60D - Really no lens calibration?

Thank you for your observation on your zoom lens.

I have a similar problem with my 24-85mm.

At 85mm, f4.5 the lens front focusses (requires +7 MA).

At 24mm, f3.5 the lens back focusses (requires -5 MA).

built a map of MA as a function of zoom (24, 35, 50, 70, 85mm).

Then, I zoom to that setting, and reset MA.

This is, certainly, less than optimal workflow, but, it does make the lens sharp at every zoom setting and is more convenient than changing lenses.

If look over in the Contax / Canourus (somethign like that), there is a guy there that makes a map of MA of all zoom setting AND all f stop settings.

This 2D mapping of MA (in fstop and zoom setting) is truly a spectacular statement about the slight variations in focus that nobody noticed before digital

redsars said:

I have the 60D, and have used it with an 18-200 zoom, I do not have any prime lenses (yet). The 60D definitely has some back focus with this lens, but MA would not really help. At 200mm, it is just a small degree of back focus, at 50mm, it is considerably more. I also tried the kit 18-135 lens that came with the camera for a couple of test shots, and this was spot on at 135mm, but showed even more back focus at 50mm than the longer zoom.

So having MA is not much use if you are using the 60D with a Canon zoom lens.

Click to expand...

And you know this without ever trying MA?

Unless your lens is badly out of calibration, you don't need MA on a 60D.

I've used 5 lens on my 60D Mostly Canon but I have a 105mm Sigma Macro Lens. All shoot perfectly. I've tested them all with a sheet of graph paper. It's basically the same test as the one posted. I draw a red line on a sheet of graph paper and shoot it at about a 30° angle on a tripod using a trigger.

....besides, what are you focusing with a f/1.2 lens??

Just some opinions to toss into the mix:

It is my belief that most Canon body and lens combos are going to work just fine for the majority of users. There will be those that because of manufacturing will fall outside of acceptable and they will need to be sent back to Canon. I own a 450D and 7D... own 7 lenses and have used about 8 others and have never had one that was unacceptable. That is my experience.

However: There are certain lenses that probably should not be purchased unless you have a body with MA. The 85 1.2 and 50 1.2 have such narrow depths of field wide open they should be avoided (or risk unusable AF wide open).

I think a lot of DSLR owners expect that every image be tack sharp because they see so many fantastic shots that are great. When they see their images less sharp there may be a tendency to search out mechanical reasons. We've all seen these threads. At an extreme: "why aren't my pictures sharp".... " I shot this duck flying at 30 mph with my 50-500 at 500mm at 1/200 of a second wide open hand held and here is the 100% crop" "I think my AF is bad or something"..... While that is of course a bit of a stretch..... you know what I'm talking about. For a photographer like that MA can only hurt... it is another variable to be messing with when they need a photography 101 book.

Another extreme is the photographer who spends all day in the house and on the net to achieve the most in focus ever shots under extreme conditions with graphs and charts and notes consulted for every shot and comes up with the most boring subject with poor composition.... sheesh....If you can't sleep at night because you aren't sure if your MA is just right you might want to find some help!

I know I'm rambling.... but I'm wasting time right now. In summary.... it is my belief that the overwhelming number of OOF shots in the world today with DSLR's will not and can not be fixed with MA. (please note I did not say all....)

Have a great day.

Richard

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ESfishdoc said:

Just some opinions to toss into the mix:

It is my belief that most Canon body and lens combos are going to work just fine for the majority of users.

Click to expand...

In my humble experience (not a belief ) 2 out of 3 Canon bodies I owned were front focusing; and about 1/3 of the lenses that I owned/tried had consistent FF or BF errors. Canon Service is practically useless for such problems unless they are severe.

Agree'd....Although I'm fairly new to the photography field, the only problem I've encountered with my 60D is me; I'm a bit unstable when holding the camera and the camera/lens have issues when attempting to focus.