What connects you to the world?
It’s a monkey-on-the-back kind of problem that rears its head every now and again when I’ve been spending too much time surfing the net.
I like to buy things.
Now in the current economy I don’t feel so bad as I’m the largest market stimulus force in my neighborhood. However, where as with non-photographic items I tend to research the heck out of them so that every penny is spent “wisely” – when it comes to photography related gear I’m usually buying on a whim.
That isn’t cheap (nor smart).
What I hope to do on the A Tenuous Blog with my reviews is to save you some money, or at least try to make you waste it with full knowledge beforehand of your folly. I’m looking at gadgets from a small business owner’s perspective – what is truly worth it versus what is just fun to have around. When you are starting out every penny counts, especially if you’re not pulling income from another source.
First into the gate is LensAlign Pro. You’ve seen the ads and the reviews on other sites I’m sure (Check here for other opinions). LensAlign is a system for identifying either front or back focusing on your lenses. Front or back focusing is when your lens and auto focus system obtain sharpest focus either slightly in front (front focusing) or slightly behind (back focusing) your target. Yes, I know, this has the potential to roam into pixel-peeping territory but in some instances it could be critical.
I’d hazard a guess that most landscape photographers are scratching their heads right now wondering what all the fuss of a couple centimeters might be (I’m Canadian so we’re doing this in metric). For instances where a large depth of field is important front or back focusing is largely irrelevant. In Macro photography, or photography in which a very narrow depth of field is desired or forced upon you (some portraiture and concert photography) you want focusing precision.
Ok, so why did I bite? I mean the new pocket wizards are on the horizon, why spend money for this gadget?
Well, I spent the better part of an hour on my belly on an ice sheet trying to get shots of American Dippers (a bird) with my Canon 70-200mm f/2.8. Reviewing my images afterwards I noticed quite a few that should have been in sharp focus that weren’t; usually this lens is tack sharp. Most were front focused on a rock in front of my subject that should have been well outside the selected focal point. I did get some good images, but soggy frozen pants want more than a few good images (can you be soggy and frozen?!?).
I knew that the Ultimate Music Experience was coming up and that I’d be relying on the 70-200mm for a lot of my images there. Shooting wide open I wanted, needed, nay demanded precision in my focusing abilities. The answer – no, not thoughtful introspection – the answer was throw money at it.
Now, here comes a tidbit. Unless you’ve got a newer camera (see the list at the end of this review) and can adjust your camera on a per lens basis (using Micro Adjustment or AF Tune feature) you’re out of luck. You can send your camera off to the shop and get it adjusted to match your lens of choice, but fine tuning it to each lens, at home, no dice.
Much to my wallet’s dismay the new Canon 5DmkII has such a feature and I love packages.
My LensAlign Pro arrived after a short wait due to production delays. When it arrived I opened the box anticipating an instant improvement to my focusing abilities. Alas, one major problem, the cost of LensAlign Pro evidently does not cover printed instructions. Now usually I shy away from instructions. I like to get a good head of steam up and become frustrated before breaking down and actually reading anything included with a product that requires assembly. With photography gear I’m slightly more circumspect. I must admit I was slightly miffed.
Putting together the LensAlign Pro system without instructions would have been doable. Not comfortable mind you, but certainly doable after some careful consideration. Using it to improve your lenses focusing ability however demands some help. Ruler here, focusing gate there, what the heck? On the product’s website there are two videos to help with the use of your new LensAlign product. They are somewhat helpful. (Are you picking up on my severely diminished enthusiasm for the LensAlign product at this point – good).
My 100mm Macro is front focusing
LensAlign will help you identify back and front focusing problems in your lenses. The product works, as advertised, no debate there.
If you can adjust the micro-focusing mirrors on your camera you can dial in some improvements which, in some cases, will solve your problem. But at these prices (currently $139.95 for Pro and $79.95 for Lite) it is unacceptable not to provide a manual for proper use of the LensAlign system. It seems that some variables (how far to test from, what ruler angle to use) aren’t known. Simply stating that your product allows repeatability means very little if you’ve not willing to state some basic tenants of its use.
One thing that is not clear from any of the reviews I’ve read or the information I’ve found is how the effect of front or back focusing changes with distance. When testing my 17-40mm f/4.0 L lens I found that it was back focusing – roughly 2 of the smallest divisions on my LensAlign Pro scale. If it is back focusing 2 cm at 1.2 meters is it back focusing 20 cm at 12 meters . . . 200cm at 120 meters – or is it still just off by 2 cm.
It seems that with a little more time and research the LensAlign system could have a good bit of data behind it to encourage buyers. As it is I felt left out in the cold; thanks for your money now bye-bye.
If you and some friends are getting serious back for front focusing issues with your lenses then pool together and buy one. Convince your local club to get one that you can use, perhaps a local camera retailer will offer this as a service.
For the average joe looking to maximize every dollar – purchasing a LensAlign product for yourself just does not make sense.
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The Denver Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop Users Group helps support the DPWMG - how's that for some acronyms.
Alex Saunders in a freelance photographer based in Denver, Colorado
Alex strives to use photography to explore the tenuous connections that we have with the world around us.
Tenuous Thread Photography showcases the images of Alex Saunders.
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