Micro-adjustments and sharp lenses. Test results: After postulating the benefits of Micro-adjusting lenses and bodies I took my own advice and did a very intensive testing session on...

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

After postulating the benefits of Micro-adjusting lenses and bodies I took my own advice and did a very intensive testing session on the 7D MkII and my 25 year old design, 400, f/5.6 'L' and the 70-300 'L'. I had done this on the 5D MkIII but since I was so pleased with the images of the 7D2 I hadn't bothered, until last Sunday. I spent hours on it and today was test day. The following shots were taken with the 70-300. I'll post 8 images here and with the last image I'll reveal what the settings were. When you start shooting with any adjustment capable body, the settings are at the default of "0". The adjustment range is from -20 to +20 in increments of one.

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Here are the settings I had to use for best results. "0" nada, nil, nothing. This is the first camera I've owned that required nothing. My 5D3 did require some but not this one.

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jwt Loc: Texas Hill Country

Beautiful set Joe; all are tack sharp and clear. Great job! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

flyguy Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico

jwt wrote:

Beautiful set Joe; all are tack sharp and clear. Great job! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I agree with jwt --- looks like you have the perfect set -up.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Really nice, Joe. The sharpness is great, I think. Normally, I'm not much of a bird guy, but I really appreciate this set of photos, especially the cardinals.

angela k Loc: Long Island

Absolutely gorgeous, sharp shots of a beautiful birds!!
Excellent Joe!!!
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

As one who believes whole-heartedly in tack sharp photos, I laud you for your performance here. I know that I will own the 7D MK II by the end of the year, but it's getting harder and harder to put off, waiting for the "new" price to come down a bit. I'm hoping when the new Canon 50MP 5D's come out, there will be a bit of a slack off.

Are you considering the new 5D? I own a 5D MK III at the moment and am quite happy to stay here for a while.

Pierre H.J. Dumais Loc: Mississippi Mills, Ont.

You're making me feel guilty Joe. I should do a test of two of my work horses (a prime 300 f4 and the 18-300 f5.6) that I use on the D7100. They both perform well, but who knows. Maybe they'd be even better with a little tweek.
I'm curious how your 400 F5.6 L did. If memory serves me right, it is one of your favs.
Thanks for sharing this.

Pierre

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

jwt wrote:

Beautiful set Joe; all are tack sharp and clear. Great job! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Thank you very much Jim.

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

flyguy wrote:

I agree with jwt --- looks like you have the perfect set -up.

It appears to be working Guy. Thanks.

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

jaymatt wrote:

Really nice, Joe. The sharpness is great, I think. Normally, I'm not much of a bird guy, but I really appreciate this set of photos, especially the cardinals.

I'm glad you looked in John. Thank you.

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

angela k wrote:

Absolutely gorgeous, sharp shots of a beautiful birds!!
Excellent Joe!!!
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Thank you so much Angela. Much appreciated.

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

Bob Yankle wrote:

As one who believes whole-heartedly in tack sharp photos, I laud you for your performance here. I know that I will own the 7D MK II by the end of the year, but it's getting harder and harder to put off, waiting for the "new" price to come down a bit. I'm hoping when the new Canon 50MP 5D's come out, there will be a bit of a slack off.

Are you considering the new 5D? I own a 5D MK III at the moment and am quite happy to stay here for a while.

You won't be sorry if you get the MkII, Bob. It's a sensational camera. NO I'm not considering the new 5D. I think it will make a fantastic landscape and studio camera but it wouldn't fit very well, with what I do. The file sizes will be huge and I shoot way too many shots on any given day. I'm looking forward to seeing what it will produce but I won't be the one taking the pictures. My 5D MkIII will do me well for the amount of static images I shoot and the 7D2 for in flights. Let me know when you're getting the new toy.

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

Pierre H.J. Dumais wrote:

You're making me feel guilty Joe. I should do a test of two of my work horses (a prime 300 f4 and the 18-300 f5.6) that I use on the D7100. They both perform well, but who knows. Maybe they'd be even better with a little tweek.
I'm curious how your 400 F5.6 L did. If memory serves me right, it is one of your favs.
Thanks for sharing this.

Pierre

Don't know why you're feeling guilty Pierre. You're doing OK. I don't know much about the Nikon line but I'm quite sure D7100 doesn't allow micro-adjustments but I stand to be corrected. As to your question. Yes, the 400mm, f/5.6 is still very much a favourite of mine but I mainly use it on in flight shots. For statics, the little zoom (70-300mm, 'L') has taken over. Thanks my friend. Say Hi to Sandra for me. BTW I was listening to her voice on the way back from Cobourg today. So peaceful.

Pierre H.J. Dumais Loc: Mississippi Mills, Ont.

Joe F.N. wrote:

Don't know why you're feeling guilty Pierre. You're doing OK. I don't know much about the Nikon line but I'm quite sure D7100 doesn't allow micro-adjustments but I stand to be corrected. As to your question. Yes, the 400mm, f/5.6 is still very much a favourite of mine but I mainly use it on in flight shots. For statics, the little zoom (70-300mm, 'L') has taken over. Thanks my friend. Say Hi to Sandra for me. BTW I was listening to her voice on the way back from Cobourg today. So peaceful.

Sandra is so pleased that you are enjoying her music. She is getting a lot of good response to her CD. She says Hi!

On the D7100 I can adjust front or back focus, but that is not necessary with Nikon lenses on Nikon cameras. Regardless, I thought this is what you were testing for.
Stay warm and safe Joe.

Pierre

terryt3 Loc: orlando, fla

Excellent pictures, Canon should use you in their promotions. What were you using before this camera?