Looking For Guidance Here - Canon 7D Mark II

Hello All,

I am coming here just looking for some guidance. I have recently upgraded from a Canon XSi to a Canon 7D Mark II (Thanks to the wife). I have not had this camera too long a month or so (but not much time behind the camera, where my XSi i have had for about 6 years. I have been taking random pictures mostly of the kids as that is all i have had time for. I just feel as though the pictures with the 7D Mk II arent very sharp (not saying it is the camera) and i just cant tell what i am doing wrong. I feel as though i was able to get good sharp images out of my XSi. Any input on what may be causing this? While i have gotten some good ones i feel like 50% are falling inin the guality shown below.

Here are a few pics from my XSi.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.framedmomen​ts.net/Photos/Portrait​s/i-b87tCTb/A

IMAGE LINK: http://www.framedmomen​ts.net/Photos/Portrait​s/i-c4f68q6/A

IMAGE LINK: http://www.framedmomen​ts.net/Photos/Portrait​s/i-BtjLJth/A

IMAGE LINK: http://www.framedmomen​ts.net/Photos/Portrait​s/i-t8KwQp2/A

IMAGE LINK: http://www.framedmomen​ts.net/Photos/Portrait​s/i-LrzBjbL/A

Only one of the your 7d2 images look like motion blur to me. The others look sharp. The XSi images are bright, lots of contrast, while the 7D2 images you have shown are under-exposed in areas you're inspecting and lack contrast in those areas, lack of contrast often looks "soft" to the eye (mostly referring to the last image).

What lens? Focal length?

Have you tried to MFA your lens to ensure it's tight with focus?

Very best,

As additional info the Xsi images were run through LR, the 7D Mk II images are right out the camera.

For direct comparison purposes if you took a pic with each camera, same time, same subject, etc. Then compare.

Also...what are your settings? Specifically focus and metering/white balance covered in point 1 of the settings link below).

I used this info as a starting point: https://photographylif​e.com …canon-7d-mark-ii-settings

The 7d2 has a fairly complex focus system. I read this to get some insight: https://www.learn.usa.​canon.com …F_tracking_Quic​kGuide.pdf

The lens I have been using is a Canon 17-55mm f2.8. Various focal lengths.

Jethr0 wrote in post #18123564
For direct comparison purposes if you took a pic with each camera, same time, same subject, etc. Then compare.

Also...what are your settings? Specifically focus and metering/white balance covered in point 1 of the settings link below).

I used this info as a starting point: https://photographylif​e.com …canon-7d-mark-ii-settings

The 7d2 has a fairly complex focus system. I read this to get some insight: https://www.learn.usa.​canon.com …F_tracking_Quic​kGuide.pdf

Thanks, I will look back at the exit data and respond with the info on the settings.

I went the same route...XSi to 7D2. It took me a little while to learn the 7D2 but now I get a lot of nice shots on it. I still have the XSi, and will use it for landscapes and leave the 50-500 mm on the 7D2

link

The above link looks like a sharper image to me. Looking at the info, it was taken with your 50mm lens. So I think it's partly the lens/ partly exposure settings. It does look like you're underexposing a bit with the 7D2, and it's contrast that you're responding to instead of optical sharpness.

Capn Jack wrote in post #18123773
I went the same route...XSi to 7D2. It took me a little while to learn the 7D2 but now I get a lot of nice shots on it. I still have the XSi, and will use it for landscapes and leave the 50-500 mm on the 7D2

Thanks for the reply, yeah it is a learning curve. It is amazing how much more this camera can do that the XSi couldnt!

davesrose wrote in post #18123790
link

The above link looks like a sharper image to me. Looking at the info, it was taken with your 50mm lens. So I think it's partly the lens/ partly exposure settings. It does look like you're underexposing a bit with the 7D2, and it's contrast that you're responding to instead of optical sharpness.

Thanks for the feedback!

MalVeauX wrote in post #18123560
Only one of the your 7d2 images look like motion blur to me. The others look sharp. The XSi images are bright, lots of contrast, while the 7D2 images you have shown are under-exposed in areas you're inspecting and lack contrast in those areas, lack of contrast often looks "soft" to the eye (mostly referring to the last image).

What lens? Focal length?

Have you tried to MFA your lens to ensure it's tight with focus?

Very best,

I really dont know how to do MFA, i did print some focus test charts and tested my lenses and they all seemed to focus where i was wanting them to.

Mudhog79 wrote in post #18123798
I really dont know how to do MFA, i did print some focus test charts and tested my lenses and they all seemed to focus where i was wanting them to.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …microadjustment​-tips.aspx

The above goes into detail about MFA. Is it worth it? Some say yes, others say it doesn't matter. IMO, only if your lens hasn't nailed focus is it important. I don't know if I've just been lucky, but I've tried MFAing my lenses and haven't seen a whole lot of difference.

Jethr0 wrote in post #18123564
For direct comparison purposes if you took a pic with each camera, same time, same subject, etc. Then compare.

Also...what are your settings? Specifically focus and metering/white balance covered in point 1 of the settings link below).

I used this info as a starting point: https://photographylif​e.com …canon-7d-mark-ii-settings

The 7d2 has a fairly complex focus system. I read this to get some insight: https://www.learn.usa.​canon.com …F_tracking_Quic​kGuide.pdf

AF was either Spot AF or 1 PT AF, White balance is Auto, and Evaluative metering. I am still getting used to the meter being on the right of the view window as well.

davesrose wrote in post #18123803
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …microadjustment​-tips.aspx

The above goes into detail about MFA. Is it worth it? Some say yes, others say it doesn't matter. IMO, only if your lens hasn't nailed focus is it important. I don't know if I've just been lucky, but I've tried MFAing my lenses and haven't seen a whole lot of difference.

Thanks i appreciate the info!

It also took me a while to get sharp photos, and I was originally disappointed too. Stick with it. My experience with the 7d II shooting mostly birds has been:
- the Anti-aliasing filter blurs the image a bit, so you need to use sharpening in post processing, maybe more than you're used to.
- the small pixel size is very succeptible to movement, so try to hold as still as possible during the shot, and use a bit more shutter speed that you think you need. Also, gently roll/squeeze your finger on the shutter and don't jab.
- the shutter is fast, but creates the risk of vibration...shove you face/eye/eyebrow against the viewfinder as hard as you can to settle it (very important for critical sharpness)
- the 7d II will be very noisy in dark areas if you underexpose. It's very important to overexpose slightly without clipping the highlights (turn on blinkies to catch these), and bring down in post processing (look up ETTR, or expose to the right).

Good luck. They'll eventually look like this (or better...this is a low res version from my iPad).