Does a firmware update require len/camera to be AF microadjusted again

[JohnGerlach]

I have been doing AF microadjusting with both my Canon 5D Mark IV and 1DX II for quite some time. I even share an article with my clients about it. One client asked me today if upgrading the Firmware requires AF microadjusting again. I suspect it does, but not completely sure. Can any of you shed some light or experience on AF microadjusting and firmware upgrades? Thanks a bunch. I did not find much on the web so far, so if you have a link, please share it.

Here is my article on how I do it and my sharpness has been the best ever. These calliope hummers were done with a Canon 1DX Mark II and a Canon 600mm III with 1.4x.

https://www.gerlachnaturephoto.com/single-post/2018/05/16/AF-Microadjust-for-Sharper-Images

 

[AlanF]

I can’t see why a firmware upgrade would affect the AFMA of the body. Many of just use FoCal to AFMA, though some prefer physical targets.

 

[Click]

I can’t see why a firmware upgrade would affect the AFMA of the body. Many of just use FoCal to AFMA, though some prefer physical targets.

Same here.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Firmware update, no. Dropped camera, yes.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I could conceive of a case where it would be required, but then, Canon would tell you, and possibly even remove the old AFMA. I don't recall it ever happening though, it would be really major and make the headlines here.

 

[JohnGerlach]

Just wondering if a firmware upgrade my change some aspect of the autofocus mechanism.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Just wondering if a firmware upgrade my change some aspect of the autofocus mechanism.

Sure. The 1D X had f/8 AF added via firmware. The 7D got a bunch of new AF features with the v2 update.

 

[Kannon]

A firmware update should not affect AFMA values, but you should keep your values written down on a piece of paper in case of an emergency...
I personally prefer buying a fully functioning camera over a beta version. It is a camera not a scratchcard...

 

[AlanF]

A firmware update should not affect AFMA values, but you should keep your values written down on a piece of paper in case of an emergency...
I personally prefer buying a fully functioning camera over a beta version. It is a camera not a scratchcard...

That is far too cryptic for me to understand.

 

[Kannon]

That is far too cryptic for me to understand.

Which part?

 

[AlanF]

Which part?

The last two sentences.

 

[unfocused]

The last two sentences.

You're confused? Heck, I had to Google scratchcard! And...I still don't understand the point.

 

[Kit.]

I guess the point is that my 5D2 is "a fully functioning" camera because no one expects any new firmware updates to it.

 

[Kannon]

You're confused? Heck, I had to Google scratchcard! And...I still don't understand the point.

The point is: I don't prefer fancy new features via firmware updates because I'm a bit old-fashioned and those cameras don't seem to be ready to me at least... I want to know what I pay for. If a camera doesn't fit my needs and/or budget then I look for something else. And not expect its flaws to be fixed in the future...

 

[Kannon]

I guess the point is that my 5D2 is "a fully functioning" camera because no one expects any new firmware updates to it.

Yeah, you don't wait for new fancy stuff, cos that's not gonna happen. And the small errors in the Ukrainian menu has already been fixed....

 

[Kit.]

Yeah, you don't wait for new fancy stuff, cos that's not gonna happen. And the small errors in the Ukrainian menu has already been fixed....

Actually, it had a serious bug ("black dots") in the initial release, fixed by firmware update.

 

[AlanF]

The point is: I don't prefer fancy new features via firmware updates because I'm a bit old-fashioned and those cameras don't seem to be ready to me at least... I want to know what I pay for. If a camera doesn't fit my needs and/or budget then I look for something else. And not expect its flaws to be fixed in the future...

You are certainly not old-fashioned in your use of modern idiom! Firmware upgrades do not necessarily get issued to fix flaws but they can also add new features, such as those mentioned by Neuro for the 7D and 1DXII, and the regular updates by Olympus. Sony, on the other hand, does seem to use its customers as beta testers, and some Nikon users also complain.

 

[Kannon]

Actually, it had a serious bug ("black dots") in the initial release, fixed by firmware update.

I don't remember, but fixing issues like that is fine for me... 5DIII's had some sort of light leak that was fixed by black duct tape...

 

[Kannon]

You are certainly not old-fashioned in your use of modern idiom! Firmware upgrades do not necessarily get issued to fix flaws but they can also add new features, such as those mentioned by Neuro for the 7D and 1DXII, and the regular updates by Olympus. Sony, on the other hand, does seem to use its customers as beta testers, and some Nikon users also complain.

Thanks! Beta testing for free is bad....

 

[unfocused]

Thanks! Beta testing for free is bad....

Just one more reason why you should never be an early adopter.

1DxII had the CF Card image static/noise issue with one brand of card -- unfortunately it was the brand they were including with the camera.

The R needed silent shutter and autofocus fixes with firmware. (Yeah, it depends on your perspective. Some would say they added features. Others would say those features should have been included in the first place.)

I'm fairly forgiving of many firmware fixes as it's got to be near impossible to identify every conceivable issue before releasing a product. In my view it's just the price you pay for being the first kid on the block with the new toy. Wait six to 12 months and let the price drop and others discover the bugs.