A Practical Solution When a Known Good Reference Camera Is Not Available
For the most accurate CMOS calibration, it’s ideal to use a working camera of the same model — preferably one that is brand new or has never been repaired and is known to function correctly.
But sometimes, you don’t have access to a known good camera — especially when working with used gear, salvaged parts, or equipment that’s already been repaired. In these cases, being able to create a Demo-based compensation file allows you to move forward with CMOS calibration, even without the ideal setup.
What Is the Demo File?
The Demo feature creates a simulated compensation file using ideal values — as if you were using a perfectly calibrated light source and a standard EF 50mm F1.8 STM lens. While not as precise as a real-world calibration, this method usually gives better results than the generic calibration stored on a replacement main board.
How to Create a Compensation File Using Demo
- Close the SPT software completely and then reopen it.
- In the first window that appears, click ‘Demo’.
- Go to the Plugins tab and select CMOS Calibration.
- Under the Lightbox/Lens Compensation tab, follow the steps—this mostly involves clicking ‘Start’ several times.
- When prompted, save the compensation file.
Using the Demo File for CMOS Calibration
When you use this file for CMOS calibration, the SPT software will detect that it's a Demo file and ask you to confirm before proceeding. This is just a safeguard to make sure you understand that it’s not as precise as calibration with a real camera.