MA methods?

I have started thinking about micro adjusting all my lenses and have seen this method http://arihazeghiphoto​graphy.com/MA-web/

Sadly it requires me to connect my 5D2 to the PC while its happening which I cannot do AND set up the target at the correct distance for my 400mm longest focal length.

Does anyone know how to do this away from the PC? If I had a laptop then it could be done, but I don't and thats that. A link to another method would be perfect.

Please don't refer me to the camera manual. I hate Canon manuals, they are difficult to read and I always come away non the wiser even after reading parts dozens of times. Really, I am not exagerating!

I use the Focal automatic software which would require you to use a PC also but what you could do without a PC is something similar. Setup your shot/target, take shots with MA set to the following: 0, -20, -10, 10, 20. Then remove the card, take it to your PC and examine the photos zooming into your focus spot. Analyze which 2 photos look best for example 0 and 10. You know your MA setting resides somewhere between 0 and 10 so start trying shots with MA set to 5, compare it to the 0 & 10 shots to determine which way to keep moving the MA, up or down.

I used this method, and it was quite simple. It is VERY obvious when you hit focus, and it's easy to find subtle moire on the fringe that will fanish when focus is slightly missed. It makes the small focus steps seem large:
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk …s3_af_micoadjus​tment.html

My grateful thanks to you both. My PC is inconveniently placed in an upstairs study cum bedroom so setting up a target 8 mts away was next to impossible as it has to be square on to the lens.

Lowner wrote in post #14826116
My grateful thanks to you both. My PC is inconveniently placed in an upstairs study cum bedroom so setting up a target 8 mts away was next to impossible as it has to be square on to the lens.

If you don't want to print out charts and fold them, or buy software or other crutches in doing MA (like my focus genie, lens align products, the focal software, etc), just do the typical battery test.

Put 5 batteries in a staggered format on a counter, about 1/2 battery length apart from each other, and turn the lights, go to wide open on your lens, and get down to the level of the batteries. Be sure to get close enough to roughly fill the center AF with the middle battery, AF, and shoot. If the counter/table looks to be in focus in front of the middle battery, dial in + values, otherwise - values.

+ pushes the focus away from you, - brings focus closer...

Then go outside and shoot some real things like plants, flowers, etc and see how it looks.

TeamSpeed,

How does the "get close enough to fill the centre AF point with the battery" square with the requirement of 20 x the 400mm focal length. Its that distance requirement which makes the method I found impossible.

Note that you can use a tablet for the moire pattern if a PC isn't available. If you know anyone with a laptop or tablet, it will only take you about 10 minutes to get the hang of it, then less than 5 minutes per additional lens.

Lowner wrote in post #14826215
TeamSpeed,

How does the "get close enough to fill the centre AF point with the battery" square with the requirement of 20 x the 400mm focal length. Its that distance requirement which makes the method I found impossible.

I never subscribed to that 20x the focal length. I usually adjust for how I normally shoot, and that usually means that whatever objects I shoot fit right around the center AF area (actually within the metering circle). When I use a superzoom like 500mm, I usually go outside and shoot a rock or something that is in the grass with enough contrast for the AF to latch onto, and use the grass blades to determine MA.

I did this last night with the Sigma 50-500 at a ballgame. I hadn't used that lens yet on the 7D, and the first few shots were less than stellar. I focused on the pitcher's mound, and adjusted it until I was happy with the results, and the rest of the evening went off without a hitch.

^^^ good technique, especially out in the field (so to speak )

Reiken Focal. This auto adjustment software stopped my headaches

Lowner wrote in post #14826215
TeamSpeed,

How does the "get close enough to fill the centre AF point with the battery" square with the requirement of 20 x the 400mm focal length. Its that distance requirement which makes the method I found impossible.

FWIW, the recommendation from Canon that I've seen referenced numerous times is 50x the focal length.

BTBeilke wrote in post #14827063
FWIW, the recommendation from Canon that I've seen referenced numerous times is 50x the focal length.

So 50 x 400mm just makes my first method even more impossible. 20 metres would put my target in another street, never mind another garden and tweaking the target to get it exactly square to the camera at that distance becomes very hit and miss.

But I will try TeamSpeeds ad hoc method, it makes all these other routines seem overcomplicated just for the sake of it.