Focus problems with the Canon 7DII?

[Loswr]

Here is a good cut-out target you can make... https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/29571216/MicroFocus%20Adjustment.v2.pdf

You need an angled and labeled target so you can determine if your MFA is in front of, or behind, your base condition. It's worth playing with/learning, so you can get better at it in the future. FYI - aim for the zero marker!

Thanks for the link, that's one of the better DIY options available. Most DIY options are flat, and using them at an angle is not optimal for testing the AF system (actual AF points are larger than the little boxes in the VF, and cover many of the 'lines' on the charts - you know you want to focus on a particular one, your camera does not).

FYI, I'd not recommend focusing on the zero marker after assembling the linked chart, for the reason above (the camera doesn't know which of the horizontal lines under the AF point you mean). Rather, use the focus target built right into the chart, the checkerboard pattern indicated below. After assembly, that will end up as a vertical surface (parallel to the camera's image sensor, the best orientation for a focus target) as the chart designer intended. That's why I like this chart, it recapitulates the good features of the commercial tools like LensAlign. My DIY suggestion (below) using a ruler is another option.

 

[JRPhotos]

The camera is going back to B&H on Monday and Adorama is shipping me a new one over night on Monday and if UPS delivers on Tuesday (Veterans day) then I'll have it then and I have that day off as our baby sitter can't watch our daughter that day so hopefully I do get it then!

I'll keep you updated. I'll also mess with the MA this weekend just to learn and see if it really does help but I doubt that it will.

Also - shoot in different conditions... get out and shoot in the day, see what the 7D2 does. It seems like your samples are all shot in low-light which, again, is where AF notoriously struggles.

I agree but in the same setting with the 7DI it worked fine... I did take some photos last weekend outside and the same problem happened, 1 out of 3 were out of focus.

I know you don't want to hear it again, but I don't think you should be using the 7DI as your point of comparison. Cameras are different and vary from system to system - especially models that are removed by 5 years. That said, you may still have an issue with yours, and an exchange will demonstrate whether or not that is the case.

Moving forward, I do not think you should be afraid/concerned with MF adjustments. I've never had a camera body that worked consistently with 100% of my lenses until MFA was performed. It's a painstaking/tedious process, but necessary for those among us who want repeatable/tack-sharp photos. Here is a good cut-out target you can make... https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/29571216/MicroFocus%20Adjustment.v2.pdf

You need an angled and labeled target so you can determine if your MFA is in front of, or behind, your base condition. It's worth playing with/learning, so you can get better at it in the future. FYI - aim for the zero marker!

Will this work on 8.5 x 11 paper?

 

[justsomedude]

FYI, I'd not recommend focusing on the zero marker after assembling the linked chart, for the reason above (the camera doesn't know which of the horizontal lines under the AF point you mean).

Thanks for the correction!

 

[takesome1]

Ignore all of the AFMA posts.

Since your still within the 30 day return period send it back and do an AFRA instead. (Auto Focus Return Adjustment).

30 days from now if you are having the problem then do the adjustments.

 

[Nethawk]

The camera is going back to B&H on Monday and Adorama is shipping me a new one over night on Monday and if UPS delivers on Tuesday (Veterans day) then I'll have it then and I have that day off as our baby sitter can't watch our daughter that day so hopefully I do get it then!

I'll keep you updated. I'll also mess with the MA this weekend just to learn and see if it really does help but I doubt that it will.

Good move. I can't believe the number of responses indicating abject denial. I wouldn't have hesitated, but then your experience is identical to mine with the original 7D. Let's hope your replacement is much better.

 

[wyldeguy]

Thanks to this thread I decided to go and check all my lenses. Turns out I had one that really needed a lot of adjustment. Hopefully the OP's new one doesn't need any adjustment or very little. Just FYI my Sigma 24-70 was in severe need of adjustment. Needed 17-20 in both. My canon 50 f1.4 didn't need any.

 

[Big_Ant_TV_Media]

I just took a bunch of photos in Live View with and without the flash, all are very consistent.... If this is front or back focusing, would another 7DII do this? I've been trying to mess with the MA but it's very confusing to me even after reading the CLC document.

i have a solution for u
i was at photo plus expo 2014 here in nyc last week
i as the canon techs bout the 7D 2 specifically bout shooting fashion and portraits
dey told me this NEVER LET THE CAMERA PICK YA FOCUS POINTS
GO THE AF MENU AND THE SLIDERS "DEPENDING ON WHAT U SHOOT DAILY OR WEEKLY SET THEM ALL SEPARATELY
CASE 1: TRACKING SENSITIVITY PUT IT ON 0 OR +1 ACCEL/DECEL ON 1 & AF AUTO PT SWITCHING AT 1

PUT CASES 2-6 ON THE SAME SETTINGS

GO TOO MENU AND SELECT AF AREA SELECT MODE
AND MAKE SURE THESE OPTIONS "ONLY" ARE SELECTED/CHECKED
THE 1ST 5 OPTIONS MUST BE CHECK AND LEAVE OPTIONS 6-7 UNCHECKED "THOSE ARE AUTO FOCUS POINT SELECTIONS "BASICALLY THE CAMERA GOES HUNTING FOR POINTS DAY OR NIGHT CAUSING BLUR AND OUT OF FOCUS PICS

TRY WHAT I WROTE ^^ WITH DIFFERENT LENS
AND TELL ME HOW IT GOES

 

[wickidwombat]

I just want to be sure I understand everyone, if a camera takes good and bad photos of a subject with not setting changes it's a AFMA problem? I would think that it would be consistent.

try AFMA

but also consider this

My first 5Dmk3 when it very first came out couldnt focus on a barn door it was woefull i swapped it out for a new camera which was perfect out of the box turned out the first one had a faulty AF module.

its the price of being on the bleeding edge.

Try AFMA if its still no good see if swapping bodies helps

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

As I noted earlier, your idea of replacing it is a good one, The fact that liveview AF is consistent and accurate points directly to a AF system issue, and if AFMA does not help, its a lost cause.

You have tried all the suggestions with no solution.

I returned my original pre-ordered 7D and later bought a refurb for half the price that I felt was much better. Even so, it was still a crop sensor, and paled by comparison to my 5D MK II and my 1D MK III. I'd take a 1D MK IV any day over a 7D MK II, I had to sell mine due to Carpal Tunnel, or I'd still have it.

 

[justsomedude]

I wouldn't have hesitated, but then your experience is identical to mine with the original 7D. Let's hope your replacement is much better.

Don't get me started on the original 7D. You can probably find my 4 year old posts in here somewhere, ranting about how awful my experience was.

It gives me palpitations just thinking about it.

 

[Steve]

Ignore all of the AFMA posts.

Since your still within the 30 day return period send it back and do an AFRA instead. (Auto Focus Return Adjustment).

30 days from now if you are having the problem then do the adjustments.

Yes, definitely don't take an hour or so to do some simple testing and calibration but definitely do pay postage and wait several days for a replacement camera. Excellent advice.

 

[Sportsgal501]

Ignore all of the AFMA posts.

Since your still within the 30 day return period send it back and do an AFRA instead. (Auto Focus Return Adjustment).

30 days from now if you are having the problem then do the adjustments.

Yes, definitely don't take an hour or so to do some simple testing and calibration but definitely do pay postage and wait several days for a replacement camera. Excellent advice.

And that's IF they have a replacement camera on hand to send right away.

 

[DominoDude]

I once had problem eating soup. The spoon just didn't give me what I expected. It was either refuse to eat, or demand a new spoon.

The easy option would have been to turn the spoon 180° in the hand... :

 

[justsomedude]

And that's IF they have a replacement camera on hand to send right away.

They do. He said he's getting one over-nighted from Adorama.

 

[Sportsgal501]

I just want to clarify, I retook some photos using the single AF point, same results, 1-2 out of 3 photos were out of focus.

Same lens, same settings, different flash, problem happened without the flash as well. I realize that the AF system is new but this is not right. I've been shooting for years and have never had this problem before.

I typically shoot with one AF point when it comes to portraits, I use all AF points when I'm shooting a nice wide landscape.

This isn't the only lens this happens with. I'm going to end up having B&H send me another one in exchange for this one.

He purchased it from B&H not Adorama.

 

[MichaelHodges]

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 is my experience in general with Canon's high MP crop sensors when using telephoto. But the 7D was the worst. the "hit rate" just seems off.

 

[MichaelHodges]

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 not seeing the classic melted hay 7D look on my 70D as much. My hope is the 7D2 will be the same.

 

[MichaelHodges]

I wouldn't have hesitated, but then your experience is identical to mine with the original 7D. Let's hope your replacement is much better.

Don't get me started on the original 7D. You can probably find my 4 year old posts in here somewhere, ranting about how awful my experience was.

It gives me palpitations just thinking about it.

I had to chuckle at this. Understand completely.

 

[Woody]

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 not seeing the classic melted hay 7D look on my 70D as much. My hope is the 7D2 will be the same.

I don't think the 70D is that much better than 7D. That is why I sold both 7D and 70D.

Hopefully, the 7D2 complaint is a one-off thing. We'll see.

 

[monkey44]

Been shooting with mine for a week -- had a few "deletes' at the beginning, while I figured out the settings and technique for this camera.

After that, smooth sailing -- getting sharp and on target images. Have yet to push the AF system, but it will get that workout probably this week sometime ... So, far, NO complaints here. But then again, I had no complaint about the 7D doing its job either.

I've always been puzzled by the number of shooters that have trouble with 7D, and can't get it to shoot how they want it to shoot. It's a fine camera for what it's designed for -- sport and wildlife action -- not deep and penetrating landscapes. So, I'm liking my 7D2 just fine at this point, and feel the money is well spent. Definitely a 'big brother' to the 7D ...

I shoot with the 5DM3 as well, and find 7D2 on par with that and the pair together fill a great bag, and cover pretty much anything out there that deserves pushing that button.