EOS Rebel T7 Blurry pics w/AF - Do I need the Canon Alignment Service?

[nhanimator]

I bought a used T7 with the kit lenses. Also bought a new Canon 50mm STM prime lens. With ALL of my lenses, AF photos are more likely to be blurry than not. (The photo below is sort of a sample of what I often get.) 

I've tried using tripods, ensuring my AF area is set correctly (it's centered), making sure I have ISO/aperture/shutter speeds adequate, etc. With my old Nikon, I did the half-press thing to focus, then shifted the camera's target, then finished the shot and never had a problem that I didn't initially cause. But I can't even get dead-on targets to be consistently in focus with this body. 

Manual shots are fine and I have done some astrophotography with a Rokinon 135 and got very good results. 

Since I'm having the problem with all lenses, I expect something is going on in the camera. Is this something that Canon's Alignment Service can rectify? Or am I barking up the wrong tree? (I don't need to send in my lenses as a 'factory' reset will likely get me 'good enough' and the quote comes in at $139, which I'm willing to pay.) 

Thanks for any feedback.

[jrhoffman75]

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@nhanimator wrote:

Are you talking about using Live View to focus in manual mode? Because manually-focused shots come out fine. I do astrophotography with this camera and manually focusing is the only method.

Regarding the diopter, the black dots are 'soft' (and I cannot get them to be solid), but the square outlines are crystal clear. The squares go out of focus the more the dial is moved from approximate center?

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What I am recommending is focus manually using LiveView with an AF lens switched to MF. Then carefully shift the lens to AF and press the shutter button. If there is a calibration error, which is what I believe is your problem, you will see the lens shift focus.

[nhanimator]

New photos posted here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1j7YNztuOudrNZSNNKog6pEm5V94KWfm9?usp=sharing

Okay, so here's what I did:

Turned camera off. Set focus to manual. Turned on Live View. Digitally zoomed in on text and manually focused as well as these old eyes can. Took photo 5407. Then I turned off Live View. Set focus to AF. Took photo 5408. 

[jrhoffman75]

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@nhanimator wrote:

New photos posted here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1j7YNztuOudrNZSNNKog6pEm5V94KWfm9?usp=sharing

Okay, so here's what I did:

Turned camera off. Set focus to manual. Turned on Live View. Digitally zoomed in on text and manually focused as well as these old eyes can. Took photo 5407. Then I turned off Live View. Set focus to AF. Took photo 5408. 

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5407 appears a little sharper. It might be a better test if you pick a feature maybe 8-10 feet away like something on the wall - maybe a clock or a calendar.

[nhanimator]

Another test: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wixv19qva3DTZBA2clDM33OyUf8CNilN?usp=sharing

5412 taken manually. 5413 on AF. Same method as my previous post. 

It's pretty clear to me that the AF is messed up. So I'll circle back to my original question: Is their Alignment Service what I'm looking for to address this?\ 

[jrhoffman75]

I suggest you call Canon and discuss what the possible service options are.

[nhanimator]

Just a couple of final notes: I did some additional testing (method described above, photos here) with a borrowed Rebel T100. Photos 6227 and 28 were taken in Manual, then AF modes with the 18-55mm lens that the camera came with. 29 and 30 were taken with the T100, but with my own 18-55mm lens (just to once again verify it wasn't a lens issue). All of these photos came out adequately focused. 

Photos 5430 (MF), 31 (AF), 32 (MF) and 33 (AF) were taken with the T7 I'm having trouble with by two different operators. Shutter speeds are adequate considering the camera was on a good tripod, a timer was used, and I was being extra cautious about any movement.

I'm kind of disappointed that in writing to Canon a couple of times and have been told that my shutter speed is too slow (despite it being as high as 1/250th including when used in conjunction with a tripod on some tests), plus other 'user' errors.

I appreciate the fact that they may be trying to save me money, but not once in all of my testing have I gotten an AF shot to come out clearly while every matching MF has been fine. So it's going in. Thanks again for all of the suggestions and assistance. 

[Ron888]

Can you let us know how it turns out? I have a feeling any fix they do will be consistent across all your lenses but don't know this for sure

[nhanimator]

I will and that's what I expect as well. 

[nhanimator]

Follow-up:

Through Canon's site, I was quoted $139 for the Precision Alignment Service. I sent the camera in and was surprised to see a "Charged Repair Estimate" come in within what was likely only a few hours of them receiving the camera. Unfortunately, the estimate quoted $179 instead. The work order did not state "Precision Alignment Service" anywhere (the Packing Slip did note that that was the service being requested), but instead only stated "Customer states AF shots are not in focus (see notes/sample images). This is a Tiered Rate Repair; parts are included in the labor cost." The only line item listed was "Labor" for the $179.00.

I contacted an outstanding tech support gentleman to try to get the quote corrected and we had a really good conversation. However, he stated that he could not find a price of $139 for any type of repair service and was not able to adjust the quote. 

I attempted to go back to Canon's site to verify what I had seen, but as my camera was already in their possession, I was no longer offered the option to go through with any service options and could not get back to the pricing section. 

This morning, I temporarily added a new Rebel T7 to my account with a serial number and purchase date close to my own. I then requested the same PAS and was once again presented with the same $139 quote. (Screenshot attached.)

I assume that this is some kind of error on Canon's part (between what's listed on the website and what their billing system reflects). I have contacted Canon again via e-mail and hope that they will address this fairly. This is my first Canon camera and I have been very happy with it as an intro astrophotography camera. It is clean and has performed well in all MF situations. Just looking to start using it for AF scenarios now. 

Will update. 

[nhanimator]

UPDATE: Canon e-mail support was VERY quick to at least address the issue. They said that they would put in a request at the factory service center to adjust the price, but that it COULD take a few days to resolve.