7D Focusing Issues? Look in here for answers

First off, credit where credit due. The info in the thread below came from a kind gent who goes by the name LTZ470 from TX. If you are experiencing focusing issues with your 7D, follow the advice in the link below, post #21. It helped me immensely!

https://photography-on-the.net …hread.php?t=821​409&page=2

Previously, I had the 7D set to centerpoint only [] focus using the camera in AI Servo to shoot basketball. Getting the camera to grab accurate focus was successful maybe 1 out of 10 times using centerpoint only.

Took LTZ470's advice (thank you, again) and put the camera in the Expanded mode which is [] surrounded by 4 smaller points. The focus results can be seen in the couple shots below:

1. Even a static shot like this using centerpoint [] only was wherever the camera chose to focus, but usually not where the focus point was aimed. In Expanded mode, this is what I got--focus on player in red:

I have been following that thread with interest. I was having similar problems and will be trying this a little later today for LL football..

Thanks..

So who won the Basketball game, the Grizzlies or the Blue Devils?

Nice shots.

snyderman wrote in post #9554550
Last thing I'm going to say is this: It's not unreasonable to assume that the 7D should produce similar results using centerpoint only.

Well yes, of course it should and - in the experience of many of us - it does.

If my camera was demonstrably not working as expected (user error having been definitively ruled out), I'd be getting it fixed, not working round the problem, Dave.

Tom W wrote in post #9554760
So who won the Basketball game, the Grizzlies or the Blue Devils?

Nice shots.

Thanks Tom! And it was a beatdown ... Grizzlies won by about THIRTY!!! Both are young teams, but Tallmadge was just a step or two slow on the defensive end of the floor last night!

Hey, you must be from here originally or you wouldn't have known those two teams! Where did you live before you wisely relocated further south?!

dave

Keith R wrote in post #9554904
Well yes, of course it should and - in the experience of many of us - it does.

If my camera was demonstrably not working as expected (user error having been definitively ruled out), I'd be getting it fixed, not working round the problem, Dave.

Exactly what I'm thinking: Have to go to a different focusing option is what I'd call a 'work around' for something that isn't working properly. Here's another 'oddity' with the camera. If I use centerpoint only but move it AWAY from the center focus point of the screen, it appears to focus better than leaving it at the exact center point.

The only thing that makes me feel less badly about the curveballs thrown by the 7D is that I'm not the only having similar issues with the model.

dave

Interesting. I haven't tracked in single-point only so I can't comment on that aspect. I shoot single AF point in one-shot and it works well there. I am having great results with expanded, and I've experimented with zone focus while tracking birds in flight. Seems to be working as advertized in those situations.

One thing I will note - on my 5D2, when I stack the 1.4X and 2X on the 400/2.8 lens, I still obtain autofocus with the center AF point when I point at such targets as the moon. On the 7D, I do not get AF with the center point, but I do with other AF points 1 or two positions away from center. Seems that the center AF point on the 7D may be slightly less sensitive than some of the others, which is the opposite of the 5D2 where the center is king.


Note that I'm effectively "cheating" by shooting with an f/8 lens/teleconverter combination when this happens. With any normal f/5.6 or faster lens, I haven't seen any difference between AF points on the 7D.

bump for more views and comment.

dave

Great thread. I was loving my 7D and had bang out a few events with great results. So much so that I was ready to sell my 50D for a second 7D.

Then I reset all my setting to factory setting and have had this same focus problem - to the point where I no longer want to even use my 7D with out a complete course on the camera.

I did take this post with me and the book. But did not have ample time to experiment. Will do so soon. Also ordered:

2 "Canon EOS 7D Digital Field Guide" (* TWO!! LOL - my mistake*)
Charlotte K. Lowrie; Paperback; $13.59

Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC
1 "Understanding the Canon Speedlite 580EX II / 430EX II Training DVD"
Tim Mantoani; $19.99

Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC
1 "Introduction to the Canon 7D Volume 1 : Basic Controls"
Graham Sterling; DVD; $19.99

Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC
1 "Introduction to the Canon 7D Volume 2: Advanced Topics"
Graham Sterling; DVD; $22.49

Nice shots, Dave!

I would send it in to Canon to get that center point fixed. Here's the site for a Repair Request: https://www.usa.canon.​com …egoryid=215&mod​elid=19356

Yogi Bear wrote in post #9559860
Nice shots, Dave!

I would send it in to Canon to get that center point fixed. Here's the site for a Repair Request: https://www.usa.canon.​com …egoryid=215&mod​elid=19356

Thanks YB:

The plan is to speak with one of their technicians to see if there is something I'm still overlooking prior to sending it in. Appreciate the link. thanks!

If that tech feels there is something askew, I'll send it in after basketball season ends. Not much happening camera wise after that.

dave

I'm curious to hear what Canon tells you, Dave. I haven't looked at the capabilities of mine in center AF/tracking situations, but I think I'll give it a shot and see how it does.

Found this over on Sportsshooter--so you are not the only one with problems:

"WTB: a 7D (one without any focus issues)"

dave kadolph wrote in post #9560730
Found this over on Sportsshooter--so you are not the only one with problems:

"WTB: a 7D (one without any focus issues)"

Thanks Dave. I knew my skills hadn't eroded THAT MUCH during the time between the 50D and 7D. Something wasn't right with the 7D.

I'll keep you guys posted. Maybe the camera is fine and there's just something with centerpoint only focus that I'm not understanding.

dave

snyderman,
just a little house cleaning question:
Did you move the AF start of the shutter button and on to the back?

If i missed it on the other thread - sorry.
I only ask because it seems to me to be a combo - AF assist point and rear AF-on continual pushed.

cool shots.

Later,
_Mark