Canon 7D Expansion focus doesn't work??

Hi all

Recently my 7D's Expansion focus doesnt seem to work. I always used to use it for birds in fight shots but it now won't focus at all on a bird in the sky. It always used to. I use it primarily with a 300mm F4 L but have tried with a different lens and the problem persists. I really miss this feature and wonder if anyone else has had this problem and if so are there any solutions? The other focus options work fine but this one has changed from before and doesn't work! An advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Richard

Have you accidentally disabled the option in custom functions? Page 212 of the manual.

JohnB57 wrote in post #16726112
Have you accidentally disabled the option in custom functions? Page 212 of the manual.

Thanks for the reply...sorry my manual is in Japanese so can't check. But looked in CF autofocus number 6 and it was ticked as it is with the other options. Is that what you are referring too?

Thanks

perhaps you could pull the main and backup batteries. leave them out for a few min then reinsert. that should reset the body.

That's what I meant Richard. My only suggestion I'm afraid.

English manual here. Strangely, the page numbers are different to my physical copy!

Thanks very much for the manual. That is kind of you. Sorry to sound stupid but how do I take out the reserve battery?
Thanks again

zamami wrote in post #16726176
Thanks very much for the manual. That is kind of you. Sorry to sound stupid but how do I take out the reserve battery?
Thanks again

Hi Richard. The date/time battery is in its own holder in the main battery compartment. Its on page 251 of the PDF manual. Before doing that though, I'd try a reset by clearing all camera settings - page 47.

JohnB57 wrote in post #16726154
That's what I meant Richard. My only suggestion I'm afraid.

English manual here. Strangely, the page numbers are different to my physical copy!

New manual was issued with new 2.x.x firmware John.

OP, try resetting the camera to default settings. Be advised: This is a two-step process. Be sure that you complete both of these steps.

rrblint wrote in post #16726220
New manual was issued with new 2.x.x firmware John.

Thanks for the info Mark. Must check that my firmware is up to date.

zamami wrote in post #16726076
Hi all

Recently my 7D's Expansion focus doesnt seem to work. I always used to use it for birds in fight shots but it now won't focus at all on a bird in the sky. It always used to. I use it primarily with a 300mm F4 L but have tried with a different lens and the problem persists. I really miss this feature and wonder if anyone else has had this problem and if so are there any solutions? The other focus options work fine but this one has changed from before and doesn't work! An advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Richard

What happens when you cycle through the AF modes to select one? Does the expansion mode show up?

TeamSpeed wrote in post #16726322
What happens when you cycle through the AF modes to select one? Does the expansion mode show up?

Yes it does but it just doesnt work!

Please describe what it's doing or not doing. "Just doesn't work" could mean many things.

zamami wrote in post #16726458
Yes it does but it just doesnt work!

You need to set up a proper test.

Put a strip of masking tape vertically down the middle of a window. Select a lens that can focus close enough and switch to 'Single point with expansion' and AI Servo. Half-press the shutter (or press the back-button if using back-button focusing) with the centre point selected. Now, while keeping the button pressed, move slowly to the side. After a while the camera should move the active focus point.

rrblint wrote in post #16726463
Please describe what it's doing or not doing. "Just doesn't work" could mean many things.

Sorry didn't reply couldn't get to the computer today. Doesn't work means that the view finder is just a blurry mess of sky whereas before it would pick up the bird and lock on focus now it won't lock onto the bird or anything in the air. It will still work with items on the ground with a background but not with BIF!! Before this was my banker for birds in the air but now it just doesnt work!! Thanks again everyone.

Have you adjust the servo speed too slow, that can make it difficult to pickup a new target. Try medium to start off with.

Obviously you can only lock on on the main point, the other points will track as it moves into that point. Test on a larger subject.

Is the AF hunting?

If not then you may have CF3-4 focus search off.