Focus problems with the Canon 7DII?

[JRPhotos]

So far I've been pretty dissapointed with this camera. It seems as though the majority of the photos are coming out soft or out of focus. I can't keep chimping at my photos to make sure that they are right when I'm shooting portraits, etc.

This happens when I'm using All focal points, a group or just one and all AI modes as well as One Shot, AI Focus and AI servo.

I've tested this on the Canon EF-S 17-55 2.8, Sigma 50 1.4 ART, Canon 24-105 and the Canon 70-300L and all but the 70-300L have this problem.

Anyone else see this? I'll post some examples soon.

Edit: I want to add that I have used a single point as well in many of my photos and the same problem occurs, please see my other posts.

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EDIT: Problem resolved with a new copy of the camera
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[Mt Spokane Photography]

Cameras can have issues, its pretty simple to determine if there is a problem.

A controlled test on a tripod with a high contrast subject that is not moving is a first start. If it fails that test, then I'd return the camera rather than have it fixed.

If it passes, then more testing to try and determine just what is happing is in order.

Your photos with the camera settings, shutter speed, iso, aperture will help.

 

[justsomedude]

So far I've been pretty dissapointed with this camera. It seems as though the majority of the photos are coming out soft or out of focus. I can't keep chimping at my photos to make sure that they are right when I'm shooting portraits, etc.

This happens when I'm using All focal points, a group or just one and all AI modes as well as One Shot, AI Focus and AI servo.

This is now the second post (first post here) reporting serious softness with the 7DII, and it's giving me sweats (and nightmares of my old 7DI, which was a victim of the melted-hay syndrome, even after 4 replacements from Canon Irvine).

I'm giving my 7D2 a run through this weekend; I'll report back my results.

 

[JRPhotos]

Here are two photos, hand held while sitting.

Manual Mode, F/2.8 @ 1/125, Canon 600RX-RT mounted to camera. Two consecutive shots. I can set it up on a tripod but I barely ever use one and may just ask B&H for an exchange, I don't have time to mess around with tests or micro adjustments, etc.

 

[justsomedude]

Here are two photos, hand held while sitting.

Manual Mode, F/2.8 @ 1/125, Canon 600RX-RT mounted to camera. Two consecutive shots. I can set it up on a tripod but I barely ever use one and may just ask B&H for an exchange, I don't have time to mess around with tests or micro adjustments, etc.

What's odd is, the fork is incredibly sharp and clearly in focus. Are you using focus/recompose? Local points? Sorry to be a pest, but I've been down this road before with my 7D1 and just want to try and pinpoint any other possible scenarios that may be causing this.

 

[JRPhotos]

For this series I had been using all points but it doesn't matter if I was using a single point or a group. I pressed half way down, it looked good in the eye piece so I took the shot and repeated for the next shot.

 

[justsomedude]

For this series I had been using all points but it doesn't matter if I was using a single point or a group. I pressed half way down, it looked good in the eye piece so I took the shot and repeated for the next shot.

Are you using the focus-assist beam on the 600RX; or relying on the lens/sensor alone? Also, what version of DPP are you running?

 

[Don Haines]

Here are two photos, hand held while sitting.

Manual Mode, F/2.8 @ 1/125, Canon 600RX-RT mounted to camera. Two consecutive shots. I can set it up on a tripod but I barely ever use one and may just ask B&H for an exchange, I don't have time to mess around with tests or micro adjustments, etc.

What lens did you use, what was the focal length, and how far away was the subject? That would help in debugging....

 

[JRPhotos]

I was using the Canon EF-S 17-55 2.8 and was roughly 3 feet away, sitting. I was using the focus assist on the flash. Using the latest DPP (4x) that was downloaded today.... it looks soft on the camera screen as well.

 

[justsomedude]

FWIW, I just slapped on my 85mm and snapped a JPG of my dog from across the couch to check everything out. This is the first time I've ever used the 7D2, so it's stock out of the box. I turned off the auto-lighting optimizer, but all other in-camera settings are default. My living room is incredibly dark (it's well past sunset here in Colorado), but it did a great job with center focus. Single AF point (center), aimed at the catch-light in her left eye (photo-right eye), focused, and recomposed.

Canon 85mm lens, f/1.8, 1/80s, ISO 3200

Here's the JPG out of Lightroom - some contrast/WB edits, and no output sharpening...

Update: Added a 2nd version of the same photo with a smidge of sharpening on export; I think it passed the focus test.

I suggest you start simple; use single, center-point focus, and see what it does. Post up your results.

 

[justsomedude]

I was using the Canon EF-S 17-55 2.8 and was roughly 3 feet away, sitting. I was using the focus assist on the flash. Using the latest DPP (4x) that was downloaded today.... it looks soft on the camera screen as well.

Let's start simple; use single, center-point focus, and see what it does. Take the flash off. Remove external factors, and let's focus on the camera/lens combo before adding in other differentials to the mix.

I've been down this road before, and patience is key. Don't throw in the towel yet, let's see what we can figure out first before jumping to get a replacement.

Post up your results.

And FWIW, and not to sound condescending, but don't always trust the camera LCD - a JPG preview is not the same as a RAW file.

 

[Lee Jay]

When all points are selected, it's going to try to focus on the closest object - the fork in her right hand.

 

[justsomedude]

When all points are selected, it's going to try to focus on the closest object - the fork in her right hand.

I noticed that too; you can see the cluster of points at the bottom of the DPP pane. It's focusing, just not on what he wants. Let's hope manual AF point control solves it.

 

[JRPhotos]

I'm having the same problem, I even reset the camera back to factory defaults. These examples are with the flash. I'll try some without the flash and with my other 600.

 

[Don Haines]

I was using the Canon EF-S 17-55 2.8 and was roughly 3 feet away, sitting. I was using the focus assist on the flash. Using the latest DPP (4x) that was downloaded today.... it looks soft on the camera screen as well.

looking at the picture, I would guess that your lens was around 35-40mm.... At 35mm, F2.8, 3 feet away, and with a 7D2, your depth of field should be 2.76 inches.... 1.32 inches before the focus point to 1.44 inches behind. I think that is your problem.....

Going to F8 would get you +/- 4 inches from the focus point. Try using a single focus point and on her eyes...

BTW, you can find lots of online DOF calculators.... http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

hope this helps

 

[justsomedude]

I'm having the same problem, I even reset the camera back to factory defaults. These examples are with the flash. I'll try some without the flash and with my other 600.

First off, that second shot looks DANG sharp! no? And look where the AF point is, on an area with good contrast! That catch light probably gave the AF something to hone in on.

Now, here's the general advice: always try focusing on a point of contrast. AF has a difficult time focusing in low-light when everything in the sensor area looks the same. Granted, you have a dark nostril in the AF point, but in that shot it's primarily bland skin tone. Focus on the eye, or center the line between the iris/white of her eye in the middle of the AF point.

Help the AF out as much as you can in low-light; this can be done by centering AF points on areas of sharp contrast. It's worth a try.

 

[Loswr]

All focus points (in One Shot) means letting the camera decide your subject for you. I'd avoid doing that.

 

[JRPhotos]

The problem is that I can take these same shots with NO problem on the 7D, same lens, etc. I'm not going to shoot @ f/8 when I have a 2.8 lens and want that shallow depth of field.

I took photos from 6 feet away @ 2.8 of my wife who was posing and 1 out of 3 shots were blurry, consistently.

 

[justsomedude]

The problem is that I can take these same shots with NO problem on the 7D, same lens, etc. I'm not going to shoot @ f/8 when I have a 2.8 lens and want that shallow depth of field.

Here's the thing, and I'm not going to tell you you're wrong, because I know the toils of being unhappy with AF. When it comes down to it, only you can decide if you're unhappy with your purchase. If, after doing a bunch of tests the AF just isn't what you had hoped for, and the experience is even worse than your 7DI, then I think you have more than justified to yourself that an exchange is warranted.

Lemons happen. Try a new body and see if any improvement is gained.

PS: Just keep in mind, this is a COMPLETELY new AF system with no relation whatsoever to the 7DI. Expecting similar results may not be fair. If you want to stick with the 7D2 you may find that you will need to tailor your shooting style to the new AF system, for better or worse.

 

[Don Haines]

The problem is that I can take these same shots with NO problem on the 7D, same lens, etc. I'm not going to shoot @ f/8 when I have a 2.8 lens and want that shallow depth of field.

OK!

If you want shallow depth of field you can't beat F2.8 when using that lens I have one too and I love it!

Seriously though, go to a single focus point and use it on the area you want to be in focus... I really think that's your problem.... When you use multiple points it choses the closest one (the fork) and you loose her face