Calibrating Lenses that have no distance markers on the lens using a distance range finder
Jan 22, 2017 23:27:02 #
Almost all my pro lenses have no distance markers to aid in establishing preset focus for helping me set the F stop for DOF when using manual focus.
I have been reading current and past post on this site. I haven't seen any mention of how one would go about scribing their lens for distances. I do have two very older lens that have no auto focus from the late 60's that have the great distance markers one is fixed focal length and the other is a zoom. Any ideas would help.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
I have been reading current and past post on this site. I haven't seen any mention of how one would go about scribing their lens for distances. I do have two very older lens that have no auto focus from the late 60's that have the great distance markers one is fixed focal length and the other is a zoom. Any ideas would help.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Jan 23, 2017 01:55:11 #
wej wrote:
Almost all my pro lenses have no distance markers ... (show quote)
I have never seen a lens that did not have a distance scale on it!
Jan 23, 2017 03:49:07 #
speters wrote:
I have never seen a lens that did not have a distance scale on it!
Nor have I. Wej, do you mean a lens without a DoF scale on the distance scale?
Jan 23, 2017 08:10:16 #
Jan 23, 2017 09:28:22 #
Shutter Fox
Loc: Virginia, USA
It would help if you could post a photo of one of the lenses showing what scale it does have
Jan 23, 2017 12:05:05 #
wej wrote:
. . . how one would go about scribing their lens for distances . . .
Boy, if there ever was a task that I would leave to a shop[ or a lab, that would be it. Truly, as others have mentioned, you must have some really unique lenses, particularly pro lenses, for them to have no distance scale. Photos of what you are talking about are a must here.
Jan 23, 2017 15:34:30 #
Jan 23, 2017 16:11:02 #
wej wrote:
Can happen to anybody. No DOF gauge is a different story. I'm looking at two lenses right now with none.My bad. I did mean DOF markings.
Sorry for the confusion.
Sorry for the confusion.
Jan 23, 2017 21:51:11 #
That's one of my peeves about modern lenses, no DOF markings. I'm not sure why manufacturers have quit putting them on lenses, but they are missed.
--Bob
--Bob
wej wrote:
Almost all my pro lenses have no distance markers ... (show quote)
Jan 23, 2017 22:51:37 #
rmalarz wrote:
I suspect it's because the angle that the lens rotates through - from distance=zero to infinity - is now so small that it would be almost impossible to tell how deep the in-focus field is. No more DOF calipers. Now, you download a DOF app to your phone, take out your laser tape measure, spot the target, feed the distance and lens settings into the app, and voila, there's your DOF. To the tenth of a foot. It's not the same by a long shot, but it's what we're getting to.That's one of my peeves about modern lenses, no DOF markings. I'm not sure why manufacturers have quit putting them on lenses, but they are missed.
--Bob
--Bob
Jan 24, 2017 02:40:10 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
Fortunately, professional quality lenses are still available from independent manufacturers such as Zeiss, etc.
Jan 26, 2017 01:54:08 #
Thanks for all your replies,
I had seen previous post regarding the laser for distance to determine how far the subject was and was hoping I could do an innovative thing like test and calibrate my lens and make tick marks accordingly. Guess that was a dumb idea. I do have a smart phone and have applications as suggested was just hoping I could get it down to a quick process as it was in the old days. Now it is more money and less capabilities with the lens from a DOF capability. I guess if I shot every day I would know where to set my pre-focus to obtain the correct image I want. I don't own a distance finder for golfing or measuring a room but looks like I will be in the market at some point.
Again thanks for the input.
I had seen previous post regarding the laser for distance to determine how far the subject was and was hoping I could do an innovative thing like test and calibrate my lens and make tick marks accordingly. Guess that was a dumb idea. I do have a smart phone and have applications as suggested was just hoping I could get it down to a quick process as it was in the old days. Now it is more money and less capabilities with the lens from a DOF capability. I guess if I shot every day I would know where to set my pre-focus to obtain the correct image I want. I don't own a distance finder for golfing or measuring a room but looks like I will be in the market at some point.
Again thanks for the input.
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