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Archive 2012 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...

  
 
Andrew J
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


The only people I know who don't get the same results over and over, have bodies that need work.


Sep 22, 2012 at 07:31 PM
scalesusa
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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


I have lens align and Focal. My lens align is gathering dust.

Focal works well, but you do need to follow the instructions carefully.

1. You need bright light, dim light will cause problems.

2. You need a solid floor. Any vibration or movement will really mess things up and you will not get repeatable results. A combination of minimal light and wooden floor is a receipe for failure.

3. There are issues with FoCal occasionally hanging, particularly if you change the lens while the software is running (Don't we all). Some just seem to have troubles running it. Could be conflicts on their computer, who knows.

All considered, it blows away whoever is in 2nd place.



Sep 22, 2012 at 09:25 PM
AFC168
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


Do most people who use it and run it multiple times get the same results time after time? I'm a little worried about Lars results.

With Lens Align, although primitive, you get to see your adjustments and be the "judge" yourself.


scalesusa wrote:
I have lens align and Focal. My lens align is gathering dust.

Focal works well, but you do need to follow the instructions carefully.

1. You need bright light, dim light will cause problems.

2. You need a solid floor. Any vibration or movement will really mess things up and you will not get repeatable results. A combination of minimal light and wooden floor is a receipe for failure.

3. There are issues with FoCal occasionally hanging, particularly if you change the lens while the software is running (Don't we all). Some just seem to have troubles running it. Could be conflicts on their
...Show more



Sep 22, 2012 at 10:43 PM
Lars Johnsson
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


I did a new test with my FoCal today. It did a lot better than last time. I had very bright light this time. Last time I had plenty enough light according to the manual. But this time a lot brighter to be sure. I tried with all my Canon except my long tele lenses that needs more space than I had.
My 1D4 did good and the calibration worked rather good with the exception of a few errors. It's more difficult with my 1Ds3. Maybe because of the "no mirror lockup" that the manual also talk about. More errors and not as consistent result as the 1D4. But in the end I was rather pleased with the result. A few lenses will give me rather different result if doing the test a few times. But with most lenses I got about the same result if I did the test 3-4 times



Sep 23, 2012 at 07:19 AM
vsg28
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


Ok, thanks a lot Lars! I am waiting to get my 7D and will probably get the FoCal Plus myself.


Sep 23, 2012 at 07:52 AM
Lars Johnsson
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p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


vsg28 wrote:
Ok, thanks a lot Lars! I am waiting to get my 7D and will probably get the FoCal Plus myself.


You can buy it here with a discount. I did it.

http://www.reikan.co.uk/focal/mbp45/



Sep 23, 2012 at 08:42 AM
vsg28
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p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


Wow, thank you once more! I will definitely do that.


Sep 23, 2012 at 08:45 AM
vsg28
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p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


Quick question: Can I add in the serial numbers of additional bodies later? I may end up with a full frame in addition to the 7D, but not until early next year.


Sep 23, 2012 at 08:50 AM
Greggbhill
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p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


You are allowed to update your list of serial numbers (10 times if I remember right). I rented a second 5D3 last week and added the serial number to my list without any trouble.


Sep 23, 2012 at 09:00 AM
Lars Johnsson
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p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


vsg28 wrote:
Quick question: Can I add in the serial numbers of additional bodies later? I may end up with a full frame in addition to the 7D, but not until early next year.


Yes you can add more serial numbers later. Five bodies is the limit



Sep 23, 2012 at 09:01 AM
R. Eisenberg
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p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


Lars Johnsson wrote:
You can buy it here with a discount. I did it.

http://www.reikan.co.uk/focal/mbp45/



Now that is an interesting link ! Thanks Lars



Sep 23, 2012 at 09:26 AM
vsg28
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p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


Buying this as soon as I receive my 7D.

Is there any advantage in actual MA adjustments with the Pro version?



Sep 23, 2012 at 09:28 AM
EyeBrock
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p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


It’s early days in FoCal yet for me. I’m a bit peeved that I paid the full price last week after seeing that page posted. Twenty five quid cheaper is $40 +. Bummer.

However, FoCal works better (for me) than Lens align as my slowly deteriorating eyesight couldn’t see the differences during MA.

I concur with Lars on good light. The biggest improvement I found was with my recently purchased on FM 200 F2.8 II, which was soft and now isn’t!

Also the switching on and off between lenses is a bit of a knacker ache. If you don’t clear out of each screen the software settings remain which can be a bit of fun when your mirror stays locked up.

That said, I actually believe my lenses are now calibrated for my 5D2. A product that works.



Sep 23, 2012 at 09:33 AM
Kenneth Farver
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p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


I purchased the Windows version to use on my iMac with Parallels but didn't have enough light to use indoors. I grabbed the Mac version and just set 4 lenses to each of two bodies with the software. I have also used Lens Align (the first version) successfully. I liked FoCal in the fact the software does it for you. I have the 5D2 and 1D4, with 50mm 1.4, 100mm F2.0, 200mm F1.8, and 24-105mm F4.0 lenses.


Sep 23, 2012 at 09:44 AM
WAYCOOL
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p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


You the man Lars I owe you a beer


Sep 23, 2012 at 10:59 AM
eyalha
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p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


Do any of you guys know if it's a problem to run it with windows 8?
Also beside the additional info that the pro version gives, are there any other differences?



Sep 23, 2012 at 01:27 PM
Andrew J
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p.2 #17 · p.2 #17 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


You can run the test stopped down with PRO, only. I can't stress the benefit of this enough. Going from f/5.6 to f/7.1 on my 600/f4L moves the focus -5 points! For you to compare, one entire depth of focus is just 8 points.


Sep 23, 2012 at 07:33 PM
vsg28
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p.2 #18 · p.2 #18 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


I was not aware of that! How do you set the MA value then?


Sep 23, 2012 at 07:52 PM
Andrew J
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p.2 #19 · p.2 #19 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


Some would just split the difference. I kept notes on each f stop and change it manually. I also believe many types of shooting can benefit from +2 to +4 points. I setup for an entire day of head on fishing shots. Why would I want half the depth of focus in front of the birds head where there is only air?


Sep 23, 2012 at 08:26 PM
vsg28
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p.2 #20 · p.2 #20 · Micro-adjusting lenses: FoCal vs. Lens Align vs. ...


Very significant points to consider, thanks a lot. I will definitely consider the Pro version if this is the case, I shoot stopped down a lot with a lot of my lenses.


Sep 23, 2012 at 09:47 PM
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