AFKalibrierung

AFKalibrierung is a German term that translates to "autofocus calibration" in English. It refers to the process of fine-tuning the autofocus system of a camera to ensure accurate focus acquisition. This calibration is particularly important for digital cameras, especially those with interchangeable lenses, as variations in lens construction and camera sensor alignment can lead to slight focusing inaccuracies.

The need for AFKalibrierung arises because the camera's autofocus sensor and the image sensor are not always perfectly aligned. When the camera's autofocus system determines a point is in focus, it might not correspond precisely to the sharpest possible focus on the image sensor. This can result in slightly soft images, even when the camera indicates a sharp focus. AFKalibrierung aims to correct this discrepancy.

The process typically involves taking a series of test shots of a subject at a known distance. Users often utilize specialized tools or software, or even a simple ruler placed at an angle, to visually assess the sharpness of the image at different focus points. Based on these results, adjustments are made either through the camera's internal menu (if it supports AF fine-tuning) or by using third-party calibration tools. Modern cameras often offer an "AF microadjustment" or "AF fine-tune" setting that allows users to manually shift the focus point slightly forward or backward for each individual lens. This ensures that when the camera's autofocus system locks onto a subject, the image projected onto the sensor is as sharp as possible, leading to cleaner and more detailed photographs.