Auto AF fine tune

Geoffc

Senior Member
This is a good reason for me to get this given the time it takes to fine tune manually. Just a pity it doesn't work at both ends of the lens.
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
This is a good reason for me to get this given the time it takes to fine tune manually. Just a pity it doesn't work at both ends of the lens.

So this is great for prime lenses, but not so much for zooms as it doesn't work on either end of the lens. Unless I'm not understanding this correctly
 

Geoffc

Senior Member
So this is great for prime lenses, but not so much for zooms as it doesn't work on either end of the lens. Unless I'm not understanding this correctly

I still do my zooms, but choose the most typical point of use. This is especially the case with something like a 150-600 as I didn't buy it for its 150mm capability.

All of our lenses are fine tuned and all perform better for it. Others will have a completely different point of view.


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BackdoorArts

Senior Member
So this is great for prime lenses, but not so much for zooms as it doesn't work on either end of the lens. Unless I'm not understanding this correctly

It's no different than the AF Fine Tune that's been in the D7xxx and above series cameras for a while, the only difference is that it's automatic using the Live View focusing instead of having to use calibration software (which may be better) or eyeing things up manually. With zooms, as you do now, you have to pick a point in the zoom range and calculate for that. In general most folks use the long end of the zoom since it has the narrowest DoF at distance.

Here's what's great about this, on top of the automatic part, and in particular if you have a zoom. If you're shooting sports or wildlife and will be shooting with a zoom at a focal length that you haven't tuned for you can retune on the spot for the optimal focal length for the situation. Sitting at the finish line? Compose what you think your field of view will be (i.e. pick your zoom's focal length) and calibrate using something that's as close to where your money shot will be when the time comes. When you're done, put back the old value.

I think this feature is more a plus for zoom shooters than prime guys and gals since those you can set and forget.
 

Osantacruz

Senior Member
Anything will be better than FoCal. It's such a buggy, crappy software. I got it to work a few times after several crashes but not noticing a huge difference. The customer support at least was great, they followed up a few times and let me know about beta builds that fixed my specific issue but in the end, tuning was such a pain. I wonder if the auto af tune will work with non Nikon lenses?
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Anything will be better than FoCal. It's such a buggy, crappy software. I got it to work a few times after several crashes but not noticing a huge difference. The customer support at least was great, they followed up a few times and let me know about beta builds that fixed my specific issue but in the end, tuning was such a pain. I wonder if the auto af tune will work with non Nikon lenses?

Not my experience with FoCal, or with others here.

Auto Fine Tune only works with Nikon lenses (surprise, surprise), but you can still use the old fashion method with others.
 

Geoffc

Senior Member
Not my experience with FoCal, or with others here.

Auto Fine Tune only works with Nikon lenses (surprise, surprise), but you can still use the old fashion method with others.

Jake,

I've seen some reports that suggest it does work with third party lenses, but I guess we'll have to wait and see. I actually use my own method rather than focal even though I have a licenced version as I find it quicker and more consistent.


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Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Jake,

I've seen some reports that suggest it does work with third party lenses, but I guess we'll have to wait and see. I actually use my own method rather than focal even though I have a licenced version as I find it quicker and more consistent.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

So you going to keep your method a secret?
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
It's no different than the AF Fine Tune that's been in the D7xxx and above series cameras for a while, the only difference is that it's automatic using the Live View focusing instead of having to use calibration software (which may be better) or eyeing things up manually. With zooms, as you do now, you have to pick a point in the zoom range and calculate for that. In general most folks use the long end of the zoom since it has the narrowest DoF at distance.

Here's what's great about this, on top of the automatic part, and in particular if you have a zoom. If you're shooting sports or wildlife and will be shooting with a zoom at a focal length that you haven't tuned for you can retune on the spot for the optimal focal length for the situation. Sitting at the finish line? Compose what you think your field of view will be (i.e. pick your zoom's focal length) and calibrate using something that's as close to where your money shot will be when the time comes. When you're done, put back the old value.

I think this feature is more a plus for zoom shooters than prime guys and gals since those you can set and forget.
Thanks for the clerafication. It makes sense now. Tuning it on the fly is a great help. Off I go to look for the 2 grand I dropped behind the couch.

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Anything will be better than FoCal. It's such a buggy, crappy software. I got it to work a few times after several crashes but not noticing a huge difference. The customer support at least was great, they followed up a few times and let me know about beta builds that fixed my specific issue but in the end, tuning was such a pain. I wonder if the auto af tune will work with non Nikon lenses?

I have had great results with FoCal and I have tried all the methods people talk about here
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Jake,

I've seen some reports that suggest it does work with third party lenses, but I guess we'll have to wait and see. I actually use my own method rather than focal even though I have a licenced version as I find it quicker and more consistent.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

And I'm hoping that's the case since it doesn't seem to rely on anything proprietary, but when the cameras were released I remember something about the function only working with Nikon lenses. Maybe it's only guaranteed to work with Nikon lenses? I'll be using my tried and true methods with the D500, but I will take note with my zooms if there is a wide disparity for the calibration measure at certain spots - if I'm at a known "off" spot I could readjust. Or I could just tape the exception #'s to the lens hood and program them in manually when needed. Probably faster. LOL
 

Geoffc

Senior Member
And I'm hoping that's the case since it doesn't seem to rely on anything proprietary, but when the cameras were released I remember something about the function only working with Nikon lenses. Maybe it's only guaranteed to work with Nikon lenses? I'll be using my tried and true methods with the D500, but I will take note with my zooms if there is a wide disparity for the calibration measure at certain spots - if I'm at a known "off" spot I could readjust. Or I could just tape the exception #'s to the lens hood and program them in manually when needed. Probably faster. LOL

@BackdoorHippie, I think I found the answer with somebody doing a real world test in this forum. The answer is that it worked fine on the Tamron 150-600 so I imagine the Sigma would be the same.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
@BackdoorHippie, I think I found the answer with somebody doing a real world test in this forum. The answer is that it worked fine on the Tamron 150-600 so I imagine the Sigma would be the same.

Good news for my macro (assuming that it doesn't need to go back to Sigma for a firmware update), but I'll stick with the 16 point AF Fine Tune on the 150-600mm. :)
 

Blade Canyon

Senior Member
Count me in with Osantacruz and Geoffc, Focal software is not any better than the manual methods, and it's a pain to set up and takes a lot of time to make the adjustments. In the end, its calculation is usually very close to where I had the setting already.

I've shot down rulers and I like shooting along a bookshelf to see which titles are most in focus compared to the focal point. The fastest manual method to fine tune AF for certain lenses, however, is the no-shot method. Put the camera on a tripod, set the lens to manual focus, zoom in on Live View, and achieve the most perfect focus you can get manually. Then switch off Live View, look through the viewfinder, and push the shutter button down half-way to see if you get the green focus light. (If you are set up for BBF, I guess you have to hit the back button.)

If the indicator light says the shot is in focus, then the AF and the actual focus are in tune. If the focus indicator gives you an arrow instead, start adjusting the AF fine tune (without changing the focus or moving the camera) until the green light comes on. That's it.

Someone told me the green light is much more generous when the camera body is manual focus mode, so that could be a big flaw in this method, but it has worked well for me.
 
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BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Save your money if you're getting the D500. That and the D5 have built in auto AF fine tune that would be a lot easier than that flaky program.

Maximum sharpness: Nikon's automated AF Fine Tune explained: Digital Photography Review

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I already have, use and highly recommend said the "flaky program", and if you read the article you'll see why even the old manual effort might be better than relying on the new feature in the D5/D500. It's a nice to have for the reasons I describe above, but it doesn't look like a game changer by any stretch.
 
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