fotobyferg

OK, so I dipped my toe in the somewhat scary realm of lens calibration.

Full disclosure: I hate math and have very little patience.

But, that said, can anyone tell me exactly what I am suppose to do in the middle (8’) and infinity columns while still keeping the focal length of 18mm?

Half-*ssed attempts have only resulted in an image too blurred to correct.

Inquiring minds want to know, preferably before my head 🤯.

TIA

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Last Fall I attended a photo trade show and spoke with a Tamron staff person about this subject. She told me that they were working on a "how-to" video to help people like you (and me) with this task. The video was supposed to be ready by January I think. I haven't followed up on this but maybe you could give Tamron a shout and ask them if it's been released.

fotobyferg

Thanks....I was think about doing that, because nowhere online can I find anything that addresses this issue.

Katydid Loc: Davis, CA

I didn't know when I bought the 18-400 lens that I would need to calibrate it (and I really do.) I don't have the console, as I know I'd never figure it out and probably blur it further. Ticks me off somewhat. I get so many throw-aways with the lens that I rarely use it. Then again, I may not be holding it steady enough.

I hope you find an easy solution and let us know.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

If, as you indicated, you have very little patience, then calibration is most likely not for you. All that detailed instructions or even a video will do is give you a better understanding of how the process works. However it is unlikely to speed up the process, and it will not be a magic bullet that will easily and quickly allow you to calibrate your lenses.

Calibration requires a lot of discipline. You need to perform multiple structured tests and observations for each of the large number of focal lengths and distances available for zoom lenses. You need an appropriate target and must test at various defined distances depending on the focal lengths used by the tap in. And you need to be able to get repeatable results which means multiple tests.

The testing process is arduous, and time-consuming, and tests should be performed on a tripod using the viewfinder. That is an important factor because calibration issues are more often a result of using a camera's AF sensor through the viewfinder rather than the camera's main sensor which is used in Live View. It is a process not meant for the faint of heart. It can take a number of hours of intense effort to calibrate a single lens.

A very important consideration is that when using the Tap-in device you are calibrating the lens itself by modifying it to work optimally on your specific copy of your camera model. That means it is more than likely that the lens will not work as well on any other camera you put it on, including copies of your camera. As a result, if you put it on another body you will mostly have to reset the lens back to its factory defaults, and recalibrate it.

fotobyferg

mwsilvers...yes, thank you; that is not new information to me.

My question specifically addressed/questioned the second and third columns on the Tap-in console, and will probably necessitate a call in to Tamron since there appears to be no such answer currently online....especially since the device was originally designed for prime lenses only.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

I'm not at home and don't have the Tap in information in front of me right now. I haven't used the tap in for a couple of months and don't remember the exact title of each column or the order of the columns. Can you remind me? If you can I may be able to give you some feedback without first having to go home.

fotobyferg

Katydid, I don’t think “easy solution” are two words associated with calibrating, lol. But I don’t want to tinker with something unless I have all my ducks in a row.

fotobyferg

Thanks...can you see the photo I posted? My confusion involves the second and third column values after having completed the initial value of +10 at 18mm/1.48 feet.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Agree. By the way, my earlier esponse was completely predicated on your own statement that you had no patience. You apparently have more patience than you implied.

fotobyferg

Mea culpa....I have no patience when trying to do something I don’t understand. Once I “get it” I could tilt towards OCD.

Bill_de Loc: US

Deleted

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

Google tamron lens calibration youtube
You'll find several videos including tapin

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

For each of the 8 focal lengths at the left you need to test at 3 distances from your target subject.

In the first column for 18mm your result indicates that you tested shooting at a subject 1.48 feet away from your camera's sensor and that +10 gave you the sharpest output. You need to perform the test again for the second column at a distance of 8 feet from your camera sensor, and in the third column you need to shoot at a target at infinity.

And, of course, you need to do the same tests at those three distances for the other 7 focal lengths.

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Short Version........

Setup your calibration Target @ just under 1.5'
Set your lens to 18mm (Micro Adjust here)

Now set your target at 8'
Leaving the lens still at 18mm (Micro Adjust here)

Now set your target to Infinity
Leave the lens at 18mm (Micro Adjust here)

Now repeat at 35mm, 50mm, 70mm etc

Very Time Consuming

The thing to consider is: your not necessarily trying to get the sharpest image possible, You cannot make your lens sharper than the optics allow. you're trying to zero in on front or back focus issues.

I Hope this helps some.