topic Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

Reaston — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 20:22:43 GMT

I cannot seem to get auto focus to work in any kind of tracking for stills or video and I'm not sure what I am doing wrong. I have my camera set to AI Servo mode, but it doesn't follow any action. I can auto focus by half depressing the shutter, but then have to keep doing that to refocus. When I first got the camera, this seemed to work, I can't imagine what I did or what I'm supposed to do to get it working again. I have tried playing with the AF-ON button, the M-Fn and that new toggle switch on the back, but nothing seems to engage it. I really want this to work for video, but as I said, I can't seem to get it going for stills either. I'm sure it is something really stupid on my part. Any help would be appreciated. And yes, my lenses have been set to AF!

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

Reaston — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 21:00:29 GMT

Additionally... I got the tracking thing to work in live view and video, but it doesn't stay focused on the tracked spot when I move the camera in or out. Also, when I switch to live view or video, AI Servo changes to One Shot which does not seem right.

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

jazzman1 — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 13:29:29 GMT

Here's some info;

http://www.canonrumors.com/2015/05/canon-eos-7d-mark-ii-af-issues/

https://photographylife.com/recommended-canon-7d-mark-ii-settings

http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=42745

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

Reaston — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 13:39:29 GMT

Thank you. I guess I have to determine whether its a problem with the camera, or with me. As I said, it seemed to be tracking and focusing at first. I think I am going to try going back to factory settings.

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

jazzman1 — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 13:20:58 GMT

@Reaston wrote:
Thank you. I guess I have to determine whether its a problem with the camera, or with me. As I said, it seemed to be tracking and focusing at first. I think I am going to try going back to factory settings.

Just practice and learn your camera well. I've heard the 7D mark ll is a very complex camera. Don't feel bad about user error, it comes with the turf. Most of us experience it at one time or another in our Photography developement.

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

ebiggs1 — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 14:18:05 GMT

"... but it doesn't stay focused on the tracked spot when I move the camera in or out."

Hmmm? What? AI-Servo tracks a subject. It doesn't track you moving the camera. After doing all you have indicated, I would reset the camera and try again. You might have set something improperly.

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

amfoto1 — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 20:08:24 GMT

Uh, oh...

I'd say the odds are about 95 out of 100 that you've set something wrong or are using the camera incorrectly. The vast majority of "focus problems" come down to the user, are no fault of the camera. You need to learn how to correctly set up and use the 7DII, which has one of the most advanced and complex AF systems of any camera ever made. There's a definite learning curve!

Depending upon your experience with other AF cameras and Canon AF in particular, you may want get back to the basics by viewing the three half-hour videos beginning with: https://vimeo.com/36931479

Those are a seminar by Canon's Rudy Winston. A bit dated now and discussing older camera models, but the info still applies and is good.

Next, read this article about Back Button Focusing (BBF), also by Rudy: http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2011/backbutton_af_article.shtml

In case you don't know, BBF is a very popular technique among action/sports shooters. It puts you in more control of the AF and allows you to use AI Servo in more situations (you can even set it as your default focus mode, which is something you probably wouldn't want to do without BBF).

Then go here http://learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2014/eos7dmk2_afGuidebook.shtml and download the 7D Mark II AF setting guide and read it thoroughly... many times!

Finally... start out as simply as possible (K.I.S.S.) :

1. Set the camera to Single Point/Manual Selection

2. Choose the center AF point

3. Set the camera to AI servo.

4. Try using Back Button Focusing (which is set up on 7D-series by turning off AF at the shutter release button).

This will handle probably 90% or better of your still shot focusing needs. Experiment with other modes and settings a bit at a time, learning when and where they'll be most useful and you should switch to using them.

Sorry, I can't help you very much with video focusing, in particular... I don't yet have 7DII (which has the new Dual Pixel AF in video and Live View modes)... and I don't use my DSLRs to shoot video.

EDIT: I should add... the camera itself is about one third of the AF performance equation.

The camera's AF system is important. 7DII's is one of the most advanced and fastest available.

But the lenses used on any camera also make a big difference and you didn't mention what lenses you're using. Among Canon lenses, USM are typically the fastest, STM are the smoothest and usually the quietest (may be best for video), and micro motor are the least expensive. Larger aperture lenses... f2.8 or bigger, also can be faster focusing. Some of the camera's AF sensors are higher performance when combined with these lenses. (Note: This is not always the case. For example, ultra large aperture lenses like f1.2 and macro lenses may be a little slower focusing... because they emphasize high precision over focus speed, to deal with shallow depth of field situations).

The third factor is the photographer themselves... how they set up the camera and use it. Practice, experience and skill is still important too, even with autofocus and all its capabilities. Used right, AF is faster and more accurate than was ever possible with manual focus. However, IMHO it's also possible to over-automate it... to rely too heavily on the camera's automation modes. Consistent and accurate AF still requires good input from the user. Basically, you need to "tell" the camera exactly where you want it to focus.

Hope this helps!

***********

Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7D(x2), 50D(x3), some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR & EXPOSUREMANAGER

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

jazzman1 — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 05:11:45 GMT

@Reaston wrote:
I cannot seem to get auto focus to work in any kind of tracking for stills or video and I'm not sure what I am doing wrong. I have my camera set to AI Servo mode, but it doesn't follow any action. I can auto focus by half depressing the shutter, but then have to keep doing that to refocus. When I first got the camera, this seemed to work, I can't imagine what I did or what I'm supposed to do to get it working again. I have tried playing with the AF-ON button, the M-Fn and that new toggle switch on the back, but nothing seems to engage it. I really want this to work for video, but as I said, I can't seem to get it going for stills either. I'm sure it is something really stupid on my part. Any help would be appreciated. And yes, my lenses have been set to AF!

No offense but I just have to ask. I get the impression you got this fine DSLR mostly for video. Why, do you not get a video camcorder if mostly video??? I can understand using the video function occasionally is a plus, I use mine from time to time for short clips. I know it's nice to have as an option if we need it. But even though video is included in our DSLR's, the camera's are intended for still pics. Camcorders are much more suited for video, cheaper, with more features (in given price range), and much easier to use and setup. You would'nt have 1/2 the problems with a camcorder. DSLR's are even time limited in the length of time you can record. Can you tell me what can your camera do that a camcorder cannot do better??? I ask cause I'm flbbergasted so many get DSLR for video. I have 2 camcorders and would never get a DSLR for video. I have a Canon G30 camcorder and there's nothing most DSLR's can do, that I'm aware of......that my camcorder (appox $1,000.00) cannot do better.

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

Reaston — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 02:05:14 GMT

Jazzman,

I take a lot of stills with my camera, that's what I mostly use it for. But, I am also a videographer at a local TV station and I have frequently used my original Canon 7D for supplemental video on various projects (along with my GoPro camera). The reason I like using the Canon for video is for the nice narrow depth of field I can get, the variety of lenses, etc... The pictures are much more "filmic" than the stuff we get with our regular video cameras.

I bought the 7D Mark II because of its improved focusing power and its ability to track moving subjects, like say race horses at Saratoga.

Anyway, I updated the firmware and suddenly my camera is now able to track shots in video mode again. So for now, I am a happy camper. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and help!

If anyone is interested, here is an open I made for one of our specials, using my broadcast video camera, GoPro and original 7D... https://vimeo.com/100538935

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

Reaston — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 02:20:22 GMT

And Amfoto1,

Thank you for all the help and links. Very good stuff. And I am still assuming that I had something set wrong on my camera that the update was somehow able to fix my goof!

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

jazzman1 — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 15:52:27 GMT

@Reaston wrote:
Jazzman,

I take a lot of stills with my camera, that's what I mostly use it for. But, I am also a videographer at a local TV station and I have frequently used my original Canon 7D for supplemental video on various projects (along with my GoPro camera). The reason I like using the Canon for video is for the nice narrow depth of field I can get, the variety of lenses, etc... The pictures are much more "filmic" than the stuff we get with our regular video cameras.

I bought the 7D Mark II because of its improved focusing power and its ability to track moving subjects, like say race horses at Saratoga.

Thanks Reaston for those answers. I've asked that ever since I got my 1st DSLR, and you are the 1st to give me a satisfactory answer. Makes sense from what you do and your needs, and what you use it for. Being able to change lens is a plus, wish my camcorder could also change lens.

Glad your 7D mk ll is up and running. Thanks for coming back with that solution. I like the video clip, nice job, and take care.

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

digital — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 14:02:02 GMT

I don't use video. I don't even know how to turn it on but I do a ton of birding. For AI Servo to track you need to keep the shutter half dpressed at all times or use BBF. I'm very comfortable using the shutter and have over time just developed the touch to keep it at the mid point after shooing burstts or single shots. I never liked the BBF but recently started to explore it on my 7D2 and am warming up to it.

Not sure how video works but for stills it needs to be working all the time or you need to refocus.

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

jazzman1 — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 17:57:39 GMT

@digital wrote:
I don't use video. I don't even know how to turn it on but I do a ton of birding. For AI Servo to track you need to keep the shutter half dpressed at all times or use BBF. I'm very comfortable using the shutter and have over time just developed the touch to keep it at the mid point after shooing burstts or single shots. I never liked the BBF but recently started to explore it on my 7D2 and am warming up to it.

Not sure how video works but for stills it needs to be working all the time or you need to refocus.

What is BBF???

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

digital — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 22:30:22 GMT

Back Button Focus.

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

jazzman1 — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 01:06:08 GMT

thumbs up

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

asaugusto — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 22:03:39 GMT

I've been following the discussions on the subject of the autofocus issue on 7D Mark II since I bought my camera 2 months ago and I am very worried about it. I have lost at least half of the night shots of night events such as birthday party because of this problem. In Brazil the equipment cost 3 x more expensive than in the US and I made a big effort to buy this camera.

I would like to know if Canon is doing something to fix it once I am desperate because I can not afford to switch camera again now and use manual focus is not an option. This is why I try "the faster camera"... In some sittuations is ridiculous how autofocus keep focus in other subject

I some cases is ridiculous as the camera can focus on another subject than the people in front of me ... Not contrast, brightness etc ... nothing would justify this decision to force the background and not focus in people 2 meter distance of camera.

Anyone from Canon can PLEASE give us some help ?

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

Ricci — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 03:06:24 GMT

Asaugusto,

With which specific lens are you experimenting AF issues and is this also happening in daylight conditions?

Maybe somebody can help you if you provide more details.

Ricci.

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

digital — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 12:51:17 GMT

Seems to me like you are in Zone AF which is not a great idea for that sitution. I have found zone very good but I would not use it for low lite shooting at a wedding, etc. I like to be sure the AF point is where I want it, not where a computer thinks I want it.

When shooting a wedding if my subjects don't move around I use one shot. I may not hear the beap but I can at laset see focus confirmation in the viewfinder. After a long day having to look in the viewfinder to make sure the subject/s are in focus is very tiring, for me anyway. If you set the multi controller to move the AF point around you can easily put it where you want it and avoid focus/recompose as much as possible. I set my camera up so the AF lever changes AF modes. If Canon offered a retro for that I'd pay to have it installed on my 5D3.

If it is hunting like you say then you are lacking contrast in a low light situation. You must be using a flash for this? Is the AF assist light activated? I have 3 600 RT's and the transmitter. I won't use the transmitter for that. If I put a couple of flashes on stands I still have one on the camera for the AF assist and bounce it if I can. I may get the 430 RT for that because it is lighter and smalller. I have had occasioinal hunting but that is pretty rare.

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

asaugusto — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 06:45:19 GMT

hi Ricci, the last time I faced this issue was using a Canon18-200 lens. after some time I changed to a 18-250 sigma (new one) and happens again and also a 70-200 L 2.8 II (last tentative ). all situations with low light using external flash 600 Ex TTL + assist light activated. Sometimes occurs in a daylight conditions but in this case I face that using Sigma 18-250 only

Re: Having trouble with autofocus on 7D mark II

asaugusto — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 06:58:07 GMT

hi Digital
I will try to do some tests in low light conditions using this AF setup with the same lens and will post the results. thank you for the help!