fredmiranda.com
Login

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
  New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site
  New Feature: SMS Notification alert
  New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist
  

FM Forums | Canon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

  

Archive 2010 · micro focus adjust

  
 
krementz
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #1 · micro focus adjust


I finally got around to micro adjusting the focus, mostly out of curiosity.

I had always been disappointed with my 85/1.8, but I assumed it operator error, bad conditions, etc. It took a -20 adjustment. WOW!. Can't wait until tomorrow to try it out. My other lenses varied from spot on to +10.

Is there any way of reviewing the adjustments without putting on the specific lens? I connected to the computer, but the Canon utility doesn't seem to have any way of accessing the microadjust info.

I am using a 50D and a Mac.



Jun 02, 2010 at 08:00 PM
dwweiche
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #2 · micro focus adjust


krementz wrote:
I finally got around to micro adjusting the focus, mostly out of curiosity.

I had always been disappointed with my 85/1.8, but I assumed it operator error, bad conditions, etc. It took a -20 adjustment. WOW!. Can't wait until tomorrow to try it out. My other lenses varied from spot on to +10.

Is there any way of reviewing the adjustments without putting on the specific lens? I connected to the computer, but the Canon utility doesn't seem to have any way of accessing the microadjust info.

I am using a 50D and a Mac.


You should be able to view the AF adjust in the EXIF of any picture taken with adjustments set. DPP, view the "Shooting Information" ( Ctrl - i ) and it will list the AF micro adjustment in the list of info.

This is on a PC running DPP 3.8.0, pictures taken with a 7D.



Jun 02, 2010 at 08:34 PM
wolfpacktx
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #3 · micro focus adjust


krementz wrote:
I finally got around to micro adjusting the focus, mostly out of curiosity.

I had always been disappointed with my 85/1.8, but I assumed it operator error, bad conditions, etc. It took a -20 adjustment. WOW!. Can't wait until tomorrow to try it out. My other lenses varied from spot on to +10.

Is there any way of reviewing the adjustments without putting on the specific lens? I connected to the computer, but the Canon utility doesn't seem to have any way of accessing the microadjust info.

I am using a 50D and a Mac.


Can you share with us how you did the adjustment?

I have tried Micro Focus Adjustment on 1D3, and even open a thread for questions. Tried few appoaches recommended by FMers. But I still could not get the adjustment right. Finally, I tried the following(seems giving me the best results):

1) Test under day light (backyard, driveway, etc)
2) Use low ISO, wide open aperture, turn off IS from the lens if applicable
3) Set your tripod away at least the target by 50 x focal length. For example, 50mm lens you will shoot from 50x50= 2500mm = 2.5m (about 8.2 feet)
4) The target should be flat and parallel to the camera's focal plane, and should be centered with respect to the picture area. Tape a small mirror at the center of target, if you can see the camera and lens from the view finder, you are OK. Otherwise you need to move the tripod left/right, and adjust the hight
5) Set the lens for AF and the camera for One-Shot AF, and manually select the center focusing point
6) Use a remote switch and/or the camera's self-timer to release the shutter. Use mirror lock when taking shots
7) Manually set the focus on the lens to infinity
8) Half press the shutter, so the AF is in action
9) Switch to Live View and set the lens to MF
10) Fine turn the focus at 10x (or 5x)
11) Turn off Live View, switch to AF
12) Half press the shutter, if no movement in the distance scale window, you are good to go, no microadjustment needed
13) If the distance scale moves, then perform microadjustment.
14) Try -5 or +5 setting, then repeat step 7) to 13) until you observe no movement of scale window after achiving the best focus in Live View
15) Take few shots using the best microadjustment point you just found, then take some from +1, +2, +3, -1, -2, -3 (based on the best adjustment point you identify from 7) to 14). For example, if you find the microadjustment at +5 works the best, take photos at +5, +6, +7, +8, +4, +3, +2.
16) Reivew the photos on computer at 100%. The sharpest one should give you the best microadjustment point.

The above steps are based on this:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1032&message=30318334



Jun 02, 2010 at 11:05 PM
krementz
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #4 · micro focus adjust


I used a different approach, using http://focustestchart.com/chart.html angled chart approach quite close to the target, less than 50x focal length. Yes, I now know that the online reports say do not use angled tests and stay 50x away. I always considered close-in focusing the most challenging, so that is why I tried to be near minimum focusing distance.(Also my garret "studio" is too small for a longer test distance.) I'll find out soon if my process worked.

I did all my shooting tethered. Until the weather clears so I can do some shooting, I will withhold any pronouncements on my success.

Two lenses stood out for me: 1) the 85/1.8, which is regularly cited as an outstanding lens, was never good for me and required a lot of correction, 2) the EFS 60/2.8, which I considered my sharpest lens, was spot on.

Still very foggy and rainy, so probably no real world shooting today.




Jun 03, 2010 at 07:42 AM
PhotogDave
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #5 · micro focus adjust


I know its a little pricey, but I see these threads all the time where they cant get consistent results or not very confident its right. Kinda shooting in dark.
MA should not be hard. Its very easy to do....given the right tool to do so.

But I bought a Lens Align Pro and its soooo easy.
Just align it with the sights, shoot on a tripod and look at the ruler. Of its centered, leave it alone, if not adjust till it is.
It was well worth the money, cause I find shooting alot will cause adjustments to be needed later.

I have to adjust mine about every 6 months or so. I can usually tell when I start geting OOF shots that shbouldnt be. I'll spend 3 minutes setting it up, shoot and whola, I see it needs adjustment. Dial it in, and Im good for another 6 months or so.

NOW, I say I shoot alot. I mean, when busy, 500 images per day. So not everyone will run there gear this much and may not need to adjust it so often.
But its worth the money to know its right.
When you buy new lenses, set up, check and move on.

I see homemade jobs all the time and they cant reproduce it etc.

The only free method Ive seen that works good is the compter screen Moire method and using the Canon software to move focus front or back.
It worked good for me.

By the way, I think if you need +20 or -20 on any lens, send it to Canon. Thats extreme. Let them calibrate it right, then when you get it back and put it on "your" body, if it needs any it will usually be only + or - 2 or 3.
The -20 is telling me either the test is wrong or the lens needs service.



Jun 03, 2010 at 10:36 AM
PhilDrinkwater
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #6 · micro focus adjust


I've recently spoken to a canon professional... they said that MA was really just a temporary measure to get you through. If you have a problem with the lens, you should really send it in.


Jun 03, 2010 at 10:47 AM
SteveTuerk
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #7 · micro focus adjust


https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/901983


Jun 03, 2010 at 11:40 AM
wolfpacktx
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #8 · micro focus adjust


PhotogDave wrote:
I know its a little pricey, but I see these threads all the time where they cant get consistent results or not very confident its right. Kinda shooting in dark.
MA should not be hard. Its very easy to do....given the right tool to do so.

But I bought a Lens Align Pro and its soooo easy.
Just align it with the sights, shoot on a tripod and look at the ruler. Of its centered, leave it alone, if not adjust till it is.
It was well worth the money, cause I find shooting alot will cause adjustments to be needed later.

I have
...Show more

Thanks for the tip. I do not shoot a lot, just family and youth sports on weekend. Probably won't invest on the Lens Align tool in the near future.

Agree with your -20, +20 comments. Most of my lenses only need -3 to +3 adjustment. But the 135mm F2 needs +10 on 1D3, but it is spot on 40D (no MF adjustment option). The 1D3 is in Canon for focus fix this week. When I get it back, will try the 135mm again.



Jun 03, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Peter Figen
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #9 · micro focus adjust


"I've recently spoken to a canon professional... they said that MA was really just a temporary measure to get you through. If you have a problem with the lens, you should really send it in."

I don't know what sort of "professional" you spoke with, but he doesn't sound very... The micro adjust feature is there to allow end user compensation for normal manufacturing tolerances. The range on the micro adjust basically covers the range of manufacturing tolerance. As long as your lens only needs a single overall compensation, and this is the case with most lenses, then micro adjust is just what is needed to precisely dial in camera and lens. It's only when a particular lens/body combination is hovering around ± 20 units that you need to consider a trip to the service center, or if you've got a lens that is accurate at one distance and off at another.

MIcro Adjust is one of the best features of all the new cameras and one that I simply couldn't live without now.




Jun 03, 2010 at 02:27 PM
Dave Jr
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #10 · micro focus adjust


One thing I have found that is often not discussed is Tungsten lighting. Most of my lenses are good at zero MA outside in natural light, but indoors, they require a + adjustment in tungsten lighting. YMMV, but keep that in mind if your outdoor settings seem to be off when shooting inside.

I have a lensAlign Pro, and each of my lenses require a different adj in Tungsten vs natural light.



Jun 03, 2010 at 02:55 PM
Stuart
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #11 · micro focus adjust


Just wanted to chime in on an AF Micro Adjust method that worked quite well for me on the 5D Mark II. Check out this link here where he uses Live View with the camera tethered to the computer in conjunction with the EOS Utility. Amazingly accurate when you go through a couple of iterations. I did all my lenses and was very pleased with the results.

Stuart




Jun 03, 2010 at 03:28 PM
wolfpacktx
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #12 · micro focus adjust


Dave Jr wrote:
One thing I have found that is often not discussed is Tungsten lighting. Most of my lenses are good at zero MA outside in natural light, but indoors, they require a + adjustment in tungsten lighting. YMMV, but keep that in mind if your outdoor settings seem to be off when shooting inside.

I have a lensAlign Pro, and each of my lenses require a different adj in Tungsten vs natural light.


Dave, your comments make me thinking again about the MF adjustments I did . Thanks for the information.



Jun 03, 2010 at 09:06 PM
wolfpacktx
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #13 · micro focus adjust


Stuart wrote:
Just wanted to chime in on an AF Micro Adjust method that worked quite well for me on the 5D Mark II. Check out this link here where he uses Live View with the camera tethered to the computer in conjunction with the EOS Utility. Amazingly accurate when you go through a couple of iterations. I did all my lenses and was very pleased with the results.

Stuart


Stuart:

Thanks for the info. I saw the bird method also. But the AF button does not work for 1D3 within EOS utility.



Jun 03, 2010 at 09:12 PM
Rob-Bob
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #14 · micro focus adjust


bump for later rereading. . . . .zz-

b.-



Jun 04, 2010 at 12:28 AM





FM Forums | Canon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

    
 

Welcome back
Log in to your account