Cheap Focus tool: I use this all the time to check the focus on my camera’s and lens. Use a plank of wood ( I use a one foot square ) screw in a small Phillips head Sheetrock screw...

vineyardman Loc: Florida

I use this all the time to check the focus on my camera’s and lens.
Use a plank of wood ( I use a one foot square ) screw in a small Phillips head Sheetrock screw, set up your camera/lens on your tripod and set lens at shortest zoom, set board with screw facing camera at that distance from camera, then take picture—focusing on screw head. Then do the same thing at the full zoom.
Check pictures. The X on the screw head should be in sharp focus. You can do this to check focus at all ranges if you want.
May be to simple for some, but works like a champ for me. I ain’t no professional.
Cheers

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

vineyardman wrote:

I use this all the time to check the focus on my c... (show quote)

Sounds like a good idea but rather than have a special plank of wood and screw don't you have a screw holding something already in your house? Can't you just use that screw head to focus.

Dennis

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

You could also just use your focusing screen for its intended purpose.

Jolly Roger Loc: Dorset. UK

I personally use Lens Align with Focus Tune but I did, one time, see a youtube video with someone using a few AA batteries, standing in a diagonal line going away from the camera and presumably focussing on the middle one.

vineyardman Loc: Florida

Dennis;
Yes would work, if your house is big enough (long) if your using a 150-600 lens. Smaller lens maybe....
Just an idea! I do a lot of BlueBird photo’s and have a fake sun shade roof on their boxes and just noticed the screwhead holding it on and got the idea.

tenny52 Loc: San Francisco

Excuse my English interpretation: what I understand is the focusing onto the screw head, what is the big deal?
Are you using Auto or Manual focus, is this method better than lens calibrations embedded in the camera tool?

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

vineyardman wrote:

I use this all the time to check the focus on my c... (show quote)

My lenses are Nikon, have owned or rented over 100 of them. Never had a focus problem. Ride with the brand and you won't get screwed. (sorry about the pun)

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Jolly Roger wrote:

I personally use Lens Align with Focus Tune but I did, one time, see a youtube video with someone using a few AA batteries, standing in a diagonal line going away from the camera and presumably focussing on the middle one.

Yes, I use beer or soda cans for this in the field .....8-)

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

imagemeister wrote:

Yes, I use beer or soda cans for this in the field .....8-)

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

imagemeister wrote:

Yes, I use beer or soda cans for this in the field .....8-)

After enough beers everything is out of focus. 😜🤪

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

I place a yard stick in a lawn chair at 45 deg, camera at same height as the 18 in.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

This is the one I use:
http://regex.info/blog/photo-tech/focus-chart
Tells me if it's back or front focusing and by how much.
Easier to use than it looks.

(Download)

aellman Loc: Boston MA

vineyardman wrote:

I use this all the time to check the focus on my c... (show quote)

Sounds great, but a more comprehensive test doesn't take a lot more time. It requires use of a photo test target. If you enjoy reading tiny details which make this simple process seem enormously complicated, B&H has it here:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/how-to-test-your-lens.

It boils down to this: tape the target to a wall. It should be level. The best lens to use is a prime that would be considered a "normal" lens for your camera. For full frame, it would be around 50mm. Next best is to set a zoom lens to the corresponding focal length. With camera on a tripod, carefully center it on the target, lock focus, and shoot. It's recommended to use a remote shutter release or the camera's self timer, so the vibration of your finger on the shutter release doesn't cause even the tiniest bit of camera shake. The results can be illuminating, so to speak. >Alan

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

vineyardman wrote:

Dennis;
Yes would work, if your house is big enough (long) if your using a 150-600 lens. Smaller lens maybe....
Just an idea! I do a lot of BlueBird photo’s and have a fake sun shade roof on their boxes and just noticed the screwhead holding it on and got the idea.

I got a LensAlign target as part of a package with my Tamron 150-600. Ended up setting it up on the sidewalk between my house and the middle of the neighbor's. I didn't have any black cloth to put over the camera and it was so bright I just guessed a few times and set the microadjustment one way and the other until I figured it focused properly...got it pretty darn close. It was amazing to see the difference between the lens as delivered and the adjustment. It was my first experience using a focus target. Later last year I shot some, in my opinion, awesome pics of my favorite BIF (ones with props and fire-breathing afterburners) on my almost-annual trip to Oshkosh, WI for the EAA convention.