7D owners with 70~200f4LIS

[rwbaron]

I was hoping others could add some experience to a quirk I came across yesterday performing AF micro-adjust on all my lenses. Everything was going well until the 70~200f4LIS. This lens is tack sharp on my 50D (no MA needed), 40D, XTi and 10D. I encountered a strange issue after testing under the following conditions:

Tripod mounted
Mirror lock
2 second timer
200mm at f4
33 feet from target (50x FL)
Flat black & white target with various levels of detail (well lit)
Center point AF
Single shot

Taking 10 shots and manually defocusing the lens to infinity between each I only get about 50% that are tack sharp with the rest noticeably OOF. What's really strange is when I attach the Canon 1.4x and test at 280mm f5.6 the lens accuracy is fine with all shots in focus. My 100~400 also exhibits this same problem on the 7D. Both lenses are fine on my 50D and the 7D has no apparent problem with my 8 other lenses one of which is the notorious 50mm f1.4.

Anyone else seeing anything similar to this? I spoke with Canon tech support this AM and they felt there is nothing wrong with my method and suggested sending the 7D and both lenses to Canon service. I really don't want to do this especially if it's just a 7D quirk or something with early production firmware. I'm confident it's not a lens issue because the 70~200 is perfect on my other bodies and the 100~400 works properly on the 50D with considerable micro adjustment (-10). I plan on doing more testing tonight but it would shed some light on where the problem might be if other 7D owners were seeing similar results.

Thanks,

Bob
--
http://www.pbase.com/rwbaron

 

[reginalddwight]

No problems so far with the 70-200mm f/4 L IS on my 7D. No microadjustment was needed. Previous pairing was with the 20D. It's a nuisance no doubt, but sending it to Canon for servicing may be in order. Good luck.

 

[MisterPootieCat]

This is something I tend to forget when using a tripod and it very definitely makes some very weak looking images!

I was hoping others could add some experience to a quirk I came across yesterday performing AF micro-adjust on all my lenses. Everything was going well until the 70~200f4LIS. This lens is tack sharp on my 50D (no MA needed), 40D, XTi and 10D. I encountered a strange issue after testing under the following conditions:

Tripod mounted
Mirror lock
2 second timer
200mm at f4
33 feet from target (50x FL)
Flat black & white target with various levels of detail (well lit)
Center point AF
Single shot

Taking 10 shots and manually defocusing the lens to infinity between each I only get about 50% that are tack sharp with the rest noticeably OOF. What's really strange is when I attach the Canon 1.4x and test at 280mm f5.6 the lens accuracy is fine with all shots in focus. My 100~400 also exhibits this same problem on the 7D. Both lenses are fine on my 50D and the 7D has no apparent problem with my 8 other lenses one of which is the notorious 50mm f1.4.

Anyone else seeing anything similar to this? I spoke with Canon tech support this AM and they felt there is nothing wrong with my method and suggested sending the 7D and both lenses to Canon service. I really don't want to do this especially if it's just a 7D quirk or something with early production firmware. I'm confident it's not a lens issue because the 70~200 is perfect on my other bodies and the 100~400 works properly on the 50D with considerable micro adjustment (-10). I plan on doing more testing tonight but it would shed some light on where the problem might be if other 7D owners were seeing similar results.

Thanks,

Bob
--
http://www.pbase.com/rwbaron

 

[Scott007]

-

I had a similar problem with my 7D. I was mainly using a 24-105 and was taking photos of static aircraft in good light. I was letting the camera pick the focus points while in One-Shot AF mode. Nearly every shot was out of focus. It appeared that the camera was focusing well in front of any of the selected AF points. In one example several points were highlighted (as later viewed in DPP) but none of those points were in focus. An area much closer on the ground appeared sharp. Go figure. Furthermore the several points that were highlighted were on objects widely varying in distance from the camera, from infinity to maybe 60 feet. The camera is back at Canon. Not sure what they plan on doing but I'll post their response.

 

[Scott007]

This a follow up to my earlier reply. I dug through more of my shots and found many taken with the 70-200 f/4L IS. Same situation, static aircraft, One-Shot AF. Although there were a few fairly good shots (somehwat sharp) there were many that were not in focus. I used this same lens with my 5D Mark II and got razor sharp images. IS was on for all of these hand held shots.

 

[xxD]

n/t

 

[Lone Sailor]

Same here....
--
http://nevadajack.zenfolio.com/

 

[Rimmit]

I think there are definitely some bad production models out there. I had the same issue as well with all my lenses.. I've discussed this heavily on many other threads. I believe the camera really struggles when a lens is wide open. I have less issues if it's stopped down.

 

[rwbaron]

No problems so far with the 70-200mm f/4 L IS on my 7D. No microadjustment was needed. Previous pairing was with the 20D. It's a nuisance no doubt, but sending it to Canon for servicing may be in order. Good luck.

I'm a little reluctant as I don't want to be without the two lenses for the two weeks or whatever it takes. I have slight concern that the 70~200 may come back not focusing correctly on my 40D which is now perfect.

Bob
--
http://www.pbase.com/rwbaron

 

[rwbaron]

I should have menitoned in my OP that IS was off and focus limiter set to 3m to infinity range.

Bob

This is something I tend to forget when using a tripod and it very definitely makes some very weak looking images!

I was hoping others could add some experience to a quirk I came across yesterday performing AF micro-adjust on all my lenses. Everything was going well until the 70~200f4LIS. This lens is tack sharp on my 50D (no MA needed), 40D, XTi and 10D. I encountered a strange issue after testing under the following conditions:

Tripod mounted
Mirror lock
2 second timer
200mm at f4
33 feet from target (50x FL)
Flat black & white target with various levels of detail (well lit)
Center point AF
Single shot

Taking 10 shots and manually defocusing the lens to infinity between each I only get about 50% that are tack sharp with the rest noticeably OOF. What's really strange is when I attach the Canon 1.4x and test at 280mm f5.6 the lens accuracy is fine with all shots in focus. My 100~400 also exhibits this same problem on the 7D. Both lenses are fine on my 50D and the 7D has no apparent problem with my 8 other lenses one of which is the notorious 50mm f1.4.

Anyone else seeing anything similar to this? I spoke with Canon tech support this AM and they felt there is nothing wrong with my method and suggested sending the 7D and both lenses to Canon service. I really don't want to do this especially if it's just a 7D quirk or something with early production firmware. I'm confident it's not a lens issue because the 70~200 is perfect on my other bodies and the 100~400 works properly on the 50D with considerable micro adjustment (-10). I plan on doing more testing tonight but it would shed some light on where the problem might be if other 7D owners were seeing similar results.

Thanks,

Bob
--
http://www.pbase.com/rwbaron

--
http://www.pbase.com/rwbaron

 

[rwbaron]

I do get sharp shots with the 70~200 but just not as consistent as what the 50D provides. I will be interested in hearing what Canon says about your situation. May I ask if they provided a timeframe estimate?

Bob

-

I had a similar problem with my 7D. I was mainly using a 24-105 and was taking photos of static aircraft in good light. I was letting the camera pick the focus points while in One-Shot AF mode. Nearly every shot was out of focus. It appeared that the camera was focusing well in front of any of the selected AF points. In one example several points were highlighted (as later viewed in DPP) but none of those points were in focus. An area much closer on the ground appeared sharp. Go figure. Furthermore the several points that were highlighted were on objects widely varying in distance from the camera, from infinity to maybe 60 feet. The camera is back at Canon. Not sure what they plan on doing but I'll post their response.

--
http://www.pbase.com/rwbaron

 

[rwbaron]

Mine also seems tack sharp at "0" AF MA and will provide sharp images but just not 10 out of 10 in an easy, controlled test where the 50D does.

Bob

--
http://www.pbase.com/rwbaron

 

[xxD]

my 70-200F4ISL does 10 out of 10 in an easy, controlled test on my 7D.

Mine also seems tack sharp at "0" AF MA and will provide sharp images but just not 10 out of 10 in an easy, controlled test where the 50D does.

Bob

 

[bhollis]

Had good results with my 7D and 70--200 f/4l, at least so far. Here's an example.

 

[UCSB]

I was hoping others could add some experience to a quirk I came across yesterday performing AF micro-adjust on all my lenses. Everything was going well until the 70~200f4LIS. This lens is tack sharp on my 50D (no MA needed), 40D, XTi and 10D. I encountered a strange issue after testing under the following conditions:

Tripod mounted
Mirror lock
2 second timer
200mm at f4
33 feet from target (50x FL)
Flat black & white target with various levels of detail (well lit)
Center point AF
Single shot

Taking 10 shots and manually defocusing the lens to infinity between each I only get about 50% that are tack sharp with the rest noticeably OOF. What's really strange is when I attach the Canon 1.4x and test at 280mm f5.6 the lens accuracy is fine with all shots in focus. My 100~400 also exhibits this same problem on the 7D. Both lenses are fine on my 50D and the 7D has no apparent problem with my 8 other lenses one of which is the notorious 50mm f1.4.

Anyone else seeing anything similar to this? I spoke with Canon tech support this AM and they felt there is nothing wrong with my method and suggested sending the 7D and both lenses to Canon service. I really don't want to do this especially if it's just a 7D quirk or something with early production firmware. I'm confident it's not a lens issue because the 70~200 is perfect on my other bodies and the 100~400 works properly on the 50D with considerable micro adjustment (-10). I plan on doing more testing tonight but it would shed some light on where the problem might be if other 7D owners were seeing similar results.

Thanks,

Bob
--
http://www.pbase.com/rwbaron

Here is something to try ... when you defocus the lens between each AF MA shot, take three shots starting with the focus below the actual focus point and then three shots from above the actual focus point. See if the lens is focusing differently when it is approaching the focus from above and below the focus point. I was AF MA'ing my lens and noticed a tendency for it hit a different focus point depending on whether it being focused from above or below the actual focus point..

--

Bill.

 

[dwill23]

The issues i've had when my 7D were with the 200 F2.0 L IS USM and 300mm F2.8 L IS USM lenses.

I haven't had a problem with my 135 F2, or anything shorter. I wonder if this is a problem with some telephotos.

Veeeryy interesting....

Dave

PS. I hate zooms, but i broke down and bought my 6th 70-200. This time was the 1st f4 verison i had bought. Now I LOVE that lens! It's far newer than any f2.8 version, and the only one developed during the digital camera age. It also has 3 less elements vs the f2.8 L IS version making it sharper. good move on that lens. It's totally killer.

--

lenses make the image, the camera only records it. my zoom is my feet, not my fingers, don't be lazy, buy primes

 

[rwbaron]

I was hoping others could add some experience to a quirk I came across yesterday performing AF micro-adjust on all my lenses. Everything was going well until the 70~200f4LIS. This lens is tack sharp on my 50D (no MA needed), 40D, XTi and 10D. I encountered a strange issue after testing under the following conditions:

Tripod mounted
Mirror lock
2 second timer
200mm at f4
33 feet from target (50x FL)
Flat black & white target with various levels of detail (well lit)
Center point AF
Single shot

Taking 10 shots and manually defocusing the lens to infinity between each I only get about 50% that are tack sharp with the rest noticeably OOF. What's really strange is when I attach the Canon 1.4x and test at 280mm f5.6 the lens accuracy is fine with all shots in focus. My 100~400 also exhibits this same problem on the 7D. Both lenses are fine on my 50D and the 7D has no apparent problem with my 8 other lenses one of which is the notorious 50mm f1.4.

Anyone else seeing anything similar to this? I spoke with Canon tech support this AM and they felt there is nothing wrong with my method and suggested sending the 7D and both lenses to Canon service. I really don't want to do this especially if it's just a 7D quirk or something with early production firmware. I'm confident it's not a lens issue because the 70~200 is perfect on my other bodies and the 100~400 works properly on the 50D with considerable micro adjustment (-10). I plan on doing more testing tonight but it would shed some light on where the problem might be if other 7D owners were seeing similar results.

Thanks,

Bob
--
http://www.pbase.com/rwbaron

Here is something to try ... when you defocus the lens between each AF MA shot, take three shots starting with the focus below the actual focus point and then three shots from above the actual focus point. See if the lens is focusing differently when it is approaching the focus from above and below the focus point. I was AF MA'ing my lens and noticed a tendency for it hit a different focus point depending on whether it being focused from above or below the actual focus point..

--

Bill.

I'm not following you. I'm using center point AF only so that's the only focus point active because it is also the most sensitive and accurate. Are you saying to physically move the camera up and down?

Bob

--
http://www.pbase.com/rwbaron

 

[Tom Reynolds]

I think there are definitely some bad production models out there. I had the same issue as well with all my lenses.. I've discussed this heavily on many other threads. I believe the camera really struggles when a lens is wide open. I have less issues if it's stopped down.

I would think that you would be aware that it is a fact that no AF system struggles more when a lens is set to wide open compared to being stopped down. The AF system uses the widest opening on the lens to achieve the focus position and does not even "know" the f-stop to be used for the shot. The PERFORMANCE of the system (or lack of) has nothing to do with the f-stop selected. However, if the system is having problems, whatever the cause, inaccurate focus settings will of course be easier to see when a shot is taken with a lens wide open compared to a small aperture shot because of the difference in DOF.

Now in the case of the Canon 7d, a f2.8 lens (or faster) should show better AF performance than a slower lens because of the one high performance f2.8 AF sensor in the center of the field of view. If this one sensor is not being selected than it should not make a difference.