Camera Lens Autofocus Calibration Aid - A DIY Take on the Datacolor SpyderLensCal

After seeing a friend’s Datacolor SpyderLensCal Autofocus Calibration Aid, I knew I wanted to try one too; thing is, I didn’t want to spend $60 for the honor.

Lucky for me, the device is very simple. So simple, I’m willing to guess, that most folks who do buy one end up wondering whether they would’ve been just as well served (and a few dollars richer) had they constructed a similar contraption on their own.

I slapped together the above lens calibration marvel using a couple stray scraps of matte board, a paper Ikea ruler, a pair of light stands, a few gripheads and a boom arm. Assembly is admittedly far more complicated than it is for the Datacolor original but the task is by no means Brobdingnagian.

The thing is also far easier to use than a simpler test target taped to a wall (my previous lens focus calibration aid). Thus far, I’m a happy customer…