LensAlign™ First Run Almost Sold Out
Sun, December 14, 2008 at 11:28 AM Thanks to all of you who have ordered the LensAlign. For those who have not the good and bad news is that the first production run of the Pro version looks like it will be sold out today or tomorrow. So if you are anxious to get your LensAlign Pro shipped this week, I would suggest that you order today. We have a second production run coming in right behind it (pending one vendor delivering as promised), so shipments will resume Dec 22/23 for the second production run.
Regarding LensAlign Lite. We now have the first production sample in house, and pending a few very minor changes, we appear to be on schedule for shipping Lite on schedule around Jan 12 give or take. BTW, Lite is a killer. Even better than expected. More on this coming..
We are running around a little crazy with testing units for shipment this week, finishing up the production run, answering emails from editors demanding review samples (we like that, but want to ship to you first), and trying hard to get more documentation up on the web. I am confident that we will move along on all fronts.
I thank the early supporters of LA who have already ordered. While there are the expected "hey there is a free version here", and the "kinda pricey" comments floating on the web, I can see that so many of you understand and "get" what LA is all about:
- Getting the most from your fast glass™
- Saving time (and time is money)
- Having a reference standard to check your equipment, for your ongoing re-tests, and to compare with others who use the same body/lens combinations.
- A very quick and accurate setup
- Repeatable test platform whether done by you or someone else halfway around the world
- Saving the frustration of using other solutions that might not yield repeatable results, thereby wasting your time.
- More
I will be providing much more specific information about LA and its use over the next days/weeks/months. In the meantime if you have a question, please post it on the discussion page.
Thanks again. I am very gratified at the reception to LA. It has consumed the better part of the last year for me, so this is a good time. Huge workload, but I have a big glow of satisfaction within me. And that is thanks to you. Please keep asking questions and supplying feedback and other ideas.
Oh, by the way. I have neglected to mention the optional "Long Ruler" that will be available for Pro. It is an optional accessory and will extend the readout by doubling the length of the ruler along with a modification of the graphics. Now that we have the production flowing I can go back and finish up the design of the long ruler option. It is great for tele and wide angle lenses, both of which have special requirements.
Thanks again..
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Reader Comments (4)
Michael.
Great product and if the quality of manufacture is along the same lines as your Grey Cards then there will be no complaints.
However, whilst I fall into the category of 'understanding what LA is all about' I still await an answer that was placed in the discussion forum i.e. is LA of any use to the majority of users who do NOT have the benefit of AF adjustment on their cameras?
It's one thing being able to do a front/back focus test which I feel sure you will agree can be achieved with most readily available free charts, quite another being able to do anything about it other than return the camera to the manufacturer or other service outlet.
It would appear that LA is designed to benefit only those with AF adjustment although I would love to be enlightened in this regard.
Thanks and regards.
Elli
I really disagree. When I conceived LA, there was no AFMA available, so it was only a second benefit that this provided in my mind (and a very good one). But the fact remains that even if you do not have the adjustment available, the knowledge that LA provides is valuable. Like this...
--Is your Cam/lens combo working properly or not.
--if not then you have a documented image to provide to the camera maker should you decide to send it in.
--Also you can compare with other who use same equipment and compare to their LA image to see if your is "normal" or bad in the spec of the real world ("they are all bad")
--If you do not send in your equipment that is pr oven to have a problem, then you have an accurate test bed from which to determine at what apertures is the performance acceptable, and if a zoom, what FL/Aperture co,combinations.
I ammaking myself clear? Thanks..
Thanks for the update Michael and the time taken from your busy schedule. Referiing to your points:
(1) The user usually suspects this by repeated front or back focus issues.
(2) Yes ok accepted, but can also be achieved by other methods but in any event the test/equipment used e.g. LA would also need to be accepted as a standard by the camera manufacturers to be of any worth.
Regards
Yes, can be achieved by other methods, but not as quickly, accurately or repeatedly. No one debates that the "charts" might be useful and even work if used carefully...very carefully. LA has a system, whereby all of the variables except the AF performance are neutralized. The chart systems have lots of potential gotchas, and the moire system is accurate but slower to use.
So it is a balance like anything else.
You can go to Home Depot and buy the parts and build a table and chairs, or you can buy a table and chairs. Different people will take different paths and with different results for each depending on their skills and expectations.
Thanks.. Hope this helps..