7D Mark II - Focus Discussions

stsva wrote in post #17844424
I tend to agree, although there also may be something else going on. I have noticed that I may get different focus planes on the same subject switching from spot focus to center point focus to center point with expansion. As noted by TeamSpeed, center point with 8 point expansion seems most likely to grab focus somewhere other than where I want it.

Steve,
I think we are saying the same thing. With the multiple Af points cumulative area differences, highest contrast will get the AF plane. Hence, Spot being smallest, gives highest correlation to desired Af place and plane.

Pondrader wrote in post #17842319
That would be great Peter

Now I need that pm too Jeff please....

Peter2516 wrote in post #17844291
Digital. I just realized that the link/blogger is about 15 minutes away from where I live, My friend also recommended his 7D2 setting for me the other day and even emailed me the link, and today I realized it is the same link you posted here , and Tim does workshops I maybe someday join one of his workshop My friend said he is really good for what he does. So I might sign up someday. Again thanks for the link.

That would be very cool.

gschlact wrote in post #17844857
Steve,
I think we are saying the same thing. With the multiple Af points cumulative area differences, highest contrast will get the AF plane. Hence, Spot being smallest, gives highest correlation to desired Af place and plane.

Canon documentation states that the centre point is primary and AF will always it to obtain AF using it first, no exceptions. If the contrast is too low then it will use an outer point. Yes it may choose an outer point and not hit what you want.

You can test this using one shot because an outer point will illuminate. The outer point illuminates first followed by the centre which I figure shows what the intended point was (centre). Canon documentation says both one shot and AI Servo work the exact same way but we can't see what the outer points are doing in AI Servo. Also Canon says that when using expansion only one outer point only is used at any given time.

digital paradise wrote in post #17845289
Canon documentation states that the centre point is primary and AF will always it to obtain AF using it first, no exceptions. If the contrast is too low then it will use an outer point. Yes it may choose an outer point and not hit what you want.

You can test this using one shot because an outer point will illuminate. The outer point illuminates first followed by the centre which I figure shows what the intended point was (centre). Canon documentation says both one shot and AI Servo work the exact same way but we can't see what the outer points are doing in AI Servo. Also Canon says that when using expansion only one outer point only is used at any given time.

Great concise information DP

If a bird was moving through a dense thicket would it be best to use center spot so outer pts are disabled?

My 7D2 is three days out for delivery.

CB

I noticed the thread is slowing down a bit. Good sign I hope.

Probably true Methodical as it is just too big for others to find out what they need.
Personally I have picked up some useful information here - I hope others have too.
Time for a new discussion perhaps?

I just got mine, lot to learn about the autofocus. For now I'll keep it simple until I get more comfortable. Still the ISO performance is really good.

13867 wrote in post #17845322
Great concise information DP

If a bird was moving through a dense thicket would it be best to use center spot so outer pts are disabled?

My 7D2 is three days out for delivery.

CB

For a subject in clutter I would use spot focus, in fact this is my standard for "static" subjects, of course wildlife subjects are never realy still.

Lester Wareham wrote in post #17846482
For a subject in clutter I would use spot focus, in fact this is my standard for "static" subjects, of course wildlife subjects are never realy still.

Thanks for verifying this Lester!

CB

I initially came here to learn more about the 7D2's focusing mechanism ... Seeing a lot of people struggle with their new cameras isn't nice. There is no way that I'm reading 375 pages to see if this issue is now resolved. I'd appreciate if someone that's been following this from the beginning can give me the Cole's Notes version.

I just purchased a 7D2 yesterday. I updates to the latest firmware. Just testing one of my lenses on static subject, hand held, single shot, spot focus, dual (AF-ON & *) back button focus. I see no issues at this time. Only that * doesn't always engage the focus. Haven't had time to do any micro focus adjusting.

Thanks.

AbPho wrote in post #17847150
I initially came here to learn more about the 7D2's focusing mechanism ... Seeing a lot of people struggle with their new cameras isn't nice. There is no way that I'm reading 375 pages to see if this issue is now resolved. I'd appreciate if someone that's been following this from the beginning can give me the Cole's Notes version.

I just purchased a 7D2 yesterday. I updates to the latest firmware. Just testing one of my lenses on static subject, hand held, single shot, spot focus, dual (AF-ON & *) back button focus. I see no issues at this time. Only that * doesn't always engage the focus. Haven't had time to do any micro focus adjusting.

Thanks.

.....There is no way that I'm reading 375 pages to see if this issue is now resolved....

Thars Gold in them Thar pages......

CB

That's just evil. Lol. It will take me a month to catch up.

But I must stress that I'm thoroughly impressed at this point. Just WOW!!! I feel that it does much better in "low" light than my previous 7D or 5D2. And soooo sharp.

I am not looking forward to MFAing all my lenses. I still have to do this on my 5D3 as well. That's going to take a few days. Too many lenses.

AbPho wrote in post #17847181
That's just evil. Lol. It will take me a month to catch up.

But I must stress that I'm thoroughly impressed at this point. Just WOW!!! I feel that it does much better in "low" light than my previous 7D or 5D2. And soooo sharp.

I am not looking forward to MFAing all my lenses. I still have to do this on my 5D3 as well. That's going to take a few days. Too many lenses.

2 tests to verify you have fully working camera-
1. put it in Servo mode, single point or spot point, shoot with high enough shutter speed and good light a hi-contrast detailed object. Is it sharp? If not, MFA, and repeat.

2. put it in Servo mode, single point or spot point, shoot with high enough shutter speed and good light a hi-contrast detailed MOVING object. If not, MFA, and repeat. If not, adjust First / Second SHutter to FOCUS Priority.


BOttom line, there have been some people with one of two issues that have needed repair a) inconsistent front / back focus or b) soft images, even at the plan of focus, during ai servo tracking of moving subject.

However, in all these pages, there are actually not many unique individuals that have needed repair for these and it is not a rampant problem of the sort.

There are though, several people, that have had several bad bodies in either exchange or repair. While the one side claims the problem is a verybsmall percentage, there is the other side that claims there is a high percentage of bad bodies. I think it falls somewhere in the middle. Like I said, several people have had multiple bad bodies.what are the chances? Im betting there are many that don't look at files close enough to even know there is a problem. Just test the camera thoroughly in your return window. Once it expires you'll have little luck with a resolution with canon after reading this thread. Even if it were .00009% affected, canon cannot seem to fix those. So test it out.