Canon 7D2 auto focus quesrion

[Stillh2o]

While in servo mode, under what setting can I use a single focus point to track a subject?

[TTMartin]

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@Stillh2o wrote:
While in servo mode, under what setting can I use a single focus point to track a subject?

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You would choose a single AF point with the AF Area Selection Lever (the little switch around the joystick).

If you don't have it you should download the EOS 7D Mark II AF-Setting Guidebook which contains a detailed explanations of how to master the 65-point cross-type AF.

[Stillh2o]

Well, I have chosen the single point and it remains stationary.  I had purchased a 7D2 a few weeks ago and just had to return it due to malfunctions.  I got a new one and if I remember correctly, you have to do something to be able to track a subject using single point AF besides changing the AF to a single point.  

[Stillh2o]

Please disregard, I was finally able to figure it out I think.

[TTMartin]

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@Stillh2o wrote:

Well, I have chosen the single point and it remains stationary.  I had purchased a 7D2 a few weeks ago and just had to return it due to malfunctions.  I got a new one and if I remember correctly, you have to do something to be able to track a subject using single point AF besides changing the AF to a single point.  

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If you want the AF point to move around in the viewfinder with the subject, you need to use one of the Auto AF point selection modes. If you want to just track with a single AF point like the center one, all you need is to select single point AF and be in AIServo.

[Stillh2o]

I had the single point AF selected, however you have to go into the settings to enable it.  

[diverhank]

You had bought the 7D2 which is known for its AF capability and you use a single point focus?  This means you are not using any of its AF ability at all.   You might as well as the 7D1 or some other camera with 9 point focus to save money.

I shoot a lot of Birds In Flight (BIF) so my camera lives mostly on AI Servo and I can tell you tracking a moving bird with a single center point is nearly impossible...(some guys will always claim they can routinely do it at this point).  As you know, with AI Servo, you aim at the object, acquire initial focus then keep the focus point on it as the object moves away. If you can't, you lose focus.  With one point you have to keep that on the object all the time.  With multiple focus points, the camera AI will track the focused target with other points so focus is maintained even if you failed to put the center point on the object.    I use a number of focus points but always ended up choosing either 15 focus points (all auto) when I'm lazy in tracking or center point with 8 assist.  If you use more than 15 points, the camera locks focus on the wrong part of the bird which is annoying.  15 points and less work very well.

[Stillh2o]

I appreciate your advise, however when using the single point in Servo, the points will expand and continue to track the subject.  I do use single point to aquire focus on a running back, quarterback and let the points expand using single point AF.  

[TCampbell]

Make sure you download and read the guide that TTMartin linked above. 

The 7D2 is what I refer to as a "technical" camera.  It's capabilities are more advanced than a typical DSLR, but it does require taking some time to read through it's capabilities and how to use them.

There are a number of configurable options that control how the camera can "follow" a moving subject as it moves through the frame.  

Normally you do that by allowing it to use all the AF points (set it to use the full AF area... not a single point), BUT... you set the initial point and the focus system will attempt to "track" your moving subject.  In other words it doesn't really use all the points at the same time... you give it permission to switch to adjacent points as needed to follow your subject movement.  It really just focuses to the one point -- but using the full AF area gives the camera permission to switch points as your subject moves.  If you pick a "single" AF point then you've locked it only that point and it is not allow to transition to adjacent points as your subject moves.

Also... how it tracks subject movement is configurable.  If something should momentarily block the view of your original focus target do you want the camera to ignore it and keep the focus distance maintained (hoping the object blocking your view will soon be out of the way) or do you want it to switch focus to the new subject?  There's no "right" answer for every situation, so Canon set up the focus system so that you can configure it's behavior.  That way you can configure the behavior that works best for your current situation.

[Stillh2o]

My question was where to go to activate what I wanted it too do, not how to use the AF.  I found where I needed to go in the settings to accomplish that.