7D Focusing Issues? Look in here for answers

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)"

Or maybe it's just a "comment" on threads like these - lets face it, if the guy really thought that there was a likelihood he'd get a duff 7D, he probably wouldn't be trying to buy one, especially not a used one.

Ziffle wrote in post #9561486
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

Hi Mark,

I believe the AF Start is still on the shutter button. I'm kinda used to 'half-waying' the shutter button, using the (*) for focus, then fully pressing the shutter button when it's time to shoot.

Is there a better way to handle this in your opinion? If so, all ears here, Mark.

Thanks!

dave

Good thread! Mark for revisit.

snyderman wrote in post #9561813
Hi Mark,

I believe the AF Start is still on the shutter button. I'm kinda used to 'half-waying' the shutter button, using the (*) for focus, then fully pressing the shutter button when it's time to shoot.

Is there a better way to handle this in your opinion? If so, all ears here, Mark.

Thanks!

dave

It is a function to move the auto focus off the shutter button so only the AF-on activates the focus.
The shutter button is meter/shutter only.
Actually i think it is in the customization button screen.

I love it for wedding work - i am sure for speed work it would be cool.
it is just a personal setup of the camera.

Later,
_Mark

Tom W wrote in post #9555205
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.

I have the same issue with the 400 5.6 with a 1.4x. Outside points are accurate and sharp (+14 MA with this combo), but the center point just hunts.
I also struggle with center point only tracking (BIF). It seems it's more accurate with either point (smaller center focus point) or expanded on the center point.

Ziffle wrote in post #9562430
It is a function to move the auto focus off the shutter button so only the AF-on activates the focus.
The shutter button is meter/shutter only.
Actually i think it is in the customization button screen.

I love it for wedding work - i am sure for speed work it would be cool.
it is just a personal setup of the camera.

Later,
_Mark

mark:

thanks again for the tip. I'll read the book again and make sure I've got things dialed in best they can get.

dave

I've seen a few of these threads and it really sounds like the center point is broken on these cameras. Using expansion points or outer points essentially means you aren't using the center point! The center point is supposed to be the best so don't work around this, get it fixed!

hpulley wrote in post #9563174
I've seen a few of these threads and it really sounds like the center point is broken on these cameras. Using expansion points or outer points essentially means you aren't using the center point! The center point is supposed to be the best so don't work around this, get it fixed!

Very true.

hpulley wrote in post #9563174
I've seen a few of these threads and it really sounds like the center point is broken on these cameras. Using expansion points or outer points essentially means you aren't using the center point! The center point is supposed to be the best so don't work around this, get it fixed!

I have mine set up to switch the focus point when the camera is held vertical and the only time it will not focus properly is when I hold it that way and use AI Servo. I went to a track meet and most shots were oof to some degree. It seems to be more when a runner is coming straight at me rather than on an angle to the frame. My camera had gone back to Canon once already because it was back focusing and they corrected that. Time to call them again.

hpulley wrote in post #9563174
I've seen a few of these threads and it really sounds like the center point is broken on these cameras. Using expansion points or outer points essentially means you aren't using the center point! The center point is supposed to be the best so don't work around this, get it fixed!

I don't know if the center point is supposed to be better for tracking or not - I really haven't given it much use in that mode. I generally lean towards expanded, though I'm experimenting with zone AF.

This shot was taken with zone AF - I have a series of them, and they are all sharp on the subject bird...

No, I just meant in this case it seems the center point is the worst for static objects and that's just plain wrong. Using expansion points (in open sky even all of them, start focus at center and it will track over the all the points) for AI SERVO BIF works well in my experience but on static objects it can focus on the most contrasty thing, not the thing you meant to focus on which is why a single point really should work in ONE SHOT.

Keith R wrote in post #9561747
Or maybe it's just a "comment" on threads like these - lets face it, if the guy really thought that there was a likelihood he'd get a duff 7D, he probably wouldn't be trying to buy one, especially not a used one.

Keith, I'm the one who posted that on Sportsshooter. The REASON I was specifically looking for a used one was so that I could buy it from another working professional who I'd trust to be truthful about their particular camera's performance. Buying a new one from over the camera counter is too much of a gamble... some are great and some are a nightmare.

I shot all day with one yesterday at an assignment that was just "off". It was front focusing, back focusing, and other times just unexplainably soft. It also was very inconsistent with regard to its focus tracking. I'm a full-time professional photojournalist who shoots primarily sports so I know the difference between a working camera and opp error. I've also shot with one that was spot on so there are apparently good ones and faulty ones floating around out there.

The bottom line is that I'd trust a fellow pro to be upfront about any issues and if I didn't know the guy (or know of him at least) I likely wouldn't buy one from him. Essentially I am hoping to buy one that has been "field tested" so to speak from someone who knows how to diagnose a camera. If I did end up getting a "duff" one then big hairy deal... I'd be out the cost of an inexpensive camera body that likely would just then be used as a remote for a season and then collect dust because I wouldn't sell a "duff" one to anyone else.

And finally, why so hostile? You're talking about a camera... not curing cancer man.

Mike R wrote in post #9563230
I have mine set up to switch the focus point when the camera is held vertical and the only time it will not focus properly is when I hold it that way and use AI Servo. I went to a track meet and most shots were oof to some degree. It seems to be more when a runner is coming straight at me rather than on an angle to the frame. My camera had gone back to Canon once already because it was back focusing and they corrected that. Time to call them again.

Mike:

your symptoms are exactly what I've been experiencing. Even with static unmoving targets, which is even more frustrating! And of course, I'm shooting basketball with the camera in vertical position as well.

My next course of action is to call Canon and speak to a technician who is knowledgeable with the 7D to see if I'm not correctly understanding the capabilities of the camera. If this person can't correct me, next step is to send it back.

I'm with the others who feel that centerpoint only focusing should be producing tack sharp shots when aimed correctly and the camera responds by focusing the lens. Mine is definitely NOT doing this!

However, the shots I posted here initially are tack sharp using the centerpoint expanded mode. Definitely a head-scratcher for me.

dave

Center point expanded means it can use 4 other points and it will since your camera's center point is broken.

Just send it in. Honestly I don't think you'll get anything from the tech but more frustrating tests showing your 7D's focus is broken. Get it fixed!

Great shots Dave...I utilized the AF Spot (Box in Box) yesterday with some great results...so is it a learning curve for the 7D? I switched back to AF Expansion (Box in Box Expanded) today...got great results from both AF patterns...A couple of AF Spot below...I was having same problems as Dave and called Canon Tech and he walked me through the whole scenario to get me started...holding the AF On button for Sports shots was one of his suggestions also during shooting erratic moving objects...