7D Mark II - Focus Discussions

With long distance objects that aren't really moving much outside the DOF (that should be pretty large), I would also try going to One Shot, to rule out that AI Servo isn't doing something odd just before the shutter fires.

Pondrader wrote in post #17789006
Interesting that you took it out of the box and updated the firmware lol they sure do have us brain washed thinking we are missing out if we don't have the latest lol. I need a day shooting fur to see just how it shoots right now, Im trying to convince myself its good , helps me sleep lol

No not brainwashed at all, I'm an ex-IT professional and actually err on the side of caution with respect to upgrades and un-necessary changes, I've been using many EOS digital bodies for over 12 years, never had a problem with updating firmware or not, I don't think either my 1D4 or 5D3 have ever been updated by me - they've worked for me and I've had no specific reason to upgrade them.

With the 7D2 I upgraded because I wanted the 70-200 100mm fix in 1.0.4 but 1.0.5 was available and I thought I might as well get that on there and start from that rather than use first then upgrade and go through the mind games I've seen so many go through.

So it seems you are saying the other 7D2 you tested had 1.0.4 and showed yours to be under-performing, obviously not conclusive that it's a firmware issue but interesting nonetheless.

I can almost feel my paranoia building now,

Kev

gschlact wrote in post #17789585
Kim,
In terms of figuring things out, Have you tried shooting with IS off to rule out a firmware/IS issue from camera?

What about with Live View to rule out a potential mirror slap vibration issue? (but I don't believe it would rule out some quirky shutter vibration issue)

Lastly, what about shooting in normal pdaf, but turn AF to Off on the lens after acquiring focus to help rule out some weird firmware AF drive issue during shutter activation?

gschlact,

The problem with all the suggestions is.... my camera worked perfectly for 10 months. I didn't change anything. I was used to the camera. It had become an extension of myself and I was amazed at the results I was getting.

Then that all went away. I didn't change a thing. The humidity, my settings, the way I hold the camera, use of a monopod and tripod.... nothing changed. Well, one thing did.... my camera stopped giving me any details. Everything was like a painting.... everything was there but no longer had any fine details.

I can try everything under the sun, I suppose. I just want a working camera. I don't think that's too much to ask, especially since mine worked perfectly for 10 months. I don't think I should have to try this or that. I expect Canon to fix it.

This https://flic.kr/p/AC7n​zG is the sort of quality I had hoped for my 7D2. ISO3200 and clean as a whistle with great detail.

I'm not getting close at the moment.

Not my picture by the way, I am searching for examples on Flickr of 'the mud' I and others have been suffering.

Triplexbee wrote in post #17789701
This https://flic.kr/p/AC7n​zG is the sort of quality I had hoped for my 7D2. ISO3200 and clean as a whistle with great detail.

I'm not getting close at the moment.

Not my picture by the way, I am searching for examples on Flickr of 'the mud' I and others have been suffering.

What do you mean by the mud?

digital paradise wrote in post #17789705
What do you mean by the mud?

It is my way of describing the softness of the image at times. It's as if the image isn't particularly OOF but generally 'muddy', lacking in clarity.

Triplexbee wrote in post #17789707
It is my way of describing the softness of the image at times. It's as if the image isn't particularly OOF but generally 'muddy', lacking in clarity.

Wanted to be sure that was the same thing. I mentioned the muddy look 10 months ago and several times since. Glad I wasn't the only one who seen this.

Phoenixkh wrote in post #17789699
gschlact,

The problem with all the suggestions is.... my camera worked perfectly for 10 months. I didn't change anything. I was used to the camera. It had become an extension of myself and I was amazed at the results I was getting.

Then that all went away. I didn't change a thing. The humidity, my settings, the way I hold the camera, use of a monopod and tripod.... nothing changed. Well, one thing did.... my camera stopped giving me any details. Everything was like a painting.... everything was there but no longer had any fine details.

I can try everything under the sun, I suppose. I just want a working camera. I don't think that's too much to ask, especially since mine worked perfectly for 10 months. I don't think I should have to try this or that. I expect Canon to fix it.

Didn't you fix it yourself?

You don't have to try this or that, but it might help to understand the issue.

Archibald wrote in post #17789740
Didn't you fix it yourself?

You don't have to try this or that, but it might help to understand the issue.

It is much better after I rolled back the firmware but still not where it was. I thought everything was back to normal until I went to another nature preserve where all the photo opportunities are farther away. I got home and when I started working the files, the detail was nowhere near where it was.

Just to make sure I wasn't kidding myself and seeing or not seeing what was or wasn't there, I looked all my photographs since I got the 7D2 and 100-400L ii. It still isn't back all the way.

I think I mentioned a few posts ago, I did talk to a very nice lady at CPS and after I spend some time with my replacement camera (1D IV), I will send my 7D2 back in with a more detailed report. She couldn't have been nicer. She said firmware updates have been known to mess up some cameras and lens combinations. She's seen it before. I think they'll be able to get it right eventually. It will be nice if it's just with one trip back. We'll see. Canon is paying for the camera to be shipped both ways.

Phoenixkh wrote in post #17789766
It is much better after I rolled back the firmware but still not where it was. I thought everything was back to normal until I went to another nature preserve where all the photo opportunities are farther away. I got home and when I started working the files, the detail was nowhere near where it was.

Just to make sure I wasn't kidding myself and seeing or not seeing what was or wasn't there, I looked all my photographs since I got the 7D2 and 100-400L ii. It still isn't back all the way.

I think I mentioned a few posts ago, I did talk to a very nice lady at CPS and after I spend some time with my replacement camera (1D IV), I will send my 7D2 back in with a more detailed report. She couldn't have been nicer. She said firmware updates have been known to mess up some cameras and lens combinations. She's seen it before. I think they'll be able to get it right eventually. It will be nice if it's just with one trip back. We'll see. Canon is paying for the camera to be shipped both ways.

Well, it is worrisome, this ill-defined issue. Similar to Pondrader's situation. It's solved! No, wait a minute, it isn't. Or is it? Maybe if I roll back to 1.0.2... or reset the camera...

I know Canon reps can sweet-talk you, but that's not what matters. What matters is how the camera (or lens) performs.

Archibald wrote in post #17789772
Well, it is worrisome, this ill-defined issue. Similar to Pondrader's situation. It's solved! No, wait a minute, it isn't. Or is it? Maybe if I roll back to 1.0.2... or reset the camera...

I know Canon reps can sweet-talk you, but that's not what matters. What matters is how the camera (or lens) performs.

I couldn't agree more. That's why I bought a camera I believe will get me back to shooting photographs while I work out the problems with my 7D2. A pretty extreme solution but I sort of need my camera for my own health. I know that sounds dramatic but photography has so enriched my life, I'm a bit lost without it.

I can always sell one of them after Canon gets things sorted out. I got a decent enough deal on the 1D IV that I should be able to sell it for near what I paid for it.... unless the prices continue to drop. I checked before I bought the 7D2. I bought the 1D IV for over a thousand less than what they were just a year ago around this time of year.

Triplexbee wrote in post #17789701
This https://flic.kr/p/AC7n​zG is the sort of quality I had hoped for my 7D2. ISO3200 and clean as a whistle with great detail.

I'm not getting close at the moment.

Not my picture by the way, I am searching for examples on Flickr of 'the mud' I and others have been suffering.

The ISO 3200 example you posted, although has that ISO, isnt really very low light. It is still 4 stops above an average gymnasium for example as it was f6.3, 1/1250 with the ISO 3200.

Maybe keep the 1div and dump the 7dii if your satisfied.

gschlact wrote in post #17789788
The ISO 3200 example you posted, although has that ISO, isnt really very low light. It is still 4 stops above an average gymnasium for example as it was f6.3, 1/1250 with the ISO 3200.

My own assessment of that example image re-lit the ol' 'this camera needs light argument.

I rolled back to 1.04 last night and had a session out and about today. Light was awful when this fight broke out and did not get much better all day but signs are encouraging that 1.04 is working better for me. This is ISO10000.

Frodge wrote in post #17789793
Maybe keep the 1div and dump the 7dii if your satisfied.

Frodge,

I won't be able to sell the 7D2 unless or until Canon gets it sorted out. If they do and I love the 1D IV, I might just do that. Time will tell.