Best method of focus calibrating lenses

Hey guys! Anyone know the best method of micro calibration of lenses? I don't want to buy that spyder thing, so if there's a cheap / free method of properly calibrating lenses (with a tripod + MLU) please do share!

Are you looking for something like this?

http://www.reikan.co.u​k/focal/

There are some threads on here about it and the reviews seem generally positive. I purchased it at the pre-release discount price but haven't used it yet as I'm waiting for the Mac version. You mentioned Spyder products....I thought those were for mostly for monitor calibration.

The following is a proven method to do just that.
http://focustestchart.​com/chart.html

I've used it many times with very good results.

From technical stand point, regardless what you do, what hardware/software you have to buy, the "best focus" will be just an estimate. The above method will perform as well as any methods out there.

Since I've used it many times, I don't need to download the pictures to the computer, in order to find the perfect value for focus adjustment.

Just as good to put a flat plane (box) to focus upon, and have an inclined plane (yard stick) to assess accuracy of focus. https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=12636827&po​stcount=14

LensAlign or DIY method described in the end of this article
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …Microadjustment​-Tips.aspx

I use the Lens Align tool. Just takes the guess work out of it.

I DIYed (actually found it here on the forum) a focus chart, glued it to a piece of cardboard, é presto!

May not be the most hi-tech solution, but it got the job done nicely.

I won't say this is the "best", but I feel I had better luck doing this than I did with the usual focus chart. See this post about my Sigma 30mm:

Sigma 30mm focus testing

EDIT: Sorry, I didn't notice Wilt's link. I just saw it, and it's very similar to the method I used.

Hope that helps,
Jason

I would go with LensAlign although I have been hearing some good things about Focus Pyramid which is quite a bit cheaper.

Doesn't get any easier than the automated system that Focal Pro offers:

http://www.reikan.co.u​k/focal/

Rai33 wrote in post #14272500
Doesn't get any easier than the automated system that Focal Pro offers:

http://www.reikan.co.u​k/focal/

Unfortunately this isn't available for Mac OS. I wish someone would port one of these programs to the Mac.

A Mac version is being developed, in the meantime borrow a PC to perform the calibration and by the time you need to calibrate again the Mac version will be out.