Optical bench
A device for measuring the optical performance of lenses.
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Optical bench is a device for measuring the optical performance of lenses.
The standard F-line design (aka The F-line Classic) uses a full length optical bench which fits directly into the open-ended Arca-Swiss quick release clamp. In the top of the optical bench are two monorail sections.
If you put a lens on an optical bench you can measure focal length, you can measure aperture, but you can't measure depth of field. Depth of field depends on some subjective factors which I'll discuss later.
The measurements were taken on a vibration isolated optical bench. They are unlikely to be from any cause other than being induced by the mirror movement.
These always had to be calibrated on an optical bench at the factory for each and every lens, but with AF, camera makers take away the stop, and save themselves the cost of calibrating each lens. Since AF works at infinity, few people notice.
Monorail
Large format camera (usually, though there are medium format examples) constructed on an " optical bench " principle with front and rear standards on a rail.
 See also: Lenses, Focusing, Focal, Lens, Aperture
  
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