124 - The Importance of Lens Calibration - So You Can Get Sharp Images + Accurate Focusing

This week, I have a very special guest on the podcast – my dad! We’re going to be diving into an important, but often overlooked topic: lens calibration. Whether you’re brand new to this service or it’s been on your radar for a while, we’ve got you covered! 

Consider this a whistle-stop tour of everything you need to know to get this ticked off your to-do list with as much ease and as little stress as possible, so you can get back to taking amazing photos (that are always in focus!).

Tune in to discover…

• How my dad inspired my approach to documenting wedding days and my photography mission [4.10]
• Why calibrating your lens is SO important, even though most camera stores still don’t offer this service [10.03]
• Why each lens needs to be separately calibrated to every camera body you use [12.22]
• How to know WHEN to calibrate your lenses and how regularly I calibrate mine [13.47], [19.36]
• A deep dive into focus and example scenarios of things that can go wrong when your lenses aren’t calibrated properly [16.35]
• Why you should consider calibrating new lenses as well as tried and true favorites [17.56]
• How environmental factors affect your lenses and why wedding, portrait, and wildlife photographers need to prioritize lens calibration the most [20.06]
• An answer to whether or not you need calibrated lenses with a mirrorless camera (and why) [22.09]
• Firmware updates – what they are and why you absolutely need to do them on your camera gear (don’t worry, it’s super easy!) [23.30]
• How the camera brand you use affects calibrating your lenses and the camera brand you may want to avoid from a lens calibration perspective [26.09]
• How long a standard lens calibration appointment should take and what you can expect from the process [27.36]
• Tips for buying lenses and the lenses I have personally invested in over my career [28.47]
• My number #1 hack for getting the best lenses, without paying the hefty price tag [31.06]
• How to calibrate your own lenses if you’re not ready to invest in a lens calibration service just yet, plus how much the tools will cost you [35.44]
• How to find lens calibration services in your area [38.19]

RESOURCES + LINKS:

For lens calibration services in the Ontario area, visit https://darexstudio.com/ 

Say hi to me on social! I would love to hear which episode helped you!

Instagram: @saramonikaphoto