p.1 #1 · Canon 1D Mk3 - Is it normal to MA every lens?
I recently purchased a used 1D Mk3 and I was shocked to learn that I had to micro-adjust every single lens that I have - all L lenses - 100-400L, 24-105L and 70-200L MK2. Worst yet, the MA varied wildly from +20 to -15. Once calibrated, the images are indeed sharp! But, the million dollar question is, is it normal for a 1D body to require MA for every lens when I have a 7D that takes sharp pictures with the same lenses WITHOUT micro-adjustment!!! I'm trying to figure out if the 1D got out of alignment over time and, if so, if sending to Canon for re-calibration would be required. Thanks for any help you can provide.
p.1 #4 · Canon 1D Mk3 - Is it normal to MA every lens?
artsupreme, Yeah, I also thought about just shooting after MA, but I'm trying to figure out if going out of alignment is normal or is it going to get worst over time?
andyz, my tests are really simple: I took test shots of a plant at 5 MA increments and picked the setting that gave me the best picture. For sure, at default value, the images were either front or back focused. I know it's not scientific, but it works for my needs...
p.1 #5 · Canon 1D Mk3 - Is it normal to MA every lens?
I use AFMA for all of my lenses, and for Extender combinations on the longer ones. In fact, I'm planning to do that today with my new 1DX, using LensAlign2. The largest adjustments I've made so far with 36 test combinations on the 1DsIII and 1DIV are -5 and 4. Your range of adjustments is large in comparison, but others have reported similar results. As Art says, shoot away...
p.1 #6 · Canon 1D Mk3 - Is it normal to MA every lens?
Jcolwell, thanks for sharing your MA experiences. On a side note, envy your 1DX... Unless you're super picky, Idoubt you need much MA on 1DX if any at all.
p.1 #7 · Canon 1D Mk3 - Is it normal to MA every lens?
My 1DMK3 took from -4 to +3 on my lenses. I used the lens align system and two tripods. Also I ensure that the target is parallel to the focus plane of the shutter. My experience with MA has been unless you are willing to spend the time to get the target and camera setup right MA will result in large changes with inconsistent results.
p.1 #11 · Canon 1D Mk3 - Is it normal to MA every lens?
Of the lenses I adjusted on my 1D4 they were all in the +5 to -5 range. If a lens was way out of adjustment I would probably send it in to Canon to have them reset to 0 or as close as they can get. I don't put a lot of effort into it to be honest. I just shoot a printed target at various MA increments and choose the sharpest setting.
p.1 #12 · Canon 1D Mk3 - Is it normal to MA every lens?
Does Canon's settings generally agree with FoCal and LensAlign? Meaning if you calculated -5, has anyone compared what Canon would come back with?
ggreene - you say you'd send in the lens, don't you send the lends and the body, as this adjustment is how the two work together, or are you assuming it is the lens and you'll check it after they make adjustments to it?
p.1 #13 · Canon 1D Mk3 - Is it normal to MA every lens?
Theres always some camera mount variation (in manufacturer tolerances) aswell as lens mount variation. It might be (and probably is), that you are bit unlucky and have simply bit less compatibile lens/camera.
If it does work and is sharp after MA, then its ok.
Ofc theres interesting question how it was possible that 1DMK2 and 1DsMK2 usually were spot on and sharp with pretty much every L lens. I guess that with age of MA, manufacturers could simply ease up on quality control and aligment of sensor/mount and let it on users to "fix it". Bit more visible with latest Nikons than Canons (5DMK3 is near perfect as far as I know, guess 1D X is similar).
Sep 27, 2012 at 11:34 AM
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p.1 #14 · Canon 1D Mk3 - Is it normal to MA every lens?
Mescalamba wrote:
Ofc theres interesting question how it was possible that 1DMK2 and 1DsMK2 usually were spot on and sharp with pretty much every L lens. I guess that with age of MA, manufacturers could simply ease up on quality control and aligment of sensor/mount and let it on users to "fix it". Bit more visible with latest Nikons than Canons (5DMK3 is near perfect as far as I know, guess 1D X is similar).
Those bodies where not any better than the new bodies. The difference is that we get more and more MP in the bodies. And then we also notice more and more faults.
p.1 #15 · Canon 1D Mk3 - Is it normal to MA every lens?
andyz wrote:
ggreene - you say you'd send in the lens, don't you send the lends and the body, as this adjustment is how the two work together, or are you assuming it is the lens and you'll check it after they make adjustments to it?
I think it depends on what you see as a whole from your lenses. If all my lenses were beyond +15 or -15 then I would definitely send my body in as well. In my case, I already have a 1D4/70-200 IS II combo that is a +2 so I don't think the body is that out of adjustment. If my 16-35 was giving me a +15 or more I would definitely suspect just the lens.
p.1 #16 · Canon 1D Mk3 - Is it normal to MA every lens?
Lars Johnsson wrote:
Those bodies where not any better than the new bodies. The difference is that we get more and more MP in the bodies. And then we also notice more and more faults.
Sure, but 1DMK2 vs 1DMK3 is just 2 mpix difference and that really isnt a lot.
p.1 #18 · Canon 1D Mk3 - Is it normal to MA every lens?
Gonemad wrote:
I recently purchased a used 1D Mk3 and I was shocked to learn that I had to micro-adjust every single lens that I have - all L lenses - 100-400L, 24-105L and 70-200L MK2. Worst yet, the MA varied wildly from +20 to -15. Once calibrated, the images are indeed sharp! But, the million dollar question is, is it normal for a 1D body to require MA for every lens when I have a 7D that takes sharp pictures with the same lenses WITHOUT micro-adjustment!!! I'm trying to figure out if the 1D got out of alignment over time and, if so, if sending to Canon for re-calibration would be required. Thanks for any help you can provide....Show more →
It's been my experience with the 1D3 that it is a bit more finicky with MA than other bodies, i.e. you need wilder fluctuations of MA settings to get things dialed in. As others have said, as long as you can get MA to work for your lenses, don't worry about it.
p.1 #20 · Canon 1D Mk3 - Is it normal to MA every lens?
Gonemad wrote:
I recently purchased a used 1D Mk3 and I was shocked to learn that I had to micro-adjust every single lens that I have - all L lenses - 100-400L, 24-105L and 70-200L MK2. Worst yet, the MA varied wildly from +20 to -15. Once calibrated, the images are indeed sharp! But, the million dollar question is, is it normal for a 1D body to require MA for every lens when I have a 7D that takes sharp pictures with the same lenses WITHOUT micro-adjustment!!! I'm trying to figure out if the 1D got out of alignment over time and, if so, if sending to Canon for re-calibration would be required. Thanks for any help you can provide....Show more →
normal, i've had to mfa nearly every lens on every body
+20 and -15 are a bit extreme though, but since they go to both sides it sounds like two of the lenses more than the body (unless most are say near +20 and just the on lens is -15 then the body and lens at -15 are a bit far out there)
when you need close to 20 on either side you run the risk of pairing the lens with some body where it is not possble to MFA properly so it seems a lens with a dicey tolerance from teh factory
ALthough: it seems odd that the 7D needs 0 for all and yet some are +20 and some -15 though, something weird seems to be going on, if they all went to one side like near +20 or near -15 that would be one thing, but slitting both ways to such extremes seems bizarre
