New Canon G7X Owner - AF "issue"

[swandy]

I have not used a Canon camera on a regular basis for a while (aside from occassionally my wife's 5 years old Powershot SD960) and just got the G7X to replace my other P&S camera. So far I am very impressed with the camera, it's controls and the results.

However, I have been getting that beloved Yellow Box/? which I assume means the camera cannot obtain AF Lock in situations that surprise me. I was taking some pictures of my grandson - while he was sitting still - in a fairly well lit dining room area. Trying to AF on his right eye (using Single Small AF Point) when his face was in almost a full profile. And the camera (and no , it was not in Macro mode by mistake) on several occassions could not obtain lock. And in several of those times, when I moved the AF point to his ear - IMHO less contrast than the eye and approximately the same distance from the lens - it would AF Lock. The following picture is one where I was able to obtain AF Lock so that you can see the light was not what I would consider dim enough to cause any decent camera issues.

The only possibility I can think of is that the lens was too close for the camera's "normal" AF mode. But this would surprise me because (1) it was not that close and (2) I was able to focus manually from basically the same distance.

Any suggestions?

Thanks, Steve 

[smack53]

I would suggest you check which AF Frame Mode you are using in the menu. I don't have the G7X, but my G12 does a lot of hunting if I use Face AiAF when I'm doing portraits, but works better when I change to FlexiZone. That way I can move the focus point on screen to where I want the focus point to be. If I'm not mistaken, I believe you can set the G7X to focus and shoot with the touch screen. Maybe that isn't set quite right. I would double check that with the owner manual to make sure that's working correctly. Quite honestly I think the photo you show is pretty good!

Steve M.

[swandy]

Thanks Smack53 but there is no option called FlexiZone on the G7X. Only Single AF point or Face AiAF. I realize that the touch screen can be used, just was wondering why it "the yellow box of death" was even occuring. I think that it was because I was a bit too close for the selected focal length of the lens. Have to play with it some more.