1 - Some things to watch out for.
After having removed as much disturbing factors as possible and having properly installed camera and target you are ready for a test shot session.
Some things to watch out for:
- fix the camera well on the tripod, so that it can't move during defocusing, or during a change of the autofocus adjustment
- don't forget to put vibration reduction / image stabilize to off
- be careful not to touch the multi-selector, as you may change focus point (lock the multi-selector preferably)
- take care not to touch the zoom ring during one session
- take care not to move the tripod, while this obvious, it is easy to give it a kick without knowing
- don't exaggerate, take just enough test shots (4 per Autofocus Adjustment (AFA) is enough)
- one session at a time
- Monochrome, highest quality JPEG, Single Shot, Single Focus point
2 - Test shot sequence for a flat target
After having taken some Live View pictures for control purposes, here is a scenario for a general scope AFA Analysis using a flat target:
Set AFA -20
- defocus
- focus (shutter or AF-ON)
- shoot
repeat 3 times (4 pictures in total)
Change AFA to -15
1.defocus
2.focus (shutter or AF-ON)
3.shoot
repeat 3 times (4 pictures in total)
and so on until you get to +20
3 - Test shot sequence with LensAlign
Set AFA 0
Take a test shot
Check on the camera LCD whether the lens shows back or front focus.
If you see back focus, shoot a series from AFA -20 to 0 in five step increments.
If you see front focus, shoot a series from AFA +20 to 0 in five step increments.
Set AFA to -20 or +20
- defocus
- focus (shutter or AF-ON)
- shoot
repeat 3 times (4 pictures in total)
change to next AFA and repeat above cycle until (and including) AFA 0