FoCal 2 Lets You Compare Autofocus Test Results and See Prior Tests

Mar 19, 2015

Michael Zhang

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FoCal today announced Version 2 of its automated camera calibration software that helps photographers calibrate the microfocus adjustment on their cameras. The new update will allow users of the software compare their autofocus test results with other users and see previous tests you’ve run to better see how your gear is performing.

FoCal first added an option for users to share their test result data with the service a couple of years ago, offering the data to the general public through a web app. With version 2, the data is fed back into the software for quick references when testing your gear.

The data lets you see how your results compare to other photographers who have the same camera and lens combination. Instead of only having your own result for sharpness or consistency, you’ll be able to see if your numbers are typical for your gear.

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Photographers will also be able to reference prior tests, including those run while using FoCal version 1.

The update also brings a number of UI and performance improvements that make the software both easier to use and more responsive. Results are now delivered faster and in a format that’s more concise and comprehensive. Here are some screenshots:

The Fully Automatic calibration test has been significantly redesigned.

The Target Setup utility has a new focus quality indicator.

The main FoCal window has been redesigned using tabs to better organise the functionality of the software.

The report format has been redesigned to cut down on wasted space by grouping information together.

FoCal version 2 is now available as a Test release that can be downloaded by anyone with a FoCal pro subscription. It’s available for Windows only at the moment. When the official public release of Version 2 is release, it will be on Mac as well and will be offered as a free upgrade to anyone with a Focal version 1 license. You can find a complete breakdown of new features and instructions on how to download it in this blog post.