Reikan FoCal 2 Test Release.

[siegsAR]

Got an e-mail couple of hours ago.

Here's the rundown, I've highlighted some interesting(for me) bits. ;D ;D

Compare your results-
With FoCal 2, you can now compare the results of your tests with the results from thousands of other FoCal users to see how your equipment is really performing.

Review your previous tests-
You can review the detailed results of previous tests you’ve run for comparison. This includes most of the tests you’ve run with FoCal 1 as well.

Faster and more accurate results-
Get accurate results in less time with the new analysis algorithms in FoCal 2.

Analyse more-
You can dig deeper into the performance of your camera and lens with the extra information such as Astigmatism Factor, as well as reviewing more details about each shot taken.

Improved look and feel-
The user interface is easier to understand, with new tabbed windows, more logical operation and comprehensive keyboard control.

Voice Prompts-
FoCal 2 even talks to you! Calibrate any camera without needing to sit looking at the computer screen – any changes you might need to make at the camera are spoken out loud.

Free Upgrade-
When fully released, FoCal 2 will be a free upgrade for all holders of a FoCal 1 license, so there’s nothing more to pay to get all these new features!

From their site.
http://www.reikan.co.uk/focalweb/index.php/2015/03/reikan-focal-2-test-release-1-is-here/

 

[AcutancePhotography]

Re: Reikan FoCal 2 released.

Excellent. Looking forward to upgrading this.

 

[siegsAR]

^Me too.

There's a DL link on my LMS now. The 6D should arrive tomorrow, I'll calibrate my 2 lenses this weekend.

This is basically a release candidate, but they said something about present functions being stable already, and also mentioned that some features will be introduced.
Maybe already coded in but not yet enabled?? Wonder what those are.

I like the old GUI, based from the screenshots the new one is more organized and a bit more colorful. ;D

 

[lion rock]

Looks like a free update I can get.
Nice.
-r

 

[R1-7D]

I hope it's more reliable and less crashy than the last version. FoCal has been worth its purchase price, but sometimes I get so frustrated with it.


EDIT:
PFFFT...no Mac version released. I guess I won't be installing it after all.

 

[Maximilian]

Hi siegsAR!

Thank you for sharing.

Please keep us informed, how the new version performes.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I see the email this morning. I've already been able to compare results by going too the Focal web site, so I'm thinking this might be built-in?

 

[Besisika]

Bought one, never used it. Think, it's time to change that bad habit.
Please update when official version is available for upgrade.

 

[mackguyver]

It's about time I do some recalibration...at least once I get my gear back from Canon. I've sent off most of my gear for repair/service this week. Between that and selling 3 lenses this week, my 'cupboard' is looking pretty bare.

I sure was (quite unrealistically) hoping for automated calibration of my 5DIII and 1D X, but that's up to Canon, not Reikan

I'll have to give the 11-24 f/4 a shot as well - should be a fun challenge as I remember the Sigma 12-24 was not the easiest to run through FoCal.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

PFFFT...no Mac version released. I guess I won't be installing it after all.

Other articles are saying that once this goes in to final production that a MAC version will be released.

 

[Ninjajack]

I don't want to derail the topic, but this post reminded me to look into this software again.

I see it's about $100 US and I'm an amateur/wannabe-semi-pro photog, specifically I'm into wildlife and want to get the most out of my long lenses and new 7DII, do you awesome CanonRumors people highly recommend this?

I am a tech guy but I've never done AFMA on my gear before, I feel like I'd rather have an all in one solution like this instead of having to roll my own.

Just curious if people really like this.

Thanks!
Jack

 

[racebit]

PFFFT...no Mac version released. I guess I won't be installing it after all.

Mac, what is that? Is that the hamburger thing? How do you want to run a PC application in a burger?...

 

[mackguyver]

I don't want to derail the topic, but this post reminded me to look into this software again.

I see it's about $100 US and I'm an amateur/wannabe-semi-pro photog, specifically I'm into wildlife and want to get the most out of my long lenses and new 7DII, do you awesome CanonRumors people highly recommend this?

I am a tech guy but I've never done AFMA on my gear before, I feel like I'd rather have an all in one solution like this instead of having to roll my own.

Just curious if people really like this.

Thanks!
Jack

You certainly don't need this, as a tripod, ruler and some experimentation work quite well to get close, but FoCal makes it a lot easier, faster, and will give you the best results. On fast lenses (f/1.2-2) it makes a world of difference to get a precise AFMA, but with f/4 and slower lenses, the effect isn't usually as dramatic. Also, if you have a lot of lenses and/or bodies, it certainly makes the process a whole lot faster than trial and error.

 

[racebit]

I sure was (quite unrealistically) hoping for automated calibration of my 5DIII and 1D X, but that's up to Canon, not Reikan

That would not be easy as those cameras do not have DPAF. But it was the biggest disappointment with 7D2, the useless DPAF. Not used for manual lenses and not used to calibrate the camera for each lens.
I have not yet bought the 7D2 because of that.
I already have Focal, so I welcome this update.

 

[mackguyver]

I sure was (quite unrealistically) hoping for automated calibration of my 5DIII and 1D X, but that's up to Canon, not Reikan

That would not be easy as those cameras do not have DPAF. But it was the biggest disappointment with 7D2, the useless DPAF. Not used for manual lenses and not used to calibrate the camera for each lens.
I have not yet bought the 7D2 because of that.
I already have Focal, so I welcome this update.

It has to do with Canon removing it from the SDK for their "Pro/Prosumer" bodies. Why, no one knows? Some genius at Canon thought, let's remove a feature from the cameras that people will actually use this for -- and while we're at it, let's not offer a competing product or any reason why we did it.

When will the 5Dmk3/1DX be fully automatic?

We’ve been asked this question a lot since the release of the 5Dmk3.

FoCal 1.4 added 5Dmk3 support using some old libraries dated from December 2011, and we hoped that when Canon officially released the SDK in May 2012 that it would allow us to change the AF Microadjustment setting on the camere automatically. Unfortunately, this was not the case – there was no difference in how the camera could be controlled in the new version so using the officialy Canon Software Development Kit the AF Microadjustment setting on the camera cannot be changed.

It looks like the only way this will be supported is if Canon add this support back in. May we suggest you petition canon directly to add support back in?

BTW, Canon added it back for the 6D (and maybe 7DII, but I'm not sure)...

 

[RGF]

PFFFT...no Mac version released. I guess I won't be installing it after all.

Other articles are saying that once this goes in to final production that a MAC version will be released.

looking forward to the mac version. How long does it take to go from release 1 to final version?

 

[msatter]

Nice to see progress however I am not upgrading to PRO and will wait for the definitive version. I will get a 15% discount now to pro and having a 5D MKIII is a pain to calibrate with Focal despite all workarounds.

 

[lucarubino]

No Mac version??? bye bye.

 

[Ninjajack]

I don't want to derail the topic, but this post reminded me to look into this software again.

I see it's about $100 US and I'm an amateur/wannabe-semi-pro photog, specifically I'm into wildlife and want to get the most out of my long lenses and new 7DII, do you awesome CanonRumors people highly recommend this?

I am a tech guy but I've never done AFMA on my gear before, I feel like I'd rather have an all in one solution like this instead of having to roll my own.

Just curious if people really like this.

Thanks!
Jack

You certainly don't need this, as a tripod, ruler and some experimentation work quite well to get close, but FoCal makes it a lot easier, faster, and will give you the best results. On fast lenses (f/1.2-2) it makes a world of difference to get a precise AFMA, but with f/4 and slower lenses, the effect isn't usually as dramatic. Also, if you have a lot of lenses and/or bodies, it certainly makes the process a whole lot faster than trial and error.

Thanks MackGuyver! Yeah I think I'll give it a shot next month, the ease of use is probably what's selling it for me the most.

 

[East Wind Photography]

Looks like a free update I can get.
Nice.
-r

Nothing is free. It will cost you thousands of shutter actuations!