topic Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

Falketimages — Tue, 10 May 2016 02:29:58 GMT

I would appreciate any help. Not an expert on the subject. Pictures come out very soft, have a hard time adjusting camera & lens. I know that each lens and camera in sync would give different results, but any numbers for MA specially at 200 mm. Thank you to memebers of the forum for the help.

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

digital — Tue, 10 May 2016 02:46:55 GMT

7D or 7D2? What method are you using to MFA? That lens with my 7D2 needs the most MFA out of any Canon I have owned and I have to say I was not impressed. I sent to Canon and they found a misclbrated board. It is better but stll way out to much for my liking.

My MFA numbers are 70mm = +3 and 200mm = +11. Even my 100-400 II only needs +4 at 400.

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

Waddizzle — Tue, 10 May 2016 15:44:52 GMT

@Falketimages wrote:
I would appreciate any help. Not an expert on the subject. Pictures come out very soft, have a hard time adjusting camera & lens. I know that each lens and camera in sync would give different results, but any numbers for MA specially at 200 mm. Thank you to memebers of the forum for the help.

Do a web search for "Dot Tune Method". If you get a hit for a YouTube video called " DotTune: Autofocus fine tuning in under 5 minutes", then that is the one to check out. Download and print out a focus chart if you can, too.

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

digital — Tue, 10 May 2016 16:58:20 GMT

Just wanted to add. Currently with my 5D3 it is -1 and +7. Before sending it in it was +14 with the 5D3 and it would go over +20 with my 7D2. That was usng Dot Tune. After the repair I started to use FoCal but Dot Tune works well.

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

Waddizzle — Tue, 10 May 2016 18:08:20 GMT

@digital wrote:
Just wanted to add. Currently with my 5D3 it is -1 and +7. Before sending it in it was +14 with the 5D3 and it would go over +20 with my 7D2. That was usng Dot Tune. After the repair I started to use FoCal but Dot Tune works well.

Yes, there seems to be some quality control issues on the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.

My recently purchased lens is the same way. In fact, I had to send the first one back because of a loose fit on my 6D. It actually rattled as you tilted the camera up and down. The second one fit properly. It should never be absolutely snug, because the lens and camera need room to breath for thermal contraction and expansion.

However, I think my first lens may have been missing the rubber ring, or grommet, that provides the weather sealing around the connection to the camera body. Last time I'l buy anything from the Big Box store, in the Big Blue buildings, which is supposed to be a reputable Canon dealer. I don't blame Canon. I blame the store chain for poor security, and quality control. I think my first lens had been an open box return. I suspect someone needed that rubber ring.

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

digital — Tue, 10 May 2016 18:17:45 GMT

They may have had a bad batch. I have spent a of money on Canon gear and this is only piece of gear on my I'm not thrilled with it list. I use it but it bugs me. I don't want to sell it because I like the raneg and 2.8/. If I do and replace it it I'll lose money.

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

TTMartin — Wed, 11 May 2016 11:28:29 GMT

@Falketimages wrote:
I would appreciate any help. Not an expert on the subject. Pictures come out very soft, have a hard time adjusting camera & lens. I know that each lens and camera in sync would give different results, but any numbers for MA specially at 200 mm. Thank you to memebers of the forum for the help.

There are no set numbers for Micro Focus Adjustment (MFA).

That is the whole point of MFA there are going to be some variations between lens and camera due to manufacturing tolerances.

If both those variations in camera and lens offset each other you might not even notice them. However if both those varitions amplify each other it is really noticible. If it is correctable with MFA there really isn't anything wrong or bad with the camera or lens.

You've gotten good advice to Google for the DotTune method of MFA, as that works well.

You want to MFA in the kind of light and distances you'll normally be using the camera, Which means if you are photographing football, don't MFA in your house, and expect it to be spot on at the field. That's one reason why I like the DotTune method as you can use it anywhere you have a tripod and a sign to use as a focus target.

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

ebiggs1 — Wed, 11 May 2016 12:07:57 GMT

My ef 70-200mm f2.8L II required nothing. It is perfect.

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

digital — Wed, 11 May 2016 13:22:12 GMT

You are lucky. I got a lemon.

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

ebiggs1 — Wed, 11 May 2016 13:24:46 GMT

Bummer!

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

TTMartin — Wed, 11 May 2016 13:27:58 GMT

@digital wrote:
You are lucky. I got a lemon.

Sounds like after sending it into Canon once it is well within the normal range of MFA. So I wouldn't really call that a 'lemon'. 'Lemon' implies that it had many reoccuring issues and required multiple repairs.

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

Falketimages — Wed, 11 May 2016 17:46:50 GMT

thank you for your input

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

Falketimages — Wed, 11 May 2016 17:47:40 GMT

I have tried but never worked. Thank you

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

Falketimages — Wed, 11 May 2016 17:48:12 GMT

Thanks

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

Falketimages — Wed, 11 May 2016 17:49:18 GMT

thanks, I bought mine from a very reputable store in NY

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

Falketimages — Wed, 11 May 2016 17:50:01 GMT

I feel the same

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

Falketimages — Wed, 11 May 2016 17:52:58 GMT

I have tried using the DotTune method of MFA, but never worked. You are making a very valid point, I will try doing it at the site where I take baseball pictures. Thank you

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

Falketimages — Wed, 11 May 2016 17:53:24 GMT

lucky you

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

Waddizzle — Wed, 11 May 2016 18:01:08 GMT

@Falketimages wrote:
I have tried using the DotTune method of MFA, but never worked. You are making a very valid point, I will try doing it at the site where I take baseball pictures. Thank you

Eh. I don't know how well doing it at the site where you take baseball pictures will work out. Do you have the instructions memorized? It took going through the steps to make one adjustment before I got it memorized, meaning I could come back the next day and do it on another lens without looking up the video again.

Accurately knowing your distances between the camera and the focusing target is crucial for good results. I don't know how well that would work out at your baseball field. I strongly suggest that you try it according to the instructions in the video.

When you take your time, it really works well. Do a web search for a focusing target, so that you can print it out. Making adjustments at a given focal length, but too close, or too far, from the target throws of the AFMA completely.

Be meticulous.

Re: micro adjustment results for canon 7D with 70-200 2.8 IS USM II

kvbarkley — Wed, 11 May 2016 18:08:40 GMT

LensAlign by Michael Tapes is a good hardware solution that takes a lot of guesswork out of it.