Strange 7D M2 focus problem

[RGF]

I noticed with my 7D M2 focus is missed when I have the camera set to single spot focussing (not sure if this is the correct term) but is accurate when I have micro-spot focussing.

This is repeatable on my 7D M2. I plan to send the camera will be sent to Canon for warranty service.

anyone else seen this problem?

 

[Loswr]

All the time? Specific subjects?

 

[candc]

I use spot for shooting through Branches and it has worked but you should get better results with regular single point mode. it samples a larger area. The manual says spot AF can be problematic if there isn't sufficient contrast in that small sample spot.

 

[RGF]

All the time? Specific subjects?

not 100% of the time. But frequently. test subjects have been top of stump, cactus flower, .. All have well defined edges, camera on tripod, reproducible frequently. Occasionally when shooting small birds I get more keeps with the small sample focus spot than the larger sample focus spot.

 

[Loswr]

Could be a hardware problem, but one thing to keep in mind is that the actual AF point is larger than the little box that represents it in the viewfinder. Spot AF is smaller, but actually still slightly larger than that little box. So, you may put a defined edge right under the AF point, but the camera may be locking onto a defined edge just outside that box (perhaps with higher contrast in the orientation appropriate for the sensor lines).

Can you reproduce the problem with a flat subject parallel to the sensor (e.g., a newspaper page taped to the wall)? If so, that would be consistent with a hardware problem.

 

[dolina]

My setup. If you can, kindly tell me if the images with 1.0.4 are sharp or not. If you need more info I am glad to provide it.

EOS 7D Mark II with 1.0.4
EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM
AI Servo with appropriate focus limiter, AF is ON, IS is on Mode 1 and IS is ON

Late 2012 27-inch iMac Core i7
Aperture 3.6
OS X 10.10.3

These are Grabs at 2560x1389

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5451/17638727451_7e41206d1a_o.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8685/17636240682_63d37e66e9_o.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8727/17018310863_e9766057ed_o.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5455/17612340266_44788b3e65_o.jpg

 

[East Wind Photography]

I noticed with my 7D M2 focus is missed when I have the camera set to single spot focussing (not sure if this is the correct term) but is accurate when I have micro-spot focussing.

This is repeatable on my 7D M2. I plan to send the camera will be sent to Canon for warranty service.

anyone else seen this problem?

I have not seen this on mine. However it was repaired by Canon about 3 months ago. Mirror box and AF sensor was replaced. That's definitely not a normal condition. As long as its repeatable, Canon should be able to figure it out. Make sure you document the problem in detail and how to reproduce it. Also if you open an email ticket first or call them, they may pay for shipping to Canon and back to you.

I used Canon in Newport News, VA and was happy with their customer service and quality of repair.