Even pro-level bodies and lenses can be 'off' right out of the box. Here is why your sharpest shots are still ahead of you.
Your camera and lenses were each adjusted for the best performance when they left the factory, but until you put the lens on the camera, they've never been used together!
And, chances are, each came out the factory quite some time ago. Your cameras and lenses have been used, and that use had made them slightly different to how they were when they were new.
FoCal tunes your lenses to your camera, adjusting for all those tiny differences cause by wear-and-tear, temperature changes or even slight imperfections in your gear.
If you've not calibrated, you don't know what you're missing!
-- lenses on a Canon DSLR perform better after a FoCal tune, with -- showing a major visual improvement.
Source: FoCal IQ: Canon DLSRs, EF-mount lenses
You'll see sharper shots, more in-focus captures and faster autofocus operation!
AF Microadjustment required: -4 units.
AF Fine-tune: -14 units.
AF Fine-tune: -14 units.
AF Fine-tune: -14 units.
Your camera uses two different sensors to focus and take a photo. If they aren't perfectly synchronized, your shots will never be as sharp as they should be.
DSLRs use a separate autofocus sensor - it's quick, but it needs tuning!
The Autofocus Sensor is in the bottom of the camera, and measures the focus change required to get your image in focus.
But the actual image is captured with a different sensor at the back of the camera. Tiny movements in the relative position of the sensors, amongst other things, results in poorly focused images.
And this is exactly the situation that Reikan FoCal can help fix!
Over 80% of all DSLRs and lenses will show a noticeable improvement in image quality after calibration with FoCal.
The Reality of Factory Settings
This chart shows thousands of real-world results for the flagship Canon 5D Mark IV DSLR.
How to read the data
Why this happens: In DSLRs, the AF sensor and image sensor are physically separate. A mechanical deviation smaller than a human hair creates noticeable blur. FoCal identifies your camera's exact spot on this curve and fixes it.
You can dig into the details of the Canon 5D Mark IV (and other cameras) at FoCal IQ.
Let FoCal take the wheel while you focus on the shot.
We've made FoCal as easy as "Connect & Click". Our Guided Setup acts as a virtual technician, ensuring your environment is perfect for accurate results before the calibration even begins.
There's no manual guesswork and no tedious trial and error. Just a simple, automated process that tunes your autofocus to perfection while you watch. Your best glass deserves to be this sharp.
20% OFF Software with code FOCUS20 50% OFF Targets with code TARGET50 Here are a few reasons why you might need to tune your camera and lenses:
Cameras and lenses are manufactured and adjusted before leaving the factory, but when you match your camera and lenses together, they may benefit from tuning.
General use of a camera can cause tiny movements in the sensors and mounts. Big knocks and bumps can make checking and tuning with Reikan FoCal a must.
Over time, motors and gears can wear, making the focus position slightly inaccurate. Lens elements can shift fractionally causing slight focus errors.
Adding anything between the camera and lens increases chances of misalignment between the lens and body. Teleconverted and adapted lenses benefit most from fine tuning.
Hot and cold conditions cause mechanical parts in both your camera and lenses to move fractionally, introducing focus issues.
Checking and adjusting gives you confidence you're getting the very best from from all your expensive kit.
20% OFF Software with code FOCUS20 50% OFF Targets with code TARGET50 Find out more about our suite of camera & lens tools
If you're interested in digging deeper, here are two comprehensive articles on our blog which explain - in a lot of detail - why you need to calibrate DSLR cameras.
This post guides you through how DSLR autofocus works and why you really do need to calibrate to get the best from your camera and lenses.
With plenty of pictures and a step-by-step explanation on how everything works, along with evidence to show the need to tune, this should answer most of your questions about DSLR autofocus!
You are almost certainly not getting the sharpest shots from your DSLR - and it's not your fault!
What if I then told you there's an easy fix?
