Comments on: Unleash your DSLR Raw power by checking your Camera Micro AF settings!

By: Ike

Ike — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 06:46:51 +0000

It’s best to use the usb cable and take it over with the Remote trigger utitlity (notebook or pc) included with your DSLR. Then you’re 100% sure the camera hasn’t moved by pressing buttons.

Or one could go out and buy a pair of PocketWizard Multimaxes

By: fh

fh — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 06:10:53 +0000

Micro AF adjust works for zooms as well. Just calibrate it on the tele end (eg: on a 24-105 f/4L, calibrate the Micro AF adjust for 105mm), since the tele end is more sensitive to slight focus changes.

There is also an easier method for determining and calibrating Micro AF adjust.
1) Position an interference pattern in front of the camera, similar to the setup above.
2) Switch the lens to MF; then enter mirror lock-up (live view), and manually focus on the target interference pattern. Since the live view on the LCD is down-sizing the pattern, you will see very sharp moire patterns once you achieve focus.
3) Being careful not to move the camera or shift focus, exit mirror lock-up, and turn AF back on.
4) Activate AF (half-press shutter button), and pay attention to the focus distance window on the lens. If there is no movement, the lens is properly calibrated and no Micro AF adjust is necessary. If the focus distance changes (even slightly), change the Micro AF adjust as necessary, then repeat steps 2)-4) until the MF moire and AF match.

As nice as having Micro AF adjust is, sadly there are still many AF camera systems on the market which do not have equivalent feature (especially entry-level DSLRs, and most mirrorless formats).

By: Daimaou - G-A.G

Daimaou - G-A.G — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 03:53:58 +0000

latest Firmware, and while I agree than FF Nikon DSLRs are better for picture, I mainly use my 5D MK II for video.

By: Ike

Ike — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 19:49:19 +0000

Every model has an MTF Chart (Modulation transfer frequency). It depends for what you use it the most, but if it’s portraits with background blur you want your lines to be somewhere around F4. But you need the MTF charts to check where it’s on it’s sharpest.

By: Ike

Ike — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:54:17 +0000

Interested to see which firmware you were using. Normally new firmware fixes these flaws for you. And The 5D Mark II had it’s fair share of FW updates.

At the moment I use Canon for its 1.6x devices. But your 5d2 is a full frame body. For fullframes you are still beter off with Nikon imho.

By: Daimaou - G-A.G

Daimaou - G-A.G — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 05:10:03 +0000

Indeed you are right, but you normally do not use anything than fix focal lenses on cameras like a 5D for example. I will have to try this on my 24-105 to check if there is any improvements

By: Scott

Scott — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 05:07:30 +0000

Also note that this is ok for fixed focal length lenses, but with zooms, if you adjust at one zoom setting, it may make all others worse!

By: Daimaou - G-A.G

Daimaou - G-A.G — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 01:19:55 +0000

Too much work lately… Thanks for pointing this out!

By: Sk-1

Sk-1 — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 00:45:38 +0000

it’s DSLR (digital single lens reflex) not DLSR …