Fine Tune A Lens: Many cameras now have a way of fine tuning your lens to get sharper photos with that camera. Let's say your camera is front focusing, so you fine tune it. I was...

leftyD500 Loc: Ocala, Florida

Many cameras now have a way of fine tuning your lens to get sharper photos with that camera. Let's say your camera is front focusing, so you fine tune it. I was wondering, is the adjustment made in the lens, or in the camera's focusing system? Also, if adjustment is made in the lens focus system, will the new focus be affected when you put that lens on a different camera? I think you might have to fine tune that lens when you put it on a different camera, but I am not sure. I appreciate any help one might shed on my query.

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

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Ollieboy

Tom DePuy wrote:

Excellent question,
you got my interest, so I'm going to tag along.
I'd like to hear the answer also.

Tom

If I'm not mistaken, the adjustment is stored in the camera for that lens.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

jradose wrote:

Many cameras now have a way of fine tuning your l... (show quote)

One good source of information is your camera manual. Agreed, no camera manual really speaks to these clear questions with clear answers, but some are addressed.

Fine-tuning the camera's AF for a specific lens is camera specific. Most cameras record the lens S/N so the tuning is specific to the specific lens, not just the model lens. The tuning for Lens-1234 on Camera-01 is completely independent / zero impact when Lens-1234 is mounted to Camera-02.

jwreed50 Loc: Manassas, VA

The calibration adjustment is saved to the software in that camera and it is unique to that camera and lens combination. The same lens on a different camera (even if the same model) might well have a different autofocus adjustment correction. Cameras and lenses are built to a certain tolerance range, and thus each camera + lens combo can have a focus adjustment that varies according to the specific camera and lens used.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

This article may help: https://photographylife.com/how-phase-detection-autofocus-works

Joe

CO

The AF fine tuning is stored in the camera. Nikon cameras can store up to 20 lenses. The camera will read the chip inside the lens and automatically recall the fine tuning value for that lens.

Tamron has their TAP-in console and Sigma has their USB Dock. You can do firmware updates and fine tune the lenses.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

jradose wrote:

Many cameras now have a way of fine tuning your l... (show quote)

Unless you have a Tamron or Sigma lens with a dock, you cannot adjust the lens. Some cameras offer a simplistic focus offset feature that allows you to correct the focus for one distance and one focal length. This is ok in a pinch, but not as a permanent solution. Focus issues are rarely linear in nature - that is to say that a lens can be front focusing accurately focusing and rear focusing depending on focus distance and focal length if using a zoom. So, if you suspect there is an issue with focus, determine if it is the lens or the camera, then send in the problem item to the manufacturer. If you have multiple camera bodies, it's really the best way to go. If your cameras and lenses are within spec, you'll be fine. Otherwise you'll drive yourself crazy chasing after minuscule focus irregularities. I've got 2 doz lenses and 4 camera bodies, and none require fine tuning, though some have been adjusted/returned to spec by Nikon, Sigma or Tamron.

uhaas2009

The finetune will be saved in your camera. My nikon 7000 i realised a lot of lenses dont focus right and with my 810 i don't have this problem at all. My 7000 need to be send to repair and not adjust the lens.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

jradose wrote:

Many cameras now have a way of fine tuning your l... (show quote)

Fine tuning on a lens is done in the camera for only that camera. If you mount that same lens on another camera you may find it does something different on that camera so you will have to fine turn that lens for that body.
I always recommend not trying to fine tune a lens with a aperture over 4 because your lens probably will not be in a situation where you need it.
And remember, you can only fine turn for ONE distance, no matter what folks counter with here, you can only fine turn for ONE distance.
I have owned and shot over 100 Nikon lenses on over 12 digital Nikon bodies and I have yet found a need to fine tune a lens.
I always tell folks to really be careful if they attempt it, they may find them selves with a lens that has become worse because of a bad fine tuning attempt.
It it ain't broke, don't fix it.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

It depends. If you adjust fine tuning in the camera it saves it in the camera. If you’re using the dock with a Tamron or Sigma lens, it saves it in the lens. And yes, with that it is camera specific. I know with the Tamron you can export the profile and save it so you can have several and load the profile for the camera you’ll be using it on.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

It depends. If you adjust fine tuning in the camera it saves it in the camera. If you’re using the dock with a Tamron or Sigma lens, it saves it in the lens. And yes, with that it is camera specific. I know with the Tamron you can export the profile and save it so you can have several and load the profile for the camera you’ll be using it on.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

billnikon wrote:

Fine tuning on a lens is done in the camera for on... (show quote)

I agree with the notion of fine tuning as being unnecessary in most cases. But if you've ever done the in body fine tuning, there is no reason to be careful of making a bad fine tuning attempt - it is 100% reversible by cancelling/deleting the tuning profile you make for that lens. However, testing lenses is always a good idea, just to make sure there are no issues. If an issue is found, it is best handled by the camera techs who have better tools to detect and fix focus issues.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Gene51 wrote:

I agree with the notion of fine tuning as being unnecessary in most cases. But if you've ever done the in body fine tuning, there is no reason to be careful of making a bad fine tuning attempt - it is 100% reversible by cancelling/deleting the tuning profile you make for that lens. However, testing lenses is always a good idea, just to make sure there are no issues. If an issue is found, it is best handled by the camera techs who have better tools to detect and fix focus issues.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Lens calibration is code for focusing placebo.