Focus problems with the Canon 7DII?

[Northbird]

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.

+1 on all counts here. My experience with the Mark II has been very positive. There is a bit of a learning curve with the new AF system that requires a thorough read of the manual. I also found the Canon video tutorials useful. The Mark II is now a permanent part of my kit ..... love it.

 

[JRPhotos]

The replacement came in today, I've only had about an hour to experiment due to the battery not being fully charged. It's going to take me awhile to get my menus and settings back to the way I had it (too bad you can't export the settings).

So far, I feel that the first camera I had was a lemon. The majority of my photos are very sharp and in focus. I have tomorrow off and will test it even more.

Another odd thing with the other camera, I had the setting set to show me the focal points when reviewing photos, those did not always show but on this camera it is.

The white balance isn't perfect but it looks great @ f1.4, ISO 800, 1/100:

Here's one without the flash, f/2.8, 1/60, ISO 2000, wow, the 7D would have had so much noise:

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

The replacement came in today, I've only had about an hour to experiment due to the battery not being fully charged. It's going to take me awhile to get my menus and settings back to the way I had it (too bad you can't export the settings).

So far, I feel that the first camera I had was a lemon. The majority of my photos are very sharp and in focus. I have tomorrow off and will test it even more.

Another odd thing with the other camera, I had the setting set to show me the focal points when reviewing photos, those did not always show but on this camera it is.

The white balance isn't perfect but it looks great @ f1.4, ISO 800, 1/100:

Here's one without the flash, f/2.8, 1/60, ISO 2000, wow, the 7D would have had so much noise:

I hope it works out. Cameras are sometimes defective, and its best to quickly replace a questionable one rather than fighting it. Even if its working properly, if you are not happy with it, don't keep it.

 

[Lee Jay]

You really should activate the little-known but highly-useful "remove food from face" custom function.

 

[NancyP]

In my limited experience, that "remove food from face" function can't keep up with human faces of under 4 years of age.

 

[Maui5150]

In my limited experience, that "remove food from face" function can't keep up with human faces of under 4 years of age.

You have to add the NyQuil filter... That really seems to slow down the action and get everything clean and tack sharp

 

[nate7520]

I seem to be having similar issues as the OP. I got mine on October 30th along with a brand new canon 50 1.4 and got right to fiddling around with settings and taking pictures of my cats, that night I got quite a few soft/out of focus images, but figured it was being new to the camera and lens or maybe that it needed afma. the next day I shot some photos of people dressed up for Halloween with my canon 17-55 2.8 (which I have had for a while and had no issues with on a T2i body) surprisingly still had lots of soft/out of focus images that mostly seemed to be front focused. I figured afma would be the solution, so I attempted to perform afma on all my lenses with the help of some online articles. after that results with my 50 1.4 and other lenses seemed to improve, but I still was getting a relatively high number of out of focus images for non action shots of people and my cats. (all of this was with one shot mode)

next I got to shoot some action shots at a bike race using AI servo mode and zone af with a canon 70-200 F4L. with this setup I had very few out of focus shots, despite tracking fast moving subjects. I was very pleased with the camera for action.

I continued to shoot non moving subjects in one shot mode and continued to be disappointed with the results, so I figured another attempt at afma might help, this time with the help a commercial afma setup tool. (the datacolor Spyderlenscal) with this tool and my canon 400 5.6L in one shot focus mode I am getting frustrated trying to get it calibrated, if I get it set when coming in to focus from mfd setting then it is significantly back focused when coming into focus from infinity. I have found however that when using ai servo mode I get sharp images either way, it's almost as if the camera thinks (in one shot mode) it has locked on before it has fully focused and stops, leaving a margin of error. but in ai servo mode the camera continues to hunt a tiny bit until it has found perfect focus.

I will be interested to see if the OP's camera was indeed a lemon (looks like that is the case) or if it is just a matter of getting used to the camera and properly performing afma.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I seem to be having similar issues as the OP. I got mine on October 30th along with a brand new canon 50 1.4 and got right to fiddling around with settings and taking pictures of my cats, that night I got quite a few soft/out of focus images, but figured it was being new to the camera and lens or maybe that it needed afma. the next day I shot some photos of people dressed up for Halloween with my canon 17-55 2.8 (which I have had for a while and had no issues with on a T2i body) surprisingly still had lots of soft/out of focus images that mostly seemed to be front focused. I figured afma would be the solution, so I attempted to perform afma on all my lenses with the help of some online articles. after that results with my 50 1.4 and other lenses seemed to improve, but I still was getting a relatively high number of out of focus images for non action shots of people and my cats. (all of this was with one shot mode)

next I got to shoot some action shots at a bike race using AI servo mode and zone af with a canon 70-200 F4L. with this setup I had very few out of focus shots, despite tracking fast moving subjects. I was very pleased with the camera for action.

I continued to shoot non moving subjects in one shot mode and continued to be disappointed with the results, so I figured another attempt at afma might help, this time with the help a commercial afma setup tool. (the datacolor Spyderlenscal) with this tool and my canon 400 5.6L in one shot focus mode I am getting frustrated trying to get it calibrated, if I get it set when coming in to focus from mfd setting then it is significantly back focused when coming into focus from infinity. I have found however that when using ai servo mode I get sharp images either way, it's almost as if the camera thinks (in one shot mode) it has locked on before it has fully focused and stops, leaving a margin of error. but in ai servo mode the camera continues to hunt a tiny bit until it has found perfect focus.

I will be interested to see if the OP's camera was indeed a lemon (looks like that is the case) or if it is just a matter of getting used to the camera and properly performing afma.

I always test out new cameras in a simple manner, fixed to a sturdy tripod and single shot. Once I've proven to myself that the photos are sharp, and AF is consistent, then I try hand held shots. If there is a AF issue, its always been me.

On the other hand, if a controlled test results in a AF issue, back it goes.

 

[JRPhotos]

I seem to be having similar issues as the OP. I got mine on October 30th along with a brand new canon 50 1.4 and got right to fiddling around with settings and taking pictures of my cats, that night I got quite a few soft/out of focus images, but figured it was being new to the camera and lens or maybe that it needed afma. the next day I shot some photos of people dressed up for Halloween with my canon 17-55 2.8 (which I have had for a while and had no issues with on a T2i body) surprisingly still had lots of soft/out of focus images that mostly seemed to be front focused. I figured afma would be the solution, so I attempted to perform afma on all my lenses with the help of some online articles. after that results with my 50 1.4 and other lenses seemed to improve, but I still was getting a relatively high number of out of focus images for non action shots of people and my cats. (all of this was with one shot mode)

next I got to shoot some action shots at a bike race using AI servo mode and zone af with a canon 70-200 F4L. with this setup I had very few out of focus shots, despite tracking fast moving subjects. I was very pleased with the camera for action.

I continued to shoot non moving subjects in one shot mode and continued to be disappointed with the results, so I figured another attempt at afma might help, this time with the help a commercial afma setup tool. (the datacolor Spyderlenscal) with this tool and my canon 400 5.6L in one shot focus mode I am getting frustrated trying to get it calibrated, if I get it set when coming in to focus from mfd setting then it is significantly back focused when coming into focus from infinity. I have found however that when using ai servo mode I get sharp images either way, it's almost as if the camera thinks (in one shot mode) it has locked on before it has fully focused and stops, leaving a margin of error. but in ai servo mode the camera continues to hunt a tiny bit until it has found perfect focus.

I will be interested to see if the OP's camera was indeed a lemon (looks like that is the case) or if it is just a matter of getting used to the camera and properly performing afma.

I'd send it back. So far, my photos have been much better with the replacement.

 

[2n10]

I seem to be having similar issues as the OP. I got mine on October 30th along with a brand new canon 50 1.4 and got right to fiddling around with settings and taking pictures of my cats, that night I got quite a few soft/out of focus images, but figured it was being new to the camera and lens or maybe that it needed afma. the next day I shot some photos of people dressed up for Halloween with my canon 17-55 2.8 (which I have had for a while and had no issues with on a T2i body) surprisingly still had lots of soft/out of focus images that mostly seemed to be front focused. I figured afma would be the solution, so I attempted to perform afma on all my lenses with the help of some online articles. after that results with my 50 1.4 and other lenses seemed to improve, but I still was getting a relatively high number of out of focus images for non action shots of people and my cats. (all of this was with one shot mode)

next I got to shoot some action shots at a bike race using AI servo mode and zone af with a canon 70-200 F4L. with this setup I had very few out of focus shots, despite tracking fast moving subjects. I was very pleased with the camera for action.

I continued to shoot non moving subjects in one shot mode and continued to be disappointed with the results, so I figured another attempt at afma might help, this time with the help a commercial afma setup tool. (the datacolor Spyderlenscal) with this tool and my canon 400 5.6L in one shot focus mode I am getting frustrated trying to get it calibrated, if I get it set when coming in to focus from mfd setting then it is significantly back focused when coming into focus from infinity. I have found however that when using ai servo mode I get sharp images either way, it's almost as if the camera thinks (in one shot mode) it has locked on before it has fully focused and stops, leaving a margin of error. but in ai servo mode the camera continues to hunt a tiny bit until it has found perfect focus.

I will be interested to see if the OP's camera was indeed a lemon (looks like that is the case) or if it is just a matter of getting used to the camera and properly performing afma.

I'd send it back. So far, my photos have been much better with the replacement.

I agree with sending back if you get inconsistent AF. I just got mine and it appears to be very consistent.

 

[nate7520]

I seem to have found one problem with my test setup, I was shooting with my camera on a sturdy tripod pointed at a focus target lit with a 250 watt hotlight, and I was triggering my camera with a canon RC-6 with a 2 second timer and mirror lockup. everything should be good right? It seems that the RC-6 remote doesn't achieve as accurate a focus as a regular half press of the shutter button. I figured this out by getting a canon RS-80N3 remote shutter release and doing my focus testing with that, it seems to be more consistent. I guess the focus priority is different when using the RC-6 kind of like how you can change the focus priority for first shot in AI servo mode. Also note that this focus inaccuracy is very small, you wouldn't notice it unless viewing at 100%

I still have more lenses to do afma on, and hopefully they turn out well, but it is starting to look like the issues I had with real world shooting may have been because I was new to the camera and had not yet properly adjusted my lenses. I am still not sure though so I will still keep a keen eye out for focus inconsistencies when testing the rest of my lenses.

 

[Jon_D]

so quality testing is not much improved at canon factorys as it seems.

i read a lot about AF problems with the new 7D II on forums.

you should expect some people having issues with a new AF system but the troubles seem to be fixed in any case with a replacement camera. :

 

[RodS57]

After seeing the posts related to focus issues I fabricated a flat target from 5mm thick yellow craft foam and narrow black masking tape so I had a high contrast target. Target was set up about 10 meters from camera; camera on tripod. Using the tamron I took shots at 150 and 600mm with MFA adjustments from -10 to +10. None of the shots with the7D2 where in focus. I put the lens on my T3i and, without adjustments of course, took the same shots. Again, none were in focus. Finally I tried with my 70-300L with similar out of focus results.

Apparently I built a focus target that cameras can't focus on. Will contact USAF to see if they want to use it in their stealth technology. 8)

Rod

 

[2n10]

After seeing the posts related to focus issues I fabricated a flat target from 5mm thick yellow craft foam and narrow black masking tape so I had a high contrast target. Target was set up about 10 meters from camera; camera on tripod. Using the tamron I took shots at 150 and 600mm with MFA adjustments from -10 to +10. None of the shots with the7D2 where in focus. I put the lens on my T3i and, without adjustments of course, took the same shots. Again, none were in focus. Finally I tried with my 70-300L with similar out of focus results.

Apparently I built a focus target that cameras can't focus on. Will contact USAF to see if they want to use it in their stealth technology. 8)

Rod

Wow Rod, you gave me a nice grin to start the day. Sorry you are having trouble. It seems folks with tamrons and sigmas are unfortunately having problems. Might need the lens reprogrammed to work with the 7D2.

I have decided to return mine for an exchange do to focusing issues after trying all of the suggestions given to others and anything else my twisted mind could come up with.

Hope you can work your issue out quickly.

 

[RodS57]

After seeing the posts related to focus issues I fabricated a flat target from 5mm thick yellow craft foam and narrow black masking tape so I had a high contrast target. Target was set up about 10 meters from camera; camera on tripod. Using the tamron I took shots at 150 and 600mm with MFA adjustments from -10 to +10. None of the shots with the7D2 where in focus. I put the lens on my T3i and, without adjustments of course, took the same shots. Again, none were in focus. Finally I tried with my 70-300L with similar out of focus results.

Apparently I built a focus target that cameras can't focus on. Will contact USAF to see if they want to use it in their stealth technology. 8)

Rod

Wow Rod, you gave me a nice grin to start the day. Sorry you are having trouble. It seems folks with tamrons and sigmas are unfortunately having problems. Might need the lens reprogrammed to work with the 7D2.

I have decided to return mine for an exchange do to focusing issues after trying all of the suggestions given to others and anything else my twisted mind could come up with.

Hope you can work your issue out quickly.

I am not sure I am having problems. 75% of my pictures so far have been test shots. Just trying different settings. With the focus test target I was curious to see if there would be noticeable difference with the adjustments. As I noted, the test failed but after posting I remembered someone posting similar results last winter. In that scenario he was taking pictures from inside his car through an open window. With the temperature difference inside and outside the car he couldn't get a good shot. I shot from inside my house out through the open patio door. Inside +20C; outside -10C. As a result I think I ended up with a lot of thermal distortion which wasn't apparent to the naked eye.

I am still waiting for a good day to use the camera in a real life situation. Due to my location I don't expect to see above freezing temperatures again until late April. I don't mind that but it does make things more difficult.

Rod

 

[Loswr]

... I fabricated a flat target from 5mm thick yellow craft foam and narrow black masking tape so I had a high contrast target.

Apparently I built a focus target that cameras can't focus on. Will contact USAF to see if they want to use it in their stealth technology.

Rod, would you be willing to post a picture of your DIY 'stealth target'? Thanks!

 

[Lee Jay]

... I fabricated a flat target from 5mm thick yellow craft foam and narrow black masking tape so I had a high contrast target.

Apparently I built a focus target that cameras can't focus on. Will contact USAF to see if they want to use it in their stealth technology.

Rod, would you be willing to post a picture of your DIY 'stealth target'? Thanks!

Weren't you paying attention? It can't be photographed. Sort of like a genuine UFO.

 

[Loswr]

... I fabricated a flat target from 5mm thick yellow craft foam and narrow black masking tape so I had a high contrast target.

Apparently I built a focus target that cameras can't focus on. Will contact USAF to see if they want to use it in their stealth technology.

Rod, would you be willing to post a picture of your DIY 'stealth target'? Thanks!

Weren't you paying attention? It can't be photographed. Sort of like a genuine UFO.

LOL. I'm sure Live View would work. Perhaps even that archaic technology called manual focusing.

 

[ashmadux]

Why don't you try shooting something "moving" at a nice rate of speed?
Birds maybe or some sporting event? ???

I don't shoot sports, portraits, wildlife and landscapes.

Maybe the Canon 6D or Canon 5D Mark III (Portraits) would have been better for you, since this camera is aimed towards Wildlife and Sports Photographers.

I would not introduce him to the 6D Af if he's having this issue with a much better Af system like this.

 

[rrcphoto]

so quality testing is not much improved at canon factorys as it seems.

i read a lot about AF problems with the new 7D II on forums.

you should expect some people having issues with a new AF system but the troubles seem to be fixed in any case with a replacement camera. :

Have you ever seen what couriers can do to packages?