MTF - How to read charts

[prodigy2k7]

I am so confused. I tried looking around but I just get confused.
How do you read MTF charts? Can you please explain in layman's terms?
Or direct me to a link that explains it easily?

 

[Helen B]

Norman Koren's tutorial on MTF is a good start: link.

Here is Nikon's terse explanation of their MTF charts: link.

Here is Schneider's more in-depth article on lens quality: http://www.schneideroptics.com/pdfs/photo/quality.pdf

Best,
Helen