p.2 #1 · LensAlign Pro Plus Calibration System...my experience
I think "close enough" needs to be the endpoint. Even after maticulous "tuning in" the one variable for which you cannot consistently control, and one which I have not heard discussed in microadjustment debates, is temperature. Since everything expands and contracts, I doubt that all of the different components in the camera body and lenses expand or contract to the same degree when exposed to a temperature change. Maybe it is an insigificant change....but maybe not. I doubt a body/lens that was tuned in at a 90 degree temperature, would perform the same at say 20 degrees. Anyhow, for reasons like that, "close enough" needs to be the endpoint if sanity is to be maintained.
p.2 #2 · LensAlign Pro Plus Calibration System...my experience
Uhmm something to think about. But at least I would not have to send my gear to Canon during each seasonal change; just use LensAlign to verify accuracy and that takes all of 10 minutes maybe.
Thanks for your thoughts.
DocsPics wrote:
I think "close enough" needs to be the endpoint. Even after maticulous "tuning in" the one variable for which you cannot consistently control, and one which I have not heard discussed in microadjustment debates, is temperature. Since everything expands and contracts, I doubt that all of the different components in the camera body and lenses expand or contract to the same degree when exposed to a temperature change. Maybe it is an insigificant change....but maybe not. I doubt a body/lens that was tuned in at a 90 degree temperature, would perform the same at say 20 degrees. Anyhow, for reasons like that, "close enough" needs to be the endpoint if sanity is to be maintained. ...Show more →
p.2 #3 · LensAlign Pro Plus Calibration System...my experience
John I forgot to say. This is more of a meaningful post than...Boys was he right or +1. It's better to express yourself like this so that the nasty replies don't come out.
This is always a better dialogue than those short meaningless post...think about it. I respect others opinions but get pissed with meaningless posts.
I've seen those cute little kits that folks built for $10-$15 and they looked pretty and nice but one thing I took note of was the users had shorty focal length lens (35, 50 85 etc.), which is fine and dandy for them. I did not see or hear anyone using them with 400, 500 or larger lens (can you provide some info where they were used for large focal length lens?) So I did not see the benefit of them except with my shorty focal length lens. I needed something that would help me with my 300, 400 and 500mm lens and 1.4 and 2x tc as well. Those little rubix cube thingy just was to tiny for my purpose.
Btw here's the definition of troll (internet): Is this not what James and the other, yourself included, did?
In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into a desired emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.[
JohnJ80 wrote:
...I agree with his sentiment that the Lensalign is a ridiculous waste of money for that which could be easily recreated with common household items in about 5 minutes or less. I also find humor in exactly the same thing that James did for what it's worth. A member here (can't remember the name) and also found on POTN, created about the same thing for $15 - about what it's worth.
How accurate is the DIY thing and how has it been confirmed?
Curious. Have you used LensAlign before or are you concluding that it's a good tool but just not worth the cost?
Yes, I have used one and find it no better than either the $15 solution (which I bought out of curiosity) nor the methods I have used. The LensAlign would be a decent value at $25. At the price they are charging it is ridiculous. I'm the first one to advocate buying a product if it saves you time (i.e. time=money) but my time is not worth $180 (or $249!!) for 5 minutes (i.e. $2160/hr) of thought and work. The whole deal is so over the top in expense and fabricated complication that even I can't go for it. Gadget freak that I am, that is saying something - just ask my wife.
The principles behind this are just not that difficult to understand, and in fact are pretty darn (ridiculously) simple and easy to create with common items. In fact, if you don't understand them, then you need to spend some time until you do so that you learn about your equipment and how it operates. Once you do, then you see why you don't need this thing. That is why I think this thing is beyond foolish to purchase, IMO. I do think it is a sucker sort of item.
p.2 #5 · LensAlign Pro Plus Calibration System...my experience
Did you send the LensAlign back after you realized it was not for you or did you sell it?
So what differently does Canon do to make things right with a lens and how?
Yes, I have used one and find it no better than either the $15 solution (which I bought out of curiosity) nor the methods I have used. The LensAlign would be a decent value at $25. At the price they are charging it is ridiculous. I'm the first one to advocate buying a product if it saves you time (i.e. time=money) but my time is not worth $180 (or $249!!) for 5 minutes (i.e. $2160/hr) of thought and work. The whole deal is so over the top in expense and fabricated complication that even I can't go for it. Gadget freak that I am, that is saying something - just ask my wife.
The principles behind this are just not that difficult to understand, and in fact are pretty darn (ridiculously) simple and easy to create with common items. In fact, if you don't understand them, then you need to spend some time until you do so that you learn about your equipment and how it operates. Once you do, then you see why you don't need this thing. That is why I think this thing is beyond foolish to purchase, IMO. I do think it is a sucker sort of item.
p.2 #8 · LensAlign Pro Plus Calibration System...my experience
One thing that really bothers me is how different peeps view money, and time. If Methodical thinks some goods or services are worth $US249 how can anyone have a problem with it. If Methodical thinks he is buying knowledge and direction for $US249 as well as physical goods how can anyone have a problem with that.
Just because I use a carpenter's rule and a twenty dollar bill (which I can recycle) for my focus tests does not mean Methodical should have to spend the countless hours I have reading posts in internet forums and years taking pix instead of taking a shortcut for what to many peeps is a small price.
But what bothers me more is how much noise is creeping into the signal of this thread.
p.2 #9 · LensAlign Pro Plus Calibration System...my experience
Methodical wrote:
What I was asking is does Canon do things differently to get a lens to focus correctly with a body or do they employ a similar method as LensAlign.
Also, were you able to return the LensAlign to Michael after you realized it was not for you?
What Canon does is immaterial to me as long as the lens works. If it needs adjustment relative to a particular body and there is a means to do so, then that's just fine and is likely given tolerances on both sides. Like I said, it's immaterial.
I borrowed the LensAlign so that if asked I could respond exactly as I did to you - not that it matters one whit, does it? It's not complicated and there really isn't anywhere to hide anything "magical" that can't be determined by the available information. Having one in your hand and using one is not a necessary requirement. That argument is a canard.
p.2 #10 · LensAlign Pro Plus Calibration System...my experience
JohnJ80 wrote:
I agree with his sentiment that the Lensalign is a ridiculous waste of money for that which could be easily recreated with common household items in about 5 minutes or less. I also find humor in exactly the same thing that James did for what it's worth. A member here (can't remember the name) and also found on POTN, created about the same thing for $15 - about what it's worth.
Does anyone know where this thread is or have pics of the setup? Would like to build my own instead of paying thru the nose for LensAlign.
p.2 #11 · LensAlign Pro Plus Calibration System...my experience
Seems like you're going to have to search for it and do your homework...more time.
Maybe ole' Johnny or Jimmy boy can, or can't, help you. They claimed to have built one as one of them is an engineer or something. Since they've built it they should have the design readily for ya'...and for cheap too. Should be around $2 now that they've used it a bit and there's no overhead.
Jim Bau wrote:
Does anyone know where this thread is or have pics of the setup? Would like to build my own instead of paying thru the nose for LensAlign.
p.2 #12 · LensAlign Pro Plus Calibration System...my experience
We can disagree but I fail to see how being insulting is adding anything to the debate. Although, I'd have to admit I'd be grumpy if I paid $180 for one of these things and found an easier, cheaper way to do it.
p.2 #14 · LensAlign Pro Plus Calibration System...my experience
The link to the Emboss filter tells me that the guy doing that testing does not realize that DOF is not centered on the point of focus. The DOF extends further behind that point than in front.
p.2 #15 · LensAlign Pro Plus Calibration System...my experience
I use the emboss filter to help me identify where it falls and correct from there. Can you be specific as too what photo you speak of
nathanlake wrote:
The link to the Emboss filter tells me that the guy doing that testing does not realize that DOF is not centered on the point of focus. The DOF extends further behind that point than in front.
p.2 #16 · LensAlign Pro Plus Calibration System...my experience
Whose grumpy. I told the guy that you and the other dude should be able to help and for cheap. $180 is mere pennies to me. And like I stated earlier that puny little paper thingy don't help me with my big lenses...the little ones maybe. Hell the wind will blow it away before I even set up. Besides, I knew my comment would put some fire under you to find the info...worked nicely uhh
JohnJ80 wrote:
We can disagree but I fail to see how being insulting is adding anything to the debate. Although, I'd have to admit I'd be grumpy if I paid $180 for one of these things and found an easier, cheaper way to do it.
p.2 #19 · LensAlign Pro Plus Calibration System...my experience
Methodical wrote:
I use the emboss filter to help me identify where it falls and correct from there. Can you be specific as too what photo you speak of
Then look at the LensAlign ruler in the second image (Caption above the image reads: Same shot as above except I used photoshop emboss filter to highlight the focal point on the ruler. You can clearly see that the lens is back focusing). I disagree that this is back focusing.
The caption on the next image reads: Here's one of the test shots with a - 4 micro af adjusment, which put focus to the center - on "0" (i.e. corrected the back focusing issue)
The user clearly believes that DOF should center on the 0 and that is not how it works.
The way DOF works is that 2/3 of the DOF extends behind the focus point and only 1/3 in front.
For example, if you calculate the DOF for a FF camera, 50mm lens, f/4, at 25'
Near distance is 19' 2"
Far distance is 35' 6"
That is 5' 10" in front and 10' 6" behind. That seems to be exactly what the sample shot showed before adjustment. After adjustment, the sample seems to show an equal distance front and back. I define that as front focusing.
Besides, I knew my comment would put some fire under you to find the info...worked nicely uhh