EOS R7 viewfinder and LCD screen go black too easily

[ChrisWatt]

I have a problem with setting up the displays on my viewfinder and my LCD-screen for my R6 and R7:

1. The R6 works the way I want it: when I look through the viewfinder (ie to focus), the LCD screen goes black. When I take my eye off the viewfinder, the screen lits up with all my Q-button functions. I have to press the small arrow at the bottom of the camera to look at my picture, which is perfect for me. Also, my screen does not go black when I move my finger over it, for instance when I want to press my Menu button.

2. The R7 does not work like this (I suppose due to my technical incompetence..). When I look through the viewfinder, the screen is black. BUT if I accidentally move my head/eye marginally downwards, the viewfinder goes black, and the screen now display the scene I am focusing on. And when I have the screen activated with my Q-button, and move my hand in front of the viewfinder, the screen goes black-- rather frustrating for me..

[Hazel_T]

Hi ChrisWatt,

I'm sorry to hear you're having a frustrating time with the screens on your EOS R7. There are a couple of things to check with the EOS R7.

The first is a setting on the camera. To check that put the camera into either P, Tv, Av, or M mode and press the Menu button. Go to the fourth page under the yellow wrench tab and select Screen/Viewfinder Display. This is the setting that tells the camera how you want it to switch between the viewfinder and the rear LCD. Going by your description it sounds like the Auto 2 option is what you are looking for, so make sure to select that.

The other thing is related to proximity to the sensor on the side of the view finder. To the right of the viewfinder is a proximity sensor that detects when you are holding the viewfinder up to your eye. If your head moves too far from that proximity sensor when you look down that would cause the camera to switch from the viewfinder to the rear LCD. The proximity sensor is likely related to the issue you are describing when you use the Q button, move your hand, and the rear LCD goes blank. If your hand gets close to or covers the proximity sensor to the side of the view finder that would cause the camera to turn off the rear LCD and switch to the viewfinder.

[ChrisWatt]

Thank you so much,Hazel. Putting my attention to the proximity sensor was valuable. Both cameras are also on Auto 2 option. However, I still want to get my R7 to work like my R6. When I switch my R6 on, or halfpress the Shutter button, my LCD screen gives me all the important settings, distributed over the whole screen. When I look into the viewfinder, the screen goes black and remains so. When I take my eye away, the screen comes on, again with all the settings. If I want to look at the picture I have taken on the screen, I must press the bottom arrow button. I would prefer the R7 to be the same, please?