I started photography at a time when there was no autofocus. If I focused the lens on the wrong distance, that was purely and simply my fault. Today, most of us rely almost exclusively on autofocus. That would be fine if the autofocus system was consistently accurate, but unfortunately, it often isn't. Interchangeable lens cameras rely on the electronics and mechanics of both the camera and attached lens to work well together and function in perfect harmony. Maybe not.
Autofocus inaccuracy is more of an issue with DSLRs, which have separate autofocus modules and image sensors in different physical locations. This leaves more room for error compared to mirrorless cameras, where autofocus is based on the actual image sensor itself. Even mirrorless cameras can have room for improvement, especially when using DSLR-style lenses via mount adapters. A little tweaking or “tweaking” can pay off.
Spyder LensCal is primarily aimed at DSLRs, but can also be used on Nikon Z system mirrorless cameras with AF fine-tuning, and Sony Alpha mirrorless cameras that allow fine-tuning of lenses attached via a mount. is also helpful. adapter. It was designed by datacolor, a company with a reputation for making the best monitor calibrators and the best photo editing tools and accessories.
datacolor Spyder LensCal: Specifications
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Main building materials
plastic
attachment
1/4 inch tripod screw
leveling aid
bubble level
Comes with instructions
Basic only
Dimensions (when folded)
217×129×9mm
weight
107g
datacolor Spyder LensCal: Pricing and Availability
Spyder LensCal is available from various photo retailers and online stores, as well as from the datacolor website. It costs around $69 / £49 / AU$129, which is understandably much more expensive than downloading the free printable charts you can find on the internet. Still, it seems like a reasonable price for a well-made calibration tool that can be used with multiple cameras and lenses.
datacolor Spyder LensCal: Design and handling
I love the design of the Spyder LensCal. It's primarily made of plastic, but the plastic has a premium feel to it and the overall construction feels like it's built to last. We also like that it folds flat for easy storage and takes up very little space, as well as being able to clip it into place and snap into operational configuration in just a few seconds.
When set up for use, the device consists of a flat base plate, a vertical focus chart, and a calibrated scale fixed at a 45 degree angle. It's helpful to have a bubble level on the base plate, as everything needs to be level to operate. There's also a brass tripod socket with a standard 1/4-inch thread, so you can attach the device to a tripod head or other camera support. To keep the camera level during calibration, it is helpful to use a virtual horizon line (if available) or a hot-shoe-mounted bubble level (sold separately).
The upright focusing chart has a small area on the right side with a high contrast pattern with a more complex grid. The idea is to use the camera's single center AF point mode and align it to this part of the chart right next to the calibration scale. The scale is marked with a “0” line that is exactly the same distance away from the focal point. The scale, which slopes back and forth from this point, is marked with thin lines and large intervals from 1 to 6. This allows you to see whether your camera and lens combination is front-focus (in front of the ideal point) or back-focus. Focus (behind the ideal point).
The instruction manual that comes with the Spyder LensCal is honestly quite inadequate. These are very few and printed on cards within retail packs. However, when you pull out the card, you'll see a link to Datacolor's product page. It includes a free user guide and quick start guide that can be downloaded in PDF format, as well as demonstration videos. They provide all the information you need and the guides are clear and easy to understand.
datacolor Spyder LensCal: Photo Performance
Fine-tuning autofocus can be a moving extravaganza with many vagaries to deal with. If fine adjustment is required, different focal lengths may require different amounts of adjustment, but this is only true for prime lenses. For zoom lenses, different focal lengths require different amounts of adjustment. We tested Spyder LensCal with both a Nikon D7100 DSLR and a Nikon Z 6II mirrorless camera. Both allow fine AF adjustment.
It is often said that you need to fine-tune your lens at the focal length you use most often. Naturally, it can vary greatly from shot to shot. datacolor's recommendation is to set the working distance to 30-50 times the focal length of the lens. So, for example, for a 35mm lens, the test distance should be 105-175cm. For zoom lenses, it's best to use the longest focal length if your camera only allows one fine adjustment. However, some cameras allow you to adjust the zoom lens's minimum and maximum focal lengths independently. The Sigma USB dock, available with the Global Vision lens lineup, goes a step further and allows individual fine-tuning at different focal lengths and zoom settings.
When testing, it's important to use good lighting, low ISO settings, and the widest aperture available. This provides higher resolution results that minimize depth of field while making it easier to read the actual focal length on the scale, allowing for more accurate measurements. We also recommend that you mount your camera on a tripod and use a self-timer to prevent camera shake.
After taking a test shot, you can check the results in playback mode and check the focus position using maximum magnification. For maximum accuracy, it may be better to download the shot to your computer and view it on screen in a large format. The lines on the calibration scale are not intended to accommodate numerical adjustments to the camera's incremental settings, so adjusting for front or back focus issues requires a bit of trial and error.
If you have to set almost the same fine-tuning adjustments on all lenses on your camera, the camera itself may be the culprit. In this case, the camera menu usually has an option to either set a default amount or “adjust all lenses by the same amount.” Because the amount of adjustment may need to be different for individual lenses, and even when using the same lens on different camera bodies, it is usually not possible to make precise fine adjustments for each camera lens. It's the best. If you own multiple cameras. And of course, you should only make tweaks if you really need to.
In the end, the Spyder LensCal may just be a gadget you don't need. You may feel like everything is “just fine”, especially if you're using a mirrorless camera with a native mount lens. However, if you shoot with a DSLR or use a mirrorless camera lens via a mount adapter and find that the autofocus is consistently inaccurate, this tool will help you resolve the issue. Helpful.
datacolor Spyder LensCal: Verdict
On my cameras, I've been using lenses that provide very good image quality, except that the autofocus critical point is usually in the wrong place. If your camera has one, fine-tuning the autofocus can solve the problem. datacolor Spyder LensCal is a tool that makes the entire calibration process relatively quick, easy, and painless. In my book, this is a gadget worth having and a very good price.
Should I buy datacolor Spyder LensCal?
✅ Buy this…
Constantly suffering from inaccurate autofocus
I want to achieve optimal autofocus performance.
Fine adjustment of AF is possible on camera
🚫Please don't buy this…
I am satisfied with the AF performance of the kit.