Lens align from rawworkflow.com...

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Moderator: Stany Buyle

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Stany Buyle
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Lens align from rawworkflow.com...

Post by Stany Buyle »

Simply an amazing tool. Here the link: http://michaeltapesdesign.com/lensalign.html
and here the link to the video by Michael Reichman : http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/accessories/lensalign.shtml
and another instruction video: http://vimeo.com/2498404?pg=embed&sec=2498404
The product was mentioned to me by Pamela, moderator on this forum.

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kindest regards,

Stany
I like better one good shot in a day than 10 bad ones in a second...
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$140 - I think we are getting out of bounds

Post by DavidLake »

Seriously, it looks like a good tool , but it is maybe worth $50-$60
(NPS, WPPI, PPA)
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Recommanded working distance for AF check...

Post by Stany Buyle »

For a long time already I was searching on different fora to find out what is the ideal ditance to do a AF check. Finally a got an answer on this quetsion by the maker of the lens align system:
" I suggest ~10x focal length. But also check the calibration at the normal shooting distance you care most about. Think of AFMA as making the lens perform much better but not perfect for all zoom positions and/or distance. Those 2 and aperture are all related. Hope this helps,. More on this in upcoming tutorials. Dec 18, 2008 | Michael Tapes"
kindest regards,

Stany
I like better one good shot in a day than 10 bad ones in a second...
http://www.fotografie.cafe
pam.meier
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Re: Lens align from rawworkflow.com...

Post by pam.meier »

Stany, I wonder if testing would be best from different distances and see how the results will vary?

I think I will go for the light version and finally be able to finetune AF.
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Re: Lens align from rawworkflow.com...

Post by pam.meier »

Michael, the developer of LA has posted on dpreview.com:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read. ... e=30414988
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Re: Lens align from rawworkflow.com...

Post by pam.meier »

Today I ordered the lite version. I´ll keep you posted when it will arrive in Germany and when I will have adjusted all my lenses with it.
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Re: Lens align from rawworkflow.com...

Post by pam.meier »

Update: I was notified it will be shipped at the end of January.
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Re: Lens align from rawworkflow.com...

Post by pam.meier »

It´s on the way!
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Re: Lens align from rawworkflow.com...

Post by pam.meier »

I have received my LensAlign Lite and I´m enthusiastic about it. It cost 80 Euros including shipment. There seems to be a lot of knowhow in it and the parts look precisionmade and of high quality.

Assembling it took 5 minutes. I would never buy the pro version, the LA lite does have anything it takes, it can even be tripod mounted. It is very compact and can be disassembled easily.

You get a little magnetic mirror to stick on the target, then you make sure your target is in the middle of your lens in the mirror.
Take an image, see if there is back or front focus and fine tune AF. There are some instructional videos on Mike´s site that make if even easier.

Now after some initial tests I will start checking all my cameras and lenses, which will take some time.
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Re: Lens align from rawworkflow.com...

Post by BrianSmith »

Any news Pam? Still happy with it? Is it worth it?

I've done a few experiments with regular front/back focus charts and I'm not finding it very satisfactory.
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Re: Lens align from rawworkflow.com...

Post by pam.meier »

I´m very happy with it. Fortunately, most of my lenses are dead on.
80 Euros may sound like a lot of money, but I think the product is well-made and you could resell it too after checking your lenses.
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Lens align user guide and tutorials

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pam.meier
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Re: Lens align from rawworkflow.com...

Post by pam.meier »

Now after getting the Nikon D800 and Sony A77 and doing some AF-finetuning I must say that I would go for the LensAlign Pro Mark II. The markings on the ruler have been so much improved, it may be worth getting the new version. Michael has managed to make them even better. I found a shop in the US who will ship to Europe and I might go for it. Would be around 90 Euros.

There is a DOF calculator on Michael´s site that helps you choose the optimal distance for checking focus. I choose the normal shooting distance only, though, as this is where I want the AF to function properly.
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Re: Lens align from rawworkflow.com...

Post by pam.meier »

I came across this through dpreview:
http://www.reikan.co.uk/focal/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It seems to be a lot more precise and automatic! Only works with Canon and Nikon cameras, so not for me.
I ordered the new LensAlign.
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