EOS R7 Trouble with Autofocus Tracking

[Llama27]

I switched from a Nikon DSLR to the Canon R7. I recently went to an airshow and I was trying to take pictures of all the airplanes the show. For some reason when I was trying to track an aircraft everytime it seemed to get close to the camera it would randomly go out of focus. It only seemed to happened when the they would fly by. Long distance it did still happen but not as often. I did select vehicle tracking for the subject. I changed to all different settings and it seems to still have to the same effect of going in and out of focus randomly. I'm not sure why. I even changed the autofocus points as well. I did hear about the canon r7 autofocus issues. Is this what everyone is talking about. I love the camera and how responsive it is. Just seems a little frustrating trying to figure out this problems on the fly. No point intended.

[p4pictures]

The EOS R7 doesn't have aircraft subject detection in its skillset. If you choose vehicle for this camera then it is looking for motorbikes and cars - mostly open wheel formula type cars. 

The only cameras with specific ability and programming for aircraft are the EOS R6 Mark II and EOS R8. These two cameras can identify and track motorbikes, cars, aircraft and trains when set to vehicle as the subject to detect.

You may have been better setting the subject to none, then using a small flexible AF zone to guide the AF to the specific airplane you wanted to focus on.

[Llama27]

I did change the AF zones to a smaller single point and changed it to detect nothing as well and still had the same effect to even with a single plane it would randomly go out of focus when I was tracking the plane as it was flying closer to me.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

Any issues you heard about probably had to do with using it with 3rd party lenses or adapters.  Attempting to focus on objects closer that the MFD for the focal length set, or leaving IS on while shooting with a tripod.  I'm not saying the camera is perfect, none are.

What lens or lenses were you shooting with?

It might also be helpful if you could provide details about your camera settings.  Mode, tracking (you mentioned vehicle) and what type of focus points you were using, etc.

You can also upload a few RAW files for share, and post a link for us here to evaluate.   

[Llama27]

I was shooting with the canon RF lense 100mm-500mm through a lense rental company. I had IS on all well. I changed the focus points from a single point to the ones around as well. I was trying to see if it favored one over the other and still had the same issue. I would focus on one single plane in the sky by itself and as I was tracking it staying in focus it would just randomly go out of focus and I would have to refocus again and by then I would miss the shot. I also turned off vehcine tracking as well and still had the same problem. 

[FloridaDrafter]

One thing I've noticed about my R cameras is how sensitive focus lock is using the shutter button and the slightest change in pressure may cause you to lose focus. This may be why you lost focus from time to time. I'm used to it now, but it took some effort to train muscle memory. I used back buttons (BBF) with my DSLR's, but never bothered with it on the R's because they do what I want by default. There may be a button combo to lock focus, but I've never needed it so haven't researched.

As for plane tracking, I use the Animal setting. I guess the AI thinks they are birds 😁

Newton

[Llama27]

Thank you. I’ll try and see what else I can do with the button focus. Another thing I did notice that the actual image sensor moves around a lot when I was change lenses. Is that normal? First time having a mirror less camera.

[Shawneetown2]

I think the R7 has got a lot of issues...I might have the worst copy..maybe 1 out of 20, if that is out of focus no matter the distance...I bought an R3 so by the time I really tested out the R7 it was out of warranty,,,Maybe the worst camera I have ever bought

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

Yes. Normal.  This is the IBIS.  Nothing to worry about 😃

[GabiIOM]

Hi Llama27, I'm trying to decide whether or not to invest in a Canon R7 or whether I should  get a cheaper older DSLR Canon camera instead, e.g. EOS 7D II.  I'm after a camera for bird/wildlife photography that can withstand damp windy coastal weather conditions in the UK.  Duade Paton from Australia does fantastic bird photography and he did extensive testing on the R7.  He has a popular YouTube channel.  He actually got a helpful response from Canon about the AF issues, and he has come up with some settings that can help with the problems.  The AF issues put me off quite a bit from investing in the R7, but compared to DSLRs it has so many advantages.  I'm just not sure what to do really.  Anyway, the link to Duade Paton.  I hope it'll help you.   https://youtu.be/hsmY4f1J0t8?si=1SWdMXm_lQfclnTy