All my primes have microadjusted to +13. Should I worry?

So, it's a little odd, but all my primes seem to front-focus a little on my 5D2, and my 85L and 50/1.4 (now sold) both did it. After tweaking my new 35L, it seems best at--you guessed it-- +13. The only time I haven't used MA with a prime was when I rented a 50L and it was pretty much spot-on, though I didn't test it on my LensAlign.

Is there some issue with my 5D2 body, or should I just say "meh, that's why MA was invented" and leave it at that? It just seems like a very odd coincidence...

I think the camera can tell the difference between the ones you paid for and the ones you rent.

Sounds like your 5D2 might be the issue... maybe the one your rented would be MA'd -13 on a normal body?

But then again, you don't mention the zoom lenses, so I'm assuming those don't need MA, which would be odd if the body was the problem (unless they are like your rental lens that would go the other way!)

Cokeman wrote in post #11607489
Sounds like your 5D2 might be the issue... maybe the one your rented would be MA'd -13 on a normal body?

But then again, you don't mention the zoom lenses, so I'm assuming those don't need MA, which would be odd if the body was the problem (unless they are like your rental lens that would go the other way!)

Hehe... I was thinking the same thing. Maybe I got one of those "bad" 50L's.

The zooms are a non-issue across the range. both the Brick and the 70-200 IS II are fine at 0 MA.

I guess we'll see where my new 50L and my (eventual) 85 1.8 settle out...

Dr.Pete wrote in post #11607416
...or should I just say "meh, that's why MA was invented" and leave it at that? It just seems like a very odd coincidence...

Sounds good to me.

xarqi wrote in post #11607577
Sounds good to me.

I think you're probably right.

I have the same problem with my 7D. All my primes need +15, zooms are fine. Just leave it alone if it's within the range.

hieu1004 wrote in post #11608005
I have the same problem with my 7D. All my primes need +15, zooms are fine. Just leave it alone if it's within the range.

Pardon my ignorance, but what's "within the range" mean? I don't have a camera with MA, but it's still good to learn the terminology for whenever I upgrade.

Cokeman wrote in post #11610516
Pardon my ignorance, but what's "within the range" mean? I don't have a camera with MA, but it's still good to learn the terminology for whenever I upgrade.

Microadjustment goes in arbitrary units from +20 to -20, so that's the range in which you can fix front/back focusing issues. Outside of that the lens/camera need(s) to be calibrated.

For instance, I just bought a Sigma 50mm that was front-focusing badly enough that even at +20 I couldn't get it into focus, so I returned it. If you can correct it with microadjustment within that +/- 20 range, though, you can essentially calibrate the lens/body yourself. I'll never own another camera without that feature.

Cokeman wrote in post #11610516
Pardon my ignorance, but what's "within the range" mean? I don't have a camera with MA, but it's still good to learn the terminology for whenever I upgrade.

With an MA capable body. You have a range of -20 to +20. If its within those ranges, I don't worry about it.

That would bug the heck out of me. If all your lenses are the same, then it seems your body is in need of calibration.

Both the body and or the lens can be 'off'. In this case, it seems your body is.

I've calibrated two lenses with my 7D: the kit 28-135 and the Canon 75-300 USM 4.0–5.6. Both required a MA setting of -10. So long as I can take sharp photos with each, I don't really care if the camera is a little out of adjustment or both lenses are. Should I be concerned like the OP?

BioSci wrote in post #11611321
I've calibrated two lenses with my 7D: the kit 28-135 and the Canon 75-300 USM 4.0–5.6. Both required a MA setting of -10. So long as I can take sharp photos with each, I don't really care if the camera is a little out of adjustment or both lenses are. Should I be concerned like the OP?

You just answered your own question.

Me. I want things "right". I would send it to Canon for calibration.

Its just random sample variation. If you are not happy i would first test the lens and camera with another set of lens and camera to at least see which of the two is further away from the norm and just send that back to canon.

All my lenses require +4 MA on the 5DII and none on the 450D. I wouldn't lose sleep over it.