Feedback on Reikan FoCal FoCal 2.0 Pro Lens Calibration: Can you tell me the pros and cons of this software for calibrating your camera and lens with a Canon camera? One concern I have...

baygolf Loc: DMV

Can you tell me the pros and cons of this software for calibrating your camera and lens with a Canon camera? One concern I have is the update policy, which is only 12 months from the date of purchase. Does this mean that software update beyond 12 months will require you to buy the software again?

LensAlign LensAlign MkII with FocusTune V4 Software is about $10.00 cheaper, but it seems to be more labor intensive to use.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

Focal works very well if carefully used. The target should be at the proper distance and well lit. Everything must be stable to prevent vibrations. My FoCal is not a subscription; but they do charge for major updates which I think are normally more than 12 months apart. Bottom line: I'd buy it again.

baygolf Loc: DMV

peterg wrote:

Focal works very well if carefully used. The target should be at the proper distance and well lit. Everything must be stable to prevent vibrations. My FoCal is not a subscription; but they do charge for major updates which I think are normally more than 12 months apart. Bottom line: I'd buy it again.

Thanks for your feedback!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I wouldn't worry about updates. I bought my copy several years ago and haven't felt the need to update. Caled all my lenses (and my son's), and I periodically recal. My original copy provides all the features I need, so haven't considered the new rev (yet). What I can tell you is that it's easy to use, accurate and repeatable, and every one of my lenses needed and were improved by MFA. In terms of improving IQ and sharpness, it's the best investment I've made. Highly recommended. Btw, I had the Lens Align system previously, and it required a judgement call as to where the in-focus spot was whereas the Focal system provides a graph of acuity vs MAF - no interpretation or judgement needed - I feel it is much more precise and accurate.

baygolf Loc: DMV

TriX wrote:

I wouldn't worry about updates. I bought my copy s... (show quote)

Thanks!

mainshipper Loc: Hernando, Florida

baygolf wrote:

Can you tell me the pros and cons of this software for calibrating your camera and lens with a Canon camera? One concern I have is the update policy, which is only 12 months from the date of purchase. Does this mean that software update beyond 12 months will require you to buy the software again?

LensAlign LensAlign MkII with FocusTune V4 Software is about $10.00 cheaper, but it seems to be more labor intensive to use.

I agree with the others that it is a good tool for precisely tuning the MFA on a lens/camera. I have Canon gear and have matched all my lenses to my 5D II, 5D III, and 7D II. I had my targets mounted to a piece of foam board and mount them on a tripod with lighting to illuminate it. You need a space at least 20-25 feet to do the long telephotos and less for the wide angle. You should also tape over the eyepiece while running the program. The only hassle with the software is that the newer cameras won't let the computer control the camera and requires you to manually adjust the different settings during the adjustment process. My 5D II is old school and will run hands off until it's adjusted. Licensing is via serial number that you must register with Reikan and I think you are limited to four or six. I assume you can replace a serial number if your camera changes. I have kept up with the updates but don't remember the cost.

baygolf Loc: DMV

mainshipper wrote:

I agree with the others that it is a good tool for... (show quote)

Thank for your feedback! But I do have a couple of followup questions, based on your feedback:

1. How are you mounting your targets to a tripod, i.e., equipment needed and/or photo of setup?

2. I have a couple of lenses that the focal length is not reflected in the FoCal distance chart, how do you determine the minimum focal distance in feet, e.g., EF 40mm, EF-S 18-55mm, EF-S 18-135mm, EF-S 55-250mm and EF 24-105?

Thanks again!!

cthahn

What are you calibrating the lens and camera for? Where is the calibration done. You might best leave this to someone who know what they re doing.

baygolf Loc: DMV

cthahn wrote:

What are you calibrating the lens and camera for? Where is the calibration done. You might best leave this to someone who know what they re doing.

-Micro AF adjustments,
-inside for most lens and outside for big zooms
- this why I'm asking questions - so I can know and help the next person

mainshipper Loc: Hernando, Florida

baygolf wrote:

Thank for your feedback! But I do have a couple of followup questions, based on your feedback:

1. How are you mounting your targets to a tripod, i.e., equipment needed and/or photo of setup?

2. I have a couple of lenses that the focal length is not reflected in the FoCal distance chart, how do you determine the minimum focal distance in feet, e.g., EF 40mm, EF-S 18-55mm, EF-S 18-135mm, EF-S 55-250mm and EF 24-105?

Thanks again!!

I just used a three foot length of 2X2 wood with a slot cut in it to hold the target and I just clip the two lights to it to illuminate it. The wood piece attaches to the tripod with the arca style clamp. I'm not home right now so I can't take a picture of what my setup looks like. As far as the distance is concerned, the software will tell you if you are the correct distance and with zooms you always adjust for max wide and max zoom separately. In a Canon there is a separate MFA setting for each. Since I assume you have a cropped sensor camera based on your use of EF-S lenses, try the adjusted length (focal length X crop factor which is 1.6 for Canon) first so for the 18-135 use the distance for 24mm for the wide and 216mm for the tele.

baygolf Loc: DMV

mainshipper wrote:

I just used a three foot length of 2X2 wood with a... (show quote)

Thank you!

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

mainshipper wrote:

The only hassle with the software is that the newer cameras won't let the computer control the camera and requires you to manually adjust the different settings during the adjustment process.

Not a big deal. For my Nikons, depending on the test, FoCal automatically adjusts settings (e.g. focus & aperture) except for the auto-focus "AF fine-tune" correction value. FoCal stops and tells you what setting to enter via the Nikon's "AF fine-tune" menu. Then, resume FoCal. Repeat until test concludes. Would be nice if Nikon added "AF fine-tune" to settings that could be externally changed. Perhaps, they can in newer Nikons. For some FoCal tests (e.g. sharpest aperture) no manual settings are needed. FoCal does it all.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

baygolf wrote:

Thank for your feedback! But I do have a couple of followup questions, based on your feedback:

1. How are you mounting your targets to a tripod, i.e., equipment needed and/or photo of setup?

2. I have a couple of lenses that the focal length is not reflected in the FoCal distance chart, how do you determine the minimum focal distance in feet, e.g., EF 40mm, EF-S 18-55mm, EF-S 18-135mm, EF-S 55-250mm and EF 24-105?

Thanks again!!

I made a simple wooden stand out of 2 pieces of plywoood, one for the base with a rabbeted slot, and the vertical piece, which I insured was exactly 90 deg. to the base before gluing it in. I attached the Focal target to one side and a standard test target to the other so I can use it for either purpose. Focal will sell you a target, or you can print your own if you have a good quality printer.

The instructions tell you what distance to use based on the focal length of the lens. I can't recall without checking, but it's in the range of 25-50x the focal length I believe. In practice, it's not critical, and the SW has a function to insure that you're aimed correctly at the target. You may want a USB extension cable for convenience if using a desktop computer as the standard camera USB cable is a bit short for me - not an issue if using a laptop.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

cthahn wrote:

What are you calibrating the lens and camera for? Where is the calibration done. You might best leave this to someone who know what they re doing.

The FoCal instructions are quite complete. A user who reads and follows them will become one of those who know what they are doing.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

baygolf wrote:

Thank for your feedback! But I do have a couple of followup questions, based on your feedback:

1. How are you mounting your targets to a tripod, i.e., equipment needed and/or photo of setup?

2. I have a couple of lenses that the focal length is not reflected in the FoCal distance chart, how do you determine the minimum focal distance in feet, e.g., EF 40mm, EF-S 18-55mm, EF-S 18-135mm, EF-S 55-250mm and EF 24-105?

Thanks again!!

As far as the target goes I just tape mine to a wall, then I set the camera/tripod up right next to the target and center the lens on the target before moving the tripod back to the proper distance.
I don't recall off the top of my head exactly what the multiplier is for calculating the proper distance but it is something like 20 times the focal length. You will find that info in the instructions. As far as fine tuning Nikon zooms, you can only use one adjustment per lens. I set up mine for the long end figuring (hoping) that deeper depth of field on the short end will work to my advantage. Steve Perry's "Secrets To The Nikon Auto focus System" gives a deeper explanation that would also apply to fine tuning cameras other than Nikon when using FoCal.