This document gives general guidance on evaluating the sources of error in optical transfer function (OTF) equipment and in using this information to estimate errors in a measurement of OTF. It also gives guidance on assessing and specifying a general uncertainty for a specific measuring equipment, as well as recommending methods of routine assessment.

The main body of this document deals exclusively with the modulation transfer function (MTF) part of the OTF. The phase transfer function (PTF) is dealt with relatively briefly in Annex A.