How often should I check or calibrate my camera / lens auto focus?
We recommend calibrating each lens/camera combination at least every 3 months. Temperature has a real effect on autofocus: there is evidence that micro adjustment (fine tune) values can shift in extremes of temperature, and a quarterly schedule means you’ll re-check as the seasons change. If you can, calibrate close to the temperature you’ll be shooting in. This matters most in locations with large seasonal swings.
Calibrate more often if you use your camera heavily, as camera and lens parts wear over time.
Always calibrate after:
- Heavy transportation, such as long journeys, flights or being packed tightly in transit
- Physical abuse of any kind, including knocks, bangs or drops
If a camera or lens has been dropped or roughly handled, running a calibration is also a good way to assess its general function and health. Autofocus calibration won’t identify every possible issue, but it can give you some confidence that your camera/lens is behaving normally.
Calibrate before critical events
Before any shoot where you can’t afford to miss focus, such as a wedding or a safari, calibrate beforehand so you go in with equipment you can trust.
After every calibration: test with real-world shots
It is CRITICAL to test your camera with real-world shots after every calibration. Calibration gives you the numbers, but only real shooting confirms the result works for the way you use your gear. Shoot the kind of subjects, at the kind of distances and in the kind of conditions you’ll actually encounter. For example:
- Wedding photographers: shoot some portraits
- Wildlife photographers: shoot subjects at typical working distances
These are just examples. Whatever you shoot, test it in a way that reflects your real use.