FoCal 2 Test Release 4 is now available for both Windows and Mac users, bringing Canon EOS 5DS and 5DS R support as well as a number of improvements and bug fixes. This version is also available to FoCal Standard and FoCal Plus license holders.
Headline Features
- Available to ALL FoCal users – you can use this version if you have any FoCal license – Standard, Plus or Pro.
- Canon EOS 5DS and 5DS R support – you can now automatically calibrate your new Canon EOS 5DS/R camera.
- Support for the new licensing system – the way FoCal is licensed has been simplified, see the blog post at FoCal 2.0 and Beyond, New Licence Terms.
- Chart Help – a new feature allows you to get detailed information about chart contents so the data is easier to understand.
- Free Upgrade – FoCal 2.0 full release will be a free upgrade for all holders of a FoCal 1 license.
First things first…
There are a few points that we need to make clear to start with:
You DON’T need a FoCal Pro license!
This version is available to ALL FoCal users, so head to the License Management System to download it.
Windows and Mac
This version is for both Windows and Mac users.
What is a Test Release?
We’ve called these versions of FoCal 2 “Test Releases”. Initially, they presented new functionality with some features missing, but now we’re hoping that TR4 is the final Test Release before the launch of FoCal 2.0. Previous test releases have proven to be solid and reliable and this version builds on top of those, so you shouldn’t have any problems. But if you do, please send us feedback and we’ll use it to improve the final version.
Giving Feedback
FoCal 2 contains some really cool and exciting new features and we want you to be able to reap the benefits of this extra functionality. We’d also love to hear back from you about any suggestions you might have or reports of any bugs. We’ve made this as easy as possible with a “Send Feeback” button in the About window – this will take you to the right place to submit feedback:
How to get FoCal 2
See the bottom of this post for how to download FoCal 2.
Features in FoCal Standard and FoCal Pro
This is the first version of FoCal 2 which allows FoCal Standard and FoCal Plus users to experience the new look and features. The available features are as follows:
FoCal Standard
- Target Setup
- Semi Auto Calibration
- Camera Information Tool
- Camera Settings Tool
FoCal Plus
- Target Setup
- Semi Auto Calibration
- Fully Automatic Calibration (including File Mode for supported cameras), addition of the improved interactive Lens Profile chart for seeing how the calibration runs and reviewing data on individual points (this feature was only available for FoCal Pro users in FoCal 1)
- AFMA Change utility
- Camera Information Tool
- Camera Settings Tool
FoCal Pro
- Target Setup
- Semi Auto Calibration
- Fully Automatic Calibration (including File Mode for supported cameras)
- Extensive charting and integrated access to results history in Fully Automatic calibration
- AFMA Change utility
- Camera Information Tool
- Camera Settings Tool
- Dust Analysis Tool
- Test History
- Aperture Sharpness Test (including File Mode for supported cameras)
- Focus Consistency Test (including File Mode for supported cameras)
- MultiPoint Focus Test
- Report Generation
- Use of the FoCal Comparison Data to compare your results with other users
Canon EOS 5DS / R Support
We’ve included support for the Canon EOS 5DS and 5DS R in this version of FoCal 2. There are a couple of minor limitations to be aware of with when using these cameras:
- The cameras will run in User Assisted Mode (much like previous recent Canon cameras and most Nikon cameras). Almost all the settings are automatically controlled, but you will be periodically instructed to change the AF Microadjustment on the camera. The Camera Hotkey and Voice Prompts in FoCal 2.0 make calibration of UA Mode cameras quick and easy.
- Canon have removed “Quick Mode” focussing from these cameras, which means that we are currently unable to run Phase Detect autofocus during Target Setup. In addition it is not currently possible to test with a focus point that is not the centre focus point (MultiPoint Focus Test will not work with the EOS 5DS and 5DS R currently).
The above limitations do not affect the operation of most tests and are a result of the implementation within the camera rather than FoCal. We are investigating whether we will be able to offer Phase Detect autofocus and off-centre focus points in a later version of the software.
FoCal Licensing Change
The way FoCal is licensed has been simplified. Everyone will still get FoCal 2.0 free of charge, and we’re including the FoCal Comparison Data (for FoCal Pro users) in your Included Updates. Explanation of the FoCal licence changes and what it means for both new and existing FoCal users via the blog post at FoCal 2.0 and Beyond, New Licence Terms.
Changelog
A huge thanks to users who’ve tried out the earlier test releases and for letting us know about issues they’ve found. Click below to show the changelog details between the previous Test Release of FoCal 2 and this version. This is not a complete list of all changes but shows more information about this update.
Windows
Mac
Known Issues
MAC: At the time of release, there is a known issue which may cause a slight delay the first time a report is created. The delay will depend on your system, but could be from 5 seconds to a few minutes (typically it will only be a few seconds), and for any subsequent reports created from the application there won’t be an extra delay. We are waiting for an (imminent) update to a third party library which will resolve this issue.
How do I get FoCal 2?
FoCal 2 TR4 (Test Release 4) is available for ALL FoCal license holders running the Windows or Mac (OS X 10.9 or 10.10) operating systems.
The installation package contains the software, target images and a reference manual (also available here) which includes details of the different areas between FoCal 1 and FoCal 2. Any functionality that is the same in both versions is documented in the FoCal 1 manual during the Test Release phase.
You can download FoCal 2 TR4 by logging in to the LMS at lms.fo-cal.co.uk. You will then see a download link to the software.
14 comments on “FoCal 2 TR4 now available with 5DS/R support (Windows/Mac, Std/Plus/Pro)”
I am having trouble with the original focal. I wanted to open it to finally use it but I get a window saying focal cannot be opened because the identity of the developer cannot be confirmed. 1.9.10.406. Just wondering what happened. do I need to uninstall and then reinstall?
Hi Chris,
Generally from this point we’d recommend for all users to be instead using FoCal 2 versions, they are fully digitally signed and you won’t see that issue. With 1.x FoCal the digital signing required by Mac changed so the signing of 1.x FoCal is not recognised, you can bypass the message as below:
In order to run FoCal 1.x, the first time you execute you should right-click on the icon (or control-click if you are on a laptop) and select “Open”. In the popup dialog, you will be told that “The app comes from an unidentified developer, and you may be at risk… Are you sure that you want to do that?” Choose the accept option [you will probably be prompted for an admin account]. And that’s it, and you will be subsequently able to run the app simply by double clicking on it, or single-clicking on the dock.
As said, really we expect from this point all FoCal users to use FoCal 2.x which has resolved the digital signing issue 🙂
(PS, the support ticket system is much better monitored than the blog comments and likely the best place for installation and similar issues)
Best Regards,
Dave
Many thanks for developing for the 5DS. TR4 connects fine to the camera on OSX 10.10.5, and the target acquisition works well too, but if I use the automatic test I get a CTD about three shots in.
Hi Andrew,
Thank you for you feedback, your issue is not common or expected. I had a look through the feedback tickets on the test releases but didn’t find if you’d raised one. In general we’re seeing hugely improved stability with FoCal 2, especially from those who were running FoCal 1.x on Mac and were having problems.
Blog comments are more difficult to keep track, if you could raise a ticket (just press “About” > “Send Feedback” from your local running copy of FoCal 2) we will investigate.
Best Regards,
Dave
Hello,
Can you tell me if it is better to completely uninstall the previous Focal version before installing the new TR4 version for Mac?
Jon
Hi Jon,
Actually to un-install FoCal all you need do is simply delete the folder. Installing on Mac is a matter of copying the FoCal application directory into the Mac application folder. To remove this just delete it and it’s done.
Installing FoCal 2 is the same way, so just drag and drop the FoCal folder/app from the DMG file to the Mac Application folder and it’s installed.
That being the case you can have more than one version of FoCal installed at the same time, just rename the older version folder and drag and drop the new one.
If you get stuck please raise a ticket (image attachment optional) 🙂
Best Regards,
Dave
Hi,
I notice that with release 4 there is still not a fully automatic procedure for the Canon 1DX and in your FAQ you tell us to hassle Canon about this to get them to update the SDK, you also say that the latest SDK you had was from 2011 but I have noticed on the Canon USA site that there is an SDK from Dec 2012, have you guys seen this and does this not include the required libraries to be able to make the 1DX (and 5dMKIII) fully automatic?
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/professional/products/professional_cameras/digital_slr_cameras/eos_1d_x#DriversAndSoftware
Many thanks.
Hi Des,
Thanks for your feedback 🙂
FoCal is indeed using the latest interface libraries, sadly they do not give access to change the AFMA setting programatically. The FAQ mentions the 2011 interface library for historic reasons (not because that’s the one we are currently using).
I will update the FAQ entry as it’s confusing, talking about the history of FoCal going back to 2012 isn’t useful for users looking for a clear answer to the question 🙂
Best Regards,
Dave
I now run Focal on my desktop computer. Does the license allow me to load and run it on my laptop also?
Hi Darrel,
Yep, no problem installing on more than one system (and indeed systems can be a mix of Windows and Mac). Just install and enter your registered email and password and it will pick up your details from the licence server.
Best Regards,
Dave
Just installed the update to 2.4.1. Will not open. Crashes trying to open. Win 7 64 bit. 2.4 worked as expected!
What shall I try? Please email me.
thanks.
Hi Bob,
A number of users have reported this same issue.
We’re not sure why this is happening for some users, There is a work-round, until we determine the underlying cause, click setup.exe (as if you were going to install it again) and pick “Remove FoCal 2 (Test Release)”. Basically, un-install and re-install FoCal and that should resolve the issue and allow normal operation.
We are investigating why this should happen, literally there are very few changes between 4 and 4.1 so unclear exactly what should cause this behaviour.
Best Regards,
Dave
I’m a bit confused. If I want to test and calibrate my phase-detection based AF, do I run target acquisition using the P (phase detect) option, or does that matter?
I know the Focal algorithms are “more accurate” but how does all that interact with the AF, live view, etc. on my camera?
Hi Nick,
You’re looking at the ‘focus controls’ section, you should ignore this part (it’s only needed for things like aperture sharpness test).
If you’ve not see it, worth watching all the way through the video at https://youtu.be/vge-VnJ2t-Q – towards the end of the video it shows how to use target setup (as well as run a complete automatic calibration)
Best Regards,
Dave