My Review of the Reikan Focal Pro Lens Microadjustment System

[bobkeenan]

I like my shots to be sharp. When I put a focus point on a target I want and expect to have it be in focus. So over the past couple of years I have tried a number of methods.

I wrote a post in my blog, about a year and half ago, talking about all of the ones I tried. You can see it here:

Bobkeenan Photography Micro-Adjustment Auto Focus on Lenses: Review and Tutorial Bobkeenan Photography

I really liked the LensAlign system. I still do but then I came across the Reikan FoCal system. I bought the Pro version and wow it is neat. I believe it provides a much more reliable MA adjustment. So I wrote a new blog about it, comparing it to the LensAlign system, discussing pros/cons, and providing some tips fro getting a good calibration on the FoCal system. It can be found here:

Bobkeenan Photography A new way to MicroAdjust DSLR Lenses FoCAL by Reikan - Bobkeenan Photography

[Sailor Blue]

Nice review with some good hints.

Here is a hint for you. To align your camera perfectly tape a mirror in the exact center of the target. Adjust the camera position until you can see the reflection of the camera lens exactly centered in the viewfinder. Remove the mirror and shoot.

[bobkeenan]

Brilliant idea.... thanks. I gotta go find a mirror now.

[Onslow]

I have the pro version for my 50D and 5D mk2. I've used the 70-200 2.8L, the 24-105L and the 100 - 400 L lenses and it's tweaked them all nicely. The earlier versions I found buggy but the latest versions seem rock solid....

Worth the money for me.....

[swampler]

Onslow,

I have the same lenses as you. What distance from the target were you for each lens to do the adjustment? I only have my desktop PC in a not so large room and I would have thought for the 400 you'd need to be some distance away?

[Onslow]

Originally Posted by swampler

Onslow,

I have the same lenses as you. What distance from the target were you for each lens to do the adjustment? I only have my desktop PC in a not so large room and I would have thought for the 400 you'd need to be some distance away?

I had the target fixed to my rear fence wall in sunshine with no clouds or wind. The slightest movement would effect it. For the 70-200 I had the target taped to a door and was getting awful results. Eventually, I realised that I had the door moving ever so slightly with wind. Only a mm or two at the most but it was enough to throw the test off. For the 100-400, I guess the distance would be around 20 - 25 metres.