lens micro focus adjust ?

I need to micro focus adjust my Canon 7d Mark ii and Canon 600mm f4 is. Would you leave the IS on or off when on a tripod when doing the testing ?

Thanks Troy

troyhattemer wrote in post #17535112
I need to micro focus adjust my Canon 7d Mark ii and Canon 600mm f4 is. Would you leave the IS on or off when on a tripod when doing the testing ?

Thanks Troy

It should make no difference. Why not try both and tell us what happens?

I would turn it off assuming you'll be using a static subject for tuning.
I doubt it would make much difference either way but it's just one less number in the equation.

As long as the IS gyros are spun up before you take the test shots, it should only improve the stability of the optics. Older Canon lenses had a sensor which would introduce jitter into the IS system if the lens were held perfectly still; they've fixed that in all modern units.

I would turn the IS off. For Micro Adjusting anything that might interfere should be disabled.
Once you have done your testing and, hopefully, got better results then I would suggest you leave the IS turned off unless and until you run out of ISO.
I have found that the 600 F4 L IS Mk1, 800 F5.6 L IS, 300 F2.8 L IS (Mk1 and2), + every other IS lens that I own or have owned or have tried out, locks and tracks better without IS.
IS is a great feature but it is not necessary or helpful when shooting in decent light and within your camera's ISO capabilities = best kept in reserve.

I would also turn it off.

Thanks everyone. I'm going to adjust it with the is off.

troyhattemer wrote in post #17551303
Thanks everyone. I'm going to adjust it with the is off.

Or, if you have the time, why not test with IS on and off and report results.

First generation IS like my 300L F4 iS you need to turn it off. Second generation like my old 24-105 the IS deactivated when there was no motion assuming it was on a tripod. Personally I would shut it off for something this precise, just to be sure.

I was looking to see what Canon says. Could not find it here but but I did find to things. Just like the manual it suggests to MFA at the distance you will be shooting at most often. No actual distance.

And this. "We strongly urge new EOS camera owners not to start manipulating this feature the moment they first take the camera out of the box. Like changing the ignition timing on your car, it's best to leave the factory settings alone unless and until you find a distinct need to shift them."

Not sure if they mean if you get a new camera or people new to DSLR's but I think it is the second one.

http://www.learn.usa.c​anon.com …oadjustment_art​icle.shtml

This one tells you to shoot at least 50X the focal length and turn the IS off.

http://www.learn.usa.c​anon.com …ate_EOS_AF_Quic​kGuide.pdf

A valuable tool to many which support however I avoid it at all cost. Also this has been my biggest beef since messing around with it on my 50D. What is the correct distance? Even two separate Canon articles tell you two different things. Tests several years ago showed me different MFA results at different focal lengths.

My view is I go out and shoot and use a known and proven lens with a new body or a proven body with a new lens. If it is out something is not right. I try several time to make sure it is not my technique. Last thing I do is check MFA and if it is past + - 3 it goes to Canon. Every correctly factory calibrated combo I have owned as never needed more that 3. If it does it is really out. I figure 3 is close enough to composite for normal manufacturing deviation.

I own a 70-200 2.8 II that was never right from day one. 0 at 70mm and +15 at 200mm. First lens ever out that much. Canon Canada told me it was perfectly fine because it goes to 20 so they sent the lens back to me. Canon USA told me on two separate occasions MFA is for emergencies and should go in if out. Again my view is out big numbers - not a tweak. The rep suggested I send it to Newport so I did and they found it was mis-calibrated.

I'm all for MFA but not to fix Canon's manufacturing hiccups. I pay too much money for their gear for that. A great tool for 3rd party lenses and if you don't want to send in your equipment. I just don't like it when people tell you to have to do it and because the option exists many new users feel they need to use it right away. I'm a minority on my take on MFA but oh well. Each to his/her own I figure.

I don't think I mentioned that Canon "USA" on two separate occasions told me MFA was for emergencies and I'm all for tightening up correctly calibrated equipment. Correctly meaning within manufacturing tolerances.