7D mark II question on 9 point AF

I just got my 7D2 today and have a question. when I have it set for 5 PT center and 4 cross I hit the BFF and they all show and are used for focus

when I have it set for the next AF mode (?) with 9 points with center active it shows the 9 points but when I hit the BFF the 4 corner points disappear, are they still working as cross points or what is going on?

also the 65 point, I haven't really used it yet but I get the center point and on my 90D it will show the points achieving focus across the screen the 7D2 only seems to show the center point. I am sure it must be a setting and will work with it for the next two days where we are supposed to have snow and rain

What mode do you have the

• camera in: A, P, Tv, Av?
  
• Focus in: One shot, AI Focus, AI servo?
  

Manual and AI Servo

I will keep working with it, I don't have the manual will download one online

Whether you use P, Tv, Av or whatever exposure metering mode doesn't influence the AF. So you can disregard that part.
There are only two focus modes, one shot and servo. AI is just a combination of the two.

But it's relevant as far as that some modes differ if you use one shot or servo. So we better discuss one at a time.

In general, the assist points will only be used if the selected point can't achieve focus. For one shot AF, it happens once. For servo, it happens continuously.

For some multi-point modes, in one shot AF the camera may use any point. In servo AF, it often starts with a pre-defined point, but can then wander off, to track a certain object.

I think you are confusing AI servo with AI Focus at least on my 7D2 I have
One Shot - AI Focus - AI servo

I am shooting in AI Servo

Yesterday I didn't get any BIF only birds on the water. On the 90D when in 45 point with the center point active as the bird moves off center or some closer object is detected the focus points light up or are displayed, but maybe that doesn't happen with the 7D2

The camera only has one shot AF and servo AF. AI Focus tries to make use of a combination of these two modes.

I've used neither the 7D Mark II nor the 90D. But I do have working experience from the 7D, 1DX and 1DX Mark II. At least the latter implements all Canon had at the time of its introduction (2016).
The AI focus mode is intended for those who aren't sure about if they should use one shot or servo AF. Since the 1D-series are aimed at professionals, they don't even have the AI focus setting. They are supposed to know which mode to apply.

Older cameras, when using all points (whether that was 9, 19 or 45) with servo AF mode, they always started tracking in the center. Then it became possible to select the starting point yourself. Now you can let the camera select the starting point in this mode too. So it differs depending on the model.

Anyhow I always am in AI Servo, what you call servo AF, on my 7D2 it shows it as AI Servo there is no setting for Servo AF.

another thing is that I set the AF points to show in red when locked on but they don't

downloaded the manuals and will do a software update.

Slowly learning this, it is different than my prosumer Canons

Sorry, what I referred to as servo AF is indeed what Canon calls AI Servo AF. But it's different from the AI Focus setting.

If I use all points on my 1DX, with servo AF, then there's a cluster of points that moves over the viewfinder, to keep covering the subject, if I move the camera a bit. On the 1DX, they are normally black in this case, but can be selected to flash red. The 1DX Mark II keeps them red. I'm not sure if the 7D Mark II implements the same illumination scheme as the 1DX Mark II. The older 7D works like the 1DX in this case.

I think I am getting it, now if it would stop raining

I would be interested in your opinion of the 7D2 compared to the 90D once you've had a chance to work with the 7D2 for a while.

I have a 7D2 but am on the fence concerning the 90D.

Enjoy your new camera.

Rod

Jeff
Since you purchased the camera used, maybe a good idea to restore the camera menus to the factor defaults, then go to canonusa.com website and make sure you have the latest drivers installed.

Naturalist wrote in post #19029509
Jeff
Since you purchased the camera used, maybe a good idea to restore the camera menus to the factor defaults, then go to canonusa.com website and make sure you have the latest drivers installed.

I sat out back in my yard and went through all the menus, except the C1 C2 C3 will do that in the next few days, changed copyright info etc. this morning I just downloaded the latest drivers and updated them.

RodS57 wrote in post #19029492
I would be interested in your opinion of the 7D2 compared to the 90D once you've had a chance to work with the 7D2 for a while.

I have a 7D2 but am on the fence concerning the 90D.

Enjoy your new camera.

Rod

I will do that. So far my first perception is that it is cleaner at ISO 2000 than the 90D and with non-L lenses, well at least the Sigma 150-600 works slightly sharper than the 90D BUT I have gotten some shots just as sharp with the 90D, I will be testing it more. I will be keeping the 90D because I like and use the flippy screen.
Battery life is about half of what the 90D is.

Jeff USN Photog 72-76 wrote in post #19029254
when I have it set for the next AF mode (?) with 9 points with center active it shows the 9 points but when I hit the BFF the 4 corner points disappear, are they still working as cross points or what is going on?

also the 65 point, I haven't really used it yet but I get the center point and on my 90D it will show the points achieving focus across the screen the 7D2 only seems to show the center point. I am sure it must be a setting and will work with it for the next two days where we are supposed to have snow and rain

One more question: are you using a "standard" Canon lens like 24-105 or something more extreme like a third-party 500mm with an extender?

I just ran my 7D2 through all the AF modes in manual, P and Auto. I don't get any of the behaviors you're questioning. I suggest doing two things:

1. Load the latest firmware from Canon
   
2. Follow Naturalist's advice: reset/clear all settings.
   

Jeff USN Photog 72-76 wrote in post #19029431
another thing is that I set the AF points to show in red when locked on but they don't

Just a quick note/expectation setting: This only applies in One Shot, since the focus never actually locks in Servo focusing.