LensAlign Pro Plus Focus Calibration System with Long Ruler Kit
The LensAlign Pro Plus Focus Calibration System with Long Ruler Kit is a unique and accurate way to check the focusing performance of your camera and lens combinations. This system provides you with a reliable and easy way to make sure your expensive photographic equipment performs at optimum level. After all, you want your images spot-on sharp since anyone in the business knows that clients don't like excuses - and when you only get one chance to get that money shot, your gear must be in peak condition.
However, no matter what camera/lens you buy, it's probably been mass produced. Even though manufacturers allow for production tolerances, mistakes happen and it is rare that perfection is achieved. If, by chance, your camera is "off" by a fraction and you couple that with a lens that is also off just "so-much", the combination produces an image that will be soft.
Further complicating the equation is what happens when you take it in for repair and the service center decides to over-compensate for the amount that is "off" and instead of dealing with a lens that used to front focus, you now have a lens that either front focuses more or that now back focuses.
LensAlign is a hardware-based tool that permits you to "pair" a camera/lens combo for maximum sharpness. By measuring whatever deviation this combo produces, correction can be readily achieved using the built-in adjustment for auto focus that many of today's high-end cameras possess.
The system is easy to use. Tripod mount your camera while placing the LensAlign on a table or additional tripod and focus on the center focus spot of the target (adjust position of camera to center the target). When this achieved, both the imaging plane and target will be parallel. Set the DOF scale, adjust it as per included instructions and make an image (or images) of the setup. Once you capture the image, minor adjustments can be achieved using the focusing micro-adjustment control on your DSLR. It's that easy.
- 47" Long Ruler for measuring DOF (Depth of Field)
- Works for manual or auto focus cameras
- Laser calibrated system
- Can be table-top or tripod mounted (tripod mounting preferred)
- Should be used by both photographers and repair centers
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 11 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
90%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (4)
- Reliable (4)
- Durable (3)
Cons
- Pricey / poor value (3)
Best Uses
- Reviewer Profile:
- Semi-professional (4), Enthusiast (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (6)
Most Liked Positive Review
Pretty slick, and revealing
Truly, let's be honest, 97% of blurry photos, etc. are technique problems, not equipment problems. I am a working professional and purchased this because I suspected one lens of chronic backfocus problems....Read complete review
Truly, let's be honest, 97% of blurry photos, etc. are technique problems, not equipment problems. I am a working professional and purchased this because I suspected one lens of chronic backfocus problems. I carefully followed the instructions and setup the test in my studio and ran my lenses through the system, tethered into Lightroom.
The lens indeed needed a -15 alignment to bring the focus forward. I found one other lens that needed a slight +3 adjustment, both all others were dead on.
Useful if instructions followed carefully. Obviously your tests are only as accurate as your setup. Also, be sure to use their suggestion on their web site to use Photoshop Emboss to find the focus point easily on the test shots.
The long ruler is what you need to calibrate the tele end, like a 70-200 lens.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
[...]
[...] too expensive, no instructions on how to even put the pieces together let alone use the thing if you do manage to get it set up properly. Has potential if they'd ...Read complete review
[...] too expensive, no instructions on how to even put the pieces together let alone use the thing if you do manage to get it set up properly. Has potential if they'd include a nice set of instructions.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 11 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-11
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Reliable
Cons
- Constuction fair
Best Uses
Comments about LensAlign Pro Plus Focus Calibration System with Long Ruler Kit:
I have always had problems focusing two of my prime lenses, 50mm 1.2 and 85MM 1.2.
Following are the results I got calibrating my lenses on a 1D MIV.
1. 16MM to 35MM L II - No adjustment needed.
2. 24MM T&S L II - No adjustment needed.
3. 28MM to 300MM L. Medium adjustment at 300MM.
4. 24MM to 70 MM L. No adjustment needed.
5. 50 MM 1.2 L. Medium adjustment needed.
6. 85 MM 1.2 L. Large adjustment needed.
7. 70 to 200 2.8 IS L - No adjustment needed.
8. 180 3.5 L. Macro - No adjustment needed.
9. 300 MM 4.0 - Slight adjustment needed
10. 300MM w 2.0 extender III - Major adjustment needed.
For me it was worth buying the product just to get the 50MM and 85MM 1.2's adjusted. And I would highly recommend the long ruler kit.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
- Difficult To Use
Best Uses
- Landscape Photography
- Wildlife
Comments about LensAlign Pro Plus Focus Calibration System with Long Ruler Kit:
About a year ago I purchased a Nikon D300s and a Nikon 70-300 4.5/5.6 VR zoom. I have never been satisfied with the sharpness of the lens. I thought the problem was in the lens, especially at 300 mm while birding, until I shot it with my Fuji S2 Pro. The difference was amazing. It was crisp and sharp with the Fuji. I purchased LensAlign Pro and it clearly shows that the camera is rear focusing by a consirerable amount.
I performed the tests and found an adjustment setting that brings the focus point back where it should be.
My only negative is that the system is very expensive but it saved me the cost of a new lens that I was about to purchase.
You have to be very deliberate and accurate in your set up to get results you can trust. Take your time and set things up accurately and you'll be amazed at the results.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about LensAlign Pro Plus Focus Calibration System with Long Ruler Kit:
It didn't take long to figure out how it works. I didn't know when buying it that the only difference between the pro version and the pro plus version was the magnetic face and ruler. Otherwise I might have waited to get the longer ruler kit.
It does what it is supposed to. You have to go online to get the instruction manual, watch the video and use the tool to find the suggested distance for your set up. These items are not included.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Well Designed
Cons
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
- Portraits
Comments about LensAlign Pro Plus Focus Calibration System with Long Ruler Kit:
This is a very useful tool for checking the auto-focus of a lens/camera body combination. If you camera has the ability to adjust the AF, it really helps get it right. If not, it can provide some clues as to whether it is the lens or the body that might need servicing.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Effective
Cons
Best Uses
- All Photography
Comments about LensAlign Pro Plus Focus Calibration System with Long Ruler Kit:
Watch the video from LensAlign's website to get you started. Afterwards I was up and running. Every lens I had needed some focus adjustment. Equipment used are: Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm, and the 105mm Macro. I would say it is worth every penny. Before calibrating I had a hard time getting that crisp photo of eyes. I thought it was my focusing technique or lack of. After calibrating I can truly see a difference.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Studio
Comments about LensAlign Pro Plus Focus Calibration System with Long Ruler Kit:
Truly, let's be honest, 97% of blurry photos, etc. are technique problems, not equipment problems. I am a working professional and purchased this because I suspected one lens of chronic backfocus problems. I carefully followed the instructions and setup the test in my studio and ran my lenses through the system, tethered into Lightroom.
The lens indeed needed a -15 alignment to bring the focus forward. I found one other lens that needed a slight +3 adjustment, both all others were dead on.
Useful if instructions followed carefully. Obviously your tests are only as accurate as your setup. Also, be sure to use their suggestion on their web site to use Photoshop Emboss to find the focus point easily on the test shots.
The long ruler is what you need to calibrate the tele end, like a 70-200 lens.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Lens Calibration
Comments about LensAlign Pro Plus Focus Calibration System with Long Ruler Kit:
The product can be rather daunting when you receive it, but I would suggest that one goes to the web page for the product and download all the information available. This will help in setting up the equipment. Another useful tool is the LensAlign Distance Tool which will ensure that you have the correct distances for the calibration of the various lenses that you may be calibrating. One size does not fit all here.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Expensive
Best Uses
Comments about LensAlign Pro Plus Focus Calibration System with Long Ruler Kit:
[...] too expensive, no instructions on how to even put the pieces together let alone use the thing if you do manage to get it set up properly. Has potential if they'd include a nice set of instructions.
Pros
- Durable
- Reliable
Cons
- Price
Best Uses
- Committed Photographer
Comments about LensAlign Pro Plus Focus Calibration System with Long Ruler Kit:
The jury is still out on this one. I spent the day fine tuning all my lenses this weekend. I think it really made a difference, but the proof is in the pudding, so we will see how my photos turn out. But the product is relatively easy to use, just prepare for a lot of back and forth to a computer to check results. And you need to visit their website to get the full instructions, which are not included. Overall, I think it is a great product, but it is vastly overpriced. Beats "homemade" systems though.
Pros
- Accurate
- Repeatable
- Simple to setup
- Well Designed
Cons
- Expensive
- Quality of assembly fair
Best Uses
- Useful for expensive gear
Comments about LensAlign Pro Plus Focus Calibration System with Long Ruler Kit:
I used the Lens Align Pro with Long Ruler to adjust my Canon 5D Mark II and Series 1D Mark IV and several L lenses. It's well designed and fairly well put together. I don't have the time to desgn and put together my own test apparatus so it was worth it to be able to calibrate my $20,000+ worth of gear. Unless you use this or something like it, it is unlikely that you will get the most out of your equipment.
Pros
- Easy alignment
- Easy setup
- Great build quality
- Great result
- Support for tele
Cons
- Expensive
- Time-consuming
Best Uses
- LiveView
- Tripod on DSLR
- Tripod on LensAlign
Comments about LensAlign Pro Plus Focus Calibration System with Long Ruler Kit:
I use the LensAlign Pro+ to calibrate all my fixed lenses to retrieve optimal focus on my D3. The build quality is superb, and setup is really easy. The value of this great tool will enhance even further with the Long Ruler Kit (included in this package) when calibrating lenses in the tele-end. Setup is easy, and aligning the sensor plane to the LensAlign kit is what separates this tool from other "free" Internet solutions. Build quality is great, and even if its a bit on the expensive side, you get what you pay for.
To get optimal calibration you should recalibrate a couple of times, to avoid setup issues.
Aligning the LensAlign tool in parallel to the DSLR sensor really easy when using LiveView.
Displaying reviews 1-11
- Front Sighting Plate
- Rear Sighting Plate
- Sight Gate
- Long Ruler
- Large Focusing Target
- Settings Enumerator
- Tripod Mount
- One-Year Warranty (Parts and Labor)
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