16-35 lens calibration

[paul linton]

May be of no interest to anybody I'm not sure but took the 16-35mm f4 out to test with the "focal software program" just to see if it needed focus adjustment and as usual it came out needing some big changes (does any lens not need calibrating as all mine seems to).

Anyway it needed -6 at 16mm and -18 at the 35mm which seems a lot but they do come out sharp when looking on the computer screen so I'm not going to question the results though I will do some more test without any changes applied when i have a little more time.

Paul

[antoeknee]

Re: 16-35 lens calibration

Not something I'd have thought about with a WA lens as depth of field is so great. Been very happy with my version. My brother in law also has this lens and the software so I'll get him to test and see what the result is.

[Tigger]

Re: 16-35 lens calibration

I use the same kit as you Paul and I'm surprised you said that regarding calibration as I just put the lens onto the camera and have been very pleased with the results - what tests did you do to before calibrating to realise it was so far out ?

I've never calibrated my lenses, but I've never seen soft issues, not unless I'm missing something

[antoeknee]

Re: 16-35 lens calibration

Same for me too Ian.

[paul linton]

Re: 16-35 lens calibration

what tests did you do to before calibrating to realise it was so far out ?

Hi Ian/antoeknee

I've only tried the lens once when i used it with my mini tripod and remote cable release (some images on the forum)
and it looked fine with no real problems.link http://www.eos-magazine-forum.com/sh...he-hobby/page2

I just thought i would run it through the Focal software just to check if any adjustment was needed and as i said earlier at 16mm it came out at -6 which isn't much, but surprised at the 35mm end of the scale needing -18.

So my plan is to set up the target and shoot with no adjustment and then apply the recommended settings and see if there is a noticeable difference or not.

Just a bit busy with work and the poor weather at the moment but I will do a comparison test and post it on here for members to see.

Paul

[antoeknee]

Re: 16-35 lens calibration

Messaged BIL and he hasn't made any adjustments and believes lens is sharp. Even at 35mm and f4 I think DOF would make it hard to evaluate.

[paul linton]

Re: 16-35 lens calibration

Messaged BIL and he hasn't made any adjustments and believes lens is sharp. Even at 35mm and f4 I think DOF would make it hard to evaluate.

(I thought my 400mm was sharp until i calibrated it but now set to -4 it made it even sharper.)

He's probably right but i needed to know if its working to its maximum potential (then i can't blame the lens it must be me lol)
though I did say it looked OK when i gave it a quick trial and i was just curious.

Paul

[planetc]

Re: 16-35 lens calibration

I would calibrate anything if I intended to use it for anything I was serious about. My 70 200 is set to +17 and it's a very noticeable difference. When I received my replacement body I forgot to check my nifty fifty before it's first time on the camera and kept second guessing myself because I wasn't getting the results. Eventually the penny dropped and a quick five minutes with the cross hatch pattern of some block paving and a lump of chewing gum later all was good again.

[Tigger]

Re: 16-35 lens calibration

Hi Ian/antoeknee

I've only tried the lens once when i used it with my mini tripod and remote cable release (some images on the forum)
and it looked fine with no real problems.link http://www.eos-magazine-forum.com/sh...he-hobby/page2

I just thought i would run it through the Focal software just to check if any adjustment was needed and as i said earlier at 16mm it came out at -6 which isn't much, but surprised at the 35mm end of the scale needing -18.

So my plan is to set up the target and shoot with no adjustment and then apply the recommended settings and see if there is a noticeable difference or not.

Just a bit busy with work and the poor weather at the moment but I will do a comparison test and post it on here for members to see.

Paul

what Focal software did you use Paul? - its made me second guess now whether I'm getting the best from my lenses - although if I'm honest right now I don't think they could be sharper but it maybe worthwhile checking it

[antoeknee]

Re: 16-35 lens calibration

Hi Ian, most likely this

http://www.reikan.co.uk/focalweb/

[paul linton]

Re: 16-35 lens calibration

what Focal software did you use Paul? - its made me second guess now whether I'm getting the best from my lenses - although if I'm honest right now I don't think they could be sharper but it maybe worthwhile checking it

Hi Ian
The link Antoeknee has given above is the software I'm using though it's not the newest version.

I've just tried shooting with -6/-18 and without -0/-0 settings and i can't really tell them apart on this occasion even when viewed at 100%? so maybe not worth changing any setting for this lens.

Images below
Again best viewed on flickr for a better image.just click on the image.

-18 at 35mm
-18 by Paul Linton, on Flickr

No settings at 35mm
No settings by Paul Linton, on Flickr

[antoeknee]

Re: 16-35 lens calibration

Hi Ian, think this is probably what I'd expect. Longer focal lengths (telephoto) are likely to show benefits of micro adjustment.

[paul linton]

Re: 16-35 lens calibration

Hi Ian, think this is probably what I'd expect. Longer focal lengths (telephoto) are likely to show benefits of micro adjustment.

Yes on this occasion i think i will leave the setting off and see how we go as not had the chance to get out and about using this lens properly, hopefully next week I'll get outside and start using it??

Paul

[planetc]

Re: 16-35 lens calibration

I'm sure software is great, but I have found the easiest way to do it without any special equipment is to shoot something with a pattern to it moving away from you. A fallen tree with good bark definition, a wall, or as I improvised the other week with block paving. Focus on an easily identified point and you can review the results and tweak back or forward to suit.

[Tigger]

Re: 16-35 lens calibration

I'm with you Paul I can't see any difference between the two images - I think Ant has nailed it that its only for the longer lenses and I only have one long lens the 100-400 so could be worthwhile checking it out, plus the 70-200 but not sure thats really what you would class as a long lens, but thats pin sharp