I have soft focus issues with my camera
Camera Clinic receives many inquires regarding focus issues. These issues can relate to the camera, lenses or user.
This is a common issue customers have with their equipment causing major problems.
There are many variables to focus and resolution:
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Edge to edge to sharpness |
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Back focusing |
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Forward focusing |
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Resolution |
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User movement |
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Overall softness |
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Customers expectations of their equipment |
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Using older - non digital lenses on digital cameras |
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Using non genuine lenses on your camera |
Customers sample images are most helpful.
Recently I received an email from a customer asking:
Customers question:
I have a Canon 400D that I believe has soft focus issues. Images do not appear nearly as sharp as they used to. I would like to bring the camera in to be checked and tuned, however I am not sure whether I should bring in all of my lenses at the same time so that everything can be dialled in. I have the following lenses.
Canon 50mm F/1.8
Canon 10-22mm EF-S
Canon 17-55mm EF-S IS F/2.8
Sigma 50-500mm EX
The soft focus looks to be a problem with all of the lenses. Would you recommend that I bring the whole kit in and if so, do you have any idea what I can expect to pay?
Camera Clinic answer:
For the best results we highly recommend you bring in the whole kit. We will test all the lenses on the camera and adjust only the lenses that require adjustment.
The cost goes on the time it takes to do the adjustment – we are unable to supply customers with a quote as it based on the time it takes. Often in these cases, adjustments are needed to the body and multiple lenses.
Cost:
Estimation only: starting from one body and lens $130.00 to $165.00
Estimation only: one body and several lenses $165.00 to $330.00
The costing is only charged on the time it takes not all of the equipment will need adjustment.
This is a small cost when you are responsible for some ones images.
Some lenses may be already be adjusted to there full limit and can not be improved.
Some new model cameras do have an adjustment facility for focal correction, you can apply this through the camera.
The process of testing and calibration is:
Camera Body:
We test the focus of the body using our factory calibrated test lens and specific test targets. If calibration is required to the camera body, then we use the camera's specific service software to perform the necessary adjustments.
Once we have adjusted the focus under "lab" conditions, we then take several shots in normal shooting environments to confirm the adjustments.
Lens:
We test each lens across the full focal range as there can be focal variations, Eg: 24-70 - the 24 mm end may be sharp and 70 mm end the focus is out.
We test for edge to edge resolution, focus point (back/forward focus), and we also check for dust, fungus etc.
To test the focus point, we once again use factory specified targets and in most cases we use the lens service software to perform any necessary adjustments.
To test the resolution we use a projection system which projects a resolution chart through the lens optics onto a 4m wall. This enables us to easily check edge to edge resolution across the full focal range.
Camera Clinic's focal/resolution testing.
The general turn around 3 to 5 days
To apply focal adjustments we need to have the calibration software for the camera and/or lens. Please phone or email us for conformation for your equipment.
If you choose to bring the camera and lenses in please email or phone ahead and we will pre-book in your focal calibration adjustment.
Camera Clinic like to refer to focal calibrations as tweaking perfection.
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