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Nikons and FoCal Software
Sep 13, 2020 18:00:16 #
Have any of you shooting with Nikons used FoCal software to calibrate your lenses?
Sep 13, 2020 18:07:48 #
Tiny Tim wrote:
Have any of you shooting with Nikons used FoCal software to calibrate your lenses?
Using Nikons and have not found a need to calibrate.
Sep 13, 2020 18:25:02 #
PixelStan77 wrote:
Using Nikons and have not found a need to calibrate.
But how would you know unless you checked?
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Sep 13, 2020 18:44:00 #
You’ve opened a can of worms now... (the age old debate on whether to calibrate). i’m a Canon user so can’t respond directly to your question except to say that yes, it supports Nikon and that I have used FoCal for years and highly recommend it as the most objective and accurate method I’ve found to calibrate AF. Go for the pro version if you can - the extra reports included (especially the acuity vs f stop) and the ability to calibrate lenses longer than 400mm make the extra $ more than worthwhile. I cal all my lenses, and yes, it makes a visible difference.
Sep 13, 2020 18:52:40 #
TriX wrote:
You’ve opened a can of worms now... (the age old d... (show quote)
Don't mess with me. I know you've used FoCal.
Sep 13, 2020 19:10:31 #
Tiny Tim wrote:
Don't mess with me. I know you've used FoCal.
Smile. (get the pro version).
Sep 13, 2020 19:29:35 #
TriX wrote:
Smile. (get the pro version).
I did. I'm just about to jump into it but I know I'll have questions. That's why I'm looking for someone who uses it with their Nikons.
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Sep 13, 2020 19:44:00 #
David Martin
Loc: Cary, NC
I've used my D500's built-in Auto AF fine-tuning to calibrate, in the method suggested by Steve Perry, but have not tried FoCal. Wonder if it would be superior....
Sep 13, 2020 19:44:25 #
Tiny Tim wrote:
I did. I'm just about to jump into it but I know I'll have questions. That's why I'm looking for someone who uses it with their Nikons.
I did. I'm just about to jump into it but I know I'll have questions. That's why I'm looking for someone who uses it with their Nikons.
Just a couple of (possibly unwanted) suggestions:
Print a high res FoCal target on glossy paper (unless you already bought one) and mount it on a vertical, easily movable surface. I made a 90 degree plywood fixture which I mount on a spare tripod so I can move it easily - make sure it is square (same height as the lens) to the camera, which should also be on a tripod. Make sure it is well lighted. I use a simple clamp on flood.
Use the aiming routine included before you start the cal routine.. Make sure your lens is wide open, AF on and that you are on single point AF. Use a cover over the viewfinder so no ambient light gets in.
No longer than a 15’ USB cable. Make sure you use the recommended distance to target for each lens. With a zoom, pick the FL that you use most often, or check at the shortest and longest FL and then decide on a compromise if your camera only allows one point.
After you do the cal, run the F-stop vs acuity test and save the complete report (8-10 pages) for future reference/comparison if you change bodies.
Cheers
Sep 13, 2020 19:48:46 #
Sep 14, 2020 05:41:51 #
I have used it and got recommended adjustments. But when it comes to telephotos it measures at different focal lengths with different results so you have to decide which measurement to apply.
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Sep 14, 2020 06:30:01 #
I use it, but know that filters will make a difference. I ended up pitching all of my lower quality filters for better test results. Do a test with and without a filter to see if it changes the offset. The aperture sharpness test is useful also since the test to determine the focus offset is done on the widest aperture.
Sep 14, 2020 08:02:36 #
Sep 14, 2020 08:14:55 #
TriX wrote:
You’ve opened a can of worms now... (the age old d... (show quote)
I have used FoCal on my Nikon D7100, my Canon 80D and now with my Canon 90D. Agree it works well and there is a difference.
Sep 14, 2020 08:16:30 #
mg1962 wrote:
I keep seeing the name Steve Perry mentioned, I thought he was a member of the band Journey?
That's the other Steve Perry. The great Steve Perry is a wildlife photographer!
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