datacolorSpyderLensCal - Optimize Your DSLR's Auto-Focus. Essential Tool for Razor-Sharp Focus and Outstanding Images

This is a well made product and intelligently designed. I received this in the mail today and have already used it to calibrate two lenses. Unlike some of the competition, this is made from a robust plastic that doesn't sag or warp. It folds flat and is easily portable with the rest of my camera equipment. It can be put on a flat surface or attached to a tripod using the built in brass threaded insert. It has a built in level that helps with setting up. Well worth the money spent as this will last a long, long time. At this point, I have no complaints at all... I will update again when I get all of my lenses calibrated for the different camera bodies. Buy with confidence.

I was noticing that I wasn't getting perfect auto focus with my camera and lenses. They were focusing just behind the subject. With this now I have perfect auto focus with all my lenses. Worth the purchase instead of having many slightly out of focus images.

Already used to adjust 5 lenses and my pictures are more sharp. The ruler is hard to differentiate when calibrating (at least with my lenses). I have a hard time determining the sharpest point and the smaller lines between the main numbered lines are no help. I have to determine the out of focus numbers in front and in back and then adjust from there.I paid full price which means that this was a bit pricey, but I have kept this in my camera bag which I take with me every week as I travel (airline). Folds flat and very convenient to have with me as I switch lenses (Gear Acquisition Syndrome, I have way too many lenses). Seems to be holding up well and it is pretty durable for my needs. I usually set the Lenscal on the back of my rental car, so the built-in level comes in handy.It should be about $20 less to make it a good value for the money, but I would buy again.

I knew my lenses were not focusing correctly and I tried the manual approach of printing out focus test charts from the web and trying to do the 45degree angle thing with a tripod, it didn't work as well. This takes all the hassle of the manual process and makes the calibration easier to accomplish.I'd agree with a lot of the reviewers that this is an overpriced piece of kit for the what you get but I think in the long run it will pay for itself. The parts are a bit flimsy and the ruler arm needs to sit right with the notch holding up the vertical part. The bubble level helps keep things square and the metal threaded hole makes it easy to mount this on a light stand or small tripod.Every lens I owned needed a bit of adjustment. It was easier using this tool for lenses with lower F-Stops (i.e. 1.4 and 2.8.) where the short in-focus range is more pronounced wide open. You'll need to calibrate twice for zoom lenses; once for the wide and then for the tele end of the focal range. My Canon 24-105 and 16-35 had micro-adjustment settings for both ends of the focal length.I noticed that it was harder deciding which lines around the zero mark on the ruler were in focus for the higher F-Stop lenses. In reality it may not make a difference since the subject would have also been in focus.Dropped a star due to the cost.

So happy I bought this vs struggling with DIY printed stuff. I also tried the "pyramid" and was not happy with it's quality considering its cost. While the Datacolor is not exactly cheap in price, the lack of frustration over now having a decent tool to use is worth it for me.This Datacolor is sturdy when in use, yet compact when folded for storage. I placed mine on a kitchen table, then placed my cameras on a tripod with lens at same level as center of Datacolor tool. I used a self timer mode to shoot each photo rather than risk camera movement from depressing the shutter myself. From there, it is just a matter of zooming in on photos taken and comparing results vs what a calibrated lens/camera combo should be (as listed in instructions and all over interent). Then make focus adjustments per your camera instructions. I was surprised at how far mine were off and this solved a good many of my out of focus issues. I mostly photograph action sports at high shutter speeds with a very small focus point, at f/2.8 on a 70-200 Tamron or Canon zoom.

Just because they market it to "pros" they seem to be able to charge an arm and leg for virtually 2 pieces of plastic with some markings. You can make definitely DIY this with a ruler, printer and some boards and it would cost you virtually nothing.Price aside, it's well built and easy to use although the calibration process itself is painful but it gets easier with experience. It will last you forever (yay plastics!) and you can use it for any calibrate-able camera/slr so it's a long lasting investment in the hobby.Protip: DIY if you're not a professional. Only get this if you're a professional who can pass on the cost to your clients. Calibrate once a year at least and after lens servicing.Super protip: This will NOT help you take better pictures, sorry!

I bought this to use with my Tamron lenses that work with Tamron's Tap-In unit. For the shorter focal length lenses it made it easy to snap the images, adjust the lens through the Tamron software and retest. Could I have made something with a ruler and smoother materials for a lot less, yes, but this was just convenient and quick. Now I don't see how this would work for longer focal lengths as you need to be a good distance away and actually seeing the ruler demarcations becomes a bit challenging after zooming in within LightRoom. Great tool overall though. It is plastic, but folds flat and can fit into my camera bags easy enough.

If you are “into” photography this is wonderful for adjusting the focus point of your lenses… Over time your lenses will tend to back focus or front focus. This helps correct that.. It’s a learning curve to use it, but once you get the hang of it it’s terrific….