Question about my 7d2's AF

[Mike Poole]

Hi,

I've bought myself a 7d2, the idea being it will be used in good light when I want more reach or faster FPS than my 5d3 provides.

I took it out today for its first test run, but ran into something I wasn't expecting. I always use BBF in Servo AF, and have found this body would not switch from a near to far subject without bumping the AF button. Other cameras I've used have always re-focussed after the time set by the AF parameters, but the 7d2 just sticks at the original point.

As an example, I might pre-focus on a close perch, press the AF button, then pan the camera so the same AF point stays active but now lies on the background. No matter how long I waited the focus did not shift.

At first I thought I had a faulty unit, but when I tried slow moving subjects such as swimming ducks, the AF would hold on the subject (didn't try much BIF, but it seemed decent for that as well), which makes me wonder if this is deliberate - after all it's rare you need to switch AF over long distances.

Does yours behave like this, am I paranoid of the reported AF issues, or is this normal?

thanks in advance

Mike

[William Dickson]

Hi Mike

I got my Mk2 back from Canon today and was out testing. I use the same set up as you. Before I went out I had read this. My camera did the opposite from yours!!! It did switch without bumping. Whilst I was testing it. I noticed it didn't switch if the next subject was closeby. But if another subject was further away, it did switch.

Will

[Joe Murphy]

By default the 7d2 has "Lens drive when AF impossible" to off, try selecting on & see if this changes things.

[Mike Poole]

By default the 7d2 has "Lens drive when AF impossible" to off, try selecting on & see if this changes things.

Cheers Joe, I've tried this with no difference - apart from once when it worked!!!

I might need to clean the contacts on my lens and see if that works. The thing is, it's not a real world issue, so I can probably live with this as it is

Mike

[Loi Nguyen]

I have the same thought about adding the 7D as the second body replacing the 5D3. I have a 1DX and a 5D3, so bought a 7D2 when it first came out. I found the AF to be inconsistent, so returned it. Later, saw many posts in this forum and others that complain about the inconsistent AF. I'm hoping that canon will fix it eventually, but not sure they will. People said they returned the camera to Canon and had the AF modules replaced. This is a camera for the mass market, so the percentage of return may be acceptable to Canon. Would love to get an update from those who have this body. Loi