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7D extreme focusing issues

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hoppa

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I've had my 7D for about a month now, shot 1000 exposures with a host of different lenses and have run into some crazy, unforgivable focus issues. It seems a good 20% of the time the camera will completely and utterly botch the focus; it doesn't matter what lens, what focus mode. It will, of course, give the focus confirmation and take the shot, meaning it thinks it's in focus, and checking the confirmed focus points afterward shows it marking the "correct" spots.

I've micro-adjusted all my lenses, though it's not that: we aren't talking about consistently soft, we are talking about a bunch of sharp shots and then one or two completely off. I've shot with these lenses for years on a 30D and run into none of these issues.

It is maddening to me that I've spent this much on a camera and it can't even achieve focus. Should I send it in? I can post some sample pictures later.

-andy
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Oh, and another thing: the focus confirmation lights in the viewfinder are screwed up as well. I know they are supposed to flash red when they confirm, but they only do that half the time. The rest of the time they'll show up but they'll be black, not red. I've got the correct custom function set for them to flash, and again they do sometimes, just not all of the time, which clearly seems like an error to me?
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If you would like helpful suggestions, you might post a few photos with EXIF intact. Your comments are nebulous and provide almost no useful information. It actually might matter what lenses you are using. It may also matter how you MA'd the lenses.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/39169343@N04/
 
dprsok said:
If you would like helpful suggestions, you might post a few photos with EXIF intact. Your comments are nebulous and provide almost no useful information. It actually might matter what lenses you are using. It may also matter how you MA'd the lenses.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/39169343@N04/
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They are not nebulous at all, they are quite clear. I will post pictures when I get home—I am at work right now. All of my lenses are Canon... 17-55 f2.8 IS, 50mm 1.4 being the main two.

I don't understand why people feel under attack with these kinds of threads; they are not. You've got a clearly accusatory tone in your response... why? I am an experienced photographer having serious issues with my camera, and I'm asking the community if I should send it in for maintenance. Do you think I should?

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'the focus confirmation lights in the viewfinder are screwed up as well. I know they are supposed to flash red when they confirm, but they only do that half the time.'

Was this in AI Servo mode?

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/39169343@N04/
 
Mine don't always flash red either, but I was under the impression that they only flash red if you're in low light or shooting something dark, although I could be wrong.

As for the focus problems....If it's as bad as you say across various lenses then I'd say try MA. If you've tried MA then assuming you're competent (I have no reason to believe otherwise if you say so) then I would send it in.

I'm surprised you haven't already from how bad you've made it sound to be honest.

Best of luck with it, frustrating situation when you've dished out a lot of loot.

Take care.
 
If I were you I will refrain from wasting your time by posting pictures. I will simple send it in or practice some more and make sure you have eliminated any user error. If you post pictures, 75% of those who will respond have no clue and they will make the most noise drowning the 25% who are very experienced and ready to help. At the end you will be left with nothing but headache and bunch of enemies who will dig out every single post you have made in the last 10yrs. Experienced users know when they have issues with their camera. I'm warning you now because I made the same mistake.
 
Try using just the center focus box and one shot AF on a tripod. This will elminate camera shake as part of the problem.. This should give excellent results virtually 100% of the time. If you are still having problems, I would suggest a trip to Canon repair is in order. They will be able to bring your camera to perfect working order
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And sometimes they still show up in the image when viewed on the LCD. Useful sometimes I guess but most of the time I would like to get rid of them. Can I? Is there a way to turn them off in viewing?
Jules
Canis_Majoris said:
Mine don't always flash red either, but I was under the impression that they only flash red if you're in low light or shooting something dark, although I could be wrong.

As for the focus problems....If it's as bad as you say across various lenses then I'd say try MA. If you've tried MA then assuming you're competent (I have no reason to believe otherwise if you say so) then I would send it in.

I'm surprised you haven't already from how bad you've made it sound to be honest.

Best of luck with it, frustrating situation when you've dished out a lot of loot.

Take care.
Click to expand...
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Does Cameron look like Postman Pat or what?
 
Canis_Majoris said:
Mine don't always flash red either, but I was under the impression that they only flash red if you're in low light or shooting something dark, although I could be wrong.
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Hmm, that could be the case, thanks.
Canis_Majoris said:
As for the focus problems....If it's as bad as you say across various lenses then I'd say try MA. If you've tried MA then assuming you're competent (I have no reason to believe otherwise if you say so) then I would send it in.
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What is MA?
Canis_Majoris said:
I'm surprised you haven't already from how bad you've made it sound to be honest.
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I wanted to use it a bit more to eliminate the possibility of user error. The camera is obviously new to me and I just felt like I was doing something wrong, but after this weekend at a wedding (as a guest, not the paid photog, thank god), shooting simple portraits with one spot AF, or small groups with the center cluster, having the focus confirm and shoot, and then looking down and seeing a picture extremely OOF I knew it must be the camera.

In addition, I've never had to send anything in (I've been lucky, I guess), it always makes me a bit nervous doing such a thing, so I've been hesitant.
Canis_Majoris said:
Best of luck with it, frustrating situation when you've dished out a lot of loot.

Take care.
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Thanks for the help.

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http://www.pbase.com/dremeaux

My gear:
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Tripod
 
Michael Eckstein said:
Try using just the center focus box and one shot AF on a tripod. This will elminate camera shake as part of the problem.. This should give excellent results virtually 100% of the time. If you are still having problems, I would suggest a trip to Canon repair is in order. They will be able to bring your camera to perfect working order
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http://photo.net/photos/Michael%20Eckstein
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Actually, I first noticed the issues when I was calibrating my 17-55/2.8. I was doing exactly as you say: shooting from a tripod, a flat, high contrast spot on the wall in one-spot AF that absolutely should be 100% accurate, and I got more than a few lemons.

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Personally, I've never had anything but very positive experiences with Canon's repair service when you send a product in to them. I've had to use them three times--two of which were entirely my fault, one of which was their fault. They gave me advance prices and returned the products far ahead of predicted dates.
 
I doubt it's a problem with micro adjusting, since you get sharp images, and an occasional OOF shot. Also if you can confirm (to yourself) that focus points were where they should have been, the shutter speed was high enough to eliminate shake, then I would send it in. I would also make sure to include a detailed explanation, with the camera, and when submitting the report on-line to Canon Repair. I honestly don't believe posting pics is going to amount to anything productive for you here, as amobi said.
Good Luck,
Kevin
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No worries mate.

MA = Micro Adjustment (of the lenses). Couldn't remember if you said you'd tried it, or maybe you're not aware of the feature, not sure, didn't re-read your OP again, doh :)

I've been OK so far, my lenses have all worked without any MA at all, but my lenses are all Canon, no 3rd party gear as yet.

I hear you though, always better to exhaust every possibility before deciding it's the body, could save you a lot of pain further down the line. You may need to show a little patience during the ordeal, and try not to take any suggestions too personally, we've had our share of trolls and people that would rather just write the 7D off, so people are sometimes sceptical ;)

IF it does turn out to be the body then don't let it put you off getting a replacement rather than giving up on the 7D.....It truly is an exceptionally good camera.
 
Had the same problem with 5d mark II my average was 30% out of focus and using center spot only . If you can, exchange it, If not send it to canon with samples. I also spoke to several other people with same problem. Dont bother with photos, there is a problem with the camera
 
If you let it drop and stopped whining about it at every given opportunity then I'm sure your ordeal would soon be forgotten about Amobi.

I seem to remember you having a pretty bad attitude, which irked several people. You seemed intent on slating the 7D at every given opportunity, trolling other people's threads. purely on the basis that you got a bad copy, but then when you got it replaced you raved about how good it was and magically stopped trolling, yet now you've switched the emphasis to how hard done to you are. It's getting old now.

But anyway, this thread isn't about you, it's about the OP, so please leave the self-pity at the door fella ;)
 
Canis_Majoris said:
MA = Micro Adjustment (of the lenses).
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Oh, right. Yeah, I've done it to all my lenses.
Canis_Majoris said:
IF it does turn out to be the body then don't let it put you off getting a replacement rather than giving up on the 7D.....It truly is an exceptionally good camera.
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No worries, I won't be giving up. I love the camera dearly; it pains me every time I look down at the LCD and see another wasted opportunity from focus issues. I've started the servicing process, we'll see how it goes.

-andy
--
--
http://www.pbase.com/dremeaux

My gear:
Camera
Lens
Lens
Lens
Tripod
 
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