EOS R7 AF Screen keeps moving

[FhvnEd]

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.

[jblooo]

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.

[p4pictures]

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. 

[Krishen]

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.

[AussieCoop]

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. 

[Waddizzle]

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. 

[Waddizzle]

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!  

[aussieken53]

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