New Online Camera/Lens Information Tool

[AlanF]

The reproducibility of focus on my 7D for some lenses was poor and I had to take many shots to get keepers. The main reason I upgraded to a 5D III was Lensrentals measurements of the consistency of focus showing that the 5D III is much better. FoCal are now publishing on-line the collected results of users on lenses:

http://www.reikan.co.uk/focalweb/index.php/online-tools/lenscamera-information/

The ones I know well from experience are borne out in their surveys.

• Variability indicates the range of focus results you might expect. A Low value means most shots will be very close to ideal.
• Accuracy indicates the average focus result compared to ideal – as this number increases, you would expect less perfect focus across a number of shots.

5DIII 100-400mm L Variability = low (3.6%), Accuracy is good (2.1%)
5DII 100-400mm L Variability = significant (11.3%), Accuracy is acceptable (4.4 %)
7D 100-400mm L Variability = significant (13.3%), Accuracy is acceptable (6.0%)
5DIII 70-200mm L Variability = low (3.0%), Accuracy is excellent (1.6%)
5DII 70-200mm L Variability = low (4.2%), Accuracy is excellent (2.6%)
7D 70-200mm L Variability = moderate (4.5%), Accuracy is excellent (2.3%)

Just what I have found: the 100-400L has been given new life on the 5D III, and the 7-200mm L IS pretty good on the 7D and slightly better on the 5D III (the 5D II was thrown in for comparison). It is a useful free tool.

 

[2n10]

Very cool, thanks for sharing.

 

[iKenndac]

I found this pretty recently, too. I used to own the Nifty Fifty, but approaching wide open it looked like, well, crap. "How can everyone love it so much?!" I thought.

Well, that tool answers my question. The variability of it on a 7D is absolutely incredible — I must've had a bad copy.

 

[East Wind Photography]

It's been shown also that MK II lenses AF better with new bodies such as 1DX and 5DMKIII. Combinations of new and old still AF marginally. It is suspected that the new cameras and new lenses may have closed the loop on AF so accuracy and repeatability is much better.

 

[bdeutsch]

That is a cool tool. Thanks for sharing. Hopefully they'll have more lenses tested soon (some of the 3rd party ones are the ones that I'm most concerned about and would love more information regarding).


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[RGF]

Great information. If they have it for the 1D M4 and 1Dx it would interesting to see. I still have my 1D M4 for wildlife but have considered upgrading but hate to lose the 1.3x crop (though I would great low light sensitivity and better AF) lighten my wallet by nearly $6000 (ouch)