7D VS MKIV AF for flight shots

[arash_hazeghi]

Hi guys,

I have a question for people who have a 1D MKIV as well as a 7D and have shot flight shots with both cameras in the field. Now that MKIV has been out for a while and used extensively in the field, I want to ask your opinion about its tracking performance versus the 7D. In particular I want to know how the AF performs when tracking BIF (preferably raptor) against a busy and variable BG when using expansion mode AF (on MKIV this is CF-III-8 set to option 2 or surrounding AF points ). Is the camera able to hold focus on BIF when it moves from one AF point to the other?
In general have you noticed an increase in the ratio of critically sharp photos (when viewed at full size) in above conditions and in comparison with the 7D when the same lens is used?

I appreciate your comments.

[Doug Brown]

Can't give you a definitive answer yet. But I'm off to Florida next week for a photography trip. I'll be bringing both bodies and hope to have some solid opinions by week's end.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Arash Under those conditions I go for the center point only, I know is more difficult locking on to the bird with only one but have gotten the most keepers. Have not see much difference between the two cameras and use the 7D for the reach if a reasonable ISO is possible.

Not sure we will ever come up with a non bias comparison between the two, I love the 7D but the Mk4 feels so much better !!!

..... good luck on the weather Doug ..seems to be looking up for you !!!

[arash_hazeghi]

Can't give you a definitive answer yet. But I'm off to Florida next week for a photography trip. I'll be bringing both bodies and hope to have some solid opinions by week's end.

Do look forward to your opinion!!!

[arash_hazeghi]

Hi Arash Under those conditions I go for the center point only, I know is more difficult locking on to the bird with only one but have gotten the most keepers. Have not see much difference between the two cameras and use the 7D for the reach if a reasonable ISO is possible.

Not sure we will ever come up with a non bias comparison between the two, I love the 7D but the Mk4 feels so much better !!!

..... good luck on the weather Doug ..seems to be looking up for you !!!

Thanks a lot Al :) BTW, when you say MKIV feels better is that because it is faster or better handling?

[Alfred Forns]

Just better in my hand, the camera is solid. It applies to all ID series cameras .... from the rest I think the 7D has the best feel and I do use it a lot !!!

.... btw 1D controls are better. I'm having trouble with the wheel on the 7D, when I have the camera over my shoulder it changes from M to Av, Tv or Green mode ... need to be checking. Seems it rubs against my shirt and moves !!

[arash_hazeghi]

Just better in my hand, the camera is solid. It applies to all ID series cameras .... from the rest I think the 7D has the best feel and I do use it a lot !!!

.... btw 1D controls are better. I'm having trouble with the wheel on the 7D, when I have the camera over my shoulder it changes from M to Av, Tv or Green mode ... need to be checking. Seems it rubs against my shirt and moves !!

Thanks Al, I like the way you can program C1,C2,C3 positions on the dial, have programmed each for a particular bird or BG!!! can you do that in MKIV :D ? So IQ aside not much difference in AF you're saying.

[Doug Brown]

I'm having trouble with the wheel on the 7D, when I have the camera over my shoulder it changes from M to Av, Tv or Green mode ... need to be checking. Seems it rubs against my shirt and moves !!

I have the same problem Al.

[Ed Cordes]

Just better in my hand, the camera is solid. It applies to all ID series cameras .... from the rest I think the 7D has the best feel and I do use it a lot !!!

.... btw 1D controls are better. I'm having trouble with the wheel on the 7D, when I have the camera over my shoulder it changes from M to Av, Tv or Green mode ... need to be checking. Seems it rubs against my shirt and moves !!

We have had this issue with the 10D, 40D and 7D. I really wish there were some type of lock on the wheel so it can't be accidently turned. Doesn't seem like a hard thing to build in.

[Jim Zipp]

We have had this issue with the 10D, 40D and 7D. I really wish there were some type of lock on the wheel so it can't be accidently turned. Doesn't seem like a hard thing to build in.

I have found this a problem as well guys. Go to take a shot and it's on Bulb! As a matter of fact Canon does have a problem with building in a lock to this button and it goes way back. The old Canon A2 film body had the same type dial but had a button on top that had to be depressed in order to change settings. Sounds good but they had a reputation of breaking and did so even if you were very careful. Wonderfully quiet film body but that was something many complained about that some thought should have been a recall. If I remember right there was even an aftermarket fix for the dial that was metal instead of plastic. Canon probably wanted to get away from that to avoid more issues.

Oh, as far as focus goes, I own both bodies but have not had an opportunity to really give them a head to head comparison in that field.

[D. Robert Franz]

I have the same problem Al.

Every chance I have I tell Canon about that same issue but to no avail...

[Robert Hardy]

Have you guys tried Diffrent shirts lol
Rob.

[Alfred Forns]

..... Robert we are about to try crazy glue :eek::D:)

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

I'm having trouble with the wheel on the 7D, when I have the camera over my shoulder it changes from M to Av, Tv or Green mode ... need to be checking. Seems it rubs against my shirt and moves !!

It drove me mad for three months until I used my son's brain who said "why don't you carry a lump of Blu Tack and just stick it between the wheel and the Camera body, I did and "Voila" no further problems.

http://www.blutack.com.au/BLU_TACK.htm

[Roger Clark]

..... Robert we are about to try crazy glue :eek::D:)

Duct tape! (it's removable. ;))

I have this problem on the 1D2.

Roger

[Harshad Barve]

Duct tape! (it's removable. ;))

I have this problem on the 1D2.

Roger

Man , I lost 10 mins of Photoshoot with legendary Tiger B2 , Camera wheel gone on M and I was unaware of that,
Roger , I hope Duct tape wont damage camera

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Duct tape! (it's removable. ;))

I have this problem on the 1D2.

Roger

I once had the same problem in my 1 D2. I was on top of an elephant and the wheel moved and my EC went +2. I got some unintended and highly unwanted highkey tiger images. :D Since then I am careful about it. I switch it off when getting into such jerky and swaying rides.

Haven't used the 7D. However, the Mark IV holds focus very well, with AF expansion, and even when there is an intervening vegetation in the foreground.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi