Canon has launched a new service to correct autofocus errors with the company’s cameras and lenses. The Canon Precision Alignment Service will ensure that you get pin-sharp focus with your Canon cameras and lenses.
Who is the Precision Alignment Service for?
The Canon Precision Alignment service will help Canon camera users who are finding that their camera’s autofocus isn’t as accurate as when their kit was new. It will also be useful if you have bought a used camera or lens and the autofocus is a little off. However, the service is not for fixing errors with new lenses. You should resolve these issues under warranty or with your retailer.
Why is the Precision Alignment Service needed?
Canon states that the company’s camera systems and lenses are manufactured to extremely high precision standards for the ultimate image quality. However, over time, small movements in components caused by frequent or heavy use can result in tiny changes in focus accuracy. These can mean that your focus isn’t sharp, even when the autofocus appears to have been tracked correctly.
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What does Canon Precision Alignment Service involve?
Canon states that their technicians will match the autofocus on select Canon lens and camera combinations. Using precision tools and expertise, they will either adjust the camera to match the lens or vice versa to restore optimal focus. Canon’s sample images below illustrate the issues that the Precision Alignment will fix.
An image taken with a misaligned autofocus will appear blurry.
An image taken with an aligned autofocus will appear sharp.
What do you have to do?
You can schedule a Canon Precision Alignment online via the Canon website here. You then send your camera with a single lens or multiple lenses which you want to be matched with it. Alternatively, you can send in multiple bodies and a single lens for matching. In addition, you can have the focus of your Canon camera or lens matched with a standardized Canon test product body or lens. The price you pay varies by model.
What we think
Canon’s Precision Alignment is an invaluable service if you need to use autofocus and your equipment is no longer performing to its best. It’s unlikely to be cheap, however, if it breathes new life into your existing kit, then it will be worth every cent. At present, the service is available on eligible Canon Digital SLR and mirrorless cameras. It is also limited to EF and RF lens models only. In addition, it is geographically restricted to residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Hopefully, Canon will roll out the Precision Alignment Service worldwide if it is a success.