RRS Loc: Not sure

Jim, did you do a micro adjustment with the 70-200 or just plug and play?

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

Enjoy it in good health.

jim10ec Loc: KNOXVILLE, TN

Not sure what you mean by "micro adjustment".

RRS Loc: Not sure

Jim you should check your camera with each lens you shoot with. You need to find out if it is front or back focusing. If your shots aren't as sharp as you think they should be that may be the reason. Look up "Lens Align" and read about it and focus tune also. Basically you get a target that you can align by looking through the small hole in the back out to your lens. There's even a distance chart that gives a minimum and a maximum distance. Off to the side is a ruler at about20 degrees and you can look at your shots (files) and see what you need to do to correct it. Look up "micro-adjust" in your camera manual. I know that the 7DMKII has the ability to set two points on a zoom lens to give you the best results and I'm sure that the 1DXMKII does also. I bought the long ruler and the software so I shoot 5 shots at say +5 through maybe +11 and it will show you where your sharpest point is and also show you the best DOF for the lens you are testing. I have been doing this long enough to know where to start. If you are new to this procedure you can start at -20 and adjust by 5 each time until you hit +20. Look at the computer analysis and see where the focus point crosses the "0" line. Now you'd want to retest at a point about 2 down to a point about 2 up to make your final adjustment. After you do this you know that your camera and lens are working as they should and if the images aren't sharp then it's more likely something else that you are doing.

jim10ec Loc: KNOXVILLE, TN

You must be reading my mind - have been so busy since getting this camera that I have not had any time at all to really learn more about the camera. This is the first time that I have had time to really look at the manual, and I was just reading that (microadjustment) and how to use it. Hopefully tomorrow will give me some time to really dig into that and go from there. Don't let anyone tell you that retirement will give you lots of time to "play around" because it hasn't worked for me. Maybe I am just too involved to really be retired.

Anyway - thanks for you reply, I will eventually get this camera set up correct and the "microadjustment" is certainly on my list. Only had a chance to use the camera this weekend at the hockey game and then haven't had a chance to even pick it up....

Thanks - appreciate it!

RRS Loc: Not sure

Have fun Jim, I too am retired for over 10 years now. If I was close I'd be glad to help you do that alignment. Most of the photographers that I know have someone else do the micro-adjustment, fine tune for Nikon, if it's needed. I started with the basic Lens Align, bought the long ruler due to using long lenses and finely bought the software. If your shooting at max aperture you will most likely see if the alignment is off but if you shooting always in good light at f/8.0 and up you could be a little off and never see it. I did like your two new hockey shots that you posted.

jim10ec Loc: KNOXVILLE, TN

Thanks RSS - I am going on 11 years here and just loving every minute of it. I enjoy keeping busy doing whatever I can, although my medical problems do kind of keep me a little slowed down. At 76, I look forward to every day and just whatever it has in store for me - although so many Dr's appts at times that keep me off track. Hope you are enjoying your retirement also.

rafikiphoto Loc: Spain

I found this which might add another pesrpective too:
http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/app/pdfs/quickguides/CDLC_Accurate_EOS_AF_QuickGuide.pdf

jim10ec Loc: KNOXVILLE, TN

I have went through the micro adjustment on one of my lens but surfing through the internet there are several different programs to purchase that makes this somewhat easier. Do you have any recommendations for what to purchase because I have several lenses that I want to micro adjust? Thanks RSS - appreciate your recommendations.

rafikiphoto Loc: Spain

I am looking for a solution too Jim. So far I have seen good reports of FoCal http://www.reikan.co.uk/focalweb/ and I am asking around for alternatives.

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

Agree 100%. Did you ever see a luggage rack or trailer hitch on a hearse?

jim10ec Loc: KNOXVILLE, TN

The only lens that I have went through micro adjustment is the 70-200, haven't had time to work other lens's. I have noticed a few advertisements for programs that do this and really wanting to find out what anyone else might have experienced with one (or more) of them. Appreciate any review's on one or all of these products.

Jim

jim10ec Loc: KNOXVILLE, TN

Thought you might like a picture from Saturdays hockey game that had a Star wars night. This was one of my favorite shots. Storm Trooper.

(Download)

rafikiphoto Loc: Spain

Well, I bought FoCal Pro today. I have run my 100-400L and Sigma 300mm f2.8 through it so far including separate analyses with the tele-extenders attached. The Sigma 300mm plus the Canon 2x II extender balked a couple of times with communication errors but after wiggling the interfaces around it all worked OK. There were adjustments needed to both lenses and the extenders. Initial shots post-adjustment show improvement. I found it easy to use. My EOS 5DSR is similar to your 1DX MkII, Jim, in that the software is only semi-automatic requiring user input during the analysis but if you are familiar with the Micro-Adjustment menu which I guess you are having done a manual adjustment yourself then it will not be a problem for you. I have my two shorter zoom lenses still to do and I'll have a go at them tomorrow. Incidentally the programme allows adjustment for both the short and long end of zooms.Each lens took about 10-15 minutes to adjust.

Hope this helps Jim. Get back to me if you have any questions.

jim10ec Loc: KNOXVILLE, TN

Thanks rafikiphoto - sure glad to hear that.... that is one that I had my eye on so glad to hear it worked for you. Will be ordering it soon and giving it a try. Thanks Again!