Canon 7dmk2 AF Question

Is there a way to lock on to an AF point using just the shutter release button, or maybe with the AF ON button?

I know that the AF of the 7dmk2 is very different than the AF of my R6, but I'm wondering if there's a way to lock the AF on a specific target (like a subject's eye), then move/recompose while still keeping that point in focus no matter where it moves (like the R6 does)?

For example, lets say I'm taking a picture of my kid standing next to a large church in the background. My kid is positioned to the lower left side of the image, the church is behind my kid to the rear/right of the image.

With my R6 all I would do is focus on one of the eyes, slightly press on the shutter release button (or the AF ON button) and reposition my frame. The AF stays locked on my kid's face no matter where I move the camera as long as I'm slightly pressing the shutter release button. I want to do this with the 7dmk2.


Same would apply for sports. I'd like to lock on to one football player's face while he moves anywhere on my screen, regardless of how many other players are in the scene.


p.s. Yes, I Googled it, but after going through several mind-numbing, useless videos and countless PhD dissertations on focus case selections, I never got a clear answer.

You need servo AF and one of the zone AF area's. See also manual https://www.canon.co.u​k …ml?type=manuals​&language=
Page 90 and onwards.
The 7DII does not have face/eye tracking(well, some sort of face tracking in live view) so do not expect the same results as the R6.

Basically no, the 7D2 does not have subject tracking.

There is some rudimentary subject tracking available in Live View, but it doesn't have the target persistence that real tracking has. It just allows the main subject to move around.

AntonLargiader wrote in post #19512091
Basically no, the 7D2 does not have subject tracking.

There is some rudimentary subject tracking available in Live View, but it doesn't have the target persistence that real tracking has. It just allows the main subject to move around.

Unfortunately, that's the conclusion I came up with as well after fiddling with the settings for an hour or two. It's a shame because the 7dmk2 is such a well built camera. I'm assuming the same holds true with the 5DMK4 in terms of focus tracking?

The 5D4 has a face detect mode, but it doesn’t work well simply due to the limited number of AF sensors the camera can use to follow the face.

And the same is true for the 1DX Mark II, for example. Among the DSLR cameras, I'd say the 1DX Mark III is the best when it comes to mimic these features you find on the mirrorless cameras, but then the 1DX Mark III does this by operate as a mirrorless camera. You use live view and have to look at the rear display to find your targets. Thus the performance is there (well, an early version of it - not as advanced as you find on the R3, for example), but the ergonomics is awkward for most applications.

I think, on the 1D, the face detect/itr mode can work through the VF mode too, like the 5D4? It just isn’t a very good method.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #19512135
The 5D4 has a face detect mode, but it doesn’t work well simply due to the limited number of AF sensors the camera can use to follow the face.

AntonLargiader wrote in post #19512091
Basically no, the 7D2 does not have subject tracking.

There is some rudimentary subject tracking available in Live View, but it doesn't have the target persistence that real tracking has. It just allows the main subject to move around.

In live view? It has dual pixel auto focus, so the whole sensor for autofocus points just as the newer cameras. @Teamspeed, your conclusion is probably valid but the premise is incorrect as I read it.

Capn Jack wrote in post #19512265
In live view? It has dual pixel auto focus, so the whole sensor for autofocus points just as the newer cameras. @Teamspeed, your conclusion is probably valid but the premise is incorrect as I read it.

This AF mode is available via phase detect AF through the VF.

Rudy's video
https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=cWc0O_i65MM

The 7D2 also has this, but I never tested it, and barely used it on my 5D4.

https://www.birdsasart​-blog.com …g-tip-for-easier-framing/
https://snapshot.canon​-asia.com …nd-af-against-obstruction

AntonLargiader wrote in post #19512091
Basically no, the 7D2 does not have subject tracking.

There is some rudimentary subject tracking available in Live View, but it doesn't have the target persistence that real tracking has. It just allows the main subject to move around.

Are you sure of this?

I have my 7DII set for initial point and then it will track if you keep the shutter half pressed. Not face tracking though

TeamSpeed wrote in post #19512268
This AF mode is available via phase detect AF through the VF.

Rudy's video
https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=cWc0O_i65MM

The 7D2 also has this, but I never tested it, and barely used it on my 5D4.

https://www.birdsasart​-blog.com …g-tip-for-easier-framing/
https://snapshot.canon​-asia.com …nd-af-against-obstruction

Are you sure of this?

Thank you for the clarification. I haven't used tracking as yet so I'll look at those references when I have time.

duckster wrote in post #19512269
I have my 7DII set for initial point and then it will track if you keep the shutter half pressed. Not face tracking though

What is it tracking?

Like with sports, you put the initial focus point on the main subject and then it will track that athlete. I have primarily used it in XC and track

duckster wrote in post #19512277
Like with sports, you put the initial focus point on the main subject and then it will track that athlete. I have primarily used it in XC and track

I'm sorry, I think you answered my question and I just want clarification. It tracks a subject, whatever it is? Or only a person, such as an athlete?

Happy to be shown that the camera will do more than I think! Can you clarify?