Lens calibration (Page 4): As I said I stay with Canon L glass no issues. Many years back I bought some 3rd party manufacturers glass it was poor quality on my film camera’s. I’ve been...

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Strodav wrote:

Major manufacturers like Canon, Nikon, and Sony do... (show quote)

As I said I stay with Canon L glass no issues.

Many years back I bought some 3rd party manufacturers glass it was poor quality on my film camera’s. I’ve been using Canon cameras and lens for fifty years or more.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

Strodav wrote:

I'm partial to Focus Tune. Can get it at Amazon for $125. Nice step by step Youtube tutorials on how to use it.

https://www.amazon.com/LensAlign-Fusion-Integrated-Calibration-System/dp/B00H86YVZ4/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=focus+tune+lens+calibration&qid=1560800847&s=gateway&sr=8-15

I got a LensAlign target kit with my Tamron 150-600 from Adorama a few weeks ago (along with a bunch or other goodies in a bundle). No software was included, but look up michaeltapesdesign.com/ and you can find instructions as well as order extra parts. My base was defective (tripod tap crooked) and Mr. Tapes sent my a new one and added a free mini white balance card, which I've never had or used before. Kept on screwing up the shots I needed, but actually did wonders with my brand new lens...found out I needed to micro-adjust the camera a few notches back. I'll revisit the adjustment this weekend and maybe tweak.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

RichardSM wrote:

As I said I stay with Canon L glass no issues.

Many years back I bought some 3rd party manufacturers glass it was poor quality on my film camera’s. I’ve been using Canon cameras and lens for fifty years or more.

That was a half century ago. How do you know that is still true?

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Whether Canon, Nikon or 3rd party, you will need to check your lenses especially if you have any lenses under f2.8
I have the 35mmF1.4Lii and the 85mmF1.4Lis
And BOTH needed adjustment to be accurate at 1.4 . Whether I shot hand held looking st a rack of Kuerig coffee inserts or using a tripod and lenscal tools I could see the need :-) my Sigma 50mm1.4 almost needed to be adjusted beyond the adjustment range in the body.

My canon F4 lenses were good enough as is due to the sharpness range being wider, to the point where in practical terms, you probably wont notice the difference. (You can see the accuracy spot using a rulered sheet but it's usually close enough. At 1.4, the sharpness dropoff is extreme and you will notice it in portraits when you want to do those ("blur everything but the eyeball" shots :-)

Dont assume if it is Canon or Nikon it will be good out of the box on a DSLR. (Mirrorless cameras and Liveview on DSLR is a different discusson)

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

abc1234 wrote:

That was a half century ago. How do you know that is still true?

I’m very happy with Ef Canon L lens I have for there sharpness right out of the box.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

RichardSM wrote:

I’m very happy with Ef Canon L lens I have for there sharpness right out of the box.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

RichardSM wrote:

I’m very happy with Ef Canon L lens I have for there sharpness right out of the box.

Sorry but that is not the same as knowing whether or not the lenses were performing optimally. For all that you spend on that excellent gear, would you not want to confirm that?

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

abc1234 wrote:

Sorry but that is not the same as knowing whether or not the lenses were performing optimally. For all that you spend on that excellent gear, would you not want to confirm that?

If want to check and adjust all your lens go right a head, now that you have spent all that money on that gear for adjusting your lens knock your self out. For me I’ll be out taking photographs and not obsessing whether my lens are optically dead nuts sharp.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

RichardSM wrote:

If want to check and adjust all your lens go right a head, now that you have spent all that money on that gear for adjusting your lens knock your self out. For me I’ll be out taking photographs and not obsessing whether my lens are optically dead nuts sharp.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

RichardSM wrote:

If want to check and adjust all your lens go right a head, now that you have spent all that money on that gear for adjusting your lens knock your self out. For me I’ll be out taking photographs and not obsessing whether my lens are optically dead nuts sharp.

The best lens calibration system on the market cost well less than the cheapest “nifty fifty” f1.8 or a CLA for a single lens, and it will accurately calibrate ALL your lenses. Takes 5-10 minutes per lens using FoCal. Now let me ask you a question: would you spend $100 more for an excellent quality lens over a mediocre one? If so, why would you not spend $10 per lens to make the difference between acceptable and sharp as possible?

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

TriX wrote:

The best lens calibration system on the market cost well less than the cheapest “nifty fifty” f1.8 or a CLA for a single lens, and it will accurately calibrate ALL your lenses. Takes 5-10 minutes per lens using FoCal. Now let me ask you a question: would you spend $100 more for an excellent quality lens over a mediocre one? If so, why would you not spend $10 per lens to make the difference between acceptable and sharp as possible?

No need. Would u not agree that if u were getting 30X40 tack sharp prints with a lens out of the box recalibration was unnecessary?

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

billnikon wrote:

No need. Would u not agree that if u were getting 30X40 tack sharp prints with a lens out of the box recalibration was unnecessary?

We are all getting bogged down in semantics. If you think the lens is tack sharp and are satisfied with the prints, then you do not need to test it. However, if you want to know for sure, then test. End of story.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

billnikon wrote:

No need. Would u not agree that if u were getting 30X40 tack sharp prints with a lens out of the box recalibration was unnecessary?

Bill, since we both have strong opinions on the subject, Let’s agree to disagree as gentlemen and leave it at that.

Cheers,
Chris

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

TriX wrote:

Bill, since we both have strong opinions on the subject, Let’s agree to disagree as gentlemen and leave it at that.

Cheers,
Chris

Ditto.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

TriX wrote:

The best lens calibration system on the market cost well less than the cheapest “nifty fifty” f1.8 or a CLA for a single lens, and it will accurately calibrate ALL your lenses. Takes 5-10 minutes per lens using FoCal. Now let me ask you a question: would you spend $100 more for an excellent quality lens over a mediocre one? If so, why would you not spend $10 per lens to make the difference between acceptable and sharp as possible?

I don’t consider Canon L lens as mediocre. If you wish to take the time to calibrate you Lens go for it! I’d rather be out taking pictures.