DPReview: Putting Image Microadjust to the test on the Canon 5D Mark IV

One of the most discussed features of the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is Image Microadjust. This uses the slight difference in perspective between the left and right-facing halves of the 'Dual' pixels to fine-tune the effective focus point of the images.

Like everyone else, we were interested to see what degree of refocusability this gave.

If you're wondering: 'will this let me correct which eye my portrait is focused on?' The answer is a resounding 'no.' Indeed, even if the question is: 'can I shift the focus back from the eye lashes to get the iris sharp,' the answer isn't much more positive.

Dual Pixel Image Microadjustment

Shot with EF 35mm F1.4L II USM at F1.4

+5 (Max rearward adjustment)	0 (No adjustment)	-5 (Max forward adjustment)

AF (Lens) Microadjustment

For comparison, here's the amount of adjustment that can be achieved using AF microadjustment. The rollover starts at +1 as this is the degree of adjustment needed by this lens.

+20	+10	+3	+2	+1	0	-1	-2	-3	-10	-20

Real-world difference

Shot with EF 85mm F1.8 at F1.8,

This portrait was very slightly front focused, so we tested the degree to which it can be refocused, backwards. For each of the adjustments, 'Strength' was set to 10 to maximize the input from one set of pixels.

+5 (Max rearward adjustment)	0 (No adjustment)	-5 (Max forward adjustment)

Interestingly, it appears the images become noticeably softer when you apply forward or backward adjustment, so there's a chance that slightly better-looking results will be possible if you apply higher levels of sharpening to the microadjusted images. However, the degree of correction we're seeing is so small that we wonder whether it's worth the additional effort of having to incorporate the DPP software into your workflow, especially given the relatively long opening times required for each image, even on a fast computer.

Overall, it seems that lens microadjustment is much more powerful tool for achieving pinpoint sharpness and that Dual Pixel's primary value is as the easy-to-use and accurate focusing tool it was designed to be, rather than as a means of correcting slight focus error.

from Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) http://ift.tt/2bTqAYr
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