Lens Calibration Tools

[Roosta]

Has anyboby used one before and would they recommend one?

Are they redundant after one use?

Looking at this one (http://www.amazon.com/Datacolor-DC-SLC100-SpyderLensCal-Calibration/dp/B0043RTJN0)

Do any of the Site Sponsors sell one?

Cheers in advance.

[terry.langham]

There is a few around that you can print off and then fold and glue them to gether to achieve the same thing. Best of all they are free, so I would be trying them first and if you think you will need one regularly then pay for a good one.

[William]

Seriously Roosta , I would'nt get to involved in all the technical stuff , Leave it to the Pro's , I've been taking shots for 50yrs and never had to calibrate a lens or Camera , I think , With respect it's the operators problem , Maybe technique or similar thats causing concern , What is the problem thats worrying you ?

[Roosta]

There is a few around that you can print off and then fold and glue them to gether to achieve the same thing. Best of all they are free, so I would be trying them first and if you think you will need one regularly then pay for a good one.

Thats what I though, any you've used or can recommend a link Terry?

[Roosta]

Seriously Roosta , I would'nt get to involved in all the technical stuff , Leave it to the Pro's , I've been taking shots for 50yrs and never had to calibrate a lens or Camera , I think , With respect it's the operators problem , Maybe technique or similar thats causing concern , What is the problem thats worrying you ?

Got two lenses with the 1D body, just want to check them, difference between the 2 bodies (50D - 1D) in focus. But doesn't seem to affect my 70-200mm, fussy, curious I guess.

[Old Skool]

Try these links
http://regex.info/blog/photo-tech/focus-chart

http://focustestchart.com/chart.html

http://blog.martinbaileyphotography.com/2009/08/12/canon-ef-50mm-f1-2-l-lens-dynamic-back-focus/

[terry.langham]

Focus test chart, see old skool's post, is the one I have used in the past (just couldn't remember it, even after a googling).

I only used it as I was having focusing inconsistancy with one lens when wide open. Didn't really solve the issue, but did force me to change the way I was using it. If I need consistant focus I close down the aperture a little and its fine or shoot in bursts (using cont focus and low frame rate) when its possible.

[Roosta]

Try these links
http://regex.info/blog/photo-tech/focus-chart

http://focustestchart.com/chart.html

http://blog.martinbaileyphotography.com/2009/08/12/canon-ef-50mm-f1-2-l-lens-dynamic-back-focus/


Focus test chart, see old skool's post, is the one I have used in the past (just couldn't remember it, even after a googling).



I only used it as I was having focusing inconsistancy with one lens when wide open. Didn't really solve the issue, but did force me to change the way I was using it. If I need consistant focus I close down the aperture a little and its fine or shoot in bursts (using cont focus and low frame rate) when its possible.


Thanks boys, appreciate it.

[gerry]

just make one up, if you need a print out I have a pdf of teh one i did sometime ago..

see this thread

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?90377-D7000-AF-Tune-and-Back-Focus

[Roosta]

just make one up, if you need a print out I have a pdf of teh one i did sometime ago..

see this thread

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?90377-D7000-AF-Tune-and-Back-Focus

Thanks for that Gerry.

[Wayne]

I think all the fuss about AF fine tune is more trouble than it's worth, and with variable results being achieved with zooms at different focal lengths etc, I just find personally that if something is out, send it to the service centre, along with the body if necessary.
They have the gear and the expertise to get it right without a heap of headache. This is especially the case for any lens under warranty. AF fine tune is just a feature manufacturers included to save themselves time and money by getting you to do the yards rather than manufacture your lens to spec.

[Roosta]

I think all the fuss about AF fine tune is more trouble than it's worth, and with variable results being achieved with zooms at different focal lengths etc, I just find personally that if something is out, send it to the service centre, along with the body if necessary.
They have the gear and the expertise to get it right without a heap of headache. This is especially the case for any lens under warranty. AF fine tune is just a feature manufacturers included to save themselves time and money by getting you to do the yards rather than manufacture your lens to spec.



The reason I asked had nothing to do with micro adjustment, I want to check two lenses against two bodies and get different results, no AF adjustments made. I want to check the body moreso. This will be the quickest and simplest way for me to see the results under my given pre sets, No warranty situation.

[gerry]

AF fine tune is just a feature manufacturers included to save themselves time and money by getting you to do the yards rather than manufacture your lens to spec.

Whatever the motives its certainly a feature I would have than not. Try getting a quote to correct a lens out warranty to a new body?

[arthurking83]

And further to gerry's reply it's also handy as confirmation that something is amiss.

It would save the owner time and money in taking gear to get checked out that is working correctly and where it turns out to be operator error.

While it works as a temporary solution to the issue of a misfocusing camera/lens, it's still only just that .. temporary.
The best solution is to get the defective gear to a service centre to get it working properly.

[Roosta]

And further to gerry's reply it's also handy as confirmation that something is amiss.

It would save the owner time and money in taking gear to get checked out that is working correctly and where it turns out to be operator error.

While it works as a temporary solution to the issue of a misfocusing camera/lens, it's still only just that .. temporary.
The best solution is to get the defective gear to a service centre to get it working properly.

Yes on all accounts AK83.

[etherial]

I'm a little surprised to hear people against this, so I'll add some balance to the conversation (with all due respect to the opinions above).

I think getting good reliable accurate focus is very important and with an inexpensive tool like this and a little bit of time to make some adjustments it can be greatly improved. I use one of the free printed test charts, set it up at 45deg to the camera, shoot it at various focal lengths and adjust microadjust till it is right. Only takes an hour or two to do all my lens combinations on both bodies and the results are well worth it. And for mush less hassle, risk and cost than sending all my gear away.

[gerry]

And further to gerry's reply it's also handy as confirmation that something is amiss.

It would save the owner time and money in taking gear to get checked out that is working correctly and where it turns out to be operator error.

While it works as a temporary solution to the issue of a misfocusing camera/lens, it's still only just that .. temporary.
The best solution is to get the defective gear to a service centre to get it working properly.

out of interest, do you send your body and lens off to be serviced/replaced if they are out by +/-10 ? has anyone done that? I am interested in knowing what nikon woudl do in these cases.

[Roosta]

I'm a little surprised to hear people against this, so I'll add some balance to the conversation (with all due respect to the opinions above).

I think getting good reliable accurate focus is very important and with an inexpensive tool like this and a little bit of time to make some adjustments it can be greatly improved. I use one of the free printed test charts, set it up at 45deg to the camera, shoot it at various focal lengths and adjust microadjust till it is right. Only takes an hour or two to do all my lens combinations on both bodies and the results are well worth it. And for mush less hassle, risk and cost than sending all my gear away.

You used to or still do have the 50D? is that right, and if so, which test chart did you go for?

Cheers

[etherial]

Hey Blue, Yes I have the 50D and also the 7D. I have been using the test chart in the links already provided (this one (http://focustestchart.com/chart.html)). I'm interested in something like the one you showed as an example though, might be easier/quicker to set up and because you're focusing at a 90degs to the camera I reckon it would be more accurate and repeatable. Having said that I get pretty good repeatable results using the 45deg method that allow me to confidently set my focus microadjust and forget about it knowing that when I'm in the field it I don't need to think about it.

Cheers,
Mic

[Roosta]

Hey Blue, Yes I have the 50D and also the 7D. I have been using the test chart in the links already provided (this one (http://focustestchart.com/chart.html)). I'm interested in something like the one you showed as an example though, might be easier/quicker to set up and because you're focusing at a 90degs to the camera I reckon it would be more accurate and repeatable. Having said that I get pretty good repeatable results using the 45deg method that allow me to confidently set my focus microadjust and forget about it knowing that when I'm in the field it I don't need to think about it.

Cheers,
Mic

Cheers Mic,