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.
wonder if secret santa could deliver my d500 or d5 early.
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
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
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.
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
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.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.
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?
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
@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.
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
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk