I was browsing through the forums and there are many posts on micro adjusting lenses, but what is the best method to do the micro adjustment? Is there a different method for a zoom than there is a prime?
Here is the product and approach that I use: CLICK HERE. I like this approach because you get an accurate AF MA plus other info such as how consistently a given lens is focusing and an accurate idea of the lens' optical performance. Anyway, read all of the tips and you will be able to get an accurate AF MA.
I just don't know - this is not all that complex. The thing you describe - $20 for an emailed target and emailed rule that you have to assemble yourself? Yikes! That's as bad as the Lens Align thingie.
You just need to have a decent target square to your camera at the appropriate length. Then you have a scale with gradations from which to judge your DOF. That's it, no big mystery or cosmic truths. In point of fact, Canon tells you to shoot at the distance and typical subject you normally shoot at and then adjust from there. .
Originally, like many of you, I thought it would be foolish to spend money for something that could be done fairly easily using a ruler at 45-degree, staggered books on the shelf or free download methods to do this. But I came across a used LensAlign Pro here and I bought it for kicks. I figured, if it doesn't work I could sell it again. The funny thing is, a few members approached me afterwards and offered to buy that device from me after I was done calibrating my lenses. So, I figured, I could do the calibration for free or a slight loss .
After I received that unit and I started playing with it, I started to realize that it is a well thought out device and not only it makes your life easier (you can mount this on a tripod to get a perfect alignment, for an example) but the main thing is it does its job very well and the results are repetitive for consistency. I remembered back then, I did the adjustment on some lenses and when I came back and tried them again, and I got different settings. So, I wasn't sure which one I should stick with. With this device though, I could repeat the results over and over again. Plus, it is consistent through out the different bodies I have. If one lens requires a +10 adjustment on one it would be really close to that on another, etc. It increases my confidence level in my lenses and that means something.
I don't have any relation with LensAlign whatsoever and I also believe their price is pretty steep but had I known back then what I know now, I would have bought it earlier and just wouldn't bother messing around with the adjustment back then. Again, it can be sold after you are done.... unless you want to buy another lens ore lenses or body later. Maybe FM should buy like 10 or more units collectively and circulate these around among members . Just kidding.
10-22 no adjustment
100mm no adjustment
17-55, a little strange. On short end could have used -3 or so. On long end could have used +2. I left it at 0.
50 1.4 -12
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