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Lens Align II
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Jun 16, 2018 08:43:10   #
Jolly Roger Loc: Dorset. UK
 
I wish to purchase the above kit but as I have lenses ranging between 24 and 600mm plus 1.4 TC I believe I will need to purchase the "Long ruler". (based upon the B&H website Q & A's)
I have searched but it seems I have to buy the Lens Align MkII kit at $84.95. Then the "Long ruler" at an additional $84.95.
This doesn't include shipping etc. To the UK.
In my opinion a Kit with the standard L. A. target and a long ruler would be ideal, as purchasing the kit and then paying another $84.95 just for a cardboard ruler makes no sense. The short ruler would be surplus to requirement once the long ruler has been bought.

Does anyone have experience of the L.A. kit and a possible work around for long lenses?

Thanks. Roger

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Jun 16, 2018 09:05:26   #
John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.
 
I purchased the regular kit with software and ruler and was able to calibrate my 200-500 lens.

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Jun 16, 2018 09:11:25   #
Jolly Roger Loc: Dorset. UK
 
John Howard wrote:
I purchased the regular kit with software and ruler and was able to calibrate my 200-500 lens.


Looking at the B & H website, using a 600mm needs the long ruler. Then if a TC is used that becomes even more critical due to the distance from lens to target, around thirty metres (yards) or so.

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Jun 16, 2018 09:39:54   #
John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.
 
I initially had difficulty with the software and contacted them. They were very helpful exchanging many emails and coaching me thru getting the system to work. Suggest you go to the LA website and inquire if they will sell the Long ruler with the software. Maybe?

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Jun 16, 2018 10:40:31   #
Jolly Roger Loc: Dorset. UK
 
John Howard wrote:
I initially had difficulty with the software and contacted them. They were very helpful exchanging many emails and coaching me thru getting the system to work. Suggest you go to the LA website and inquire if they will sell the Long ruler with the software. Maybe?


Thanks John for your input.
I have already written to Michael Tapes and awaiting a reply.
I just think $85 is crazy for a piece of printed cardboard. Hence my enquiry about alternatives to the $85 ruler.
In addition there is shipping etc to the UK. So that is likely to add another $80 plus to the total cost.

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Jun 16, 2018 11:02:33   #
John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.
 
I lived in London from ‘98 to ‘08. Everything is more costly there.

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Jun 16, 2018 23:18:32   #
robertjerl Loc: Corona, California
 
Jolly Roger wrote:
I wish to purchase the above kit but as I have lenses ranging between 24 and 600mm plus 1.4 TC I believe I will need to purchase the "Long ruler". (based upon the B&H website Q & A's)
I have searched but it seems I have to buy the Lens Align MkII kit at $84.95. Then the "Long ruler" at an additional $84.95.
This doesn't include shipping etc. To the UK.
In my opinion a Kit with the standard L. A. target and a long ruler would be ideal, as purchasing the kit and then paying another $84.95 just for a cardboard ruler makes no sense. The short ruler would be surplus to requirement once the long ruler has been bought.

Does anyone have experience of the L.A. kit and a possible work around for long lenses?

Thanks. Roger
I wish to purchase the above kit but as I have len... (show quote)


Why don't you look at this: http://www.reikanfocal.com/ They are a UK business.

OK, looked it up and found reviews. The stuff isn't made of cardboard, it is vinyl plastic.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/LA/LRK.HTM

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Jun 17, 2018 06:58:19   #
Jolly Roger Loc: Dorset. UK
 
I have received a reply from Michael Tapes.
Part of his reply states:
"The Long ruler is only needed for human visualization of the results. In other words, if you want to see the transition areas of the DOF, where the sharp focus falls off, then the Long Ruler is required. But if you use our FocusTune software (which is highly recommended), it has the "smarts" to be able to resolve all it needs from the standard ruler.

So the best kit to buy is the $125 bundle that includes the MkII and the FT software. That is all you need.

However, IF you wish to NOT use the software (not recommended) or want to use the software AND be able to visually see the DOF transition areas, then you need to add the Long ruler kit. While the short ruler becomes redundant when using the Long Ruler, it is not a high cost item, and would not alter the price much, and the added cost in general to have that option available would negate the savings because all products would have to have a higher cost to manage the additional SKU inventory for me and the dealers."

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Jun 17, 2018 07:18:43   #
wayne2193 Loc: East Troy, WI
 
You could save your money by using the dot tune method. Very easy and fast. Just google dot tune focus.

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Jun 17, 2018 09:00:54   #
gwilliams6
 
Folks I feel for you. There is NO need for any lens calibrations when shooting with mirrorless cameras. No mirror mechanisms to wear and/or get out of alignment. In mirrorless the focus is read directly off the sensor. What a relief, I have ten lenses and no need to calibrate them to my three camera bodies. Cheers

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Jun 17, 2018 09:00:54   #
gwilliams6
 
Folks I feel for you. There is NO need for any lens calibrations when shooting with mirrorless cameras. No mirror mechanisms to wear and/or get out of alignment. In mirrorless the focus is read directly off the sensor. What a relief, I have ten lenses and no need to calibrate them to my three camera bodies. Cheers

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Jun 17, 2018 09:09:23   #
chemsaf Loc: San Diego
 
Don't waste your money or time. It is very difficult to master and does not work for a Nikon 105. My Tamron 18 to 250,calibrated at 100 came in at - 1 +/- 3 after many hours of effort. While Mapes was helpful, the device is not. If you are near SoCal I will loan it to you.
Very dissatisfied with this product.

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Jun 17, 2018 09:41:19   #
Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona
 
I bought Michael Tates system and was never able to get consistent results. Probably operator error. I calibrated all of my long lenses, primes and zooms with 5 AA batteries at a 45 degree angle to the focal plain. I think my lenses are tack sharp. Never bothered to calibrate my normal and wide angle lenses.

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Jun 17, 2018 09:54:55   #
chemsaf Loc: San Diego
 
Inconsistent results or clearly meaningless results are what I got also.

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Jun 17, 2018 12:49:15   #
tomdru Loc: Wisconsin
 
In some 64 years of fairly intensive photography I have never felt the need to calibrate any of my lenses. I buy premium products made by my camera manufacturer and do not recall any calibration problems. Very lucky or just poor eyesight?

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