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!

[deebatman316]

Subject Tracking and AF are 2 completely different things. If you want the camera to AF you need to tell it. By using the BBF you've set up. I don't think you completely understand how your camera works. Read up on the features your camera has in the manual. Canon provides an electronic copy free of charge. EOS R7 Manual 

[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.

[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]

---

@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.

---

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.