I ahve been scouring the net for a technique to test the front/back focus of my lenses. I have tried a few methods and I am getting different results each time. Any advice? I am shooting a Canon 7D.

Is this method accurate?
http://www.focustestchart.com/chart.html

That's how I check my focus. Rulers, type on a page, anything flat with some sort of markings, really.

kkroeker wrote:
I ahve been scouring the net for a technique to test the front/back focus of my lenses. I have tried a few methods and I am getting different results each time. Any advice? I am shooting a Canon 7D.

Is this method accurate?
http://www.focustestchart.com/chart.html

ALL tests where the AF point falls along a diagonal ruler are crap, which you've evidently discovered. Try something like this (good, natural light, distance of ~50X focal length):

dcains wrote:
ALL tests where the AF point falls along a diagonal ruler are crap, which you've evidently discovered.

If you have crappy setup, then you will get crappy results. 45 degree ruler method, such as LensAlign products, is the most accurate, and it gives you the real DOF. But you need to know how to set it up, if you can't do it yourself, then buy the LensAlign Pro.

The LensAlign does NOT have AF points on its diagonal ruler. The AF target is flat and aligned to be perpendicular to the sensor. The ruler simply provides a measure for the amount of front or rear focus error. It's a highly accurate, and more importantly, repeatable method, but as has often been debated here, it's $$$. My 3 soup cans were ~$5, and I had some nice lunches, too.

If you set the LensAlign up per instructions the point you are focusing on puts the scale of the ruler in focus so you can tell whether your lens is focusing in front of or behind the the point the CAMERA is saying is in focus. From there you can MicroAdjust the camera to the lens. Canon also has a method for adjusting but it is on a use by use basis. If the soup cans or newsprint on the wall work for you, great. But if you have a larger problem with a particular lens other methods may be of more use.

dcains wrote:
ALL tests where the AF point falls along a diagonal ruler are crap

I must've missed the memo. Why are they crap?

kylegehmlich wrote:
dcains wrote:
ALL tests where the AF point falls along a diagonal ruler are crap

I must've missed the memo. Why are they crap?

The best (most accurate) AF tests are done when the objest of focus is at 90 degrees (perpendicular) to the sensor plane. Using the AF test that the OP described introduces a degree of +/- error due to the angle of the focus object. It's best to focus on a single line that is flat & perpendicular to the camera with the ruler/chart below the focus point for reference.

Omar

thinks basic photography DOF is confused with a Front focusing/back Focusing problem...plus this issue is as irrating as pixel peeping.

digitalbug30d wrote:
thinks basic photography DOF is confused with a Front focusing/back Focusing problem...plus this issue is as irrating as pixel peeping.

True. Plus, look at this ridiculous setup: