Dual Pixel AF on 7DMark2 with non-Canon lenses?

[EduPortas]

Hello everyone,

I'd like to know is someone has had any experience with third-party glass

on Canon's 7D Mark II in real-word video use.

I've found a lot of threads regarding this subject with the not so old 70D,

but little with regards to the newer 7D Mark II.

There are some enticing third-party lenses out there (Sigma 35 F1.4, etc)

but I'm still on the fence whether to buy one of them or stick

with Canon's very good--but pricier--options, especially the "L" lens series.

Cheers!

 

[Aoi Usagi]

Hello everyone,

I'd like to know is someone has had any experience with third-party glass

on Canon's 7D Mark II in real-word video use.

I've found a lot of threads regarding this subject with the not so old 70D,

but little with regards to the newer 7D Mark II.

There are some enticing third-party lenses out there (Sigma 35 F1.4, etc)

but I'm still on the fence whether to buy one of them or stick

with Canon's very good--but pricier--options, especially the "L" lens series.

Cheers!

I believe that whatever was said about the 70D is also equivalent to the 7D II, since they both use the same Dual pixel system ( not to be mistaken with the sensor). There is still no actual information from canon or any third party lens maker saying whether third party lenses will work or not.

That being said, both my sigma and tamron work with dual pixel AF. Both are relatively newly introduced lenses. Older ones may not work. Also, some will argue that non of the third party lenses will be compatible.

 

[EduPortas]

Thanks Evo,

there are some isolated videos of third-party

lenses on YouTube using the 70D's Dual Pixel AF system.

I have not seen one where the 7D Mark II is used in the

same manner. I would think it would have

even better tracking, considering the AF points are spread-out farther

in the sensor. But that's just my guess.

I have just purchased a 7D Mark II and it's fantastic. I'm just

trying to take the most advance of it and since

the rather slow STM lenses are not that attractive to me (save for the 24 mm F2.8 pancake)

I'm salivating over the L series of Canon lenses...or some big fat Sigma 1.4s.

 

[Aoi Usagi]

It was my belief that both the 70D and the 7D II both use the same 80% of the sensor as phase detection points. The conventional 19 point (70D) and 65 point (7D II) AF do not apply to Dual pixel AF.

 

[davel33]

I just did a fast test of my 7D2 and 70D with Canon 18-135 STM, 35 IS USM, Sigma 50 1.4 A and 24-70 HSM.

The 7D2 has a speed setting for focus speed in video, only the Cannon 18-135 STM worked with the speed setting. Both Sigma's and the Canon 35 IS did not seem to respond to the speed setting. All 4 worked about the same for video with the 18-135 STM silent and 35 IS the quietest of the 3 non STM lenses.

All 4 lens worked in LV with the Canon 18-135 STM silent and fast the 35 IS quietest/fastest for the 3 non STM and the 24-70 the loudest.

There is NO doubt about the 3 non STM lenses working with TwinPixel. Both bodies will switch to contrast focus in the 2 zoom modes X5 and X10, they will hunt back and both and be very slow. All 4 lenses did this in the zoom modes but focused fast with no hunting in the non zoom LV mode.

Dave

 

[EduPortas]

There is NO doubt about the 3 non STM lenses working with TwinPixel. Dave

A big thanks to you dave. That's just what I was looking for.

 

[Harolds Mind]

I've used my Sigma 18-35 F1.8 for a decent amount of video with Dual Pixel AF. So far it's worked great and transitions are smooth. You'll definitely hear the auto-focus motor though, however it's not too bad if your using the on-board mic. Using an external Mic solves that issue.

I've briefly used it with a Tamron 24-70 F2.8 and even though I did some short test, it did seem to perform similar to the Sigama lens.

Other non STM canon lenses I tested worked just as well in video, and had similar sound level from the auto-focus Mic.

 

[EduPortas]

I've used my Sigma 18-35 F1.8 for a decent amount of video with Dual Pixel AF. So far it's worked great and transitions are smooth. You'll definitely hear the auto-focus motor though, however it's not too bad if your using the on-board mic. Using an external Mic solves that issue.

I've briefly used it with a Tamron 24-70 F2.8 and even though I did some short test, it did seem to perform similar to the Sigama lens.

Other non STM canon lenses I tested worked just as well in video, and had similar sound level from the auto-focus Mic.

Thanks Harold, great info. I never use the on-board mics, so no prob there!

 

[gardenersassistant]

I just did a fast test of my 7D2 and 70D with Canon 18-135 STM, 35 IS USM, Sigma 50 1.4 A and 24-70 HSM.

There is NO doubt about the 3 non STM lenses working with TwinPixel. Both bodies will switch to contrast focus in the 2 zoom modes X5 and X10, they will hunt back and both and be very slow. All 4 lenses did this in the zoom modes but focused fast with no hunting in the non zoom LV mode.

That's a useful diagnostic test. Thanks. I have been wondering for a while if my lenses use TwinPixel focusing. I just got the same behaviour on my 70D with Canon EF-S 18-55 STM and EF-S 55-250 STM, and Sigma 105 DG Macro HSM and 10-20 DC HSM.

I had noticed the poor performance in 5X and 10X with all the lenses, but not realised its significance in terms of focusing method. (In fact, not only is it slower, with hunting, but sometimes in poorer light/with a low-ish contrast subject the camera won't focus at all at 5X and 10X but will with non zoom LV focusing.)