Major 7D focus issues

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Archive 2009 · Major 7D focus issues

Steve Spencer
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p.4 #1 · Major 7D focus issues

Hi Ian,

Yep, it appears to me in all four shots that it is back focussing about an inch to an inch and a half. Some time you have enough DOF to cover it other times you don't and at the high magnifications you are looking at you will see even the slightest bit that it is off focus. The problem should be correctable with MA. Once you do so you should be a lot happier with the camera. For the high precision work you are trying to do here, you will need to work out MA with all your lenses. I would suggest investing in the lens align system, which looks pretty easy to use.

Best wishes,

Steve

Oct 07, 2009 at 02:43 PM

CarlG
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p.4 #2 · Major 7D focus issues

Steve Spencer wrote:
but 1/60 for with a 85mm lens on a crop camera is a pretty margin shutter speed and could be causing the problem. In fact, if it were me I would want faster shutter speeds on all the shots--but I do not have the steadiest hands.

ditto!!!

Oct 07, 2009 at 03:22 PM

Daan B
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p.4 #3 · Major 7D focus issues

Steve Spencer wrote:
Hi Ian,

Yep, it appears to me in all four shots that it is back focussing about an inch to an inch and a half. Some time you have enough DOF to cover it other times you don't and at the high magnifications you are looking at you will see even the slightest bit that it is off focus. The problem should be correctable with MA. Once you do so you should be a lot happier with the camera. For the high precision work you are trying to do here, you will need to work out MA with all your lenses. I would suggest investing in the lens align system, which looks pretty easy to use.

Best wishes,

Steve

+1 Seems like the most logical analysis/solution.

Oct 07, 2009 at 03:23 PM

thw2
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p.4 #4 · Major 7D focus issues

Canon service called. They told me it's easily fixable through electrical calibration. They've done it before with other models. (interesting)

HOWEVER, Canon Japan has yet to release the calibration software for 7D. So, they can't do anything just yet.

Since I will be traveling for the next 1.5 months, I guess I may not get the chance to have the AF fixed until much later. Sigh... I can only use the camera with live view manual focus for now.

Oct 07, 2009 at 03:53 PM

orangefirefish
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p.4 #5 · Major 7D focus issues

Oct 07, 2009 at 03:57 PM

fraga
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p.4 #6 · Major 7D focus issues

People should think twice before jumping on Ian.

He has received a new camera and it's just not working up to spec.

He has all the right in the world to be upset.

Yes, we all know that there isn't one single company that does everything right, and that even Hondas break down, but please, give the guy a break...

Oct 07, 2009 at 04:22 PM

anorphirith
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p.4 #7 · Major 7D focus issues

just send it to canon

Oct 07, 2009 at 04:23 PM

stiksandstones
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p.4 #8 · Major 7D focus issues

One series user here...7D owner for a week, no AF issues for me yet.

Oct 07, 2009 at 05:00 PM

abqnmusa
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p.4 #9 · Major 7D focus issues

No autofocus issues on my 7D

I sure like the 7D autofocus performance and options.
Great to see Canon produce a nature and birding camera other then 1D/1DS.
I just cannot afford the 1 series cameras.

Oct 07, 2009 at 05:29 PM

patrickphoto
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p.4 #10 · Major 7D focus issues

then sell your camera IanCale.

Mine works wonders.

And as for the images posted online in the previously mentioned link, the ones with halos and serious noise are HEAVLY cropped images (as for as the poster stated).

also, no one said the 50 fantastic was not sharp, just that it has a slower drive for focus and doesn't track as well. so not a great tester of servo AF.

Oct 07, 2009 at 05:59 PM

Gil_W
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p.4 #11 · Major 7D focus issues

After a week of clouds and rain the sun was out today. I took the 7D out using AI Servo and had absolutely no focus issues. Wonderful sharp images.

As some have mentioned to me I may have been expecting too much out of the camera in low light, in the woods conditions. I guess I jumped on the situation a bit to quick.

Oct 07, 2009 at 07:33 PM

Skyehigh
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p.4 #12 · Major 7D focus issues

I have my d700 and other Nikon gear on ebay now so I can switch back to Canon and I dont want to be reading this nonsense again about a new Canon dslr . It never ceases to amaze me the amount of people that think its ok to fork out this kind of money and get a faulty product .
Canon cannot afford another balls up regarding new cameras !

Oct 07, 2009 at 08:55 PM

PhotogDave
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p.4 #13 · Major 7D focus issues

OMFG!. Why is it anytime anyone has a focusing issue with Canon its always "User Error"
And the comment:

yeah those shutter speeds are WAY too slow for such a high density sensor!
Are you kidding. WTF does pixel density have to do with shutter speed and focus plane being behind the target. If you are gonna make an assessment about the image flaws, at least be smart about it.

And I'm sure he didnt focus on the nose, I'm sure it was a focus recompose method. Jesus, you guys always want to do anythting you can to make sure its "User Error"

And the slow shutter speed would render nothing in sharp focus if it were the issue, yet you can clearly see the plain of focus in areas not intended. Cant even identify camera shake vs focus error. I'm convinced most peopel on web saying they have no issues, cant identify an issue if they had one. If he sells to Getty, he knows what he's doing.

Also, how the hell would the focus sensor pick up shirt contrast if it were on the teeth area. The focus point isnt that much larger than the box. And again, I'm sure the target was the eye, then recompose.

DOF aside, why cant Canon make a camera that consistently focuses correctly at large apertures. Nikon does. My 1D3 has been a joke. Now it looks like several 7D bodies are starting to follow the same path.

Ian also states his 1D is perfect, so why is he can focus correctly with that camera, but not the 7D. And you people who think these cameras are so hard to set up. Please. Dont try and make yourselves look so damn smart. Its not hard to set up. Anyone with photography experience can figure these out without a manual. Seems Conrad did. And to his pictures that all seem to be perfect. Again, I see the increased noise in the background from oversharpening and also, he is using a 7.1-8.0 aperture on these shots. The DOF is probably masking focus issues then. But just with my 1D3, use a wide aperture like 2.8 and the focus issue creep up and slap you in the face. Yet, I can mount a 70-200 f2.8 VR on a D3(which I dont own...or "know how to set up) and with even less DOF, get perfectly focus shots wherever I point the sensor. Hmmm, so people that use Canon and cant get focus shots are idiots, yet if they use Nikon, its seems to be fine. So a Nikon will focus for an idiot, but Canon wont. Seems Nikon doesnt discriminate then huh.

Its Canons new MO. Everything they produce from the 1D3 forward sucks. All over the place with inconsistent focus. Its rediculous how much you have to send Canon junk in for service. I really hope these issues on the 7D are just bad copies and they straighten this mess out quickly. If not, the 1D3 gets sold and I leave to Nikon. I think Canon has changed its Quality Inspection process and maybe some development engineers or something, cause they have been chasing the 1DII dinasour for a while and cant seem to catch it.

Oct 07, 2009 at 09:16 PM

Mike Farren
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p.4 #14 · Major 7D focus issues

PhotogDave wrote:
Its Canons new MO. Everything they produce from the 1D3 forward sucks.

! That's a bit strong based on the evidence of one person complaining of focus issues on their 7D. You're right to say that people shouldn't jump on the OP but to then engage in such ridiculous hyperbole weakens your point somewhat!

Me, I'm still saving for my 7D.

Oct 07, 2009 at 09:23 PM

PhotogDave
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p.4 #15 · Major 7D focus issues

Its not just one guy Mike. Read the posts just here alone on FM about the issues with this camera that hasnt even been selling a month yet....even after Canons past with the 1D3....they still are letting out some lemons.

I know they cant manufacture 100%. I get that, I worked at a Mercedes plant OK. But, its not just a few so far. Google search it on the 7D and these are already starting to pop up everywhere. I dont know if Canon can right the ship if they dont put these fires out quickly. People can call it user error if they want, but when thousands all over start buying and they cant get it to focus like the Nikon equivalents, or even their older Canons, they'll figure out its not them and give up on Canon. Dont misunderstand, I really hope this is all a small batch of bad cameras. Casue I want to replace my 1D3 with a 1D4 thats better. But I doubt it based on the try after try with the 1D3 that still isnt right. I tend to believe this is Canons new MO. Thing is, I'm not gonna act like everything is right with Canon when it aint just for the love affair. Damn that. I want a camera that focuses, and yes they're out there, Nikon has a slew of them.

Oct 07, 2009 at 10:03 PM

dehowie
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p.4 #16 · Major 7D focus issues

Im intrigued as to why on facial portrait you are focusing on the kids nose and not his eye?
AF sensors have limits and picking the least most contrasty object is asking for trouble on any camera. Im not surprised its misfocusing if you putting the af point over a piece of flat skin...

Oct 07, 2009 at 10:15 PM

Tom_W
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p.4 #17 · Major 7D focus issues

PhotogDave wrote:
I want a camera that focuses, and yes they're out there, Nikon has a slew of them.

Then buy one and join the Nikon forum.

Oct 07, 2009 at 10:17 PM

Sam tran
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p.4 #18 · Major 7D focus issues

Here is my logic.
Of course, there are may be hundred thousand of 7D out there and few are lemons, but throw those statistics away, as THW2's experienced with "4 out of 4" has to be calibrated/fixed by Canon, to me it's 100% probability for him - compares to picking out 4 black balls out of 100,000 of white balls. In other word, do I feel "lucky" next time if I shared the same experience as THW2? I have 5 lens from Canon and send back 2 for re-calibrated, so THW2 was more "lucky" than I am in this Canon's roulette - yikes!
Hey, I just received the GF-1 kit with 20/1.7 lens, thus - I can wait until 7D is proven to me. Yes, I am taking a chance with Panasonic this time, playing a different card table to change my luck

Oct 07, 2009 at 10:19 PM

PhotogDave
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p.4 #19 · Major 7D focus issues

dehowie wrote:
Im intrigued as to why on facial portrait you are focusing on the kids nose and not his eye?
AF sensors have limits and picking the least most contrasty object is asking for trouble on any camera. Im not surprised its misfocusing if you putting the af point over a piece of flat skin...

Jesus. Havent you ever heard of focus and recompose. The red box is where the picture was snapped, not where the focus was locked.

Oct 07, 2009 at 10:27 PM

PhotogDave
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p.4 #20 · Major 7D focus issues

Tom_W wrote:
PhotogDave wrote:
I want a camera that focuses, and yes they're out there, Nikon has a slew of them.

Then buy one and join the Nikon forum.

Not so easy. I have roughly $15,000-$18,000 piled into Canon. I cant just switch that easy. So I am trying to wait for them to right the ship.

And if I do buy one and join the Nikon forum, at least I wont have to deal with people like you in denial that canon ever makes anything bad. You dont see this in the Nikon forums. Only in Canon forums will people make so many excuses for the money we dish out for junk. Dont know about you guys, but I am sick and tired of having to do without my equipment for 1-2 weeks while they keep fixing it. I make a living with this stuff and I need it. Does me no good on Canons repair table.

Oct 07, 2009 at 10:34 PM

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