Is FoCal worth getting

Leroy4bz

Leroy4bz

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Leroy
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I've heard a lot of talk about FoCal and am wondering, is it worth a newbie like me getting it? I've got 4 inexpensive lens and need to know if the software will make a marked improvement to my images. I'm using a 550d and a 70d, the latter of which is surprised to have focusing problems.
 
Leroy4bz said:
I've heard a lot of talk about FoCal and am wondering, is it worth a newbie like me getting it? I've got 4 inexpensive lens and need to know if the software will make a marked improvement to my images. I'm using a 550d and a 70d, the latter of which is surprised to have focusing problems.
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probably not TBH. Its a bit flaky and only really benefits 1.8 or faster primes (IMHO), where it can provide stunning results
 
Leroy4bz said:
need to know if the software will make a marked improvement to my images
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I tried it a couple of years ago and just couldn't get it to work, though it appears to have come on a bit since then.
Its key purpose is to check for accurate focus adjustment, so IF your lenses are out and IF it corrects your camera for them, then in all likelihood your images could be more accurately focused ... will that "make a marked improvement to" your images ... I cannot say :)
 
If you've got 2.8 or faster lenses (zoom or primes) and want to take some of the guess work / manual labour out of MFA on your 70D then it might be worth having. If you're happy to play with focus charts and perform some tests yourself then spend your money else where.
 
I have a love/hate relationship with it, hate using it, love the results it gives. To be fair the latest version (still beta) has not crashed on me once, where as previous versions were very flaky. As mentioned above, for my 35, 58 and 84 1.4's it really helps them sing, though I do calibrate all my lenses with it.
 
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I've had mixed results with it, but I recently tried v2 and I have been getting more consistent results with it. V2 is still in testing and will be a free upgrade from v1.9.
 
Ive used the pro version on all 3 bodies and all my lens that are all f4 and yes its worth getting, makes it an easy simple job and the results speak for themselves. Your 70D will be fine but the 550D cannot be calibrated.

Do make sure you do use the recommended distances and not just do it in your lounge. I did my 100-400mm and it was from inside kitchen to halfway down the garde for the 100mm short end and end of garden for the 400mm apr 40yds with the smaller chart.
 
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I bought it and never used it to adjust anything - I tried and tried but failed to get to any meaningful result .............it was not at all user friendly for a Nikon user ........ just too much trouble to set up and everything about it was complicated right down to the fact that I had to download another programme for it to start working - I am an Apple user

The product IMHO fell short of a fully usable application

It seems to have been built for Canon users who have a PC and if you do not have a Canon you do not have all the functionality

If they had explained the situation fully in their web site regarding if you did not have a Canon bodies, I probably would not have even considered it

I quite like the technical aspects of photography, but for me it was a total waste of money

If you buy it the very best of luck
 
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It's not just Nikon bodies that have issues. Some canon bodies can not be done in full auto mode either (including the 5Dmkiii). It's all down to the API provided by the camera manufacturer. Focal do have all that information on their site.

http://www.reikan.co.uk/focalweb/index.php/why/camera-compatibility/

On a side note, has anybody successfully printed a larger version of the target through somebody like DSCL. I need a bigger target for long lenses and am reluctant to pay £20 from focal themselves.
 
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ecoleman said:
It's not just Nikon bodies that have issues. Some canon bodies can not be done in full auto mode either (including the 5Dmkiii). It's all down to the API provided by the camera manufacturer. Focal do have all that information on their site.

http://www.reikan.co.uk/focalweb/index.php/why/camera-compatibility/

On a side note, has anybody successfully printed a larger version of the target through somebody like DSCL. I need a bigger target for long lenses and am reluctant to pay £20 from focal themselves.
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Print the PDF file and enlarge it in the print settings, Im sure I set it at 155 percent so it filled the width of an A4 sheet
 
Thanks guys, looks like I've saved myself a few quid. I think I'll try my own MFA and see how I get on.
 
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