wildman Loc: Bluffton, SC

(FocusTune & LensAlign) A few years back I purchased these two products. Focustune is a piece of software that requires a serial number to install. I seem to have misplace mine and cannot get hold of the original author. I don't think they offer it anymore. Can anyone shed light on how I can install and use this software again. If I just knew the format of the serial number I could do a "regex" search on all my files and folders and possibly find mine. i.e. : How many alpha-numeric characters and in what format? Thanks to anyone who may help.

Steve H

dannac Loc: 60 miles SW of New Orleans

Is this same software ?

https://mtd.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/203659094-FocusTune-Activation-Troubleshooting

wildman Loc: Bluffton, SC

Thanks for responding. I believe it is the same however mine is for [FREAKIN'] Windows. And the problem is that the original install and all associated files are gone as I upgraded from Win 7 to Win 11 pro. So to re-install, I need a complete new install, with key! And I lost the key! Thanks again, though for taking the time to respond to my dilemma... I really appreciate it. :-)

Steve

dannac Loc: 60 miles SW of New Orleans

Until someone gives you the format of serial number ...... could possibly

Use a known program and serial key ... find that in your "regex"

Then compare for the same with any Focustune settings in "regex"

Long shot idea.

Parfumeur Loc: Forest Hills, NY USA

The problem with these software, is that it needs to be activated over the internet. If the author quits, is in a car accident, or just plain dies (eg COVID), you are out of luck. Not only that, there is a limit on the number of activations. Try looking for a mix of upper/lower alpha numeric sequence of 6 5 separated by dashes. example: aNS3j-AfWE2-etc... in six blocks of 5

Do contact Michael if he is still alive. Maybe, if that web link mentioned above is still live.

Parfumeur Loc: Forest Hills, NY USA

Steve, get yourself a good PIM to store all your serials and codes. I say a PIM as you cannot use Access or Excel with crypt keys.

My 'approved' PIM is from https://www.vladonai.com/ a jewel of a PIM. You will not regret it.

If you want so auto save files and keep them updated as backup, look at https://www.syncovery.com/
and lastly, to manage Windows and the file system Total Commander by Ghisler https://www.ghisler.com/

TC will let you scan for strings in a name, inside files, 'THE' best utility for Windows.

wildman Loc: Bluffton, SC

Thank you all for your very thoughtful replies. Now I have a variety of choices to try in resolving my dilemma. All great thoughts!

Steve H

elee950021 Loc: New York, NY

Steve!

I did a Google search for FocusTune and in just about every entry given, both FocusTune and LensAlign seem to be mentioned together! Could the 2 software packages have merged? I would direct your question to LensAlign and see if they can help.

There's also a link to this:
https://www.coursehero.com/file/161582588/LensAlign-FocusTune-Help-12-17-pdf/

Do you already have this document?

Be well! Ed

wildman Loc: Bluffton, SC

Thank you for taking the time to reply, Ed. FocusTune is the software package that works with LensAlign MKII. All the sites that come up on my Google searches are several year old and no longer responding. I am beginning to believe that the only way to evaluate the MKII photos are just by sight!

But, again, thank you for taking the time to reply.

Steve

elee950021 Loc: New York, NY

Steve!

If you are desperate to use and reinstall the software then there are several options:

a. Post everywhere in other forums offering to buy someone else's unused software with a key. I used this method to obtain a scarce Nik Software package with "Control Points" dedicated to Nikon Capture NX2.

b. Google, using this "Best activation keys for FocusTune software Windows version." It may be semi-ethical but you did pay for the product once.

c. I looked on eBay for pre-owned software and yours was not offered for sale. In the past, I've looked for and successfully found a "new" unused with the activation key for a photo editing program called "Picture Publisher" that I cut my teeth on before PhotoShop had layers!

d. I saw a blurb somewhere that suggested using AI to find a solution.

Desperate times call for desperate actions.

Be well! Ed

MJPerini

Every place I have looked, it appears as though Michael Tapes is not in business any longer. He used to have a Facebook page. My search was certainly not exhaustive, so he may be out there somewhere.
But, you really do not need the software to use his targets. You only need to determine if a given lens focuses in the same place on the sensor & in the viewfinder
You can even do it this way: mount a yardstick at a 45 degree angle, mount a focus target (like a playing card) Next to the 18" mark. Focus on the card from about 10 feet away. When you view the file on your computer, if the numbers lower than 18 are sharper than the card, you have front focus, if the higher numbers are sharper than the card you have back focus. If needed, make an adjustment and take another shot.
That's all you have to do. Use a tripod and lots of light so pix will be sharp.
There was really no need for the target or the software, other than perhaps ease of use.
But front/ back focus is not complicated
Should you find that none of the pictures are dead sharp, there are only two possible causes ....movement/vibration (re do the test with more light / better tripod, or the lens may need adjustment.

My point here is if you can't find your software key AND your software, you can replicate it easily at zero cost.

wildman Loc: Bluffton, SC

MJ,

I understand what you are saying. Your words are very welcome and since I do have the LensAlign targets, I will probably do with them exactly as you suggest. Thank you for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it.

Steve

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

MJPerini

I have done this for Dozens of Canon & Nikon Lenses, and in my experience, most do not need micro focus adjustment. I DID have one instance of a lens having to go back to the factory for adjustment, it came back like new. But if you need to send a lens in, send it with a thumb drive with pictures that show the problem, you will get much better service ( they get TONS of requests with "My lens is nor sharp" and no examples
>the few that did, it made a big improvement
> start with your Known sharpest lens to confirm your technique. (If you know from experience that the lens is dead sharp, and the test shows something different, then you are doing something wrong, --don't adjust)
> understand that zooms can only be adjusted for ONE focal length
There are two ways to handle this, a. choose the longest focal length because it has the least DOF, or b. choose the focal length you use most.
> Test at a wide aperture, maybe 1 stop down from wide open
> make sure to use a moderately fast shutter speed , maybe 1/250
> use the 3 sec self timer, tripod, and don't extend the center column
Good Luck