7D + 70-200 2.8 IS Combo

Good Afternoon ..

Just picked up a 70-200 2.8 IS MK1 and have paired it with a 7D for a week long vacation starting tomorrow. For some reason I don't wanna take my gripped 5D

I know each lens is inherently different but for lack of time I'd appreciate it if I could get some quick MA settings from you gurus out there so I can maybe see a pattern or average it out .. if possible.

If there's a quick 10 minute check, I'll do it but anything more than that, I'll get yelled at. Please help

Thanks!

shoot it at ZERO. It's a great lens and shouldn't need any significant micro adjustment to perform like a champ.

dave

I didnt need any MA on my 7D using the 70-200. Try using it without any, then If you find it not performing as it should then take a look at MA

There is no secret formula. Every lens/camera combo is different. If it was related to a model of lens, Canon could program for it in firmware like they do with Peripheral Ilumination correction.

Doing the testing isn't all that difficult but if you're not familiar with the process, it's probably not a 10 minute job. Use the lens. If you see consistent misfocusing, then set up controlled testing to confirm it's an AF issue, not user error. If it is an AF issue, read up on how to do MA testing.

More importantly, don't get caught up in pixel peeping. Enjoy the vacation.

Testing focus accuracy with a 7D is easy.

Install the EOS utility, then put the 7D on a tripod pointed at a test subject, connect it to the PC and fire up the software. Make sure the live view focusing mode is set to "quick" so it uses the full AF system.

Click the button to enable live view mode, then click the magnifying glass then optionally the 200% check box. Click the button to focus and the camera will do so and show the result. Now you can click the left and right arrows to "nudge" the focus back and forth by a single step. See if it gets sharper if you nudge it in either direction. If it does then this is the amount of MA you need to dial in, so if the sharpest point is two nudges to the left, then you dial in -2 MA.

Of course you need to check this at a few different focal lengths and may find the adjustment required at each point is different, in which case you'll need to find the right balance.

HTH

I have this same set up and I have never used any MA. Lens is a BEAST!

MA on a zoom lens tends not to be so useful. Often you'll find you need different settings at different focal lengths, but you can use only one. So I just use one setting on my zoom lenses - zero.