7D2 with 100-400 Mk1

Hi all

Hope everyone is OK.

I recently purchased a 7D2 to compliment my 5D3 for our trip to Yellowstone. As I have had to 5D3 for a couple of years now, I am familiar with the focusing system the covers both bodies. I also previously had a 7D1 prior to the 5D3. This post is not meant to start an argument about focusing\which body is better\user error. The 5D3 is predominantly my landscape body and the 7D2 is for wildlife. Both bodies are configured the same.

When using my 100-400 Mk1 on the 5D3, no issues whatsoever. When I used it on the 7D2, images were not sharp and I could see and hear the lens hunting for focus. Let me explain.

For several years now I have used back button focusing, it makes life so much easier. Focusing is set to AI Servo so that if the subject is static focus is achieved and if moving, tracking takes over. On the 5D3, holding the af-on button in achieves focus and keeps it focused. On the 7D2, holding the button in whilst shooting a totally static subject, the lens attempts focus, I see it in the viewfinder and hear it, it then quickly acquires focus, again I can see it in the viewfinder and hear the focusing mechanism works, and then it goes out of focus. It does this consistently and all in the space of a few tenths of a second.......but only with the 100-400. No issues on 17-40 or 70-200 F4. As I say, I don't have this problem on the 5D3. I also tried with back button focusing switched off, same issue, and also with one shot focusing, same issue.

Anyone else had this or can anyone make any suggestions for settings, etc.. Buying the new 100-400 Mk2 is not an option so please no lens suggestions.

JuSlaughter wrote in post #17734830
Hi all

Hope everyone is OK.

I recently purchased a 7D2 to compliment my 5D3 for our trip to Yellowstone. As I have had to 5D3 for a couple of years now, I am familiar with the focusing system the covers both bodies. I also previously had a 7D1 prior to the 5D3. This post is not meant to start an argument about focusing\which body is better\user error. The 5D3 is predominantly my landscape body and the 7D2 is for wildlife. Both bodies are configured the same.

When using my 100-400 Mk1 on the 5D3, no issues whatsoever. When I used it on the 7D2, images were not sharp and I could see and hear the lens hunting for focus. Let me explain.

For several years now I have used back button focusing, it makes life so much easier. Focusing is set to AI Servo so that if the subject is static focus is achieved and if moving, tracking takes over. On the 5D3, holding the af-on button in achieves focus and keeps it focused. On the 7D2, holding the button in whilst shooting a totally static subject, the lens attempts focus, I see it in the viewfinder and hear it, it then quickly acquires focus, again I can see it in the viewfinder and hear the focusing mechanism works, and then it goes out of focus. It does this consistently and all in the space of a few tenths of a second.......but only with the 100-400. No issues on 17-40 or 70-200 F4. As I say, I don't have this problem on the 5D3. I also tried with back button focusing switched off, same issue, and also with one shot focusing, same issue.

Anyone else had this or can anyone make any suggestions for settings, etc.. Buying the new 100-400 Mk2 is not an option so please no lens suggestions.

I do shoot now with the 100-400 II, but I still have the v1. I put it on my 7D2, used back-button focus with AI Servo, and didn't have any problems. Focusing was fast and accurate at a variety of focal lengths and subject distances (from 6 feet to 7 miles). I didn't try any moving objects; just static ones. I was using servo Case 1 without any changes to the factory settings.

The only drawback to my testing was that it reminded me once again that I do miss the push-pull design of the 100-400 v1.

On the 7D2, holding the button in whilst shooting a totally static subject, the lens attempts focus, I see it in the viewfinder and hear it, it then quickly acquires focus,

Doesn't holding the button down tell the lens to continue to focus while pushing the button and letting it go lock focus?

I've been shooting a 7D2 / 100-400 all summer with great results. HOWEVER when I first bought the camera my testing showed that the 7D2's AF wouldn't compensate for small movement of birds at my feeder when in AI Servo. When I noticed that I switched to one shot & it was far more accurate for what can be considered stationary objects. AI Servo works great for moving targets though & I've got lots of great action shot with it.

I bought a 100-400 mk I to go with my new 7D mk II, and have been using it for quite a while with no problems. I'm always in AI Servo whether I'm shooting moving or stationary targets.

FWIW, I use case 6 with sensitivity at minimum and usually single point unless the target has a very low contrast background. Then I will sometimes switch to expanded or zone.