Gear Talk > Software & Accessories
FoCal Pro version 1.5 and the 5D Mark III
revup67:
I opted to pull the trigger and acquire this much anticipated software. At first glance, it can be a bit overwhelming in printing targets, lining up the camera so the targets are precise, installing software on a laptop (not a desktop) as you will more than likely need space to roam especially with Tele's zooms . There are many things to keep in mind when setting up for this calibration though the software does a good job of pointing most of those out.
I noted however the software did a few unusual things to at least my 5D that weren't there before. For one, the shutter release was reprogrammed to perform a different function other than to focus. I found this out when I tried to focus on the printed chart and lost all AF capabilities. I swapped out the 24-105 lens with a 100mm 2.8 L and nothing (still no focus). I put the 24-105 on my 7D and it was fine so I had isolated it was in fact the 5D. I then checked Custom Controls and found the 5D M3 was reprogrammed. I also noted Spot Metering kept getting turned on as well as the Exposure was up by a +1. On a few occasions I also found Custom White Balance toggled on and not AWB. The printed 8.5 x 11 FoCal chart did not work with the 16-35mm 2.8 MK II lens. It just simply wouldn't focus at 1 foot (MFD is .92 feet) or 5 feet which is perhaps due to the target being too small? Not sure. I ran the Aperture sharpness tests on the same lens (the 100mm 2.8 L) consecutively twice and got different results. The camera nor the light did not change. The first time is showed the 7.1 was the sharpest aperture then it showed on a second run that 4.5 was the sharpest aperture. One would think it would be consistent - same test same camera, same lens.
Any one else have any comments on this or own this software with the 5D Mark III? PS I found the Martin Bailey site had it on a promo for £45 British pounds or $73 US vs £69.95 or $112.21 USD.
PS I did see the blurb on the web site: "Does FoCal change my camera settings?"
"FoCal changes a number of settings on the camera while running the test (e.g. aperture, ISO, metering etc.). Before each test is run, the current settings of the camera are stored on the computer. When the test completes, the settings are restored so your camera is back exactly as you had it before running the test.
Should anything go wrong (e.g. a power cut, the camera battery running out, the cable being unplugged etc.), the next time FoCal is run with the camera connected it will offer to restore the settings exactly as they were."
The camera was not reset hence the documenting of the above issues. Perhaps this is specific to the 5D MK 3
crash:
Yeah, I had FoCal crash on one of my tests with the 5d3 and left my settings all screwed up but to be fair it did warn me that it was not able to restore all my settings. I missed fixing one or two that really messed with me for a day.
I did get different results on different test runs but when run with consistent lighting, distance, etc... they were in the same ballpark and I am definitely getting better shots having applied the recommended AFMA settings. As I understand it we're talking about tolerances in manufacturing and such. From what I have read it is expected that in real world and controlled scenarios that there will be some variances from shot to shot. As far as what the sharpest aperture is, I get different results on that, too, but overall the graphs of sharpness are pretty consistent. I know what range to work in with each lens to get best results - good enough for me.
I get the impression that this is definitely more of an art than an exact science at this point but I'm seeing it where it counts - my pictures. I wasn't getting anything near this sharp until I ran FoCal. (Yes, the pic needs some work but I have a good sharp file to start with.)
My cousin is using FoCal on his Nikon and kit lens - that has been all over the place.
Mt Spokane Photography:
If you change lenses while its running on your PC, it will sometimes crash and fail to reset the camera to its original settings, sometimes it crashes for unknown reasons too.
This is covered in the documentation, and has not been a big issue for me, its happened twice over several months.
As far as setup goes, its basically the same process as for doing a manual AFMA, but the software guides you to do it right.
revup67:
Crash and Mt Spokane thank you for the tips advice.
--- Quote ---If you change lenses while its running on your PC, it will sometimes crash and fail to reset the camera to its original settings, sometimes it crashes for unknown reasons too.
This is covered in the documentation, and has not been a big issue for me, its happened twice over several months. As far as setup goes, its basically the same process as for doing a manual AFMA, but the software guides you to do it right.
--- End quote ---
Though the software did crash, I was extra careful in fact not to change lenses without first a)powering down the 5D MK3 and b) shutting down FoCal and disconnecting the USB. The disruption of specific settings was a bit troublesome but after I realized this was happening I would simply glance through the menus and be certain that the settings were the way the were. Has anyone had any luck with the 16-35 getting calibrated? for some reason the camera won't focus on the target. Though two target pages were printed I have not used the other (without FoCal logo). Still weeding through the instructions and it is good to see / hear that it does make a difference. open to any other suggestions or comments on this app being the newbie that I am especially interested if you have lens aligned a macro or UWA lens ( I do realize no support for manual lenses i.e MP-E 65 as of yet) - thanks again
Mt Spokane Photography:
--- Quote from: revup67 on July 20, 2012, 07:44:26 PM ---Crash and Mt Spokane thank you for the tips advice.
--- Quote ---If you change lenses while its running on your PC, it will sometimes crash and fail to reset the camera to its original settings, sometimes it crashes for unknown reasons too.
This is covered in the documentation, and has not been a big issue for me, its happened twice over several months. As far as setup goes, its basically the same process as for doing a manual AFMA, but the software guides you to do it right.
--- End quote ---
Though the software did crash, I was extra careful in fact not to change lenses without first a)powering down the 5D MK3 and b) shutting down FoCal and disconnecting the USB. The disruption of specific settings was a bit troublesome but after I realized this was happening I would simply glance through the menus and be certain that the settings were the way the were. Has anyone had any luck with the 16-35 getting calibrated? for some reason the camera won't focus on the target. Though two target pages were printed I have not used the other (without FoCal logo). Still weeding through the instructions and it is good to see / hear that it does make a difference. open to any other suggestions or comments on this app being the newbie that I am especially if you have lens aligned a macro or UWA lens ( I do realize no support for manual lenses i.e MP-E 65 as of yet) - thanks again
--- End quote ---
Usually, if there is a issue getting it to calibrate, vibration is causing it to fail. Bright lighting is a absolute must, because it otherwise sets a slow enough shutter speed that images are too motion blurred to calibrate. Do not walk around or move during the process unless you are on concrete. I've had that happen to me on wooden floors even with very bright light.
You can use the larger target, or move the camera a little closer if that helps.
If any of the above tips apply, see if you get better results by being careful to use bright lights and see how long you can hold your breath :)
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version