Micro af adjustment

Nostromo

Nostromo

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Dominic
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How important is this to you when deciding on a camera.
So I'm thinking of getting a new second hand canon camera (canon because i already have a canon) and am torn between 3 models. They're all oldish models, but that doesn't bother me (an older camera doesn't get bad, just gets over taken by newer tech).
My choices are 50d, 60d, 7d they all have there advantages and disadvantages for me.
The 60d would probably be my choice out of the 3, but it doesn't have micro af.
I don't have much spare money, so any new lens i buy would be second hand, my issue is that if I bought a lens that didn't quite focus accurately and needed adjusting to the body, I'd be stuck with a lens that's of little use.
I only do this as a hobby but i do like to see an in focus image. I mainly photograph dogs (pets), horses, plants, a bit of landscape and portrait.
My current camera is a 1100d I've had this for about 2yrs and although it has served me well for for those years, it doesn't do moving subjects very well and I think that the layout of a higher end camera is more useful, with its quicker access buttons.
Size and weight aren't an issue, so long as the body is no smaller than the one I already have (I've got quite big hands and am on the limits of holding my camera comfortably).
 
Out of those 3 and if your considering moving targets then although older the fifty D is the best choice ,I have had all of them and over the years and that's what I would choose ,a lot of people considered the other two as steps backward
 
I'd want AF adjustment as I hate having a lens/body combo that has front or back focus.
 
Having had the 60D and 7D in the past I would discount the 7D, it is the most infuriating camera I have owned. The 60D doesn't have micro AF so as above the 50D would be my choice also and it would save you a few £££s to put towards another lens.
 
Just to show how opinions vary, having had all three of those, I'd go for the 7D hands down if I had to pick one, although it's not a very 'forgiving' camera. 50D was also nice, but when I went for the 7 it definitely felt like the right choice and fixed a lot of my gripes (which were many!) with the 50. Never really got on with the 60D as for some reason it just felt like a huge leap backwards in a lot of ways from the 50.

Of course, any of those will probably feel like a big step up from a 1100D - best thing is to find somewhere with a good selection of used stock and try them all out!
 
7d.

Absolute bargain for what it is. I don't understand how it's not considered better in every way than the other 2.
 
If it helps, I've never micro-adjusted ANY of my lenses

Until they invented it as a feature on cameras few ever noticed a 'problem' anyway, if they did then they'd quickly work out how to work around it; but really, unless you shoot wide open a lot and close to min focusing distance you'll probably never really notice - and even if you do its more likely your fault than the lens/camera needing adjusting

And yes, I shoot wide open and close all the time

So (not knowing anything about Canon cameras) I'd just go with what Phil says :)

Dave
 
Interestingly no CSC needs micro focus adjustments, as the focus is achieved directy on the sensor that takes the image. They are inherently more accurate.
 
Thanks for taking the time to reply and give your thoughts.
I'm in no rush so will wait for a few weeks.
For me the 60d is out. Although I'm not that sure if was really ever in.
 
DG Phototraining said:
If it helps, I've never micro-adjusted ANY of my lenses

Until they invented it as a feature on cameras few ever noticed a 'problem' anyway, if they did then they'd quickly work out how to work around it; but really, unless you shoot wide open a lot and close to min focusing distance you'll probably never really notice - and even if you do its more likely your fault than the lens/camera needing adjusting

And yes, I shoot wide open and close all the time

So (not knowing anything about Canon cameras) I'd just go with what Phil says :)

Dave
Click to expand...

I'd have been inclined to agree with you until I owned a couple of sigma art lenses. Absolutely miles out in some circumstances and interestingly often more significantly at longer subject distances. Lovely once sorted but they make you work for it.
 
I hated my 50D. When I bought my 7D it felt like my 'hit rate' had doubled :)
 
mrgubby said:
I hated my 50D. When I bought my 7D it felt like my 'hit rate' had doubled :)
Click to expand...

I really liked my 50D, but feel exactly the same about the 7D - most of the things I photograph move around a lot, so the advantages of the 7 were pretty obviously displayed in my keeper rate. I never really felt like the servo mode on the 50D actually worked properly, whereas with a bit of tweaking (mostly when I realised that setting things to 'fast' actually did the opposite to what I thought it did!) the 7D locks on like a particularly persistent ferret, and being able to select a small cluster of AF points and move them around was a huge bonus.
 
DG Phototraining said:
If it helps, I've never micro-adjusted ANY of my lenses

Until they invented it as a feature on cameras few ever noticed a 'problem' anyway, if they did then they'd quickly work out how to work around it; but really, unless you shoot wide open a lot and close to min focusing distance you'll probably never really notice - and even if you do its more likely your fault than the lens/camera needing adjusting

And yes, I shoot wide open and close all the time

So (not knowing anything about Canon cameras) I'd just go with what Phil says :)

Dave
Click to expand...
On my A77 I had two out of three lenses that needed adjusting, on my first D750 8/8 needed adjusting, and by some margin, but this was down to the camera as with my new D750 these same lenses need no adjustments.
 
You could move to a 750/60d it depends what you shoot
 
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