May 2009
Auto Focus Woes
14/05/09 09:49 Filed in: Education
AUTO FOCUS WOES
Do you have a Canon 50D, 5DMkII, 1D/Ds MkIII, Nikon D300, D700, D3, D3x, Sony A900 or Pentax K20. If you do, then this article will be of most interest to you. If not read on as there is a link to an article about Focus-Recompose-Shoot that we can all learn from if you use that technique with Auto-Focus.
If you have one of the new generation cameras listed, you have a feature called MicroAdjustment (or something of the same meaning depending on manufacturer)
This takes into account error tolerances in lens/sensor combinations, sometimes acceptable on their own but when combined could result in a back or front focussing nightmare.
If you shoot wide open with a fast lens, usually 2.8 or faster but can even be seen at f4 at longish focal lenghts, then it is critical that, for example, the eye that you think you have focussed on, should in fact turn out to be sharp in the image. If it’s not there are a couple of variables, such as camera shake, Focus-Recompose-Shoot error (check out this link) or front or back focussing errors.
There is now a commercial solution. I have purchased the Lens Align Lite product from the US (see a review here on Luminous Landscape site)
I have calibrated my 5 lenses, not one reading a zero on the scale, even the primes were out a little. The zooms required more correction but within the scale of the microadjustment available on the 5DMkII.
Result: my confidence has returned with auto-focussed results as expected.
There are a couple of good example images on this blog, and BTW, this guy’s stuff is worth bookmarking, especially his flash tutorials.
Contact me to arrange to have your lenses and camera calibrated for a small fee.
David Magahy
Do you have a Canon 50D, 5DMkII, 1D/Ds MkIII, Nikon D300, D700, D3, D3x, Sony A900 or Pentax K20. If you do, then this article will be of most interest to you. If not read on as there is a link to an article about Focus-Recompose-Shoot that we can all learn from if you use that technique with Auto-Focus.
If you have one of the new generation cameras listed, you have a feature called MicroAdjustment (or something of the same meaning depending on manufacturer)
This takes into account error tolerances in lens/sensor combinations, sometimes acceptable on their own but when combined could result in a back or front focussing nightmare.
If you shoot wide open with a fast lens, usually 2.8 or faster but can even be seen at f4 at longish focal lenghts, then it is critical that, for example, the eye that you think you have focussed on, should in fact turn out to be sharp in the image. If it’s not there are a couple of variables, such as camera shake, Focus-Recompose-Shoot error (check out this link) or front or back focussing errors.
There is now a commercial solution. I have purchased the Lens Align Lite product from the US (see a review here on Luminous Landscape site)
I have calibrated my 5 lenses, not one reading a zero on the scale, even the primes were out a little. The zooms required more correction but within the scale of the microadjustment available on the 5DMkII.
Result: my confidence has returned with auto-focussed results as expected.
There are a couple of good example images on this blog, and BTW, this guy’s stuff is worth bookmarking, especially his flash tutorials.
Contact me to arrange to have your lenses and camera calibrated for a small fee.
David Magahy
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May Minutes
05/05/09 17:00 Filed in: Committee
SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES- MAY 2009
Firstly, a huge thank you to David Magahy for the many hours he invested in getting the Members Gallery on the web site up and running. Members will be responsible for uploading their own images. Images for the web site should be prepared as follows:
720 ppi on the longest side at 72 ppi; save as quality 3; sRGB colour space. Files larger than this take too long to view. If you wish to upload images you will need to register by following the link at the Members Gallery page, then clicking the Register link, filling in your email address and your choice of password and a user name of your choice. The gallery administrator will then activate your account and you can add photos, edit existing ones or delete them as often as you like. Many albums have already been created but we can create more. There is plenty of disk space available.
The PSQ selections have been completed. It was a difficult task balancing the quality of our entry, with as wide a representation of members as possible. Due to the fact that we could only enter two images in each subject in each section, a lot of lovely images had to be left out. We were rather disappointed by the response from members for this competition, but sincerely thank those who did present images for consideration. Ken will be circulating the final list in the next day or two.
May Practical Night – 28 May: Cutting mat boards, converting colour images to mono, and perhaps a presentation on photographic courses from one of our members
Robina Exhibition 1 – 14 July 2009: This is a great opportunity for members to display their work in a public environment. Please think about making some images available. Two mat sizes only – 400mm x 500mm or 355mm x 280mm. Mats larger or smaller than this will not fit in the Society’s frames. Prints can be brought to the June Practical night, or to the working bee on Saturday 27 June at KOA rooms commencing at 9.00am.
We need volunteers to help with cleaning the frames and inserting the prints on Saturday 27 June 9.00am
We need volunteers to help collect the boxes of prints from KOA at 9.00am on 1 July and to hang the exhibit at Robina Art Gallery
We need volunteer/volunteers to arrange drinks and a few nibbles for the opening on 1 July at 7.00pm. Cr Jan Grew will open the exhibition
We need volunteers to take down the exhibition on Tuesday 14 July
We need volunteers to man the exhibition between 2 July and 14 July (3-hr blocks)
We need your prints! There is an Acquisition prize of $100 for the best image representing “Iconic GC” and a $50 prize for the winning image in the Open Section. Work by members in any grade is welcome.
Forms will be available at all meetings between now and 1 July. Please offer your help to the Committee.
Joint Weekend 9 – 11 October 2009, Midginbil Hill Farm Stay, NSW: This weekend outing has been around for quite a long time. Originally mutual friends in Queensland Camera Group and GCPS arranged these at various locations, and latterly were joined by the RETRO group. Many of the members in GCPS who attended these weekends no longer participate, or have left, and the question has been raised as to whether this weekend is of interest to our newer members.
Because there are some significant financial implications for GCPS, Jeff will be asking members at the next competition night for committed expressions of interest. If there is insufficient interest we may have to reconsider our position.
Queen Mary Falls: This proved to be a popular outing and Ken has already circulated a detailed report of our adventures. We look forward to seeing some award winning images from the day.
The next outing is a sunset shoot on 31 May. A location has not yet been determined but if you have some suggestions, please contact a member of the committee. We would welcome your input.
Vi Wilson,
Secretary
Firstly, a huge thank you to David Magahy for the many hours he invested in getting the Members Gallery on the web site up and running. Members will be responsible for uploading their own images. Images for the web site should be prepared as follows:
720 ppi on the longest side at 72 ppi; save as quality 3; sRGB colour space. Files larger than this take too long to view. If you wish to upload images you will need to register by following the link at the Members Gallery page, then clicking the Register link, filling in your email address and your choice of password and a user name of your choice. The gallery administrator will then activate your account and you can add photos, edit existing ones or delete them as often as you like. Many albums have already been created but we can create more. There is plenty of disk space available.
The PSQ selections have been completed. It was a difficult task balancing the quality of our entry, with as wide a representation of members as possible. Due to the fact that we could only enter two images in each subject in each section, a lot of lovely images had to be left out. We were rather disappointed by the response from members for this competition, but sincerely thank those who did present images for consideration. Ken will be circulating the final list in the next day or two.
May Practical Night – 28 May: Cutting mat boards, converting colour images to mono, and perhaps a presentation on photographic courses from one of our members
Robina Exhibition 1 – 14 July 2009: This is a great opportunity for members to display their work in a public environment. Please think about making some images available. Two mat sizes only – 400mm x 500mm or 355mm x 280mm. Mats larger or smaller than this will not fit in the Society’s frames. Prints can be brought to the June Practical night, or to the working bee on Saturday 27 June at KOA rooms commencing at 9.00am.
We need volunteers to help with cleaning the frames and inserting the prints on Saturday 27 June 9.00am
We need volunteers to help collect the boxes of prints from KOA at 9.00am on 1 July and to hang the exhibit at Robina Art Gallery
We need volunteer/volunteers to arrange drinks and a few nibbles for the opening on 1 July at 7.00pm. Cr Jan Grew will open the exhibition
We need volunteers to take down the exhibition on Tuesday 14 July
We need volunteers to man the exhibition between 2 July and 14 July (3-hr blocks)
We need your prints! There is an Acquisition prize of $100 for the best image representing “Iconic GC” and a $50 prize for the winning image in the Open Section. Work by members in any grade is welcome.
Forms will be available at all meetings between now and 1 July. Please offer your help to the Committee.
Joint Weekend 9 – 11 October 2009, Midginbil Hill Farm Stay, NSW: This weekend outing has been around for quite a long time. Originally mutual friends in Queensland Camera Group and GCPS arranged these at various locations, and latterly were joined by the RETRO group. Many of the members in GCPS who attended these weekends no longer participate, or have left, and the question has been raised as to whether this weekend is of interest to our newer members.
Because there are some significant financial implications for GCPS, Jeff will be asking members at the next competition night for committed expressions of interest. If there is insufficient interest we may have to reconsider our position.
Queen Mary Falls: This proved to be a popular outing and Ken has already circulated a detailed report of our adventures. We look forward to seeing some award winning images from the day.
The next outing is a sunset shoot on 31 May. A location has not yet been determined but if you have some suggestions, please contact a member of the committee. We would welcome your input.
Vi Wilson,
Secretary