7d AF / IQ problem

The first problem I noticed with my 7D was that it would stubbornly NOT focus on a small subject against a complex background or complex surroundings, eg small birds in foliage. It just wouldn't, preferring to focus instead on something to one side in front or beyond the bird, or not focus at all. Not good.

Then I started noticing that when it did focus on a subject the resulting images were often, well, mushy. Sometimes they could be improved in software (sharpening) but usually at the expense of increased noise. I still don't know how useable they will be. My dissatisfaction may be to some extent due to pixel peeping.

So my experience is similar to others here. I don't seem to get these problems with a 5d3 although I have less experience with this combination. It seems to be quite possible to crop well down into a 5d3 image so the loss of reach is less of a problem.
 
I found similar issues with mine, in controlled conditions on a tripod the focus would wander around the frame using specific focus points. I had to get it repaired and would advise you to investigate this avenue if you see no improvement, I did notice that applying downward pressure on the lens caused images to sharpen up markedly prior to repair which indicated an internal misalignment.

I don't think it should be so hit and miss, no other camera I have used before or since has come with the caveat sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. Having the equipment introducing its own illogical inconsistencies means it's pretty much garbage to me, so I sold it. There's enough complaints along these lines to indicate there are genuine problems, but just cos mine was bad doesn't mean they're all bad.... Equally though, Just cos someone else's works fine doesn't mean they all do... Talking to fixation and digital rev it's certainly not a one off fault at any rate
 
Since getting my 7d I've read read and read to get to understand the camera, a lot say to dial in -1/3 ev to reduce the need for bringing up the shadows and so bringing in more noise, not tried this for birds in flight shots so can't comment but for me, it simply does not work if taking landscapes, in fact the opposite works, dialling in +1/3.
@jerry12953 what are you focus settings, using just a single focus point surely would get the bird in focus and stop trying to focus on surrounding objects?
I've also selected "slow" in the settings when using servo to stop the camera quickly focusing on other objects when shooting a bird in flight or similar.
As for sharpness, never seems to be a problem for me, maybe there's some bad bodies out there and some good ones...who knows
 
Martyn D said:
Since getting my 7d I've read read and read to get to understand the camera, a lot say to dial in -1/3 ev to reduce the need for bringing up the shadows and so bringing in more noise, not tried this for birds in flight shots so can't comment but for me, it simply does not work if taking landscapes, in fact the opposite works, dialling in +1/3.
@jerry12953 what are you focus settings, using just a single focus point surely would get the bird in focus and stop trying to focus on surrounding objects?
I've also selected "slow" in the settings when using servo to stop the camera quickly focusing on other objects when shooting a bird in flight or similar.
As for sharpness, never seems to be a problem for me, maybe there's some bad bodies out there and some good ones...who knows
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I was using the "micro" focus point ( can't remember what it was called now) on perched birds, which should have given the most precise focussing possible. As for other problems they may have partly been down to user error but in my opinion unless you get things ABSOLUTELY right on a 7d then you're stuffed. there's just no room for error. I did get some excellent results but a lot of mush as well.

I sold mine. I'm sure the new user is happy with it. It's probably just us picky types complaining!
 
Nothing wrong with being picky Jerry, things with a camera should really be spot on and manufacturers are often far to quick to ignore any problems.
I upgraded from a 600d and am very happy with how the 7d performs but I bet there's many who are not after reading what a lot of written on various sites.
There's been comparisons with the 5d and 1d which will never work and I've seen some saying the 70d is much better but the 70d prices have really dropped and is now selling for less than the much older 7d so I guess it can't really be "that" much better.
 
Martyn D said:
There's been comparisons with the 5d and 1d which will never work and I've seen some saying the 70d is much better but the 70d prices have really dropped and is now selling for less than the much older 7d so I guess it can't really be "that" much better.
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I suspect that many will go for the 7D over the 60/70D not because of any image quality or performance advantage but simply because of its manly magnesium body.

It's something that I find laughable, but to each his own.
 
I eventually got so fed up with the 7D I got a 1D MkIII which gave me an improvement on IQ and noise handling, however I found it too restrictive with the 1.3 reach and smaller file sizes so I sold the 1D and then part-ex'd the 7D for a 70D. While I actually prefer the AF system set up of the 7D (ability for spot focussing especially) the 70D is absolutely brilliant compared to both of the 7D's I had. I got it as a backup to my 5D3 but it's more of a companion to the 5D3 now as I'm using the 70D about 40% of the time while the 7D was being used around only 10% of the time. With the 5D3 and 70D I've now got a pair of bodies that are so good I can concentrate on improving my lens set up now.
 
Martyn D said:
Nothing wrong with being picky Jerry, things with a camera should really be spot on and manufacturers are often far to quick to ignore any problems.
I upgraded from a 600d and am very happy with how the 7d performs but I bet there's many who are not after reading what a lot of written on various sites.
There's been comparisons with the 5d and 1d which will never work and I've seen some saying the 70d is much better but the 70d prices have really dropped and is now selling for less than the much older 7d so I guess it can't really be "that" much better.
Click to expand...


I'd be tempted by a 70d if I thought the IQ was any better than a 7d. There seems to be a bit of disagreement over whether it is or not.......
 
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