Reikan "FoCal" Automated Focus Calibration Software

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
I got an email from my brother yesterday with a subject line of "Coolest Software Ever!!" The body read, "Been using the Pro version all day setting up all my bodies an lenses. It works like a charm! Make sure you read ALL the documentation before using it though, there is a bit of a learning curve."

What hewas talking about is Reikan FoCal Automated Camera/Lens Calibration software. Overly simplified, it seems you connect your camera to your computer with the software installed via USB cable, print out their charts, go through the proper steps and it will produce the optimized set of calibration numbers for your camera lens combination. Seems to be slightly more "automated" on Canon than Nikon likely due to what the USB interface can and cannot do, but my understanding is that it all works the same but there is manual intervention involved on the Nikon side that approximately doubles the time required to produce your numbers (from 1-2 to 3-4 minutes, or so it says). Nikons covered are all the FX cameras and the D7000/D7100.

The "Pro" version is about $100 depending on the daily exchange rate. I'm not thrilled that there's a limit to the number of cameras it allows you to use it with, though I understand why they might do this ("Hey, c'mon over and I'll calibrate your camera and lens for $25!!"). I have the Spyder focus calibration gadget that I use to manually do it, so I'm not planning on immediately dropping any money on this, but I do want to check it out next time I'm at my brothers. If it's truly "the coolest software ever" I'll let you guys know. In the meantime I thought I'd at least point anyone looking to get their cameras and lenses "perfect" might want to take a look at it.
 

PapaST

Senior Member
That looks great, thanks for sharing. I'll have to check out what the limit is.

Looks like the Standard, Plus and Pro versions all support up to 5 bodies. That's still pretty good.
 
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PapaST

Senior Member
The pro version also has this dust analysis thing where it hilights the dust on your sensor and tells you what aperture that dust will start showing up. That's pretty handy. I wasn't planning on dropping a hundred bucks this morning... thanks a lot Jake. ;)

Focal.JPG
 
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Geoffc

Senior Member
I've had this for a while and it highlighted my D800/70-200 vrii focus problem when using a teleconvertor. It's easy to use and I believe you can add and remove bodies from the licence.

I really liked it as other methods involve subjective eye-balling which causes the results to keep changing.

It is slightly slower on Nikon bodies but not much. It's because you have to change the AF fine tune manually per test shot.

It's also good if you just like gadgets as it makes you feel like a real engineer when you're using it :)
 

PapaST

Senior Member
I've had this for a while and it highlighted my D800/70-200 vrii focus problem when using a teleconvertor. It's easy to use and I believe you can add and remove bodies from the licence.

I really liked it as other methods involve subjective eye-balling which causes the results to keep changing.

It is slightly slower on Nikon bodies but not much. It's because you have to change the AF fine tune manually per test shot.

It's also good if you just like gadgets as it makes you feel like a real engineer when you're using it :)


Geoff, I think I remember you said you picked up a D7100, does it work well with FoCal (I noticed they just updated a beta version with support for D7100). Also, I'm going to look up how many lenses a camera can calibrate and save (particularly the D7100 and D600). If you know that would be helpful in my purchase decision.
 

PapaST

Senior Member
I found my answer for the number of AF fine tune stored lenses. The d7100 and D600 can store upto 12 lenses. I suspect the other nikon models are similar if not the same.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Thanks for the quick review, Geoff. PapaST, if it makes you feel better I wasn't planning on spending $100 until I got the email, and you've now made it tougher not to. LOL
 

Blade Canyon

Senior Member
I bought this software because my camera had some back focusing issues. Before I used this software, I followed a lot of online instructions on how to measure and adjust the focus. Manually, I figured it was a -10 adjustment for one particular lens. The software said -9, so darn close. The software was easy to use, and the D600 lets you save the adjustments for individual lenses. My 50mm needed no adjustment.

One problem: the program tried repeatedly to calibrate a Sigma 300mm zoom. It never could get an accurate reading on that one.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Just curious, which Sigma, the 120-300mm? My brother has been having a devil of a time getting that to calibrate with one of his work Canons. Essentially, while Sigma will not admit to it not working with that particular camera, everyone he's spoken to says that there's a problem there. He's hoping to fix it with this software, so I'm wondering if there could be an issue there?
 

Blade Canyon

Senior Member
Just curious, which Sigma, the 120-300mm?

I think that's the one (will know for sure when I get home). The lens works fine and I've never had any issues with it, but was just calibrating it while everything was set up. It didn't calibrate, but the lens is still good. I bought the software primarily because my main "carry" lens (24-85) was back focusing. Got tired of seeing ears, hair, and the backs of collars in focus and the eyes a little blurry.
 

Geoffc

Senior Member
Thanks for the quick review, Geoff. PapaST, if it makes you feel better I wasn't planning on spending $100 until I got the email, and you've now made it tougher not to. LOL

Happy to help.

I had a lot of trouble calibrating the 70-200 with the TC 20e iii. It wanted -26 which is out of range. I suspect at this focal length you need a decent distance between camera and target which can be difficult indoors!!
 

Krs_2007

Senior Member
Going to revive this thread, sorry.


Just curious if anyone else has any opinions on the FoCal software. Had it on my list and starting to circle back through said list and this came up.
 
I am interested also. Will the PRO version just handle 1 camera? I have 2 bodies that I would like to use it on. I have a dickens of a time Fine Tuning my lenses. It is hard for me to see which/what is in focus. I just redid all my lenses recently and it did get a lot better but I really don't think I have nailed it perfectly yet.
 
I hate reading posts like this. I should give BackdoorHippie a infraction for costing me $112. Next is printing the targets. Heavyweight matte paper it is. Any suggestions for lighting the targets? Also did the ones who are using this print on their home printers or go somewhere.
 
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