M42 to EOS with micro adjustment focus in EMF chip

[PhantomLord]

Hi

I have several manual lenses and several adaptors from M42 or P/K to EOS with simple AF chip.
However most of the adapters/lenses suffers from significant front focus, when using with AF confirmation via viewfinder. That's why I moved to LiveView and focus is great, but I must admit I still prefer normal, optical viewfinder.
My EOS 600d does not have micro focus adjustment in the body and I wonder if adapter with programmable EMF chip will do the trick.

What do you think?
Will I be able to correct front focus and shoot wide open with acurate focus confirmation with EMF chip adapter?


I do not know if it is relevant, but standard 18-55mm kit lens autofocuses perfectly (checked wide open and it is about 1/3 in front and 2/3 behind the testing point). With this EMF micro adjustable chip I would like to use mostly 50ish primes with f/1.7

Any help and opinion would be appreciated.

[Srdjan]

I bought tones of chip chines adapters and also bought emf chip separately and glue them together. EMF chips can be adjusted but the best is live view.

[drjs]

Big_IS now sell a M42 adapter that includes EMF chip. I have one on its way to me. I will report once I test it on my Helio.

[frenched]

I recently got an EMF adapter for a Soligor 28mm. I was able to program it to correct a front focus problem. A little trial and error, but it worked. So I just ordered a bunch of chips to upgrade my M42's. This is definitely the way to go.

[visualopsins]

I understand the question is "Does EMF chip AF focus adjustment work on camera bodies without micro-adjustment feature?"

From EMF chip manual (http://www.emfphoto.com/forum/ )

[PhantomLord]

"visualopsins" - well, you don't understand my question correctly, because I know it will be possible to correct front/back focus with EMF on body that doesn't have micro correction built-in. I'm more concern if it works in real life situation and was hoping for opinion of people who used it. Just like colleague "frenched" said.

"frenched" and "Srdjan" - thank you for your input.

"drjs" - I decided to buy m42 EMF adapter from Big_IS and I'm waiting. However it would be about end of June when it arrives, so maybe you'll be first to test yours and post some results .

If it will work, and AF confirmation will be accurate, even with wide open apertures, I will get bunch of chips and replace simple AF chips in my adapters with this EMF one.

[Srdjan]

In past I was buying a lot of adapters and chips and put them as I said together and sell them to local people. I had lot of problems with adapters and chips because some of sellers are not so honest - missing screws, bed products, to big holes for camera needle so on and so on . But in time I find reliable sellers.
So I can recommend you dacheng2009, I used his EMF chips they are very cheap and they are working even at 6D, 5D III and 650d http://www.ebay.com/itm/EMF-AF-Confirm-chip-for-Canon-lens-EOS-EF-Adapter-/321009854571?pt=US_Lens_Adapters_Mounts_Tubes&hash=item4abdada86b.
If you interested in adapters I can look in my list and tell you, i can't remember at this time.

[visualopsins]

EMF chip AF confirm limitations exposed!

EMF chip AF accuracy depends on camera (QuickGuide to Accurate EOS Autofocus):

[frenched]

My EMF chips/adapters didn't come with instructions. You have to ask for them. I'll save you a step with this link: http://emfphoto.com/forum/index.php?topic=2.0

[PhantomLord]

"visualopsins" thanks for pointing out trouble with AF and fast lenses. Well I understand that a lot features are better and nicer on 5d than 600d, as the price is different too, and I am aware of it. However in connection what you have said I checked and I believe 600d has AF point for 2.8 or faster lenses as well, but only on its' center cross-type point.
I always wonder, however, if this Eg-S focusing screen is that a lot better for manual focusing even without AF confirmation?

"frenched" thank you a lot for the instruction, it will be helpful

[visualopsins]

Eg-S fast focus screen is absolutely necessary for obtaining accurate focus using the viewfinder -- dof of fast lenses cannot be seen using the standard focus screen; it is impossible.

I stopped using (older) AF chips because they use the camera f/5.6 focus system -- the AF points flashing distracted me too much. About 6 months ago I got a new adapter with the latest version EMF chip, which activates camera f/2.8 focus system. The AF lights in viewfinder flash only for exact focus -- when I see in-focus through the viewfinder, the AF point lights -- not so distracting. Much better, I'll keep the chip!

[PhantomLord]

Thank you a lot for your replies. Now I wait to receive my adapter with EMF chip. I will post results of calibration as soon as I get my hands on EMF adapter .

[jaecarlos714]

Maybe your focus screen is not calibrated to the sensor? I had a back focus problem with all my manual lenses and an aftermarket focus screen. I had to shim the focus screen in .03mm increments till I got it right. I used clear tape cut in thin strips as the shim.

[PhantomLord]

Hi,

I decided to put this topic back alive, as I get EMF chips from Big_IS and tried to set up a few lenses.
1) Rikenon 55mm 1.4 M42
2) Jupiter 37A 135mm 3.5 M42
3) Tamron 17A 35-70mm 3.5 P/K

and it works almost perfectly on Jupiter and Tamron, while on Rikenon it is a lottery in confirming the focus.

I did not need to set Micro Adjustment for Jupiter and Tamron, but at default set up I get front focus on Rikenon repeatedly. With some trials I adjust micro regulation on adapter for Rikenon and thought that is it, it would be great. However now I am getting front and back focus lottery with Rikenon.
All at wide apertures of 1.4-2.8, when there is a lot of light. I know that DOF is really thin and it is easy to move out from focus, but I am not that bad camera holder .

I would appreciate any suggestions or help as I really prefer focusing and composing through the viewfinder instead of using LiveView.

[visualopsins]

I think chip on Rikenon adapter may be defective -- I would try using another adapter, from Jupiter, set up micro adjustment for Rikenon, to confirm.

[frenched]

As you know, microfocus settings are from 0-31 with 27 being the default. I read a post somewhere from big_is about how to go about doing the trial-and-error adjustments:

If the default value doesn't give good results, try 26 and 28. If you see improvement at 28, then try 29,30,31,1,2,3, etc. If you see improvement starting at 26, then try 25,24,23,22,21, etc. You should eventually hit it.

I did my adjusting at full aperture, camera on a tripod, shooting a ruler on the kitchen counter from an elevated angle. But Google will show other methods as well.

[PhantomLord]

I've reset my Micro regulation and for now it looks I spot it this time.
Don't have time to test it properly, but as I took some test photos, it looks promising.
Let's hope that last time I was lousy with setting micro adjustments