Datacolor Spyder LensCal – Camera Lens Calibration Tool for DSLR Autofocus Adjustment & Accuracy Improvement

One of my camera lenses, bought second had some years ago, has always had a tendency to back-focus (subject is out of focus, with sharp focus falling on a point behind the subject) . That's not such an issue with images shot at a distance, but its irritating when trying to take close-ups.My camera has the facility to pair with a given lens and, with the right tools, or by simple experimentation, trial and error, this can be corrected. I've tried to do this in the past with home-made focus calibration devices, but never with much success.I spotted this tool while looking for some lens-caps and thought I would give it a try.It's easy to set up, and with the bit of research (there's a number of YouTube videos' that demonstrate how to use this tool), I was able to calibrate all of my lenses in a few hours.Having gone through the calibration procedure, I've found that all of my lenses back-focused to a greater or lesser degree, and the one lens that was clearly a long way out of whack is back in trim again and now focuses to perfection.So, five stars for Accuracy, and five stars for ease of use. It takes a bit of practice, but within a few tens of minutes, I was able to able to make adjustments on my camera quickly and accurately based on the information gleaned from using the tool.Four stars for value for money. It's a damn good tool, no question, but it's very expensive for what is only a bit of moulded plastic with stickers on. Having said that , it's a fraction of the cost of several of my lenses, so I guess it's not a ridiculous price to pay.If you absolutely must have pin-sharp images and your camera is capable of retaining the micro-focus adjustments necessary to get the best out of the lenses, then this is a great little gadget.

Firstly, five stars for delivery service.However I am confused by the inconsistent (and lack of) instructions for this item. On the Datacolor website the SpyderLensCal pdf instructions say to focus on the small target right next to the ruler. Yet their rather inadequate YouTube cartoon video appears to focus on the main centre of the target. At apertures of 1.2 and 1.4 even this might make a difference, even with them both being on the same plane. So it's crucial to know which is the correct place to focus.I'm pretty sure in my research I read that the close up target to the right of the ruler is for macro lenses, but Datacolor do not state this in their pdf instructions.[...]If you have several supported lenses and of course camera, I think this is just worth the money. It may be a bit flimsy, but it is clever and certainly way cheaper than having lenses calibrated professionally.But having calibrated my four prime lenses and only had to make adjustments for one of them, I still feel I need to do some proper test shots with 'real' subjects, before I trust the micro-adjustments that the SpyderlensCal chart suggested.I would like to know though if anyone know which is the correct focus place; the centre of target, or the smaller target right next to the ruler. Please do tell!

This only arrived on my door mat this morning. It was a literally a snap to set it up. I had my camera, lenses and Lenscal all ready within 10mins of it's arrival. I have checked every lens I poses which is 12 of them ranging from 24mm f/1.8 wide angle prime through to a 70-200mm f/2.8 with Nikon, Sony & Samsung Lenses for my 3 full frame cameras. I was fairly sure that at least two of my lenses where not performing as they should do but as they are both over 10yrs old it wasn't a surprise. Anyway, it's just a matter of setting it up on a level, taking a photo of the image, zooming in to the image as far as you to look for accuracy. Then using the plus/minus lens calibration in the cameras menu to alter it as required. 3 of my lenses needed alteration albeit slightly but having taken a second image with each lens once changed there was an obvious improvement. This took me a total of about 30mins and has saved be a fortune as Sony alone wanted £150 just to check out one lens. I can now check my lenses when ever I wish, the item folds flat so it can be carried anywhere with you on a shoot just in case you may need it and it's so simple to do.But do remember, unless you have a camera that is able to re-calibrate the lens whilst it is mounted to your camera obviously, there is no point in purchasing this item. It would probably work out cheaper to upgrade your camera to one that does than send all your lenses away for checking. Pro-Photographer Mark Eddiford, Blackpool, UK.

These thing a brilliant to calibrate your lens if you have soft focus and it isn't due to damage or a faulty lens. You must make sure you check. Try taking a photo at very high shutter speed on tripod, if it still blurry or soft, it is more likely to be a faulty lens and this will not help. That out of the way now. I have a canon 85mm prime which was a little soft but due to me using it a crop sensor 90d instead of my full frame, which doesn't have the issue. Within about 30 minute I now have perfect focus and couldn't be happier with this product. It great and if you have 2 tripods. Put you camera and best on and alighen them perfectly for much better results.

This is one of those purchases you make because you need to not because you want to. Its quite well designed and certainly does what it is supposed to do. It is constructed almost entirely of plastic and I would place the production cost at a very low figure so why is it so very very expensive. It seems like its being treated as a precision device which I guess it is but this is probably the worst sting I have yet had in photo gear. This must be better than the paper cards that cost a fiver and could well be worth a score but at its price its a case of if you want it your going to have to pay for it but I would love somebody to explain to me how the cost is justified. Any way rant over. Does the job, will last for many years if looked after, costs far too much.