Safe to buy a 7D2?

[Ruined]

I've noticed a lot of complaints of AI Servo AF issues on this camera since launch, and those that sent to Canon needed to often have their shutter and mirror box replaced in numerous cases. It seems to be a common repair thread.

Anyone think there was a hardware design defect with the original batch of cameras? I wonder if it is safe to buy now...

 

[takesome1]

Since Canon hasn't stopped honoring their warranty I would say it is safe.

Design defect? Probably not.

There are many that say they have a good copy.

 

[Ruined]

I guess safe is not the best word.

Perhaps likelihood of not having to send a new camera to Canon out of the box to repair.

 

[takesome1]

I sent mine in, I see more posts from happy 7D II's than unhappy ones and I have been following the complaints because I wasn't happy with the way mine performed.

Sending one in is annoying but for the most part painless.

 

[mackguyver]

Nice title - but you'll have to ask Dustin Hoffman's character from Marathon Man - IS IT SAFE???:

 

[sanj]

Mackguyver: This is great reply. Hahahahaha.

Ruined: You playing with us right?

 

[monkey44]

One of my favorite movies, and two of my favorite actors !! Don't like my dentist much tho'...

 

[Ruined]

Mackguyver: This is great reply. Hahahahaha.

Ruined: You playing with us right?

NO I am not playing with you! Seriously.

It seems not infrequent where there will be some bizarre hardware defect on new model cameras that is not disclosed until a year later. Like the 5D3 light leak issue, for instance.

All I am saying is that there seems to be quite a few people having AI Servo AF issues with the initial run of cameras, and those that sent it in for repair to Canon - a lot got the mirror box/shutter replaced.

Obviously would be covered by warranty but would be easier to just buy one that works

I guess this is a question I will not be able to get an answer to unless I worked for Canon so probably not the smartest one to ask!

 

[Mitch.Conner]

I am also interested in the answer to this question.

 

[slclick]

You buy from a reputable and authorized dealer.
You thoroughly test it out in all modes.
You keep it or return it within 30 days.

Easy. It's just a 'thing'. Since you know what the issues may be, you have a head start here. Do it.

 

[Ruined]

You buy from a reputable and authorized dealer.
You thoroughly test it out in all modes.
You keep it or return it within 30 days.

Easy. It's just a 'thing'. Since you know what the issues may be, you have a head start here. Do it.

Well, so this is a good place to start.

Is the 7D2 "fail" case complete and utter inability to AF? Because it seems from reports I've seen it can be that bad, but I've also seen reports where it is "off" but not completely inaccurate. (i.e. like the FroKnowsPhoto review). The latter case may be more difficult to test for.

 

[sanj]

Mackguyver: This is great reply. Hahahahaha.

Ruined: You playing with us right?

NO I am not playing with you! Seriously.

It seems not infrequent where there will be some bizarre hardware defect on new model cameras that is not disclosed until a year later. Like the 5D3 light leak issue, for instance.

All I am saying is that there seems to be quite a few people having AI Servo AF issues with the initial run of cameras, and those that sent it in for repair to Canon - a lot got the mirror box/shutter replaced.

Obviously would be covered by warranty but would be easier to just buy one that works

I guess this is a question I will not be able to get an answer to unless I worked for Canon so probably not the smartest one to ask!

Ok. I was under the impression that people were complaining about the AF because they did not know how to use it. Canon has been improving AF so could not imagine issues.

 

[Ruined]

Ok. I was under the impression that people were complaining about the AF because they did not know how to use it. Canon has been improving AF so could not imagine issues.

You would think, but it appears the 70D launch went smoother than the 7D2 launch did. Here, dpreview, fredmiranda, there are plenty of examples of people who could not get tack sharp photos (and sometimes autofocus was just utter failure) on 7D2, but it appears a trend that Canon has been replacing hardware in a large percentage of these cases when sent in for repair, specifically mirrorbox + shutter.

I originally thought it was a firmware issue but as more and more reports come in of camera going to service, it appears the same repair is given and it 100% fixes the problem.

To me, that means either:
A) An average/tiny amount of 7D2 cameras went out defective and all those owners just decided to post about it
B) A larger than usual, but still small amount of 7D2 cameras went out defective and all those owners just decided to post about it
C) A large amount of 7D2 cameras went out defective but a large amount of owners did not detect the issue yet, as it appears to vary in severity and only generally happens in AI Servo mode.

It just seems odd the larger than usual amount of reports for exactly the same issue, and when they go to service it is exactly the same repair in most cases. Smells a bit fishy, that's all. It seems Canon doesn't fess up for a year or so until the stock is moved, I assume so that they hope people with less-than-ideal stock don't notice. Another example of this was the 24-70 II models with the very noisy zoom barrel, it took teeth-pulling for Canon to admit there was a problem, but they issued a silent fix months before they publically stated anything.

 

[Dylan777]

You buy from a reputable and authorized dealer.
You thoroughly test it out in all modes.
You keep it or return it within 30 days.

Easy. It's just a 'thing'. Since you know what the issues may be, you have a head start here. Do it.

Well, so this is a good place to start.

Is the 7D2 "fail" case complete and utter inability to AF? Because it seems from reports I've seen it can be that bad, but I've also seen reports where it is "off" but not completely inaccurate. (i.e. like the FroKnowsPhoto review). The latter case may be more difficult to test for.

I understand your concern.

Current 7d2 AF system is more advance than any other semi-pro bodies in the past. I'm not suprise some reports could caused by user errors. It took me 6 months to understand and learn how to fine tune my 1Dx AF system. Once I figured out the sensitivity and how each settings respond to real world movements...I'm now completely have control over my 1Dx. Don't just pick pre-set cases in camera and start shooting...fine tune it

 

[pwp]

When it comes to some kinds of purchases, the smart money seems to wait a few months after the initial launch of a new product whether that be a camera body, a car or phone. I've talked my over enthusiastic brother to hold off a little while on the iWatch...preferably until the 2nd generation!

And so it might be with the 7DII. Is there any evidence that the current builds are more stable than the initial run? FWIW the most reliable piece of photographic hardware I have ever had is a 1D MkIIn which I bought on run-out when the dreaded 1D MkIII first shipped. Now that was an AF disaster! The 1D MkIIn would have been one of the last builds and was so rock solid over it's 750,000 actuations lifespan it's almost ridiculous. I got the MkIIn because of the damning early reports on the MkIII. I'm not saying wait till end-of-model-life, but a short wait is often worthwhile. I'll probably pick up a 7DII in the next month or so.

-pw

 

[sanj]

I stand educated.

 

[Danzq]

You buy from a reputable and authorized dealer.
You thoroughly test it out in all modes.
You keep it or return it within 30 days.

Easy. It's just a 'thing'. Since you know what the issues may be, you have a head start here. Do it.

Well, so this is a good place to start.

Is the 7D2 "fail" case complete and utter inability to AF? Because it seems from reports I've seen it can be that bad, but I've also seen reports where it is "off" but not completely inaccurate. (i.e. like the FroKnowsPhoto review). The latter case may be more difficult to test for.

Took me around 3 months to send mine in. It was pretty okay but not at the level one of canons best AF systems should be. Now the mirror box, main sensor and shutter are being replaced. Before I sent it in the shop I bought it from had a quick look at it and said it was fine...

I think it takes atleast a semi pro to notice anything wrong with these bad copies and many of em wont ever be fixed...

 

[Marsu42]

I've noticed a lot of complaints of AI Servo AF issues on this camera since launch, and those that sent to Canon needed to often have their shutter and mirror box replaced in numerous cases. It seems to be a common repair thread.

"Numerous cases"? If you assume that 2/3rd of people having problems with their 7d2 are very verbal on the Internet, and tons of 7d2 sold the issues are next to none - as always with mass-marketed gear, Canon wouldn't risk a real big repair callback.

And then of course there are those folks who think having howmany af points means you don't need skill to operate the camera anymore and find themselves wondering why the pictures are kinda "soft" and don't look like in the nature mags sooc.

 

[Ruined]

I've noticed a lot of complaints of AI Servo AF issues on this camera since launch, and those that sent to Canon needed to often have their shutter and mirror box replaced in numerous cases. It seems to be a common repair thread.

"Numerous cases"? If you assume that 2/3rd of people having problems with their 7d2 are very verbal on the Internet, and tons of 7d2 sold the issues are next to none - as always with mass-marketed gear, Canon wouldn't risk a real big repair callback.

And then of course there are those folks who think having howmany af points means you don't need skill to operate the camera anymore and find themselves wondering why the pictures are kinda "soft" and don't look like in the nature mags sooc.

That explanation doesn't make the most sense for a few reasons:
1. Far more 70D cameras sold, far less problems reported
2. Virtually all of the 7D2 reported problems were with AF accuracy
3. The same problems were spread across all different sites with people of different skill levels
4. It seems most who sent their camera in for repair had the same repair completed, mirror box and shutter replacement which fixed the issue

Reading between the lines, it appears to be that a larger than usual batch of defective hardware went out with the initial batch of 7D2 cameras based on all the chatter. Question is, how big, and what manufacture dates are definitely not affected?

 

[takesome1]

I've noticed a lot of complaints of AI Servo AF issues on this camera since launch, and those that sent to Canon needed to often have their shutter and mirror box replaced in numerous cases. It seems to be a common repair thread.

"Numerous cases"? If you assume that 2/3rd of people having problems with their 7d2 are very verbal on the Internet, and tons of 7d2 sold the issues are next to none - as always with mass-marketed gear, Canon wouldn't risk a real big repair callback.

And then of course there are those folks who think having howmany af points means you don't need skill to operate the camera anymore and find themselves wondering why the pictures are kinda "soft" and don't look like in the nature mags sooc.

That explanation doesn't make the most sense for a few reasons:
1. Far more 70D cameras sold, far less problems reported
2. Virtually all of the 7D2 reported problems were with AF accuracy
3. The same problems were spread across all different sites with people of different skill levels
4. It seems most who sent their camera in for repair had the same repair completed, mirror box and shutter replacement which fixed the issue

Reading between the lines, it appears to be that a larger than usual batch of defective hardware went out with the initial batch of 7D2 cameras based on all the chatter. Question is, how big, and what manufacture dates are definitely not affected?

I have only seen one on this site that had the replacement you mention in 4. Others have sent in bodies and they calibrated them. Mine the report said something was out of alignment. As someone who had a problem and have been watching the forums about 7D II problems I find your conclusions to be inaccurate.

These issues were repaired at no charge by Canon. Mine took 7 days from the time I dropped it off at Fedex until it was returned to my door.

Safe to buy a 7D II, very IMO.