topic Re: EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

FhvnEd — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 12:41:33 GMT

Hello All. After many years as a Canon EOS EF system photographer with everything from a 5DS-R to a couple 1Dx Mark III and a 5D Mark IV and as many accompanying system lenses (which, btw, I still use and love) I recently dipped my toes into the shallow end of the EOS RF pool to see what, if any, difference I would find that could make me switch completely. I started with the R7 coupled to a 100-400 ƒ/5.6-8 zoom lens as I had seen some really excellent images taken with it. My problem seems to be with the Auto Focus screen on the R7 not staying in the center of the lens. It shifts all over, usually defaulting to the upper left corner. Without realizing it had done that, my first efforts were blurred beyond recognition because the AF sensor was looking at the sky and I had no idea what I had done, The user manual for the R7 is very small (not in size, but in pages) and it only offers a cursory explanation of the features. I discovered how to toggle the screen back to the center, but it will only stay there for a few images and moves it self again. Does anyone have any idea why this does this and how I can get it to lock in the center of the screen? Am I touching something while holding the camera that will cause that? Is there a setting I'm not finding in the menu that addresses that issue? Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

Re: EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

jrhoffman75 — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 13:17:47 GMT

Here's the full manual:

cam.start.canon : For customers using the EOS R7

HTML or PDF versions >900 pages

Re: EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

Waddizzle — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 14:25:43 GMT

After downloading and reviewing the full User Manual at John’s link, I recommend “closing” the rear display so that you do not accidentally touch it while shooting, to see if that makes any difference in the AF point seemingly moving about on its own.

I also recommend looking at a few YouTube videos about the AF System in the R5 and R6, as they are similar to the what is built into the R7. When you are first starting out, I recommend disabling, or not enabling, any of the Eye AF, Animal Tracking, and other features not found in a DSLR during OVF shooting.

The AF system in the R series bodies is very good at tracking moving objects. All you really need to do is acquire a subject, and then keep the subject within the field of view. There are literally hundreds of AFpoints. Allow the camera to select the best one.

Re: EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

FhvnEd — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 14:36:41 GMT

Thank you. I appreciate that. I had already checked out other suggestions and I did disable the Eye AF and the subject tracking, but didn't think about closing the the rear display. I did notice there is a feature where covering the viewfinder eyepiece causes the rear screen to go black, so maybe closing it completely will help. I'm used to the much smaller screens on my DSLR bodies and they are not touch screens, so maybe that is what's happening. Thanks again.

Re: EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

FhvnEd — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 14:39:35 GMT

Well, you're right. Definitely larger (963 pages) than what they supplied with the camera, which was nothing more than a 'getting started' guide to the camera. With a little luck, I'll see what it says about the AF screen. Thanks again.

Re: EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

FloridaDrafter — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 00:12:33 GMT

Check to see if Touch & Drag AF is enabled (AF 4 menu). When enabled, this feature will allow focus points to be moved (and they stick) to any position on the rear LCD when you are shooting, even when the LCD is inactive, just like a computer touchpad. Look on page 472 of the advanced users manual. Just a thought 🙂

Newton

Re: EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

FhvnEd — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 01:15:25 GMT

Thank you, but I had already disabled that function. I have taken all the advice and, although I have found no setting or information that will permit the AF point to be locked in the center position, I will see what the various changes will do. I have a major shoot tomorrow and will be using the R7 as the primary from the first time. I'll share the results. Thanks to all.

Re: EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

FloridaDrafter — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 01:38:12 GMT

Sorry that info was of no use 😞 The only other option, and I'm not sure the R7 will do this, is to disable Touch AF. I know it has the feature, but don't think you can disable it. Personally, disabling touch totally or turning the screen around is not an option for me as I use those features in my shooting. You may be able to just blank the screen, by toggling the info button, to stop Touch AF as it just works in Live View.

On a side note, my R5 and R62 sometimes do this as well and I have to toggle the info button to LV and reset the focus point. I can't find a rime or reason for this, but fortunately, it rarely happens. Just may be a buggaboo in these R's firmware.

Good luck on your shoot and may the camera gods smile on you 🙂

Newton

Re: EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

FhvnEd — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 01:56:42 GMT

Actually I discovered I can disable the Touch AF on the R7 (thanks to a suggestion from another forum member). On the one hand, it seems turning the display screen off or closing it may solve the moving pointer problem. On the other, it's really inconvenient to not have that screen to immediately review the image. I don't have any cameras with that flip out display screen. All my EF gear has the standard static 3" display that I've become accustomed to and comfortable with. I'm assuming the entire RF series has this type of display screen, so I guess I'll have to learn to deal with it.

Re: EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

Waddizzle — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 12:26:16 GMT

My advice to close the display was more of a test than a solution or work around. It was to confirm or deny if the issue could be caused by touching the display in some manner.

BTW, I think the best way to disable the touchscreen is with the [LOCK] button settings. There is no need to take a deep dive into the weeds with the touch screen settings. Simply turn it off when you do not need it.

Personally, I leave my screens closed on bodies that have the feature. Reviewing every shot is a tremendous battery drain. Once I know my exposures are good, I will close it for an extended period of time.

Re: EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

jblooo — Thu, 16 May 2024 14:23:26 GMT

To update this post for anyone looking to address this same problem...I can verify that the focus touch to drag being disabled does not prevent accidentally moving the AF point. I just tested my R7 in AV mode.

Closing the screen works, but that has other limitations.

It looks like the software, in that function at least, is not doing what it is supposed to.

Re: EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

p4pictures — Thu, 16 May 2024 17:24:11 GMT

You can use the Multi function lock on the EOS R7 to lock the touchscreen. You will need to configure the Multi function lock that is on the SET UP menu page 5, set it so that the touchscreen is locked. This freezes the touchscreen function while shooting and avoids moving the AF point. But cleverly as soon as you press the MENU button or the Q/SET button then the screen becomes touch sensitive again.

Re: EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

Krishen — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 14:39:04 GMT

I really appreciate everyone's thoughtful replies on this topic. I'm a bird photographer, and this is by far the most annoying part of the R7 for me, which I otherwise love. Found this thread and registered for this forum because I Googled the issue. Will give some of these suggestions a try. Unfortunately none sound like a slam dunk. The multi-function lock sounds most hopeful.

Re: EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

AussieCoop — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 01:50:49 GMT

I was having this problem where in the viewfinder you would have it on one shot single point but when you pressed AF it would focus on what it wanted. Turning all the tracking and servo wasn’t doing anything and I finally figured it out. I’ve got double back button AF set up. The left button is set to tracking and the right button set to “normal” . If you’re having this issue go into your custom button settings and see how you’ve set up back button AF. This may not be the same issue as the poster but may help someone else.

Re: EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

Waddizzle — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 12:28:06 GMT

I have been using bodies with “floppy” screens since the 6D2 was launched. I kept the rear screen closed to save power, to keep it clean, and to prevent accidentally touching the screen and moving the AF point.

A right eye shooter’s nose may touch the rear screen on the left side as they raise the camera to their eye. This can cause the preselected AF point to move to the left or upper left corner of the field of view.

I, too, found trying to disable Touch AF wasn’t solving the problem. Neither was changing the the area of the screen that was sensitive to Touch AF control.

I could reset the AF point with the touch of a button. But I find that to be time consuming and distracting. Adjustments made in the [AF] menu seem ineffective.

The [Lock] button seemed to work for disabling the rear screen. But I have found going into the [Wrench] menu and disabling all touch control does the trick PROVIDED that you FIRST disable the Touch Shutter in the [Camera] menu. Once you disable Touch Control, then the Touch Shutter will be greyed out. The [AF] menu Touch AF menu will also be greyed out.

I still prefer closing it. I’m not a big fan of getting the screen dirty with my dirty hands. I hope that this helps someone.

Re: EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

Waddizzle — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 12:37:38 GMT

Menu Navigation Tip: [Q] Button

You can use the [Q{ button to move from one menu group to the next. As I made the tests and menu settings changes, I was able to move from the desired screen in the Camera, AF, and Wrench menu by simply tapping the [Q] button!

Re: EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

aussieken53 — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 09:00:59 GMT

I've only just purchased my first Canon, the R7, and this is my first post here. This issue has bugged me since first picking the camera up a few days ago. Please excuse me if the following has already been suggested, I just haven't been able to find it anywhere on this forum.

At this stage of my Canon journey, I don't use the Multi Controller, so a work around is to use the Multi Lock. In the Set-up menu, 5, Multifunction lock, tick Multi-controller and Touch control. I keep the Multi lock on all the time, and you can still access and use the QScreen. I know this won't be any good if you include the Multi controller in your workflow, but it might work for others.

Cheers