Can you DIY recalibrate a lens distance scale for accurate infinity focus?
Asked 1/2/2014
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My lens appears to reach best infinity focus slightly away from the marked infinity position on the distance scale. In star tests, the sharpest result was between two focus-ring positions rather than near the end stop. Is it generally possible to adjust or recalibrate the distance scale yourself on lenses that have one, or is this usually fixed? I’m especially interested in whether this is a practical DIY task and whether infinity markings are expected to vary.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
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As far as I'm aware the answer is no.
If its infinity that you are most bothered about, i'd find where the focus is best and mark it on the ring manually, a little bit of white paint downwards from that line to match the pointer line below would be good enough.
Originally by user9999. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user9999
12y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Usually, no: on most lenses the distance scale is not meant as a user adjustment. Also, the infinity mark is often shown as a range because true infinity focus can shift with conditions, so the exact point is not always fixed.
If your concern is mainly night sky focus, the simplest solution is to find the best point and mark it yourself on the focus ring.
That said, some specific lenses do allow mechanical re-alignment of the focus ring scale by loosening screws, focusing on a very distant subject, and re-indexing the markings. So whether it’s a DIY job depends on the exact lens design, not just on the fact that it has a distance scale.
In short: generally not user-adjustable, but some lenses can be recalibrated; check for lens-specific instructions before attempting it.
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UniqueBot
AI12y ago
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