Spyder LensCal

Do I need one of these ? Are they worth getting and is there a cheaper alternative ?

In a word 'no'

care to elaborate? how else can I collaborate my lenses. Bearing in mind please that im a complete newb to photographic technical lingo.

Just a rip off. A cardboard box with a ruler at 45deg
at the bottom is just as good, but the method I pointed
to in the other thread is a lot easier and more accurate.

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Why do you think you need to calibrate your lenses?
I've never done any of mine. I know we had a discussion about this a few weeks ago, but imho if it ain't broke don't try to fix it and maybe make it worse.

A tape measure will work or you can download calibration charts to print off at home online . Have a look at this one but there are plenty of others out there.

Or try this one from Pentax blogspot

thanks everyone

It's always worth checking the AF calibration of your lenses. It only takes a few minutes. Sometimes the lenses won't need adjusting and sometimes it will. If it doesn't leave it at Zero and if it does set it to the more optimum setting.

There's nothing scary or risk of breaking anything at all. Certainly no reason at all to discourage it.

I calibrate mine by shooting at something with print on at an angle. Take a few shots at different distances and adjust the AF calibration setting ( or not ) as neccesary )

This site has instructions to print, cut and glue together your own alternative to Spyder's LensCal. Oppa Blue Peter Style.

http://www.squit.co.uk/photo/focuschart.html

Mine didn't look quite as tidy as the one he made earlier. But it did the job.

suzzy,

There is nothing wrong with the spyder lenscal. Suggest that if Algernon can calibrate off a cardboard box, then he is far better than most camera technicians.

Nobody said there was anything wrong with it. It's just that you don't really need it, since there are many alternatives.

A dot screen printed cardboard box is excellent for focus
testing. Interference with the dots causes them to appear
as diagonal lines when exactly in focus. I use this mostly
to check MF lenses. I also run a piece of black elecrician's
tape accross the box for AF. (Not shown here but I have a
piece vertical as well. I also leave it somewhere to
get dusty, because I can manual focus on the dust in LV.
This only works at certain distances usually about 1M.




A ruler clamped to an old piece of wood and plonked on top
of the box at 45deg with the 2" mark in line with the face
of the box gives an approx. indication of how far focus is
out. With some lenses there will be a colour change from
magenta to green at the focus point.




Does £100 in Kit Form sound reasonable

Equipment used: K-5 + Pentax_A 50mm f/2.8 Macro at f/2.8
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