Canon 16-35mm II + Reikan FocCal Pro --- Tips

[Dylan777]

Final results I'm getting from FoCal on my 24-70 II: (-5 at 24mm & 1 at 70mm)

 

[Studio1930]

Please share thoughts on the quality scores - how valid/reliable are comparisons BETWEEN cameras/lenses ?
Do 'sharper' lenses (70-200 II, 135) actually score higher or just more consistently (once AFMA has been done) ?
Is it 'fair' to use the absolute value of the quality score to make a sharpness comparison between the 24-70 @ 70 with the 70-200 @70 (or the Mk II version of the 24-70 @ 70) ?

I understand that the test is designed to optimize the AF mechanism between one body and one lens, and thus reduce shot to shot variability in focus distance measurement/lens motor operation, but can we draw conclusions between different combinations once we have 'optimized' a camera body/lens pair ??

I found that setting up the test a different way will result in different quality numbers. Sometime the difference is drastic. One of my lenses was reporting a quality of about 400 or so and the next day I set it up differently and got qualities numbers in the 900s. I think it can be something as little as having a different angle to the test chart.

 

[revup67]

Dylan - congrats on getting the software. Good choice.

Seems like you got yourself underway and are more comfortable since your initial posting. Are you running the Aperture tests as well as the AFMA? What is your distance methodology? A general distance method by Canon is 50mm x lens focal lens. Since 50mm is 1.9685 inches and say you have a 100mm lens this would be a distance of 98.5 inches is where you'd say your lens to the target. Others might say est. the distance you typically shoot a lens to the target to get optimum results. I went with the 50mm x focal length rule. All of my lenses needed calibration except the 100mm USM IS L. The 50mm 1.4 was the worst at -20 (max).

 

[Sitting Elf]

Hoping Canon software engineers get off their butts and get the 5Dlll and 1DX programs up to speed soon.

I have 11 Canon lenses I want to calibrate within both of those bodies, and Reikan FocCal Pro is not able to work as designed yet for them... especially on a Mac with Mountain Lion (10.8.2).

Will jump on Reikan software just as soon as that's available!

 

[Dylan777]

Dylan - congrats on getting the software. Good choice.

Seems like you got yourself underway and are more comfortable since your initial posting. Are you running the Aperture tests as well as the AFMA? What is your distance methodology? A general distance method by Canon is 50mm x lens focal lens. Since 50mm is 1.9685 inches and say you have a 100mm lens this would be a distance of 98.5 inches is where you'd say your lens to the target. Others might say est. the distance you typically shoot a lens to the target to get optimum results. I went with the 50mm x focal length rule. All of my lenses needed calibration except the 100mm USM IS L. The 50mm 1.4 was the worst at -20 (max).

Thanks revup67,
I haven't done the aperture yet, only AFMA so far. I used x50 rule. So far, I got 16-35 II and 24-70 II ran through Reikan FoCal with AFMA. For the 70-200, I plan to print out larger target sheet(11x17). I'm still very busy at work. When I get home, I have a 4yrs and 1.5yrs kids, quite busy at both ends.

I'm going to sell my 50mm f1.4 soon and replace with 35L.

 

[bklein61]

Not meaning tto hijack this thread but it is related to FoCal.

I just did my first test with the FoCal Pro Version. I am wondering if anybody can tell me the circumtances that a person would use.

No Target Validation

Target Validation

Target Optimisation

Thanks

 

[revup67]

Not meaning tto hijack this thread but it is related to FoCal. I just did my first test with the FoCal Pro Version. I am wondering if anybody can tell me the circumtances that a person would use.
No Target Validation
Target Validation
Target Optimisation

Personally, I would not use the software without a Target validation. I've only used Target Validation where you get the green checkmark but have not tried Target Optimisation which is primarily used in Manual mode. Go to this link for further info http://www.reikan.co.uk/focalweb/index.php/tests/ when there, note the links including Target Optimisation

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

The target validation is going to make sure that you are properly lined up with the target. If you are, the testing will proceed. If not, it asks you to align the camera to the target using the utility provided.
I recommend validating the target for the most accurate and repeatable results. If you are not properly aligned, you might get different values if you come back and run the test again later with a different alignment.

 

[Studio1930]

And for pro users, don't forget a quick dust check. 8)