New Lens: Canon 85mm 1.8 Out of Calibration.

Hey,

I just picked up the Canon 85mm 1.8 after much debate
between it and the 85mm 1.2.

I calibrated the lens with the Micro Focus Adjust on The
Canon 5D MK III using the Spyder Lens Cal.

I was surprised it was off by about 6 points right out of the box.

That makes quite a difference at F1.8.

Here's a video if anyone is wondering how the Lens Cal works
with Micro Focus Adjust.

DSLR Focus Tips: Lens Calibration Micro Focus Adjust Video

Hope this helps someone...

Craig

Not really sure what you're getting at. As you know, lenses leave the factory within certain tolerances. Also, camera bodies leave the factory with certain tolerances. If your lens is at one end of the tolerance spectrum, and your body is at the other, that lens and camera combination will be way out of whack. Likewise, if they both happen to be at the same end of the spectrum, they will be spot on. So it really isn't a 'lens' issue. It's a combination of that particular lens and that particular camera body. +6 or -6 on the MFA is no big deal quite frankly (IMO).

Also, in your video, and the text below, where did you get the test distances from? Canon, LensAlign, and other focus calibration parties recommend 50x to 100x the focal length being checked/tested. So in the case of the 24-70mm it should be checked at 50 x 24mm which is 1200mm, or 47.244 inches (4 feet), and at the 70mm end around 11.5 feet. Ideally, they say the lens should be MFA'd at the distance you most frequently use it (but who the heck knows what that's going to be!).

craigbeckta wrote in post #16934074
I was surprised it was off by about 6 points right out of the box.

Like Kirk said, lens and body are calibrated within a certain "spec". Both your camera body and the lens could be, and most likely are, within spec. But both couple be at different ends of the calibration specification so they appear off. Same lens on a different body could be dead on.

Heya,

I bought a 70-200 F4L and it was so out of whack that I couldn't stand it and sold it.

Not all lenses are perfect from the factory. And you can calibrate them. But there is copy variation.

Very best,

Like the others have said, what's your point? It happens. Camera a little one way, lens the other...

BTW 6 points isn't too much at all. My EF400 f5.6 required -12 points for my 7D and my 70-200 f4L (after much averaging, zoom issue) took 16 points.

Be happy it was an easy fix.

Some people are not aware of the Micro Focus Adjust feature.

I have a friend who has been a Pro Photographer for 6 years
who has never calibrated his lenses.

I am sure there are Photographers out there who don't realize
it's a simple fix.

I used the Lens align online calculator.

http://www.whibalhost.​com/lensalign/ldt/

Canon's recommended distances seem a little too far.

I was just surprised that the 85MM prime was off by 6
my other Prime Lens was perfect.

During my recent visit to Canon Service Center, I was told to get calibrated each lens once from Canon. It is free during warranty. And the told me that MAF works for a particular distance only and best way is to get the Lens+Body caliberated.

MalVeauX wrote in post #16935006
Heya,

I bought a 70-200 F4L and it was so out of whack that I couldn't stand it and sold it.

Not all lenses are perfect from the factory. And you can calibrate them. But there is copy variation.

Very best,

Out of whack as in too much AFMA or just out of whack in general? The 70-200 F/4s are unfortunately quite prone to impact damage.

i don't use micro focus adjustment to my lenses
i use them without making this thing

As others have mentioned, that's normal.

http://www.lensrentals​.com …s-is-soft-and-other-myths

As Roger says, "If you want to shoot wide aperture prime lenses and you don’t want to use microfocus adjustment, you just refuse to cope with reality."

It's not much better with some wide aperture zooms either; both my 70-200 f/4 and my 70-200 f/2.8 needed gobs of MA on my 7D. They need a little less MA on the 5D3, but more than 6 clicks, that's for sure. My Nifty Fifty is within 2 clicks on both bodies.

The moment I stopped caring about micro focus is when I can actually concentrate on shooting