Getting a Basis for Specific Optical sizes

I occurred to me in my font to be designed for specific optical sizes that I was focusing too much on one size, so I’m trying to get a good sense of balance for the other sizes now before getting too far. This post is more for advice on getting the font’s optical sizes right early as the font’s not ready for fuller critique yet, perhaps some words of warning on things to avoid when dealing with optical sizes. Didots are often suggested for display type, but I want mine to be viable in running text as it was used in manuscripts and decently printable on the average printer at each size. I am using the /l to gauge the main values to use.

The serif height currently matches the spread of the ink seen in the manuscripts, I am designing for 8, 12, 16, 24, 42, 64, and 96 points. I made the serifs a little longer at 8 points, and will probably do the same for 12 and 16 points. (I liked HTF Didot’s size plan, 16 points even matches the manuscript I’m using, but the smallest sizes were a bit too small for the font.)

The attached PDF has vectors at their respective sizes on the first page, and a scan of the printed result on the second (the printed result is cleaner in real life, but there is a sort of thin, gray, subtle “drop shadow” appearance immediately under serifs). I appreciate you.