7d sent in 4 times for AF problems, still unresolved, what recourse do I have now?

It is still having AF problems under the basic one shot, center point focus so I haven't played with all other AF options yet. Every time I press the shutter button half way, the focus distance changes and the OOF pictures show this.

1st time - they confirmed AF inconsistency problems, did adjustments to the AF.

2nd time - they said it was in spec and still did electronic adjustment to AF.

3rd time - again they said it was in spec and still did electronic adjustment to AF.

4th time - again they said it was in spec and still did electronic adjustment to AF. On the note, they recommend to use AI Servo and high shutter speed. What the hell? They act like I have no idea what I am doing. The sample shots I sent them were static objects and camera was on a tripod when I took them.

Lead tech worked on it the 3rd and 4th time.

I know it's not me because my XSi focuses accurately and consistently under the same shooting conditions as the 7D. I am tired of sending it back and forth and having them keep saying nothing is wrong with it. It seems like all of the "electronic adjustments" they did didn't do squat. It's pretty frustrating that my 7D performs worse than my XSi. All of the 7D options do me no good when it can't AF properly.

Should I try to talk to someone in Canon customer relations? Or should I just file a report with the BBB? Or is there a better way to handle this? I just want to smash this camera right now.

Update:

It's great to say my issues with the 7D are resolved now.

Canon customer relations asked me to ship my camera to their engineering department for evaluation since the repair center couldn't fix it after 4 tries .

Today I received a brand new 7D from Canon customer relations and it seems to work flawlessly.

When I shipped my old 7D back to Canon, I had only shipped the body and kept the accessories just like when I sent it to the repair center. Customer relations sent me a full 7D kit with all of the accessories. And she told me I didn't have to send my old accessories back and just to keep them. So I now have 2 batteries, straps, cables, etc..

Call and ask to speak to a manager. Have that person transfer you to customer relations and keep just explaining your story and how frustrated you are until you work your way to the top and then have that person try and work things out with you (based on how you want to approach the situation). Maybe see if you can trade it in for a new one/toward a different model.

How old is the body?

Isn't there a rule that x amount of times sent in without fixing the problem means it's a lemon and you deserve a replacement? I'd certainly look into getting a replacement at no cost under those grounds but I'd look for some official documents or precedents before going ahead with it.

the XSi and 7D will not perform the same under similar conditions. You might have a bad copy but I suspect it could be user error, go to a local store and do a comparison.

The Moose wrote in post #9545102
Isn't there a rule that x amount of times sent in without fixing the problem means it's a lemon and you deserve a replacement? I'd certainly look into getting a replacement at no cost under those grounds but I'd look for some official documents or precedents before going ahead with it.

I'm not sure what purchases are covered with lemon laws, but if any state would cover it, California would.

I would try a second body and see if it has the same issue.

Send it back and demand an upgrade to a different camera

i returned mine when it happened, my first one kept overheating the video, traded that for a new body, tried at home and the af was of on my lenses - so i went back and demanded a refund. some hassle but i got it.

any chance of some pics ?

You focus on a static object camera tripod mounted and the object is OOF. Is it OOF in a consistent manner? Where is it focusing, front or back?

Olly_K1 wrote in post #9545615
any chance of some pics ?

That would help.

Here in the UK all our rights are with the retailer. Here I'd simply return it with written evidence (copies - not the originals) of the repair attempts and demand a complete replacement. If there are any quibbles, or if the retailer wants to involve Canon again, a quick trip to the Citizens Advise Bureau normally makes people see reason. It shows you mean business and has worked for me on two seperate occasions.

It does seem that the 7D has more threads about this than other bodies.

I also have similar problem. My 7D is showing Focus point where I focussed the image but in actual it shift focus to some other point. Compared it with their Demo Body and Demo Body was Tack sharp. Sent it for servicing today.

garycoleman:

Go to this post about 7D focus (or lack of!) issues: https://photography-on-the.net …hread.php?t=821​409&page=2 and read response #21.

Just set my 7D to the AF settings recommended and it appears to be focusing 'better' now. Proof will be under real shooting conditions.

Just like you stated, I too was using the single point [] spot focus and accurate focus was pretty much a result of 'dumb luck' using that setting. I tried microadjusting my lenses to the camera but each time, the camera (centerpoint, single-shot and on a tripod!) wouldn't focus accurately more than once in a row. I feel your frustration.

Give the info posted above a try and see if it doesn't start working better for you. And I agree, there are definitely focus issues associated with the 7D. It's not just YOU!!!

Good luck.

dave