Lens align pro or Spyder lenscal

[Briand]

I am looking for a great way to properly ensure I have correct autofocus alignment with my lens. Does anyone have experience with either of these, or can suggest something else?

 

[Loswr]

Of the two, I prefer the LensAlign - it's easier to properly align the camera to the target. But now, I use Reikan FocCal software instead, and vastly prefer that method!

 

[Briand]

Is FocCal software available for the Mac? I am looking for most accurate and easiest, less time consuming method as I would have many lens to align.

 

[Loswr]

They were hoping to have a Mac version out in June, then in August, but it's not available yet. Soon, hopefully. I'd say it's worth the wait, it's definitely easier than a LensAlign.

Personally, I run FoCal Pro on my MacBook Pro on a Windows virtual machine in Parallels, and it works fine.

 

[Briand]

Just watched a clip on YouTube a little intimidating perhaps, lol. Of the three they offer which version do you recommend.

 

[Loswr]

I got the Pro for the fully automated testing (had a 7D and 5DII at the time). With my 1D X (and the 5DIII), only semi-automated is possible.

 

[victorwol]

Reikan FocCal too... much better than anything else I've tried.

 

[Briand]

So I know what I am in for how involved is it?

 

[victorwol]

It's not that complicated. It basically does it all for you. Unless its a 5DMKIII or a 1D X in which case you have to change the values of the adjustment manually since those cameras apparently don't allow that to be done via the USB remote. You will have to print a chart on a good piece of matte paper and put it against a flat surface and the camera on a tripod and start the tests. The Pro version is the best.

 

[kaihp]

It's not that complicated. It basically does it all for you. Unless its a 5DMKIII or a 1D X in which case you have to change the values of the adjustment manually since those cameras apparently don't allow that to be done via the USB remote. You will have to print a chart on a good piece of matte paper and put it against a flat surface and the camera on a tripod and start the tests. The Pro version is the best.

Good matte paper and an inkjet printer. Laser prints are somewhat reflective, and my fight with getting decisive AFMA prediction results is most likely because of this (I don't have access to an inkjet).
But yeah, +1 on FoCal Pro.
Don't let the 5D3/1Dx things faze you.

 

[pwp]

Reikan FocCal too... much better than anything else I've tried.

Which version did you choose and why?

Thanks,

-PW

 

[JEAraman]

I have the Lens Align m2 + focal pro.. I've lately only been using focal pro after I learned how easy it was to setup and configure. I'd say go for it.

 

[degies]

I use the Lens Align kit and it works pretty well

NOV 2011 - Auto Focus Alignment & DOF Basics

 

[M.ST]

I am happy with the lens align pro.

 

[mikenott]

I have not used any system other than FoCal Pro, but I used it "straight out of the box" with no problems. The results were excellent and it is very easy to set up. The Pro version sets the AFMA in the camera for the body/lens AND extender combination you are using. You can also watch progress "live" on the pc screen as the shots are taken. Target alignment can be fiddly if (as I did) you have a 600 lens on a tripod and a target 25 metres away, but it just takes a little time and the target set up feature helps.

I did not have an ink jet printer - I threw it away when I got my colour laser printer - but I just took the target images to Staples and got them to print them on card for me. Easier to get five printed at once due to one-off service charge.

It does make you realise that plus or minus one AFMA is not that significant, but getting in the right area is! Print off test result pdf files to save rerunning if you update Canon firmware or reset camera.

Michael.

 

[Loswr]

Print off test result pdf files to save rerunning if you update Canon firmware or reset camera.

Firmware updates don't clear out the AFMA data (at least, they never have for me - maybe a firmware update gone bad where you power off the camera in the middle?). Even if you Reset All Settings, that doesn't clear out the AFMA values (it just sets the function to No Adjustment, the values are retained). Only deleting all settings from within the AFMA menu itself can clear them out.

Still, I keep an Excel table with all my AFMA values, just in case.

 

[JEAraman]

Print off test result pdf files to save rerunning if you update Canon firmware or reset camera.

Firmware updates don't clear out the AFMA data (at least, they never have for me - maybe a firmware update gone bad where you power off the camera in the middle?). Even if you Reset All Settings, that doesn't clear out the AFMA values (it just sets the function to No Adjustment, the values are retained). Only deleting all settings from within the AFMA menu itself can clear them out.

Still, I keep an Excel table with all my AFMA values, just in case.

/quote]


Same here! Just have to do one more test for my 70-200 + 1.4 extender! Then it'll be complete.

 

[victorwol]

Reikan FocCal too... much better than anything else I've tried.

Which version did you choose and why?

Thanks,

-PW

Pro if you can. It's not that much money compared to other solutions, and this have real analisys tools and does pretty much all for you.

 

[Studio1930]

Yep, FoCal Pro here too. Works great for my 1D4 and 1DX. Best tool I have ever bought. It is aware of the camera body so it knows that a zoom has two adjustments for the 1DX or 5D3 (near and far).

 

[RC]

Stay away from the Lens Align MkII version, it's an expensive piece of junk. Leaving the tool setup for a short period of time on a tripod, you will find that the rule sages to a point where your measurements will be off. I'm sure this is why the pro version and metal ruler became available.

There is a learning curve, documentation is scattered on the web, good luck.