Yes, you can do useful lens comparisons at home, but only a laboratory-style test gives truly rigorous, repeatable results. Formal chart testing requires tightly controlled conditions: consistent lighting, careful alignment, and ideally standard targets such as ISO 12233 charts used under standardized illumination. Even factors like temperature and humidity can affect strict testing, so chart results are only really meaningful when the setup is highly controlled.

For most photographers, a practical comparison is more useful than trying to imitate a lab. Instead of relying only on test charts, shoot the same real-world scenes with both lenses under identical conditions and compare the results. Use a stable setup and keep exposure, framing, focus method, and lighting as consistent as possible.

Useful comparisons include:

• center and corner detail
• wide open versus stopped down performance
• scenes that reveal general image-quality characteristics in practical use

If you do use charts, treat them as one part of the comparison, not the whole story. Also keep in mind that comparing a single copy of each lens may not represent every sample of that lens model.

In short: home testing is possible and helpful, but practical side-by-side shooting is usually more valuable than informal chart testing alone.