D7200 AF Fine Tune for Sigma 18-300
Jul 14, 2015 15:48:48 #
When I bought the Sigma for my previous camera, a D5200, I also got the USB dock. After lots of test shooting at different focal lengths, I decided it was sharp and needed no tuning. The USB dock and software can tune up to four different focal lengths for this lens. I got one of the first D7200 bodies here in Austin a few months ago and I think some of my shots could be sharper. Here's my dilemma. Do I take all of my test shots and then tune the lens with the USB dock so it's right for this body (I sold my D5200, so it's not an issue)? Or, do I AF Fine Tune it in the camera? My understanding is I can have up to 12 different lenses stored in the camera, so I could do a tuning for several focal lengths and save them each as if they were a different lens. Thanks in advance for help from wiser and more experienced Hogs!
Jul 14, 2015 16:01:25 #
Mr PC wrote:
When I bought the Sigma for my previous camera, a ... (show quote)
No experience with a USB Dock for the Sigma's, but isn't the USB Dock for firmware updates for the lens and to adjust the lens. The AF fine tune in camera is fine tuning the lens on the camera, so I would think that as long as the lens in in spec the AF fine tune in camera would be the better tuning since it takes into account the focusing the camera does thru the lens.
After all, it is the camera that focuses by turning the focus screw on the lens, not the lens.
Jul 14, 2015 18:27:42 #
Mr PC wrote:
When I bought the Sigma for my previous camera, a ... (show quote)
First you should TEST the lens to see if it actually NEEDS any tuning at all. Don't get carried away tuning if its not needed. The Sigma USB Dock system is wonderful and I feel it will force all manufacturers to eventually offer this option.
Jul 14, 2015 20:37:20 #
ClutchDisk
Loc: Fayetteville, NC
How are you taking your test shots and are you referring to front and back focus or overall ? MT Shooter is right, make sure, test the camera and lens properly.
Jul 14, 2015 20:44:24 #
MT Shooter wrote:
First you should TEST the lens to see if it actually NEEDS any tuning at all. Don't get carried away tuning if its not needed. The Sigma USB Dock system is wonderful and I feel it will force all manufacturers to eventually offer this option.
I'll take that bet. Until the docking system is easy enough for mass market consumers to use without a lot of work, it will catch on about as quickly as 3D TV.
Jul 14, 2015 22:02:17 #
I've been playing with Jeffrey Friedl's focus chart and I think I'm back focusing slightly. I saw an article that stated that camera and lens manufacturers have tolerances and if your body and lens match perfectly, great. But if either or both are at the outer limits of the specs, focus could be off and needs to be adjusted. Hence my question, better to adjust with the dock or the camera? As for the screw focusing this lens, my understanding is that the focusing mechanism is built into AF-S lenses and it's electronically controlled. I thought the screw mechanism in the body was only for older AF lenses. Am I wrong on that? Inquiring minds want to know. Anyway, I'm going to do some more controlled tests from a tripod and will figure it out from there. Thanks for the good advice from guys that I really respect.
Jul 14, 2015 22:12:16 #
Mr PC wrote:
I've been playing with Jeffrey Friedl's focus char... (show quote)
Since you have a Sigma AND the dock, use it and do not worry about the in-camera tuning.
In camera tuning WILL work with older screw drive AT lenses, but none of those are compatible with the dock no matter what the brand of the lens. Your lens does not have screw drive AF at all, just look at its mount.
Jul 14, 2015 22:17:00 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Since you have a Sigma AND the dock, use it and do not worry about the in-camera tuning.
In camera tuning WILL work with older screw drive AT lenses, but none of those are compatible with the dock no matter what the brand of the lens. Your lens does not have screw drive AF at all, just look at its mount.
In camera tuning WILL work with older screw drive AT lenses, but none of those are compatible with the dock no matter what the brand of the lens. Your lens does not have screw drive AF at all, just look at its mount.
Thanks for confirming that MT and I'll take your advice to test, test and test some more to make sure if things really are a little off. It very well could be my techniques coming from a D5200 to the D7200. Still learning every day!
Jul 15, 2015 08:08:22 #
The Villages
Loc: The Villages, Florida
MT Shooter wrote:
First you should TEST the lens to see if it actually NEEDS any tuning at all. Don't get carried away tuning if its not needed. The Sigma USB Dock system is wonderful and I feel it will force all manufacturers to eventually offer this option.
Mt: Just for future reference -
IF a zoom lens needs tuning, and you do it within the camera, do you adjust for the lens as a whole, or do you have to adjust for each & every focal length?
Appreciate your feedback.
Jul 15, 2015 08:11:02 #
Mr PC wrote:
I've been playing with Jeffrey Friedl's focus char... (show quote)
Just to be clear - my comment regarding the screw focus was meant to mean it is the camera doing the focusing, not the lens, either by electronic/electrical signals to the built in focusing motor, or via the screw using the built in motor of the camera.
I am curious how well the usb adjustments can take into account the camera focus settings if in camera AF is not used.
Jul 15, 2015 08:50:28 #
PCity wrote:
Mt: Just for future reference -
IF a zoom lens needs tuning, and you do it within the camera, do you adjust for the lens as a whole, or do you have to adjust for each & every focal length?
Appreciate your feedback.
IF a zoom lens needs tuning, and you do it within the camera, do you adjust for the lens as a whole, or do you have to adjust for each & every focal length?
Appreciate your feedback.
In camera tuning will only tune at ONE focal length. I recommend tuning at the focal length that you use a particular lens most often. Some cameras allow for tuning at two focal lengths, but this is actually a false tuning method because if the tune needed at the two lengths is different, the camera does not make a gradual change between those settings. It merely takes the two adjustments, computes an avetage, and applies that average to the whole focal range. This can result in tuning that may be worse than no tuning at all if the two settings are far enough apart. (For example, a +2 setting at the wide end and a +8 setting at the long end will cause the camera to apply a +5 adjustment to the entire focal range of the lens.)
Jul 15, 2015 08:52:37 #
Dngallagher wrote:
Just to be clear - my comment regarding the screw focus was meant to mean it is the camera doing the focusing, not the lens, either by electronic/electrical signals to the built in focusing motor, or via the screw using the built in motor of the camera.
I am curious how well the usb adjustments can take into account the camera focus settings if in camera AF is not used.
I am curious how well the usb adjustments can take into account the camera focus settings if in camera AF is not used.
In camera AF is always used, no lens has a focus sensor.
Jul 15, 2015 08:54:46 #
MT Shooter wrote:
In camera AF is always used, no lens has a focus sensor.
I meant in camera AF fine tune... sorry...;)
Jul 15, 2015 08:58:17 #
Dngallagher wrote:
I meant in camera AF fine tune... sorry...;)
So exactly what is your question?
Jul 15, 2015 09:05:45 #
The Villages
Loc: The Villages, Florida
MT Shooter wrote:
In camera tuning will only tune at ONE focal lengt... (show quote)
As always, appreciate your knowledeable insight. Just to clarify further, is there a method (if really needed) to adjust a zoom lens as a whole? I don't know what the USB dock is all about, but is that an altrnative to focusing the "whole" lens?
:thumbup:
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