, they help reveal any focus fall-off. If one number looks softer than the others, you’ll know where your lens starts to lose sharpness.
All the charts include convenient frame guides to help you set up for different aspect ratios — from 16:9 to 21:9 and 4:3. It’s all built in. You’ll also find line targets across the chart, which are my favorite way to judge sharpness. They’re especially helpful when comparing lenses — just look at the numbers or letters next to each line target to see how far each lens can resolve clearly.4o
How to print a top-quality focus chart
To get the best possible print, ask your local print shop if they can print at 1200 DPI. This gives you sharp detail across the whole chart. Also, go for matte paper — it helps avoid glare from overhead lights.
My print shop here in Haarlem prints it on a 5mm thick board called Vorex. It's super handy — you can just stick it to the wall with double-sided tape or a screw. No frame needed.
In a nutshell:
1200 DPI (or as high as they can go)
Matte paper (Tecco PM230 is great, but can be pricey)
Thick paper – at least 230 g/m²
A1 size (your print shop will know what that means)
Got questions? Feel free to reach out!