7D Mark II - Focus Discussions

Phoenixkh wrote in post #17757090
Well, I'm sending my 7D2 in to Canon. I don't know what happened. After updating the latest firmware, I started getting mush.

I know none of you have experienced this.... I'm not sure what's going on. I was getting pristine feather detail at 400mm of both stationary and flying birds. Now the feather detail is gone.

I talked to technical support like many of you. Did a reset to default factory settings. That changed nothing. I could have tried to do MFA at the long end to see if that improved things but I decided not to bother...not when something changed and I have no idea what did.

I'll keep you informed, if there appears to be any interest.

Did you ask them if there is any way to restore the previous firmware update. I'm guessing the answer would be no, but if you haven't already, it wouldn't hurt to ask.

mwsilver wrote in post #17757199
Did you ask them if there is any way to restore the previous firmware update. I'm guessing the answer would be no, but if you haven't already, it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Last time I send a body to Canon's center for a minor job, software also was updated to the latest version (That I didn't asked for) and that would conflict with one of my software/accessories. Canon replied they are sorry for this but there is no way to restore back to older firmware versions once updated to a newer one.

mwsilver wrote in post #17757199
Did you ask them if there is any way to restore the previous firmware update. I'm guessing the answer would be no, but if you haven't already, it wouldn't hurt to ask.

I have that as a last resort.... I kept the file from the previous firmware update. I'm hoping I get lucky and get a decent 7D2 tech and he or she fixes any camera issues. If not, I'll try to roll back the firmware to 1.0.4 and see if that is a work around.

samsen wrote in post #17757205
Last time I send a body to Canon's center for a minor job, software also was updated to the latest version (That I didn't asked for) and that would conflict with one of my software/accessories. Canon replied they are sorry for this but there is no way to restore back to older firmware versions once updated to a newer one.

I actually did a Google search and saw that a few people were able to do it through non standard procedures.

Phoenixkh wrote in post #17757209
I have that as a last resort.... I kept the file from the previous firmware update. I'm hoping I get lucky and get a decent 7D2 tech and he or she fixes any camera issues. If not, I'll try to roll back the firmware to 1.0.4 and see if that is a work around.

Good luck! The last update really scared me, because the camera stopped responding after it completed. After some sweating, I tried changing to a charged battery and everything was fine. I hope yours can have as-easy a fix.

Mmmmmmmm

I dont know what to tell you Kim, when I first got mine back it looked super good. I was hopeful. I put my 1.4III on and shot for a while and went back to the bare 100-400L and of course its been through several on offs, batteries, something has not been right since and I cant till you why. I'm on the fence again about sending it back for a third time. My buddy is here this weekend and I may have him drop it off again. we spent the day shooting mostly to work this camera out. He has the same setup 7DII and 100-400LII ..setup the camera page for page,..Hands down his is sharper at all distances, where mine is good at super long and up close but the intermediate is not great. shooting his then shooting mine his beats mine about every time. But I can shoot the moon. I don't understand how or why putting the 1.4III on could make a difference but it did. I could see the difference and so could everyone else. shooting a pine cone at thirty feet the his has great detail in the petals of the cone and mine is completely flat looking and zero detail. shot over and over. but I shoot fur and of course theres detail but again he's very close.

I know some are gona say Im nuts but I can get good stuff but its not as good as the camera's I use to trounce daily.

Close and the moon where did in-between go. I don't want people to explain why,.. but I would sure like to know what you guys would do ??

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/zeCZ​n4

Pondrader wrote in post #17758318
I dont know what to tell you Kim, when I first got mine back it looked super good. I was hopeful. I put my 1.4III on and shot for a while and went back to the bare 100-400L and of course its been through several on offs, batteries, something has not been right since and I cant till you why. I'm on the fence again about sending it back for a third time. My buddy is here this weekend and I may have him drop it off again. we spent the day shooting mostly to work this camera out. He has the same setup 7DII and 100-400LII ..setup the camera page for page,..Hands down his is sharper at all distances, where mine is good at super long and up close but the intermediate is not great. shooting his then shooting mine his beats mine about every time. But I can shoot the moon. I don't understand how or why putting the 1.4III on could make a difference but it did. I could see the difference and so could everyone else. shooting a pine cone at thirty feet the his has great detail in the petals of the cone and mine is completely flat looking and zero detail. shot over and over. but I shoot fur and of course theres detail but again he's very close.

I know some are gona say Im nuts but I can get good stuff but its not as good as the camera's I use to trounce daily.

Close and the moon where did in-between go. I don't want people to explain why,.. but I would sure like to know what you guys would do ??

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/zeCZ​n4 0W1A1780-Edit by Wild Photography, on Flickr

Hosted photo: posted by Pondrader in
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forum: Canon Digital Cameras

Jeff,
Can you post a link to a full resolution shot where you feel it is subpar? I know you are asking what we would do....
I would send it back, but with very specific examples and Description of where they should look etc, and the settings used and tried, all to help them isolate and then fix the problem.

Questions regarding subpar distance's rsults:
1. One shot, servo or both?
2. Single shot, burst or both?
3. Is the plane of focus matching the Af point?
4. Was live view attempted and result?
5. Does it happen with IS off and on?
6. Does it always happen at the is distance?
Etc. (if you wonder why I ask any of these specifically, let me know, and I can explain further.)

I know this takes work and time. But if it were me, unfortunately I would do it to help ensure it finally got fixed and the issue was put to bed.

hey, Ya I shot in one shot and servo, well we all did, two 7DII's and two 100-400LII's shot at random thing's,...we just passed the camera's around. not very scientific I know but it kind of took me out of the equation if you know what I mean. I'm not the easiest guy to please when were talking my camera lol,. I'm just going through the images on the computer but all standing there felt there was a problem. I don't have the images from the second 7DII ,..Im not sure what I have yet. A big question for me is why after I put the 1.4III on did thing's become goofy..I know scientific term lol ??

Thank goodness my little buddy is ok with me doing what ever I want, honestly it's hard to keep him awake uncropped at 300mm

Ya so I just need everything at arm's length lol ... Ya I had to keep talking to him to keep his eye's open

124mm uncropped spot with a 45 degree hill side. O and a fox for a target for focus

gschlact wrote in post #17758340
Jeff,
Can you post a link to a full resolution shot where you feel it is subpar? I know you are asking what we would do....
I would send it back, but with very specific examples and Description of where they should look etc, and the settings used and tried, all to help them isolate and then fix the problem.

Questions regarding subpar distance's rsults:
1. One shot, servo or both?
2. Single shot, burst or both?
3. Is the plane of focus matching the Af point?
4. Was live view attempted and result?
5. Does it happen with IS off and on?
6. Does it always happen at the is distance?
Etc. (if you wonder why I ask any of these specifically, let me know, and I can explain further.)

I know this takes work and time. But if it were me, unfortunately I would do it to help ensure it finally got fixed and the issue was put to bed.

I agree - you need to do some systematic testing to isolate possible causes.

Jeff, is the first major season change you've been through with the 7D2?

I was shocked when I first got mine and thought I had a faulty unit. I persevered and my images improved. Lots of thought later and I put down my early disappointing efforts down mainly to atmospheric conditions.

Maybe your local conditions are causing your doubts. Especially after your close ups of the Jays had you singing again and I presume those shots were inside of the distance where the atmospheric conditions would affect your images.

How do the images look with another lens on it like the 70-300L
John

Sort of an update: I shot a few hundred bird photographs yesterday with my 100-400ii and my back up camera: my 70D.

While the 70D isn't a horrible camera, previously, the photographs I got with it, while decent, were just not the quality I was getting with my 7D2 from the very start.... This was largely due to Jeff's advice. The 7D2 and 100-400ii camera seemed made for each and were such a pleasure to use.

This is why I'm so disappointed..... The only thing that changed was the update to the 1.0.5 firmware. My skills didn't sudden lessen... the lens didn't go whackjob on me.... things were just not the same.

I believe I proved that by getting very usable photographs of a Great Egret in flight.... for me, a challenge because of the exposure issue. But I nailed the shots with the 70D... and can no longer do that with the 7D2.

I think I'll see if I can talk to a more senior person at Canon on Tuesday since my camera isn't expected to get to NJ until Thursday. He/she might be able to send an email or call one of the techs there.... unlikely, but perhaps worth the try.