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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: east sussex
Posts: 3,484
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Spyderlenscal
Quote:
SpyderLensCal™ provides a fast, reliable method of measuring the focus performance on your camera and lens combinations. It allows photographers to obtain razor-sharp focusing or check to see that their lenses are working at their peak performance. This device is compact, lightweight and durable, with integrated level and tri-pod mount.
The problem:
Photographers have enjoyed the benefit of autofocus for 25 years now, but many still struggle with its accuracy and repeatability. Auto-focus is a great convenience, especially in fast shooting situations. But typically the first step in reviewing files from a shoot is tossing all the images where the focus isn’t quite right. This can be motion blur or other issues, but one of the most frequent causes is auto-focus error. We tend to blame this on the camera choosing the wrong object, or the wrong point on the object as the focal point, but there is another possibility, one we hate to consider, given the price of the hi-end lenses we use: the auto-focus of our lens may simply be off. When you take a simple shot of a flat object perpendicular to the camera, and it still isn’t quite as sharp as it should be, you have to accept that this may be the cause.
The solution:
Many newer DSLR cameras now offer a method to correct this issue: they allow you to store auto-focus correction data for several of your most important lenses. This feature is likely to become more common, and appear in other camera types.
SpyderLensCal was designed to aid in correcting the auto-focus on your camera and lens combinations and storing them in your camera’s custom settings.
The problem:
Photographers have enjoyed the benefit of autofocus for 25 years now, but many still struggle with its accuracy and repeatability. Auto-focus is a great convenience, especially in fast shooting situations. But typically the first step in reviewing files from a shoot is tossing all the images where the focus isn’t quite right. This can be motion blur or other issues, but one of the most frequent causes is auto-focus error. We tend to blame this on the camera choosing the wrong object, or the wrong point on the object as the focal point, but there is another possibility, one we hate to consider, given the price of the hi-end lenses we use: the auto-focus of our lens may simply be off. When you take a simple shot of a flat object perpendicular to the camera, and it still isn’t quite as sharp as it should be, you have to accept that this may be the cause.
The solution:
Many newer DSLR cameras now offer a method to correct this issue: they allow you to store auto-focus correction data for several of your most important lenses. This feature is likely to become more common, and appear in other camera types.
SpyderLensCal was designed to aid in correcting the auto-focus on your camera and lens combinations and storing them in your camera’s custom settings.
Looks a useful bit of kit due to be released end of Sept 2010
Bazza
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Please add enough info to the post so people know what you're on about 
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Looks interesting
xx
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Baz, It's not new and is grossly overpriced for what it is. I've had a similar chart for two years, you can get a free one HERE.
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: east sussex
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Niko
All I am saying is this item is comming on the market soon and making members aware. Its just something I shall purchase.
Azz I thought if anyone was curious as to what it is they would look at the link anyway
Bazza
All I am saying is this item is comming on the market soon and making members aware. Its just something I shall purchase.
Azz I thought if anyone was curious as to what it is they would look at the link anyway
Bazza
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Join Date: Sep 2007
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Well I have placed my advanced order for one and should get it in the next few days.
As soon as I have calibrated a couple of lenses I will try and give a breakdown on what I think of it.
Bazza
As soon as I have calibrated a couple of lenses I will try and give a breakdown on what I think of it.
Bazza
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Join Date: Sep 2007
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Re my recent posting about SpyderlensCal
quick reference for those who missed the blub
http://www.datacolor.eu/en/products/...cal/index.html
Well it arrived this afternoon. So what do I think of it? Brilliant bit of kit for those who have cameras with built in calibration.
Lets put it this way, it definately shows the difference between well known 3rd party lenses and camera manufactures own more expensive makes, but I will leave it there for the time being except for saying I don't think you will see me buying anything but Nikon lenses in the future
OK how easy is it to use? well if you can tie shoelaces you can use this bit of kit. I would recommend using 2x tripods not only for steadyness but for getting camera and lens/cal level as well as same height. I used a steel rule and measured from ground to centre of lens and the same to center of the lenscal.
You do have to take several pictures and do the adjustment after each one, which is a bit time consuming but well worth the effort.
As for difference it makes, well I have always struggled with focus on my Sigma lenses and couldn't make out why, now I know, hopefully I can take better photos and more of the pictures in focus.
Is it worth the cost? That all depends on how far one wants to go in spending out a bit of cash and how many lenses one owns. The camera MUST have built in focus calibration or its a waste of money, however if you do have such a camera and looking for someone to buy for you as a Christmas pressie then you won't be dissapointed.
Bazza
http://www.datacolor.eu/en/products/...cal/index.html
Well it arrived this afternoon. So what do I think of it? Brilliant bit of kit for those who have cameras with built in calibration.
Lets put it this way, it definately shows the difference between well known 3rd party lenses and camera manufactures own more expensive makes, but I will leave it there for the time being except for saying I don't think you will see me buying anything but Nikon lenses in the future
OK how easy is it to use? well if you can tie shoelaces you can use this bit of kit. I would recommend using 2x tripods not only for steadyness but for getting camera and lens/cal level as well as same height. I used a steel rule and measured from ground to centre of lens and the same to center of the lenscal.
You do have to take several pictures and do the adjustment after each one, which is a bit time consuming but well worth the effort.
As for difference it makes, well I have always struggled with focus on my Sigma lenses and couldn't make out why, now I know, hopefully I can take better photos and more of the pictures in focus.
Is it worth the cost? That all depends on how far one wants to go in spending out a bit of cash and how many lenses one owns. The camera MUST have built in focus calibration or its a waste of money, however if you do have such a camera and looking for someone to buy for you as a Christmas pressie then you won't be dissapointed.
Bazza
 Fondly Remembered
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Perthshire Scotland
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That's a good read bazza and glad to hear that you're getting some benefit from it.
That said - "I don't think you will see me buying anything but Nikon lenses in the future" seems a little predictable and in all honesty - a bit of a sweeping statement which hardly promotes the tool.
There's some very attractive third party lenses on the market at a fraction of the price of Nikon & Canon (Sigma, Tamron, Tokina etc) for all of us to consider so rather than just say 'Nikon are better' can you elaborate a little on which Nikon lenses and which equivalent third party offerings have you tested.........
That said - "I don't think you will see me buying anything but Nikon lenses in the future" seems a little predictable and in all honesty - a bit of a sweeping statement which hardly promotes the tool.
There's some very attractive third party lenses on the market at a fraction of the price of Nikon & Canon (Sigma, Tamron, Tokina etc) for all of us to consider so rather than just say 'Nikon are better' can you elaborate a little on which Nikon lenses and which equivalent third party offerings have you tested.........
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Phil
I wasn't going to elaborate but since you asked, My Sigma lenses were so out of true focus I have had to adjust the camera calibration to the maximum to get anywhere near correct back/front focus. Without this tool I would never have known how far out they were, which is why I was always strugggling to get a decent picture with them. My Nikon lenses were spot on or near enough to not have to make any adjustments.
As for which lenses ? all mine that are listed. As for my saying Nikon lenses are what I am sticking in the future with is because that the make I have, so I can't speak for Canon or any other make with their own lens.
Quote " There's some very attractive third party lenses on the market at a fraction of the price of Nikon & Canon (Sigma, Tamron, Tokina etc) for all of us to consider" unquote.
And there is a very good reason why they are cheaper from my findings. Did you know that Hoya are going to be making the glass for Sigma lenses in the future? I wonder why!!!
I think Dawn is bringing her Canon gear tomorrow so it will be interesting to see the results.
Bazza
I wasn't going to elaborate but since you asked, My Sigma lenses were so out of true focus I have had to adjust the camera calibration to the maximum to get anywhere near correct back/front focus. Without this tool I would never have known how far out they were, which is why I was always strugggling to get a decent picture with them. My Nikon lenses were spot on or near enough to not have to make any adjustments.
As for which lenses ? all mine that are listed. As for my saying Nikon lenses are what I am sticking in the future with is because that the make I have, so I can't speak for Canon or any other make with their own lens.
Quote " There's some very attractive third party lenses on the market at a fraction of the price of Nikon & Canon (Sigma, Tamron, Tokina etc) for all of us to consider" unquote.
And there is a very good reason why they are cheaper from my findings. Did you know that Hoya are going to be making the glass for Sigma lenses in the future? I wonder why!!!
I think Dawn is bringing her Canon gear tomorrow so it will be interesting to see the results.
Bazza
 Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Midlands
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bazza
Phil
I wasn't going to elaborate but since you asked, My Sigma lenses were so out of true focus I have had to adjust the camera calibration to the maximum to get anywhere near correct back/front focus. Without this tool I would never have known how far out they were, which is why I was always strugggling to get a decent picture with them. My Nikon lenses were spot on or near enough to not have to make any adjustments.
As for which lenses ? all mine that are listed. As for my saying Nikon lenses are what I am sticking in the future with is because that the make I have, so I can't speak for Canon or any other make with their own lens.
Quote " There's some very attractive third party lenses on the market at a fraction of the price of Nikon & Canon (Sigma, Tamron, Tokina etc) for all of us to consider" unquote.
And there is a very good reason why they are cheaper from my findings. Did you know that Hoya are going to be making the glass for Sigma lenses in the future? I wonder why!!!
I think Dawn is bringing her Canon gear tomorrow so it will be interesting to see the results.
Bazza
I wasn't going to elaborate but since you asked, My Sigma lenses were so out of true focus I have had to adjust the camera calibration to the maximum to get anywhere near correct back/front focus. Without this tool I would never have known how far out they were, which is why I was always strugggling to get a decent picture with them. My Nikon lenses were spot on or near enough to not have to make any adjustments.
As for which lenses ? all mine that are listed. As for my saying Nikon lenses are what I am sticking in the future with is because that the make I have, so I can't speak for Canon or any other make with their own lens.
Quote " There's some very attractive third party lenses on the market at a fraction of the price of Nikon & Canon (Sigma, Tamron, Tokina etc) for all of us to consider" unquote.
And there is a very good reason why they are cheaper from my findings. Did you know that Hoya are going to be making the glass for Sigma lenses in the future? I wonder why!!!
I think Dawn is bringing her Canon gear tomorrow so it will be interesting to see the results.
Bazza
