How to calibrate lens autofocus WITHOUT buying a tool! [Lens Calibration Tip]

[@statwizard]

3 years old, and still extremely helpful today. Thank you for this key information at virtually no cost. 👍👍

[@VisualEducationStudio]

A lot of the same questions or comments keep coming up so I'm listing them here and pinning answers as unfortunately we don't have time to keep answering all the same questions: 1. Q. Mirrorless cameras don't need calibrating! 1. A. Yes we get it :) this video shows a DSLR, there are lots more DSLRs than mirrorless cameras and we're pretty sure the DSLR users will be happy as they're not all queuing up to buy a mirrorless. 2. Q. Can you AF calibrate zoom lenses? 2. A. Yes with certain cameras you can as they have two point lens calibration, check in your menu 3. Q. There's software and tools you can buy to do this! 3. A. Yes there is. That's why I showed you how to do it without. 4. Q. It looks like you pulled the focus back too far and the number 19 was sharper than the 20? 4. A. Maybe I did but that does not in any way detriment the effectiveness of this video in showing people what to do. 5. Q. I read that that calibration should be done at a much greater distance 5. A. I'm happier calibrating lenses at the distance i'm most likely to be shooting with them. 6. Q. Why did you use a thin line on it's own to focus and not the rulers? 6. A. To make sure the camera had no choice but to focus on the line and nothing else 7. Q. Did you then switch to manual focus before you took the shot, in case it refocused on the rulers? 7. A. Yes.

[@mikeparker9812]

Thanks, 2 has answered my question, and I learnt more from some of the others 👍

[@leifnilsen6107]

Thank you. I'm a very big fan of your work.

[@dongerramarco9617]

thank god i got both technologies

[@SergSpace]

" Mirrorless cameras don't need calibrating" - Wait till you put Tamron on. Then you gotta buy Tap -in console for calibration

[@Anvilshock]

On such small differences in focus, the thickness of the rulers starts to matter, though. Thick rulers bring farther numbers a little bit back into focus, so, your results may be off again minutely. Not hugely, but enough that it can matter again. That's why a printed ruler that's necessarily at the same height as the focused line is that little edge better than physical rulers.

[@Smokingstrobes]

Explained very well. Let me share this with my list tonight.

[@jamesgerboc]

It’s important to reinforce the need to assure your board and rulers are flat. Any bowing or curvature will impact your results.

[@kanarie93]

put a piece of glass on the table, and work on the glass, thats 99.999% flat made, "flatter" then most tables at least

[@LoveLunaFam]

This is literally the best video I’ve ever seen on the subject. Thank you so much because I could not figure out why my pictures are not coming out sharp with my new camera.

[@ravindra7421]

Make sure select calibrate 'by lense' and not 'by distance'. otherwise the other lenses will become out of focus I suspect.

[@ColoursofLight]

Thats sooo Useful tip, I have struggled with the same problem for a very long time and didn't know what the problem was. Thank you Guru Taylor !!

[@Ashley-rj8up]

Just did this with mew new Canon 500mm F4 Mark I. I had made a white board out of 4 pieces of A3 taped together and place my camera and tripod quite far on the floor in the distance. Focused on the line, then Manual focused to make sure it was not in focus, switched back to AF focused on the line, took a snap. then placed the rulers took a snap, both sides 10cm was pin sharp and 8 was blurry, 9 was sharper and same on 11 and 12. Fantastic guide. Subscribed!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thanks Ashley

[@StunnafulPhotography]

WOW! Probably one of the BEST educational photography clips I'd seen on KZbin since I'd been a photographer! Excellent video!

[@masterplus6002]

Great video. So... once it focuses on the line, do you change it back to manual to lock it, or do you let the autofoucs try to focus the line between the rulers after you adjust the number?

[@GuidoNietmann]

best photography teacher in the world. Thanks Karl!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

My pleasure!

[@luistunonjr.304]

Many thanks Karl. That's exactly what I've been doing this week with some of my older but most liked lenses and everyone else simply makes it so extremely complicated and at the end tries to sell you some sort of tool of which I now have a collection of and enough to open my own online store. Thanks again.

[@glamourseeker]

Hello!! I am VERY glad to see you do a complete video on this, as I have been getting contradictory information on the importance of this procedure for each lens that you have a focus issue with, isolating the possibility of camera damage! If a level of photographer such as yourself does not consider it rubbish, then I feel much better continuing to eschew the importance of knowing - and performing - this procedure to my “followers” who question best practices for obtaining the highest quality images they can obtain with their equipment. Take care, and I am looking forward to devouring all that you and your team is making available on your education site! BLAYZE! USA!

[@mntdronesolutions]

Thank you for the information and for taking the time to make a video to share it!

[@ironmike2732]

Thank you, you have explained very well, how simply and inexpensively this process can be done! This tutorial has helped me to simply calibrate a rear focused lens on my camera. Cheers!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad it helped!

[@Just-a-bystander]

Your videos are such a great resource. Explained simply and precisely.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

I appreciate that!

[@Tsukiyoml]

Hi Karl! Once calibrated the lens. Only the calibration setting will be applied onto the lens calibrated. There is nothing to worry about when I am using other lenses. Am I right?

[@klaudiazarebska7047]

You're the best! I calibrated my lens perfectly thanks to your tips

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you, glad it was useful.

[@bobcostas7578]

How often should we calibrate? I've heard also that when driving and the lens is packed away and shaking in the vehicle, that can throw out the focus also

[@billmeador215]

Great tip, gonna set up and run through all my primes. Now, the important question.....what about Zoom lenses? What aperture and what zoom ratio do you choose for the calibration......i.e. with an 18-300 for example do you set to 18 where the max aperture is or zoom in where the max telephoto effect it.........or does this even work with zoom lenses? Please advise, as I depend on zooms for wildlife photos! Thanks.......

[@spennerFX]

This post is from one year ago, have you tried this yourself yet?

[@sjdyt]

Excellent and clear explanation on how to do this, thanks.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rjc2512]

When calibrating a Zoom Lens, what focal length should I use, Wide, Midway, or Longest?

[@joshuaprietophoto]

Unfortunately it often differs between the focal lengths. My 100-400mm Canon lens is about -4 on the short end and -8 on the long end. Makes more work, but it is well worth it. Longer telephotos also degrade focus I find the micro adjustment needs readjusting every year or so, depending on how much you use the lens and camera.

[@zollieuncle9647]

Thank you so much Karl, this was very useful, so that I could avoid investing into an AF calibration tool, not to mention returning lenses along with a dispute procedure. The calibration tools I have seen always had the ruler stricktly set to a 45 degree angle relative to the plain of focus. In your tutorial there was little attention paid to that angle; does that setting play a critical role at all?

[@LuBrown]

Great video. Do I need to calibrate the Camera for instance Canon 5D? How do I do that if the lens isn't calibrated yet?

[@JGZphotography]

Why fuss with rulers? I use a yellow tennis ball with a large X mark and lay the ball on the grass or any rough surface, set the camera mode in Manual, open the aperture to max open, adjust ISO/shutter speed for a decent exposure, AF can be on either Single or Servo (I use servo as I shoot action sports), snap a shot focused on the X mark at about a 30-degree angle (distance from the ball depends on lens focal length and then zoom in on the LCD to view where the center of focus falls. If the center of focus is in front of the ball (front focus) or behind the ball (back focus), then make the adjustment as described in the video. If calibrating for a zoom lens, Canon gives the options to adjust for Telephoto and Wide). As a note, there might be a slight interaction in the extreme ranges, so additional fine-tuning may be required. For Nikon users, only a single adjustment for zooms, and I recommend calibration at the max zoom, where the depth of field is narrower than at wide-angle. Mirrorless cameras do not have such calibration adjustments as they AF at the image sensor, rather through the prismatic glass system into a separate focus sensor.

[@inamurato]

Super timing! I've been lately suffering from misfocus on some lenses. Great, thanks!

[@JB-ou6fl]

Thanks Karl. This video is very helpful for me.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

You are welcome

[@stiofanmacthomais]

Brilliantly simple Karl. Great video!

[@SimonPhillipsPhoto]

Thank you Karl this was really use full, I'll have to do this on one of my lenses I've had a bit of hit and misses with when it comes to auto focus.

[@cooksnj]

Thank you for taking the time to do this.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

My pleasure!

[@DennisKapatos]

For those of you still using DSLR's, you should know that lens adjustments like this are not necessary for mirrorless cameras at all - even when using a DSLR lens adapted to a mirrorless camera with an autofocusing adapter. This is also partly the reason why 3rd party lenses will work better on mirrorless than DSLR's (no adjustments necessary). In fact, many people who have had reservations about using 3rd party lenses on DSLR's in the past because of AF concerns, are now finding them focusing as well as native lenses. Mirrorless lenses can also autofocus at larger apertures than 2.8 (unlike DSLR's which have to stop down to 2.8 briefly). This itself can lead to more reliably sharp photos at wide apertures. I feel like a video about lens mirco adjustment in 2020 are remiss if they don't mention these points.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

There are still many more people using DSLRs than mirrorless cameras so this is of course useful information to those. I use both systems (Sony, Canon and Hasselblad) and personally I still prefer seeing the actual photons compared with a small tv screen.

[@DennisKapatos]

@@VisualEducationStudio indeed this is super useful information and well presented. I had trouble focusing a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 zoom on my wife's Nikon which was unfortunately because that was a killer lens and I missed focus on a ton of great shots while on a medical mission in Haiti. Part of the problem is that many DSLR's out there (probably the majority of them when you consider what DSLR's are top selling ones) are unable to make these lens adjustments because Canon and Nikon didn't see fit to provide this capability to the more affordable models (booo). The other part of the problem is that performing these micro adjustments doesn't always fully correct the AF issues with the lens. Anyway, I sold the lens and camera and now my wife shoots mirrorless along with me. I can't wait until Sigma makes version of their 1.8 zooms optimized for mirrorless cameras because I'm sure the well-known focusing issues of these lenses will be behind us and we can just focus on getting some great shots instead of worrying about micro adjustments etc. Great job on the video though. Cheers.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

@@dancos2002 I've got a Sony A7 and I've shot with the Hasselblad X1D, both mirrorless cameras and there's lots of plus points but I still prefer a prism than an EVF, although as they improve I might change my mind. With regards the eye AF there were two Canon cameras the Eos-3 and Eos-5 that both tracked the photographers eye to see where he or she was looking and use that to activate a focus point. That tech was some 20 years ago but I hear that Canon are brining it back into one of their new mirrorless cameras maybe that will be interesting.

[@Mike_Roman]

Hello, I can't find this menue with Hasselblad H5D 50C, any recommendation on how I can calibrate the lens please.

[@kreygscott]

Another brilliant video Karl. Thanks for sharing mate.

[@jswinsphoto]

Love this super east way of doing the AF Tune. I just got a new 85 this afternoon... it was out by -18 right outta the box!! WOOF! Thanks for amazing content as always Sir! - J

[@LTdammit]

Very helpful and simply put video. Thanks for the info, hope it works for me!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Best of luck!

[@samdub]

I had no idea it was this simple. Thanks for sharing!

[@midhunmk458]

Is there any difference in executing this in Nikon?

[@bcvacic698]

Hi. Can you please tell me What tripod and ball head are you using in this video. Thanks

[@johnl4469]

Thanks Karl, brilliant mate.

[@MotoRich900]

I use the Dot Tune method, works really well, BUT getting into mirrorless eliminates any need for lens calibration.

[@cdmikelis]

Does it?

[@tomsg3240]

DSLR is prone to back and front focusing . Mirrorless system does not have this issue.

[@leifnilsen6107]

Actually that is false. I have ran into some lens on my Sony and Nikon Z6 that needed adjustment. Mostly adaptive lens or off brand. So far not primary lens.

[@TechnoBabble]

@@leifnilsen6107 Sony doesn't allow you to adjust lenses... A mirrorless camera can't miss focus in the same way a DSLR does because the autofocus is happening right on the imaging sensor. If you're missing focus it's either your settings, the lens itself doesn't have a good hit rate not good communication with the body, or the body itself doesn't measure that distance well. None of those issues can be fixed with the type of adjustments you make on a DSLR.

[@adrianhydephotography]

So helpful wonderful video and so well presented straight to the point. Thanks so much for uploading.

[@JTDriftdotcom]

After you placed the rulers back, did you switch out of AF and back to MF before taking the photo? Otherwise would the camera not have auto-focused again for that photo which defeats the point of earlier focusing on the line without the rulers?

[@j777]

Do you really want to refocus after adding the rulers, or should you switch to manual and keep the camera focused where it was when you only had the line to focus on? Maybe you did and I missed it.

[@azshleavia2933]

This helped me..thanks Karl 😊

[@robsonoliveira8867]

Great tips Karl!!! it Helps a lot!!!!

[@VamshidharVarma]

Great video Karl. I have EOS R5 but cannot find an option for micro adjustment at all to calibrate my lens

[@mhc2b]

This technique works great AS LONG AS your camera has focus-calibration capabilities. I, like you, am a Hasselblad shooter, which, to my knowledge, does not offer focus calibration. Or does it?? I would presume our only option, should it ever be needed, would be to send it back to the factory for calibration.

[@lockness3723]

Also it will help if one uses some masking tape to secure the white board to prevent movement.

[@paragparelkarphotography]

Hi, How did you calculate to calibrate to -15 point? well Minus I understand you came closer but how did you derived 15? How did you calculated that? Can you please put some light on that? Thank you.

[@prashantrathee]

Is this option for all cameras. As I don’t see in my sony a7iv

[@-OEG]

Very good, thanks to you. But what if you change lens? You have to do the same everytime you change a lens? Or is this slmething you do one time and forget about it?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

You do it for each lens and it remembers it.

[@-OEG]

@@VisualEducationStudio thank you 👏

[@-OEG]

@@VisualEducationStudio so the camera remembers the lens automaticly ? Ive heard that you have to dial in the lens serial nr...? I have a 7D mark1

[@laceypierce8785]

Do you leave af tune on when you finish or do you turn it off?

[@willparsons32]

This has got to be the fastest and probably the easiest way to calibrate the lens. Because it's crucial NOT to move the white board or table, I would tape the corners of the white board down to the table so it helps prevent the smallest of shake when you re-position the rulers. If the table you're mounting the whiteboard to is sturdy and heavy enough, then just be careful you don't accidentally bump it with your knee or kick one of the legs and DEFINITELY do NOT rest your weight on the table either as it too could shove the table out of alignment. Now, my question is; what would be best used for a 150-600mm lens as far as a calibrating system (set up) is concerned? Obviously, it will have to be some distance away from the front of the lens in order to properly calibrate.

[@keepemwet]

good stuff thanks, what about a manual focus lense ? I have a manual close focus Tokina , not sure how to dial that one in.

[@reniesboutique]

Will that mess up other lenses?

[@Gremlack13]

This is very nice and simple. I have noticed my ef 50 1.8 on my rp tends to back focus a little bit. I need to acquire a tripod and use this method to calibrate. Good, simple video.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Cheers.

[@waltmcv]

brilliant, just brilliant.

[@johnhjic2]

Nice explanation Karl.

[@GrymmsPlace]

So useful. This video is perfect. Time to check all my lenses. Thank you for posting.

[@philipmason]

Brilliant video and super helpful. It's all these little things that make a big difference. Thanks Karl

[@Yunhaisongtao]

What model OS the big +small umbrella in the background? Want to buy one. Thanks you.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

broncolor paras

[@careylee5951]

Very clear tutorial , thank you Karl!

[@memoriesstudiopk]

very help full video tutorial

[@cristinagrenier6875]

I have a 77d canon that does not have micro AF tuning. What do I do to calibrate my 24-70 mm lens?

[@WCWMidnight]

What about a wide angle lens...where would I place the paper and rulers?

[@tanweercaa]

Thanks a lot Karl, I have done this before but your method is super easy, super handy. God bless you.

[@William305-k6q]

this work for 24-70mm lens?

[@beltxabeltxa]

I have tried these methods with other printouts, I will try your method today, I have a few lenses to get thru. hope it works.Thanks, great tutorial

[@Haildestroya]

Thanks for the info! Wondering how this would apply to a 70-200mm lens or if you would do this any differently - Would it be best to shoot it at 70mm or zoomed in to 200mm to correct the AF? Thanks!

[@jaychun3279]

Then what happen to change other lens ? Do I need calibrate whenever change lens.

[@greggoodenough5607]

the calibration is saved to the the metadata of that lens within the camera. If you have 2 of the same lenses that you use on the same camera, well then, I don't know, but i'd assume itd be saved to the S/N of the lens and each lens would require its own calibration.

[@jnuwan4214]

I’m having difficulty of focusing with this lens? Im using eos m50 ii with viltrox adapter. It always trying to focus something and also auto focusing 400mm is really hard. Any suggestions against this issue?

[@jeraldjoshuaechavia1108]

How about camera bodies with no AF fine tuning? I have Canon T7i and Sigma Art 30mm 1.4 and I found out that ViewFinder AF is not perfectly sharp like LiveView mode does especially in an environment with less light

[@madhusoodanshimoga5725]

Nice and simple, thanks for that. But how do I do it on my Nikon D500 camera, is there any tutorial please.

[@johnhoughton7794]

Great video with good information for a Sunday.

[@bobvila1010]

Does Sony mirrorless required AF ajustement?

[@michaels8597]

Karl is on point as usual////

[@big_turk]

I've needed to do this for a while now and this is a perfectly simple explanation. Thanks!

[@piotrpindel7724]

Awsome tip...Thanks pal 👍😎

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Cheers

[@roychavez519]

Karl, I have two lenses, do I have to do the same for each one, does the camera save each calibration? I will appreciate your help.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Yes you have to do it for each lens, cheers.

[@maherali5735]

Thank you very much Karl, I always appreciate your expertise. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@erroneousbatch]

Excellent vid, ta.

[@hemantkharkongor5433]

Great content as usual...thanks ...👍...much gratitude

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Thank you

[@saulmirandaaliaga]

Thank you very much, Karl. This was a helpful video!

[@peasantfarmer3030]

Hello, Do you know why my lens's focal length is moving the opposite way? At 28mm its extended, long, at 70mm its shorter, retracted!

[@CaliRico2001]

Thanks so much for video helpful to much!

[@billloveless6869]

What distance are you using?

[@grahampayne5073]

Clean and simple. Thanks

[@VisualEducationStudio]

thanks

[@kcworld3973]

Great idea, just wanted to ask what lens did you use for this video?

[@rajeevbaidya5442]

Does the technique work for prosumer cameras like NIKON COOLPIX P 1000 also ? if so pls. advice !

[@JulesMoyaert_photo]

Very useful! Thank you! 👍👍👍

[@Kabirgowda]

For every lenses we have to do the same calibration or if we do it for once it will adjust for every lenses because I do have 85 1.2 the same issue I’m facing I’ll do this what about the other lenses..

[@_P.K.]

how about for those cameras which do have not an inbuild lens calibration option... like older consumer DSLRs (Canon 400D etc.,)

[@wesb8159]

Does it matter at what height is the camera located over the target?

[@Memories4lifemedia]

Great tip thanks

[@mariosvasiliou7140]

Thank you so much. That is soo Useful tip

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@acesofgambit]

Thanks Karl, One question. If I have 24-70mm lens should I use the 24mm or the 70mm? Thanks

[@sarajitsil]

Very helpful video. Neat, simple and absolutely practical! Thanks Karl for sharing your knowledge with us.🙏

[@ankeshkatoch6591]

If the camera is not having a function of lens caliberation then can this be corrected by taking the camera and the problematic lens to service centre? I have a Canon 650D and my Canon 50mm f1.4 USM lens back focuses by around 20mm...

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Yes you can

[@ankeshkatoch6591]

@@VisualEducationStudio thank you Karl

[@CAydenPentHousePhotography]

Nice one Karl

[@andreleander2051]

how would i go about this with a 35mm 1.4, put the tripod closer to paper?