The 60D Needs AF Microadjustment

[LukeS]

Here is a direct link to the forum you can use to send a message to canon: http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/professional?pageKeyCode=contactUsLanding

 

[Bart]

The micro adjustment assumes that the lens is perfectly calibrated just not correctly mated to a certain body. It was in my opinion an insult that Canon put it on a body in the first place. Why should the responsibility of calibration rely on me, the end user, that's a bunch of BS and anyone that doesn't believe it wasn't Canon way of pushing off responsibility has been brain washed into thinking Micro Adj on the camera is a good thing. Modern lenses like say the 24-70 have 8 focus calibration points non of which are accessible to the end user. If you adjust at 70mm, chances are you mess up 24 or 32 or 40 or 50 and so on. Don't be fooled, not having the adjustment on the camera is a good thing and forces Canon to get it better the first time and not to be able to say to us, did you try the micro adj. What a crock of nonsense. OK, rant over.

 

[Woody]

The D90 does not have AF microadjustment so Canon figures the 60D does not need it too.

They fail to realize their (Canon's) QC is pretty awful.

They also fail to realize the D90 upgrade will FAR surpass the 60D in terms of specs.

Canon has been chasing after Nikon in the past few years. Considering how they use to lead the DSLR department with all their innovation and technology, it's a crying shame.

Now, they have Sony to contend with as well...

 

[elmo_2006]

Re: Email Canon asking for AF microadjust in the 60D!! Here is their response..

I think one thing will make them add microfocus adjustment to the firmware-- if the Nikon D7000 offers Microfocus adjustment. Otherwise, it will take more than a few hundred letters to fashion a change.

They know what they did, and I'm sure they considered that it would peeve quite a few people. But their goal in doing it was to force an upsale to the 7D. If it instead forces an upsale to a D7000, see my paragraph 1.

I don't buy this as Nikon offers their tier one camera AF systems in their lower tier camera bodies, I don't see everyone flocking to the lower models. It all comes down to pricing and affordability.
Canon needs to change their marketing strategy as I'm losing patience with their 7 year old 9-point AF sensor let alone no Micro adjustment on a $1200 body only camera!
I need some evidence as what defines listening to the customers - releasing firmware updates is not considered listening in my books at least.
Canon, please do whatever it is to get the micro-focus adjustement in this camera body.

 

[Alph]

MFA is a new technology that admits mismatched tolerances can lead to bad results and that permits users to tailor their results as they see fit. Technologies like these should find their way into all cameras.

I sent an email because the 60D would meet my needs, but MFA is not worth the extra $400 dollars the 7D is here in Canada at the moment and I'll never buy a camera that does not have it, unless it's cheap.

I waited 6 months for the 60D to be announced and I'm now considering replacing my XSI with a T2i to hold me over for another year or 2 until Canon releases something that meets my needs while not making pay for features I do not need.

This may seem like an extreme position, but removing something like MFA is just a way to try and take advantage.

Cheers

 

[iceeet]

The D90 does not have AF microadjustment so Canon figures the 60D does not need it too.

They fail to realize their (Canon's) QC is pretty awful.

They also fail to realize the D90 upgrade will FAR surpass the 60D in terms of specs.

Canon has been chasing after Nikon in the past few years. Considering how they use to lead the DSLR department with all their innovation and technology, it's a crying shame.

Now, they have Sony to contend with as well...

Same thoughts.

I'm in the middle of a repair process of my newly purchased EF-S 15-85. And because of that, I wrote a mail to Canon China at corresponding web site. The experience told me it will be useless to contact Canon in such way, at least in China.

I guess it might be helpful to do so in Japan, since I always feel Japanese will treat user feedback more seriously than others.

 

[EF-L]

I think the Canon is shifting their product line for marketing purposes. I've seen several posts on Japanese Canon forums regard to this.

Rebel (3 digits D series) > 60D (2digit D series) 60D is not just plastic body, it's much lighter and smaller than 50D.
50D > 7D

EF-S > same
EF > L (70-300L is a good example of the generalization of L grade.)
L > SL (super L ?)

so, if you are looking for 50D replacement 7D was (or has been) so.

 

[ShotsForPassion]

I was waiting for the 60D, but I won't consider it as an upgrade option without AF Microadjustment.
I wouldn't consider a camera at this price unless it had microadjustment.
The 7D cost too much for my need, I'm not a pro.
I like macro and close-up photography, missing the AF Microadjustment is a total deal-breaker.
Maybe I need to look elsewhere (Nikon... Sony...) to find a decent upgrade for my 400D

 

[afrank99]

micro AF-adjustment is over-estimated...

I've spent years using my 20D without it and never missed it.
And now I'm using my 7D without AF adjustment.
It's nice to have it, but I don't feel the need to use it.

 

[errorka]

I've asked the Hungarian support. I've got answer in 1 day, which is really nice, but the answer itself...

My questions:

-What was the point for got rid of the AF Microadjustment?
-Is it really possible to get it back with firmware update?
-If yes, is there any plan to release a firmware update?

The answer:

-"Canon doesn't give any information about firmware updates before release" - and they gave me a link for the EOS firmwares.
-"The specifications of the cameras are public only after the official release" - I really don't understand this.

So, I've got the answer in 1 day, but I got no answer

At least I've tried

 

[ShotsForPassion]

Re: micro AF-adjustment is over-estimated...

I've spent years using my 20D without it and never missed it.
And now I'm using my 7D without AF adjustment.
It's nice to have it, but I don't feel the need to use it.

I respect your opinion
Anyway, If you don't feel the need to use it, maybe it's because you've always been lucky with your lens
Or maybe you never do closeup/macro photography.
I do closeup photography, and I'm not always been lucky wit my lens. I have a sigma lens that back-focus "reliably" in certain condition. So I believe that AF microadjust can help, in my situation.

 

[MintMark]

My 50D has micro adjustment, but I tested all my lenses (to the best of my ability) and they all seem fine. Even though I don't need to use the feature now it's a matter of confidence for me to know that if I buy a new body and it doesn't match my lenses, at least there is something I can do to try and improve the situation.

I appreciate that micro adjustment is extra useful to those who buy second hand or third party lenses, but maybe that's not something that Canon wants to hear when we email them. For all we know they want to get rid of it because it encourages people to try Sigma lenses!

 

[jius]

Interesting to see the comment from CR on the front page: "Canon has proven in the last 12-24 months that they are listening to customers." Yes they have, but in two ways 1) Took on board customer requests, but releasing it as a new camera and not firmware update (500D vs 550D). 2) Only releasing a firmware update when they had no other choice to release new body for more $$$ or cos they felt they had to to keep order of bodies to justify price (7D vs 5DmkII).

Overall they listen to customers only when the $$ chi-ching! rings in their heads. So I would guess the microadjustment will be released as desired, but in the form of a 65D/70D, next time round, probably giving some BS about 'learning from their mistakes'. But I really hope I am wrong and they add this feature.

 

[afrank99]

Re: micro AF-adjustment is over-estimated...

Or maybe you never do closeup/macro photography.

Actually I do a lot of macro photography - but I almost never use auto focus for it.
For me it's easier and faster to use manual focus in these situations.

YMMV.

 

[bob]

@LukeS
<<Understand that the camera hasn't actually released yet, and the specifications can change before it actually arrives at retailers. I totally understand your disappointment but lets not kill our chickens before they hatch.>>

@ELK
<<The pre-production version does not, but we do not know if the production model will.>>

Hmm... a premature delivery... may be... ;D
Are they going to reconsider the ‘9AF points’, ‘plastic body’, ‘5.3fps’ etc?? :'(

 

[ELK]

Interesting to see the comment from CR on the front page: "Canon has proven in the last 12-24 months that they are listening to customers." Yes they have, but in two ways 1) Took on board customer requests, but releasing it as a new camera and not firmware update (500D vs 550D). 2) Only releasing a firmware update when they had no other choice to release new body for more $$$ or cos they felt they had to to keep order of bodies to justify price (7D vs 5DmkII).

Overall they listen to customers only when the $$ chi-ching! rings in their heads. So I would guess the microadjustment will be released as desired, but in the form of a 65D/70D, next time round, probably giving some BS about 'learning from their mistakes'. But I really hope I am wrong and they add this feature.

So, you don't like it when Canon releases new firmwares. You don't like it when Canon releases new cameras either. Very constructive comment, nothing more to say!

 

[CanonMonkey]

They aren't going to add it. This is the reply I got from the Canon Support Centre:

Thank you for contacting Canon.

With reference to your enquiry regarding the EOS 60D, please be advised that the EOS 60D is not a follow-up of the EOS 50D, but the start of a new line of cameras. The line-up from EOS 30D, EOS 40D and EOS 50D were cameras of a semi-professional character, however the EOS 50D is going to be the last in this line. The new semi-professional camera that Canon offers is the EOS 7D.

This is why the EOS 60D has no micro adjustment function; it is a complete new camera to fill in the gap between the EOS 550D and the EOS 7D.

I hope this information is of use to you. If you have any other queries, or need any other information, please do not hesitate to reply directly to this email.

Translation - We've decided to gouge mid range users. If you want any high end features buy the 7D.

Thanks Canon.

 

[channs]

Sent my email to canon for microadjustment in 60D....got below response...

Thank you for your E-mail inquiry regarding Canon EOS Digital Cameras.

It is only through our customers comments and suggestions that we are able to manufacture quality products that our customers will be able to use on a consistent basis. The fact that you took the time to write to us is indeed appreciated. Please be assured that your comments have been forwarded to the appropriate Department for their information and review.

Should you require further assistance, please feel free to email us or visit our customer support website at http://www.canon.ca

 

[MintMark]

They aren't going to add it. This is the reply I got from the Canon Support Centre:

Thank you for contacting Canon.

With reference to your enquiry regarding the EOS 60D, please be advised that the EOS 60D is not a follow-up of the EOS 50D, but the start of a new line of cameras. The line-up from EOS 30D, EOS 40D and EOS 50D were cameras of a semi-professional character, however the EOS 50D is going to be the last in this line. The new semi-professional camera that Canon offers is the EOS 7D.

This is why the EOS 60D has no micro adjustment function; it is a complete new camera to fill in the gap between the EOS 550D and the EOS 7D.

I hope this information is of use to you. If you have any other queries, or need any other information, please do not hesitate to reply directly to this email.

Translation - We've decided to gouge mid range users. If you want any high end features buy the 7D.

Thanks Canon.

I wonder if that is actually the official Canon line, or whether the support person has just been reading internet forums Canon certainly don't seem to have one voice on the subject.

 

[garys]

I have a 7D and a 5DM2, and I now only use microadjustment for diagnostic purposes. When I get a new lens, I make sure that the sharpest AF point is with an adjustment of zero. If it requires microadjustment, I either return the lens or send it for warranty repair. I was also able to figure out that the autofocus on my 7D was defective, because microadjustment resulted in wild variations in accuracy (sometimes it was +5, sometimes -15, same lens, same distance). Needless to say, I had my 7D repaired under warranty.

Without microadjustment, it is harder to tell whether the lens is a tiny bit softer than it should be -- although comparing shots with contrast-based autofocus (i.e. live-view) with shots done with phase autofocus can provide a lot of the same information. The amazingly sharp focus I got with my 7D using contrast based autofocus was how I knew that the phase autofocus on my 7D was defective, and that it wasn't a problem with the lens.

So to the various people posting that microadjustment isn't really necessary, thank you for bringing up that question. It is still a function I want to have, but I'm not really sure it is a function I need to have (particularly if I'm careful to inspect and return any new lens that shows focus errors).