Canon R7 subject tracking

[firstmirrorless]

I have a question about the subject tracking feature on the R7. Of note, I use back button focus. My question: Once the camera has locked onto its subject and is tracking it around the viewfinder, is it also focusing on it? Or is it only tracking it without focusing? Do I need to be pressing the BB focus button to get it to focus? Also of note, when I DO press the back button focus, the white tracking squares disappear and the square goes back to being the blue servo color. Some imperfect experimentation suggests that it's tracking-only, not focusing, which makes me sad.

Anyone got a quick answer for this one?

Big thank yous!

[firstmirrorless]

Your judgment is noted.

[Billy-Bob]

First, check your menu under AF1. Is Continuous AF enabled or disabled? If enabled, disable it.

Then the answer would be: Pressing the BBF button acquires initial focus. With the BBF button remains pressed, focus is automatically maintained on the subject while it or your camera moves and is being tracked.

[Waddizzle]

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@firstmirrorless wrote:

I understand nothing is wrong with the camera, and the snide tone is unnecessary. The AF function has a special case scenario to keep focus on an object even when obstacles get in the way, so why not have the tracking feature also keep focus on the subject as well, so when it emerges from behind the branches you can snap immediately? It's not a huge leap to want the process simplified. My question was not an invitation to be shamed, so kindly keep your superiority complex in check.

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If truly understand that nothing is wrong with the camera, then why did you express a wish for a firmware update to fix your issue?

The “special case scenario” that you describe above does not exist.  It is wishful thinking.  Magic bullets do not exist in the real world.

FACT!  The camera cannot focus on a subject when it loses “line of sight” contact with the subject.  I am sorry if you disagree with the science.  This is basic physics and common sense.  

I am not expressing an opinion.  The camera cannot focus on that which it cannot “see.”  Depending upon your camera setting, it will either stop refocusing or it will focus on another subject.

I stand by everything that I have said.  Learn how to use the camera as it has been designed.  Just because you do not get the results that you expect does not mean there is a bug in the firmware.  

The camera is not omnipotent.  It will only do what you ask it to do.   If you ask the wrong questions, then you will get the wrong answers.

If you have not already downloaded the full User Guide, then follow the link below to download a copy.  Good Luck!

[cid69]

Geez. Firstmirrorless I have the same question....and before everyone chimes in to tell me in a snide way that I don't know how my camera works....you're right! I wouldn't be asking the question if I knew how this works. Simple question requires a simple answer. With back button focusing do I need to continue to depress the back button when subject tracking locks on to a subject. Yes or no please.

[Waddizzle]

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@cid69 wrote:

Geez. Firstmirrorless I have the same question....and before everyone chimes in to tell me in a snide way that I don't know how my camera works....you're right! I wouldn't be asking the question if I knew how this works. Simple question requires a simple answer. With back button focusing do I need to continue to depress the back button when subject tracking locks on to a subject. Yes or no please.

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Yes, you need to keep pressing BBF.  I explained this multiple times to the OP.

The problem is not being unfamiliar how a camera works.  The problem is not being familiar with how a camera works and declaring long established behaviors are bugs in the camera firmware and demand that they be corrected. 

“It should work like the way I want it to work.”

[Tea_and_Me]

Hello, I would like to add that if you want the R7 to have constant tracking, you can enable that in AF menu tab 3 "Preview AF" select Enable. This will keep subjects in constant focus, will drain the battery, but is useful in some cases.