topic Re: EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses

afenton — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 14:07:04 GMT

Canon 7D MK2

Two holidays last year were 'ruined' by the results of my photos.

Used centre-weighted setting but with a couple of lenses the camera was obviously struggling to focus; one was a Tamron 70-20 and the other a Tokina AT-X 28-70. I've had Tamron check for faults with an inspection and test - they found no fault. I took some photos where the focus point in the viewfinder was just a single square in the centre; I think that these photos are the ones that were pretty awful, with no focus to speak of.

Any advice?

Thanks.

Re: Camera not focusing with certain lenses

shadowsports — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 13:18:21 GMT

Greetings,

If I noticed AF problems, I would likely change the AF method for the subjects and shooting conditions. Worst case manual focus if I just couldn't get the camera and lenses to do what I needed them to. The body should be as good as it ever was. I do not have experience with tokina glass and my only experience with Tamron is from the 80's. My preference would be Sigma between the 3 and I have owned plenty of their lenses. Today I only shoot with Canon glass.

The 7D2 is a very nice, high performing camera with an advanced focusing system for its day. Same one thats in the 5D4. This year it will turn 10. I might consider semi-retiring it in favor of something more modern. It would be a nice back up. The AF performance and technology in Canon's latest body's is just superior. It does not mean dump what you have, but any photographer will appreciate what todays cameras can offer over what has been a go to tried and true performer the last 10 yrs.

Re: Camera not focusing with certain lenses

deebatman316 — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 14:05:07 GMT

Actually the 7D Mark II has 65 AF points vs 61 AF Points that the 5D Mark III & 5D Mark IV have. But I would say the 7D series lineup of cameras were the best APS-C cameras that Canon offered for pros. Sadly a 7D Mark III wasn't released. But a mirrorless R7 was. But it has many features of the 90D compared to the 7D Mark II. The 7D Mark II wasn't really replaced by an equivalent R series camera. To the OP just because a lens says compatible with Canon EF Mount. Doesn't mean it's fully compatible. I've had older lenses that worked correctly on an older camera. But on a new body it wouldn't AF. Or it would have focus pulsing. Even have IS tug of war.

Re: EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses

shadowsports — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 15:51:00 GMT

Demetrius,

Thank you kindly for correcting me, and welcome back. 🙂

Re: EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses

deebatman316 — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 16:35:02 GMT

Thanks Rick, I've been dealing with some things outside of the forum. But I'm back in action now.

Re: EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses

Waddizzle — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 17:02:57 GMT

“ Used centre-weighted setting but with a couple of lenses the camera was obviously struggling to focus; … “

Did you misspeak? The term “center-weighted” is typically associated with a metering setting, not focusing modes or AF points. Do not attempt to perform a firmware update/refresh on the camera.

Do you have any other lenses that you could test with the camera? Preferably Canon lenses. It would be unusual for an issue to impact two lenses at once, though. So, test the camera with different lenses to see if it works properly.

I suggest using the Green[A+] mode, Intelligent Auto, to test the camera. Using automatic to test another lens takes your camera settings off the table. It would also be a good idea to retest the Tamron lenses, too, in this shooting mode.

If the camera is functioning properly with other lenses, then there is most Ilikely some type of issue with lenses..

Canon is not responsible for guaranteeing third party lenses that are designed, built, and repaired by others to be fully compatible with Canon camera bodies. It is also possible that you lenses are

It is also possible that your older lenses are beyond their service life and Tokina is not able to repair them.

Re: EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses

afenton — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 11:27:02 GMT

Hiya, Waddizzle,

Thanks for the reply. I suppose it was a sort of mis-speak. The problem is, when trying to focus on something that is, overall, centre-weighted ("best suited for any image where your subject is in the centre of the frame, or even where the subject fills the majority of the scene"), the focusing goes somewhat haywire - squares all over the place, in trying to focus. The results, when this happens, are the ones that are awful - a two-inch screen doesn't show what a 24-inch monitor does!

One other thing worth mentioning is that, with the Tamron 70-200, it's always at the upper end of the length that the problems seem apparent; if I use my folder settings by focal length, the upper end is full of problems.I have had no problems whatsoever with my Canon 10-18 or 18-55.

Thanks again for the feedback. I am seriously considering changing my 7D, though I have many happy photographic memories from it.

Cheers

Re: Camera not focusing with certain lenses

afenton — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 11:34:38 GMT

Thanks, Rick,

I know, looking back, that the problem was occurring, but instead of taking notice, trusted in the camera; I should have realised that the camera and lenses were struggling to focus (something I discussed with the UK's Tamron specialist) and made compensation for: shifted between focus AF methods and listen to my own bloody instincts! Alas, too late; a fortnight in Iceland and four weeks in the US and Canada - photographic memories ruined.

Cheers, Rick

P.S. Love your city and State!

Re: EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses

deebatman316 — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 13:50:45 GMT

What do you mean by the focus goes haywire. So you don't have problems with your Canon lenses. When did you start using the Tamron and Tokina lenses. This sounds like a compatibility problem. You will need to contact the lens manufacturers not Canon to resolve the problem.

Re: EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses

afenton — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 11:40:52 GMT

When I half-press the shutter, the camera is trying to focus, but the focus squares (whatever) just leap about. Finally, a single, central focus square appears steady in the viewfinder, then I can press, but they're the ones I am having problems with. The Tamron seems to have the worst results at the 150-200 end.

I have had the Tamron 70-200 for a few years now, with not much in the way of problems. I have recently had it serviced and checked by Tamron's authorised repairer in the UK, Fixation, but they sent it back as working, with no problems.The Tokina has only been used the one time, over Christmas and New Year, with mixed results. I think the problem with the Tokina is linked to when I used a 1.6 teleconverter with it.

Thanks, Demetrius

Re: EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses

Waddizzle — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 13:17:11 GMT

@afenton wrote:
Hiya, Waddizzle,
Thanks for the reply. I suppose it was a sort of mis-speak. The problem is, when trying to focus on something that is, overall, centre-weighted ("best suited for any image where your subject is in the centre of the frame, or even where the subject fills the majority of the scene"), the focusing goes somewhat haywire - squares all over the place, in trying to focus. The results, when this happens, are the ones that are awful - a two-inch screen doesn't show what a 24-inch monitor does!
One other thing worth mentioning is that, with the Tamron 70-200, it's always at the upper end of the length that the problems seem apparent; if I use my folder settings by focal length, the upper end is full of problems.I have had no problems whatsoever with my Canon 10-18 or 18-55.
Thanks again for the feedback. I am seriously considering changing my 7D, though I have many happy photographic memories from it.
Cheers

You are still misspeaking. Metering modes have little to nothing to do with controlling and setting up the autofocus system. Here are a couple of video tutorials on the 7D2.

Here is another video. Sometimes it is beneficial to hear it explained differently.

Here is a video about Canon Metering Modes.

Re: EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses

afenton — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 14:10:30 GMT

Yep, there's something I'm not getting across. I've watched the first video already, and will watch the other two later. The first video talks about what I am trying to relate: The auto-focus alternatives. When the problems occur, I can have the setting for one shot, AI servo or AI focus; it doesn't matter which I try, with the different lenses that are resulting in bad shots, the cameras focus points are simply not able to settle into a point of focus - jumping all over the place - and eventually settling into a single focus point... and the camera allows me to take a photo that is out of focus.

I know that this is a problem between the camera and different lenses, and I'm not trying to re-focus the shot; hopefully, I'll start taking more notice of the camera telling me I'm not giving it the right instructions! I'm going to the Outer Hebrides next week and will really try to concentrate more, because Barra is a beautiful place and I've had some really lovely shots there in the past few visits.

Can't thank you enough, Waddizzle, for taking the time to help me. I'll watch the videos next.

Andrew

Re: EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses

Waddizzle — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 14:48:07 GMT

“ I know that this is a problem between the camera and different lenses, and I'm not trying to re-focus the shot; hopefully, “

I am still uncertain if you understand the difference between metering and focusing. Please watch the videos well before it is time to depart on your journey.

Re: EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses

afenton — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 10:16:00 GMT

Hiya,

I'm sure you're right. The second video, auto-focus guide, shows the focus squares I'm mentioning... I think! And that's where, even on a still subject, they leap about, then settle into a single in the centre. And the awful focus occurs.

*sighs* I've had such good results in the past, this is frustrating the hell out of me.

Thanks again.

Re: EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses

ebiggs1 — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 16:11:43 GMT

I can testify that the Tamron 70-200mm zoom doesn't just work OK but does a beautiful job on a 7 series camera. I used one, actually two of them, for years and the combo made me a lot of money. Focus issues and misfocus are almost always caused by the user and not the camera/lens combo. The first thing I would do is reset you 7D2 back to factory default6. The second thing I would is is make sure you are using One Shot and not Ai-servo which it sounds like you are. Ai-servo causes way more problems then it solves.

I, too, think you might be confusing metering with focusing at least in terms.

Re: EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses

afenton — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 10:43:02 GMT

Agreed on my confusion. My daughter's the photographer in the family and she does ok with it.

One thing I did find out, while looking around, was that on AV setting, the camera automatically uses a slower shutter speed by default, rather than upping the ISO; I've had to set the camera to use a minimum shutter speed to get the camera to use ISO control more. Just an aside, but it had been giving me some focus issues itself, dropping the speed too much, by leaving ISO more limited, while trying to take shots with more dof.

I'm going to do a factory reset next. Does that sometimes clear problems? I know the fault almost certainly lies with me, but, as I've said, I've not had this problem in the past.

Thanks, ebiggs1

Re: EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses

ebiggs1 — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 15:09:19 GMT

"Does that sometimes clear problems?"

Yes it can do wonders especially if you set something by accident and don't know what. Remember you must clear all custom settings too. Reset both for a full reset.

Lets examine Av mode. You set Av mode where you fix an aperture for the lens. Lets say f4, so now thw 7D2 will select the fastest SS it can for proper exposure. That is important to keep in mind since you have still let the camera do an automatic thing. As to ISO if it is a fixed setting it will not change. If you select Auto ISO it will change but still keeping proper exposure as the main most important thing. You can set an upper and lower limit ISO number if you wish but this will limit the ability of the 7D2's exposure range. Similarly you can set a faster and slower SS limit, too.

However, these settings should have no impact on how the Tamron's AF speed is affected. But if you are in a very low to just a low light situation that can slow the AF.

Re: EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses

Waddizzle — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 23:08:41 GMT

Grant Atkinson has made some of the videos explains the Canon AF System on YouTube. This is the first of five videos explaining the 7D Mark II AF system. He has made additional videos about the 7D2 AF system, perhaps 7 or 8 in total.

Based on your descriptions, you seem to have the AF system in a Zone Tracking mode.

Re: EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses

afenton — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 10:55:06 GMT

Can't thank you enough, for spending your time helping me. I've done a factory reset but I'm too fed up with the **bleep** thing to take any photos just now! I'll go through some tomorrow.

I had changed the AV setting to use a minimum shutter speed to 125, making the camera change the ISO in auto mode, and it improved some of the problem, and it did overcome the AV mode of dropping the speed too much.

Anyway, that's gone now; I'll have to remember to make that change again, if it is causing a problem. I tend to use TV more than AV, or even automatic setting, anyway.

Thanks again, Legend!

Re: EOS 7D Mark II not focusing with Tamron and Tokina lenses

afenton — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 10:56:44 GMT

Since all this started, I feel like I'm going back to basics - which I suppose I am, somewhat.

Thanks for the link. I watched the other three and will watch yours too.

Andrew