topic Re: 7D Mark II AF Question in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

7D Mark II AF Question

CanonBallBob — Mon, 09 May 2016 14:53:40 GMT

Hello All...New to the forum and my 7D Mark II. I went to a graduation this past weekend and tried getting some close up shots from the wings of the auditorium. Shooting in Av, AI servo and using the very most center focus point, I could not get off a good, in-focused shot to save my butt. Plenty of light and the ISO was around 16000 (i know...it is marginal at that point), but I would expect that focus should have been dead on. What's the deal?

No problem with focus close up...sees pretty sharp.

Is it true what some have said about this camera? Focus is hit and miss?

Re: 7D Mark II AF Question

Waddizzle — Mon, 09 May 2016 15:18:25 GMT

Turn off the AI Servo, and go with "One Shot", not unless, of course, you're shooting running lions, tigers, and bears. Try turning off all focus points, except for the Center Focus Point, too. Don't let the camera decide what it wants to focus on. You decide, and take control of it by using just the center point.

Re: 7D Mark II AF Question

jrhoffman75 — Mon, 09 May 2016 15:56:46 GMT

http://learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2014/eos7dmk2_afGuidebook.shtml

http://community.usa.canon.com/t5/EOS/Unless-there-s-motion-don-t-use-AI-SERVO/m-p/172360#U172360

Re: 7D Mark II AF Question

digital — Tue, 10 May 2016 14:58:05 GMT

ISO 16000 or 1600? What were the shutter speeds? What type of lens were you using?

Re: 7D Mark II AF Question

ebiggs1 — Tue, 10 May 2016 14:53:52 GMT

"Turn off the AI Servo, and go with "One Shot"

Bingo! This was your problem. You said center focus point? Did you turn all th eothers off? You should have!

"Plenty of light and the ISO was around 16000 (i know...it is marginal at that point)..."

16000 or 1600? There is no such thing as "plenty of light" if you are shooting ISO of 16000.

Otherwise ISO 1600 for a 7D Mk II is nothing.

Re: 7D Mark II AF Question

PajamaGuy — Wed, 11 May 2016 11:55:01 GMT

Bob,

The 7D2 is highly configurable - especially the focusing system. I think most folks who say the focus is "hit-or-miss" don't understand or have misconfigured the system. What's already been posted is correct, don't use AI Servo, but do select the center focus point (it is high-precision dual cross-type and has the lowest light capability).

But there's a few other factors - If you're hand-holding at a slow shutter speed, IS will only do so much. Your lens is probably the factor with the biggest impact. With 5 grandkids, I do a fair amount of auditorium/gymnasium shooting. When I'm inside and can't use flash (I always do unless it's specifically prohibited) , I don't want to press the shutter unless the aperture is f/2.8 or less (wider? more open?). The 85mm f/1.8 is pretty good, but if you invest in a 70-200 f/2.8, you'll be much happier.

IMHO

Re: 7D Mark II AF Question

ebiggs1 — Wed, 11 May 2016 12:14:03 GMT

"... use flash (I always do unless it's specifically prohibited) , ..."

Really? I never use flash. Never! Prohibited or not. None of the places I shoot would allow flash anyway. Unless you are pretty close, flash is a bigger problem that it ever is as a helper.

Re: 7D Mark II AF Question

PajamaGuy — Wed, 11 May 2016 12:55:54 GMT

Well, it's a good thing your opinions are just that, "opinions" - if they were rules (or facts), I'd not have a lot of great pics.

Re: 7D Mark II AF Question

ebiggs1 — Wed, 11 May 2016 13:23:27 GMT

Grampy,

It isn't an opinion. It is what I do. I have been shooting school events for the last 25 years for hire. Not to mention that flash is not allowed in a single one.

I am really very curious as to how you use flash? Which flash? What events are you shooting? Now it is my opinion that I don't see how it would help.

Re: 7D Mark II AF Question

Waddizzle — Wed, 11 May 2016 13:11:33 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"... use flash (I always do unless it's specifically prohibited) , ..."
Really? I never use flash. Never! Prohibited or not. None of the places I shoot would allow flash anyway. Unless you are pretty close, flash is a bigger problem that it ever is as a helper.

That's true. For most sports, flashes are prohibited. Not only can they blind and impair an athlete, they can also put an athlete is serious physical danger. I have seen pole vaulters miss the box where they plant their pole, and miss the padded landing mat. I've seen shotputters toss the shot in the wrong direction. I have seen hurdlers get tangled up in a hurdle, and go down HARD.

And, that's just track and field. Flashes are even more dangerous at gymnastic events. Flashes can blind basketball players as they leap in the air to make, or block, a shot. The list of ugly scenarios is endless. Besides, flashes can also have undesireable affects on television cameras during live broadcasts. The list of reasons is endless.

Re: 7D Mark II AF Question

PajamaGuy — Wed, 11 May 2016 14:00:40 GMT

Folks,

I'm not one to argue. The thread started with the venue being an indoor graduation. I'd be willing to bet flash was allowed, and that at least 50% of the moms were using their ineffective built-in flashes. If it's between shooting at 16,000 ISO or using a flash - I'll use a flash every time. Concerts, awards, etc., but not plays.

Indoor ice hockey and indoor soccer is where I use my 600EX. The arena folks use their permenantly mounted strobes - flash is allowed- we shoot from elevated positions. ...and before you start - I get enough added light at 100 ft to get me to, or faster than, 1/500 sec.

Re: 7D Mark II AF Question

ebiggs1 — Wed, 11 May 2016 14:19:19 GMT

Interesting. Everybodyd is different.