1. Perform Setup Procedure
- Mount LensAlign and Camera on Tripods
- Distance at 8.2 feet per 100mm (25xFL)
- Using Sighting System (True Parallel Alignment) confirm that the rear port (dot) of the sighting port is centered within the front port, and centered within the camera LCD.
- After mounting the Large Focus-Plate, take a test shot and confirm that the focus target point (A, B, or C) is centered on the camera LCD screen.
2. Confirm Camera Settings
- Large JPEG Fine
- Single point center AF-S enabled by shutter release (not back AF button)
- Drive mode to single shot
- Mirror up or delayed exposure (lenses over 200mm or lightweight camera tripods)
- Cable release (wired) or self timer
- Manual exposure for indoor continuos lighting - Aperture priority (large spot metering) for outdoor daylight
- Picture Style/Control to Standard
- All auto functions off (White balance, light optimizes, distortion correction, etc)
- Aperture wide open
- Crop mode on Hi Res camera (Nikon D800/810, Canon 5Ds/R)
- Live Mode Off
3. Take Final Confirmation Shot
- Adjust exposure so that that highlights just trigger blinkies on camera LCD
- Set exposure to 1/3 stop less from when binkies (highlight warning) begin to flash (proper exposure should have no blinkies)
- Confirm that Focus Point (A, B, or C) is centered in the LCD during image playback
4. Shoot the Test Series
- Format memory card
- Set AFA (Fine Tune or MicroAdjustment) to the most negative setting in the test series. (use the per lens,not the default)
- Note: If first test choose a test range and increment like -20 to +20 with a step increment of 5 (if you think the AF is very mis-calibrated), or -9 to +9 with a step increment of 3 (if you think that the AF system is only marginally bad, or you do not know)
- Set the AFA to the most negative setting in your range.
- Take a set of 5-8 shots with the following sequence:
- Defocus; remove hand from lens; half press shutter release; wait for AF lock; continue to full press. Repeat for each shot at that specific AF setting.
- Adjust the AFA setting by the desired increment amount towards the positive direction.
- Only touch the camera lightly when adjusting the menu.
- Return to step 3 until the 5-8 shot series is complete.
5. Evaluate Test Series
- Download the test series into a separate folder
- Open/Import the folder in FocusTune
- Select the target and ruler click/crop points
- Process the test series
- Review the analysis using the PDF graph and the images with red focus mask
- If a final AFA setting can be established then set that value in the cameras AF menu. You are done :>)
- If the final AFA setting cannot yet be determined, then continue to the next step
6. Set New Test Series Parameters
- Determine the new low and high AFA range and increment that will allow you fine tune the analysis
- Return to Step 4.1