Got my 7D back from Canon today. They "accepted" the repair yesterday. Today Fedex brought my camera to me and an hour later I got the email letting me know the camera had shipped. Gotta love timing. They definitely have a fast turnaround, now whether that means they actually did anything or not has yet to be determined. The few shots I've managed to test, on this very overcast cloudy day seem promising with respect to the focus issues I was having. So I'm reservedly optimistic at this point.
The letter accompanying my camera was .. enigmatic.
"We have examined the product according to your request and, upon close inspection the exact cause could not be identified but it was found that causing innacurate auto focus from time to time Electrical adjustments were carried out on the AF assembly. Other electrical adjustments and inspection and cleaning were carried out"
Was found that causing innacurate auto focus? What the hell that means is anybody's guess. I figured it was loosely translated, "we don't know what the heck is wrong with it but we are gonna fiddle fart with these thingies in here and hope it fixes it. Good luck"
They did update the bios to the .9 from .7. It may be my imagination but the focus point looks a little different to me now. like a box inside a box instead of one small box. Could be just me though.
box-inside-box means, some pretty angel with white wings and healing power over at Canon's repair center turned/changed your AF mode to "Spot-AF" . Are you sure your camera had AF issues ? :-) Or were you also shooting moving birds with Spot-AF like the guy over on BPN? :-). J/K
kirry007 wrote:
box-inside-box means, some pretty angel with white wings and healing power over at Canon's repair center turned/changed your AF mode to "Spot-AF" . Are you sure your camera had AF issues ? :-) Or were you also shooting moving birds with Spot-AF like the guy over on BPN? :-). J/K
I definitely had a focus issue. I don't shoot birds in flight so that was one test I didn't do. I leave the BIF stuff to those enthusiasts who really get into that. I've been thinking of doing a SOR shot as a answer to all the BIFs though (SOR Squirrel on road). Always have a few of those around it seems.
Oh and the focus issue I was having even seemed to apply to manual focus in that even at infinity it was slightly off. But AF in every case gave me maybe 1 in 4 acceptable shots.
And if it's a guardian canon angel who fixes it, that'll be great to me. I really want to love this camera.
saturos wrote:
Got my 7D back from Canon today. They "accepted" the repair yesterday. Today Fedex brought my camera to me and an hour later I got the email letting me know the camera had shipped. Gotta love timing. They definitely have a fast turnaround, now whether that means they actually did anything or not has yet to be determined. The few shots I've managed to test, on this very overcast cloudy day seem promising with respect to the focus issues I was having. So I'm reservedly optimistic at this point.
The letter accompanying my camera was .. enigmatic.
"We have examined the product according to your request and, upon close inspection the exact cause could not be identified but it was found that causing innacurate auto focus from time to time Electrical adjustments were carried out on the AF assembly. Other electrical adjustments and inspection and cleaning were carried out"
Was found that causing innacurate auto focus? What the hell that means is anybody's guess. I figured it was loosely translated, "we don't know what the heck is wrong with it but we are gonna fiddle fart with these thingies in here and hope it fixes it. Good luck"
They did update the bios to the .9 from .7. It may be my imagination but the focus point looks a little different to me now. like a box inside a box instead of one small box. Could be just me though. ...Show more →
Is that the exact way they worded because I don't know if it is me that first sentence does not make sense.? I added a few words in bold just make it easier to understand. Is this closer?
"We have examined the product according to your request and, upon close inspection the exact cause could not be identified but it was found that "IT WAS "causing innacurate auto focus from time to time "SO"_Electrical adjustments were carried out on the AF assembly.
I believe that "Electrical adjustments were carried out on the AF assembly." was probably a separate sentence, and in my experience it is one of Canon Irvine's favorites! I've sent gear in a few times and that confusing gem has always been in there. I suspect they copypaste from the Big Book o' Responses (this is common practice in the customer service world) to create the summary of work.
Over at that other web forum there has been talk of doing a "hard reset" of the 7D by removing both the main battery and the little button-cell battery, then replacing them after an interval. Some folks are saying that previously erratic AF operation has been improved by this.
Maybe this is what Canon service means when they say "Electrical adjustments were carried out..." !!!
Yeah I typed it in exactly as it was written. So I can only try to interpret it's intent.
On a side note whatever they did do at least improved my performance. I can't say it's perfect yet, but it at least is getting some things in focus that consistently weren't before.
Now give me a sunny day an my kids at play and I'll know a lot more.
paulfeng wrote:
Over at that other web forum there has been talk of doing a "hard reset" of the 7D by removing both the main battery and the little button-cell battery, then replacing them after an interval. Some folks are saying that previously erratic AF operation has been improved by this.
Maybe this is what Canon service means when they say "Electrical adjustments were carried out..." !!!
That makes more sense. I missed the capital E in electrical.
saturos wrote:
Yeah I typed it in exactly as it was written. So I can only try to interpret it's intent.
On a side note whatever they did do at least improved my performance. I can't say it's perfect yet, but it at least is getting some things in focus that consistently weren't before.
Now give me a sunny day an my kids at play and I'll know a lot more.
Describe "a sunny day" because I have not seen one in weeks . They are promising tomorrow.
I wish I had access to such as service as our Southern neighbors. In Canada if you are not a pro it is 4 to 6 weeks. Pathetic actually. And I'm not sure what the wait is like if they get something wrong and you have to send it back. If I had that kind of service I would not exchange equipment. The retailers pay the price for that.
I dropped a week old 70-200 and I did not want to wait that long sent it to NJ. I told them I dropped it and supplied a copy of my receipt. Shipping and repair in 7 days and the only charged me for parts. Problem is they don't ship back to Canada. I knew that going in and set something up but it was still a nightmare. I am thinking about setting up a PO box at US/Canada border (US side) - North of Grand Forks ND. It is only about an hour drive for me.
Edit: A friend added canvas and fixed the clipped talon...some people are too good at PP. Sadly the fight was in FF, I had no option to move back or re-compose.
Has anyone tried a 1.4x on the 400 5.6 with the 7D. The book doesn't state that it won't work, only that certain focus points are usable at apertures above 5.6
Thanks, all. Here's a vertical crop of the same shot with some cleanup.
As for the questions above:
1. I haven't done any micro-adjustment yet...
2. This sequence had 4 shots (it happened way too quick), I have 2 in sharp focus/proper framing. The action was full frame...didn't get a chance to re-compose.
Yes, I agree, the 7D and 400 f/5.6 are MFEO...a light, portable, fast combo that can shoot everything that's thrown at it...well almost. :-)
I'm having issues with noise. Even at 800 iso I get a lot of noise. I should say that I'm use to shooting with a 1Ds3 so that is my "comparision". I've only been able to shoot during overcast days......no sun yet.
I shoot raw and neutral. Been testing with the 500 and 1.4 attached.
My question is............do you guys/gals use any in cam noise reduction. I currently have that turned off
thanks.....
Al
one other comment......my cr2 files run 24-27meg, seems high?
e.s.sandusky wrote:
I'm having issues with noise. Even at 800 iso I get a lot of noise. I should say that I'm use to shooting with a 1Ds3 so that is my "comparision". I've only been able to shoot during overcast days......no sun yet.
I shoot raw and neutral. Been testing with the 500 and 1.4 attached.
My question is............do you guys/gals use any in cam noise reduction. I currently have that turned off
thanks.....
Al
one other comment......my cr2 files run 24-27meg, seems high?
Hi Al,
I don't yet own the camera but I've been worried about just what you're finding. I'm considering the 7D for my whale, bear and eagle cam and often shoot in overcast/dull/sunset/sunrise conditions (I can't reasonably justify the 1D4). I'd like a cam with which I can shoot ISO800 or even ISO1600 in overcast conditions and not worry about noise (I currently use a 5D and 1D2n and the 1D2n is borderline at best at ISO800 and I want/need a better performer). I've been looking for samples of how the 7D does in overcast light at higher but "reasonable" ISOs like 400, 800 & 1600. Do you have any samples you can post?
. Are you sure your camera had AF issues ? :-) Or were you also shooting moving birds with Spot-AF 
like the guy over on BPN? :-). J/K