topic Re: Incorrect focusing Canon 5D mrk iv & 70‑200mm f/2.8l is iii usm combination in EF & RF Lenses

Incorrect focusing Canon 5D mrk iv & 70‑200mm f/2.8l is iii usm combination

JSPhotography — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 05:51:46 GMT

Dear All,

I hope everyone is keeping well?

I am wondering if someone can solve this frustrating issue for me...?

I have a Canon 5D mrk iv with these 3 lenses :-

ef 24-105mm f/4l is ii usm

ef 16-35mm f/2.8l is iii usm

ef 70-200mm f/2.8 is iii usm

My issue is, when I attach and start using the 200mm, even with auto focus and image stabilization on, the focal point of the image isn't perfectly clear once I put on my laptop, even at 70mm range. I previously used this lens with my Canon 5D mrk iii, and have no issue with the focusing.

Strange thing is, both the other 2 lenses with the mrk iv, there is no issue, the images are very sharp on the big screen. Its just the mrk iv & 70-200mm combination I am having trouble with.

Can someone please help??

Many thanks in advance.

James

Re: Incorrect focusing Canon 5D mrk iv & 70‑200mm f/2.8l is iii usm combination

wq9nsc — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 11:02:37 GMT

James,

It sounds like you need to adjust the focus calibration for this lens to your camera. Here is a link to Canon's micro focus adjustment guide: https://cdn.static-bl.com/images/manual/Canon-AF-Micro-Adjust-Guide.pdf

It is a simple process but I use a slightly different procedure to speed things up. I follow the Canon process EXCEPT that I take multiple shots at different offsets in a single test run so that when I examine them on the computer I will either have the exact calibration offset in the set or will know exactly the range that I need to zero in on.

Once I have the target set up, I take images with the micro-adjust set at 0, +3, +5, +8, -3, -5, and -8 and then check on the computer to see which of these is exact or closest.

A yardstick or similar set in the grass makes a good target and the grass blades provide a clear example of where the optimal focus range is located. With a zoom lens, there is a calibration at the wide and tele ends and I would do all of the test images at both ends (a total of 42 test shots in your first run since you will take 3 shots each at each offset for both the 70 and 200 ends).

Shoot in manual mode with the lens wide open (f2.8), single shot AF, with enough shutter speed to avoid shake (in daylight 1/500 or greater should be possible) and set the ISO to auto. Take three shots at each setting just to ensure that you don't make a judgement on a one shot aberration in the AF performance. The micro adjustment offset is contained in the EXIF data so you can clearly identify the offset when looking at the image in DPP.

Rodger

Re: Incorrect focusing Canon 5D mrk iv & 70‑200mm f/2.8l is iii usm combination

JSPhotography — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 12:44:16 GMT

Many thanks Rodger, I will give it a go!

Appreciate your help 😊

Re: Incorrect focusing Canon 5D mrk iv & 70‑200mm f/2.8l is iii usm combination

ebiggs1 — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 14:23:08 GMT

"It sounds like you need to adjust the focus calibration for this lens to your camera."

Hold on there cowboy! Micro focus adjustment isn't the first thing to think about. In fact the better the camera and lens the less it seems to be needed. Of course some lenses do but not many.

"... the focal point of the image isn't perfectly clear once I put on my laptop,..."

What exactly does this mean? WHen you look at a photo is the area just in front of the target in precise focus, or directly behind it? If the answer to that question is, yes, than AFMA, might help. Otherwise it will not. AFMA never makes any lens sharper or better in focus. It can not. A lens is as sharp when it is made as it will ever be. AFMA simply moves that precise focus point forward or backward.

Now if large areas or all the photo seems soft, it is not a AFMA issue. It could just be a DOF issue and that is normal. It could be camera motion, etc, several other things. AFMA is not the first thing to try.

Re: Incorrect focusing Canon 5D mrk iv & 70‑200mm f/2.8l is iii usm combination

JSPhotography — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 16:12:45 GMT

Hi Rodger,

The micro adjustment offset is contained in the EXIF data so you can clearly identify the offset when looking at the image in DPP.

I can't see the above in DPP, where can I find please?

James

Re: Incorrect focusing Canon 5D mrk iv & 70‑200mm f/2.8l is iii usm combination

wq9nsc — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 16:16:57 GMT

Hi James,

Click on (or open) any image in DPP and either click on view in the menu and choose info or press CTRL I with a PC (not sure what the key shortcut is for a Mac).

The window with EXIF data will open and the micro AF adjustment setting used for that shot is about midway down the list of EXIF data in the AF section.

Rodger

Re: Incorrect focusing Canon 5D mrk iv & 70‑200mm f/2.8l is iii usm combination

JSPhotography — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 16:20:37 GMT

Hi Rodger,

Yes I did that, but still cant see anything obvious.(screenshot attached).

James

Re: Incorrect focusing Canon 5D mrk iv & 70‑200mm f/2.8l is iii usm combination

wq9nsc — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 18:39:23 GMT

Hi James,

I am not sure if DPP behaves differently on Apple but it seems like the EXIF data should still be there. Attached is a screenshot from my PC setup.

If it doesn't show up with the Mac version of DPP, you will need to keep track of it by shot (i.e. the first 3 were shot at 0, the next 3 at +3, etc.) however it is sure handy to be able to read it from the EXIF.

On Edit, you might try it with RAW instead (which is how I capture all of images, maybe you will get the full EXIF that way with the Mac version of DPP).

Rodger

Re: Incorrect focusing Canon 5D mrk iv & 70‑200mm f/2.8l is iii usm combination

JSPhotography — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 07:35:53 GMT

OK thanks Rodger, I will try it manually.

Appreciate the help.

James

Re: Incorrect focusing Canon 5D mrk iv & 70‑200mm f/2.8l is iii usm combination

JSPhotography — Sat, 04 Jul 2020 12:19:51 GMT

Hi Rodger,

I had a chance to go out and shoot today with the adjusted lens callobration. Unfortunately its still terribly out of focus, i am a track and field photographer so i photograph fast moving objects, I had the shutterspeed at 800 but still blurry. I attached onto my 5D mrkiii and was perfectly sharp!

I am really lost with this, all my other lenses i tried with both cameras are fine, and the 200mm on the mrkiii is fine, its just the mrkiv with the 200mm is the issue...

James

Re: Incorrect focusing Canon 5D mrk iv & 70‑200mm f/2.8l is iii usm combination

Waddizzle — Sat, 04 Jul 2020 13:24:21 GMT

@JSPhotography wrote:
Hi Rodger,

I had a chance to go out and shoot today with the adjusted lens callobration. Unfortunately its still terribly out of focus, i am a track and field photographer so i photograph fast moving objects, I had the shutterspeed at 800 but still blurry. I attached onto my 5D mrkiii and was perfectly sharp!

I am really lost with this, all my other lenses i tried with both cameras are fine, and the 200mm on the mrkiii is fine, its just the mrkiv with the 200mm is the issue...

James

First and foremost, I would reset and clear out the focus adjustments. I think entering AFMA settings should be a last resort, not a first option. Besides, it is all too easy to enter a bad set of adjustments. It takes a little practice to get it right.

Can you post a sample image that demonstrates the issue? It would be helpful to know the exposure settings, as well as the camera settings like AF mode, drive mode, active AF point(s), as well as the focal length. Basically, the EXIF data.

BTW, I shoot track and field, too. It is a pretty easy sport to shoot.

I had been hoping to see this young lady at the Tokyo Summer Games this year.

Re: Incorrect focusing Canon 5D mrk iv & 70‑200mm f/2.8l is iii usm combination

limvo05 — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 14:37:03 GMT

Here is a very easy video to follow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnywVqecJNI

Good luck!