Who uses AF fine tune? calibrating lenses

[rocketman122]

I recently bought an 85mm 1.8D after selling my 85 1.4 AIS. I noticed there was a focusing misalignment. played with it a bit by shooting a pickle jar and just gave a bit of correction in the camera. but this is a very halfass way of doing it. but it was sharper. and it had me thinking about doing all 8 lenses. my biggest worry is zoom lenses.

was looking at the lens align tool (I have no idea what others comparable tools there are, so if you know, post them please)

so is there so much of a misalignment on lenses? how common is it? what have you used? if you didnt align any, please say so. Im curious of those who did and didnt so post what you think.

basically looking for those who did it, didnt, dont care, want to, dont know how to but want to. everyone basically.

anybody know an easy (dumbed down-not too techy) tutorial, please post it.

 

[BackdoorArts]

I use it all the time, particularly on Primes. Given that you can only calibrate on one point on zooms I will do my checking at what I consider the more useful points of the zoom and decide if I need to adjust. If I do, I adjust and recheck along the length. It's usually a compromise. Generally I'll adjust at the long end of a zoom since that's the point where depth of field is smallest.

I use the Spyder calibration tool and eyeball. I tether to Lightroom so that I can get a good look at the photos. I am dragging my feet on getting the Focal software, but those who have used it swear by it.

I hadn't really thought about it when I first started playing with fine tuning, but I've learned that Canon offers 2 points of adjustment on zooms, and Sigma now allows you to adjust to 4 points on their art series zoom lenses with their USB dock (this is done via separate software and not in the camera). If there's a feature I'd love to see added to Nikon firmware it would be added adjustment points for zoom lenses.

 

[BackdoorArts]

Photography Life has a couple great posts on Lens Calibration and they are what I used to get myself going on it.

Lens Calibration Explained
How to Quickly Test Your DSLR for Autofocus Issues

And here's a link to the tool I used. I'd started with the ruler at 45 degrees trick, but this is so much more precise.

Amazon.com: Datacolor DC SLC100 SpyderLensCal Lens Calibration System: Camera & Photo

 

[gqtuazon]

so is there so much of a misalignment on lenses? how common is it? what have you used? if you didnt align any, please say so. Im curious of those who did and didnt so post what you think.

basically looking for those who did it, didnt, dont care, want to, dont know how to but want to. everyone basically.

anybody know an easy (dumbed down-not too techy) tutorial, please post it.

I do it with my prime lenses only. 50mm and longer. I don't bother with my zoom lenses since they are spot on. DOF on 85mm lenses is too thin when mounted on a full frame so you need to make sure that it is calibrated.

Co-incedentally, I just did a quick tutorial a few days ago about auto fine tune.

http://nikonites.com/project-365-daily-photos/19192-gqs-photo-adventure.html#post239648

 

[wud]

I haven't done it but think I should. Would be nice to know for sure, if they are spot on or not.


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[hark]

I haven't done it either but most of my lenses are zooms. So if you do use it on a zoom (say perhaps at the long end of the zoom), will it adversely affect the focus anywhere else on the zoom (say on the short end)? Thanks for any info.

 

[Flugelbinder]

Very useful info, as always, BackDoor...

 

[BackdoorArts]

I haven't done it either but most of my lenses are zooms. So if you do use it on a zoom (say perhaps at the long end of the zoom), will it adversely affect the focus anywhere else on the zoom (say on the short end)? Thanks for any info.

That's the burning question. I believe that, given the single adjustment point, it will be applied across the lens. I check at the far end because, as I stated, it will produce the narrowest depth of field wide open. I check zooms at the short end, midpoint & long end, and if it's largely consistent in terms of front/back focus then I will adjust at the long end and recheck, knowing that if I'm always front or back then I should be OK. If, however, I'm front on the short end and back on the long (or vice versa) I will play with the long end getting it as close as possible without adversely effecting the other points. For me it's more a concern on my longer zooms (70-200mm and 150-500mm). The 24-85mm and 24-120mm give me enough DoF at f/3.5 and f/4 respectively that it's almost not a concern when I calibrate the long end. If there's a huge back to front swing, I swag it at about 2/3 and hope for the best.

 

[Don Kondra]

Here's the best and least expensive focus test I've found

Tripod and delayed shutter to eliminate human error...

Cheers, Don