7D Mark II (another focus thread)

I have tried to read all of the other threads concerning focus issues but am getting overwhelmed with all the information. So let me break it down this way.

I am coming from a 40D. Never had to calibrate anything and it had tack sharp images straight out of the box. The new 7D mark II, I am getting maybe a 20% save rate on my images. All the rest are missed focus or soft. I am probably guessing its inexperience and user error, although I have heard there is a bad batch out there? But can some one please tell me how to fix this. I don't know if its a calibration issue, or me using the wrong type of focus method? a portion of my images seem to front focus. A great deal seem to back focus, and other times, nothing is in focus at all. And when I check the red indication spot, what it says should be in focus is not always in focus.

Im sort of a show me hands on learner, but there are no tutorials on youtube yet for this issue.

Here is a front focus that I have not deleted yet. I tend to delete them as soon as I see them to conserve space.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/qeMG​86

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/picU​4K

Please post your problem photos along with their complete exif data. This will help everyone to provide you suggestions that should work versus conjecture.

First make sure your shutter speeds are the inverse of twice your focal length to eliminate that as an issue of soft focus.

Yes, please post one of each front, back, and out of focus, with EXIF intact.

It sounds as if the OP needs to practice with the focus points. When I switched from the 40D to the 7D I was having some difficulties with the focus system of the latter. What helped me was David Busch's Canon EOS 7D Guide to Digital SLR Photography, and I imagine that he has already written a book for the 7D II.

The problem is that the camera is too new for photographers to have video instructions on how to use the focus points of the 7D II.
http://learn.usa.canon​.com …s7dmkii_zoneaf_​afpt.shtml

Here is a front focus that I have not deleted yet. I tend to delete them as soon as I see them to conserve space.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/qeMG​86

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/picU​4K

Let me see if I can find a back focused I havent deleted yet. And again, I have never had this problem with my 40D and my lenses

You didn't have this issue with the 40d because it had 9 points that were pretty far apart. The actual af points on the 7d2 are much closer and are a bit larger than the black boxes you see, they are merely representative of which af points were used and may not accurately tell you specifically what the af points are. In your sample, the scarf has more contrast and is closer and sits in the af sensor zone, so most likely that is what the camera latched onto. Even in spot AF, that would be a hit or miss shoot IMO.

That could explain your seemingly random results, coupled with shutter speeds that sometimes may not be the most appropriate for sharp photos.

Back Focus - focus fell behind her on grey area near her legs

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/phYV​tq

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/qeYb​uF

No focus at all

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/pXwE​CX

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/qeUP​nU

TeamSpeed wrote in post #17300564
You didn't have this issue with the 40d because it had 9 points that were pretty far apart. The actual af points on the 7d2 are much closer and are a bit larger than the black boxes you see, they are merely representative of which af points were used and may not accurately tell you specifically what the af points are. In your sample, the scarf has more contrast and is closer and sits in the af sensor zone, so most likely that is what the camera latched onto. Even in spot AF, that would be a hit or miss shoot IMO.

That could explain your seemingly random results, coupled with shutter speeds that sometimes may not be the most appropriate for sharp photos.

In a nutshell, you are saying I have no idea what I am doing lol

RayinAlaska wrote in post #17300533
It sounds as if the OP needs to practice with the focus points. When I switched from the 40D to the 7D I was having some difficulties with the focus system of the latter. What helped me was David Busch's Canon EOS 7D Guide to Digital SLR Photography, and I imagine that he has already written a book for the 7D II.

The problem is that the camera is too new for photographers to have video instructions on how to use the focus points of the 7D II.
http://learn.usa.canon​.com …s7dmkii_zoneaf_​afpt.shtml

I was using spot metering. Thats always given me good results.

You weren't in AI Servo mode:

Now I have to go back through all my photos and see if the mode wS always set that way. This has been an ongoing problem. Not just this particular day. I'll check it in the am

Maybe you can try using single shot , and choose 9 af points option on your 7d mk ii, than take a shoot, don't forget to selected which dot points you want to focus with, than post the result here, mine got very sharp after using those settings, execpt for sport and wildlife you may choose ai servo for better result, because ai servo is designed to shoot extra fast moving object, not for candid or portarits .. Good luck