Canon 7D - Nothing is sharp
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copperband
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Firstly, thanks to everyone for their input and sorry for not responding sooner.
To answer some of the questions:
The image is as it was taken other than a conversion from RAW to JPEG in LR3 (on default settings)
The image isn't cropped at all.
I was side on to the picture stood on a jetty looking back so the perspective isn't flat/straight on.
I use the camera in "19 point AF" which, having read this may not be helping the problem but in the case of this shot and most others I take, the shutter isn't fully depressed until I have the subject I want highlighted by one the small squares.
In other words, in the case of this photo the camera was telling me that the Seagull was what it was focusing on as the square identifying that focus point was highlighted.
I discount camera shake or incorrect shutter speed as this is an IS lens and even though the shutter speed is 100 and the focal length 200, in theory the 4 stop IS should correct any shortfall there.
The other pic that someone pointed out on my Smug mug as being sharp has been sharpened significantly in LR3 so that to me says that the photo can only be made sharp in post which as I said before was never an issue with the 40D.
I spent a lot on lenses so I really wouldn't think that its poor quality of them that's to answer for and everything was bought brand new a few months ago.
I'll try and do a few test shots later with an indoor subject that's not moving (like the dog which is my favourite subject) Am I best to take a subject with a lot of depth to it like a vase of flowers or something flat like a large cardboard box with writing on it?
To answer some of the questions:
The image is as it was taken other than a conversion from RAW to JPEG in LR3 (on default settings)
The image isn't cropped at all.
I was side on to the picture stood on a jetty looking back so the perspective isn't flat/straight on.
I use the camera in "19 point AF" which, having read this may not be helping the problem but in the case of this shot and most others I take, the shutter isn't fully depressed until I have the subject I want highlighted by one the small squares.
In other words, in the case of this photo the camera was telling me that the Seagull was what it was focusing on as the square identifying that focus point was highlighted.
I discount camera shake or incorrect shutter speed as this is an IS lens and even though the shutter speed is 100 and the focal length 200, in theory the 4 stop IS should correct any shortfall there.
The other pic that someone pointed out on my Smug mug as being sharp has been sharpened significantly in LR3 so that to me says that the photo can only be made sharp in post which as I said before was never an issue with the 40D.
I spent a lot on lenses so I really wouldn't think that its poor quality of them that's to answer for and everything was bought brand new a few months ago.
I'll try and do a few test shots later with an indoor subject that's not moving (like the dog which is my favourite subject) Am I best to take a subject with a lot of depth to it like a vase of flowers or something flat like a large cardboard box with writing on it?
tijuana taxi
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Surely the dog will move unless its stuffed, just breathing would involve movement
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copperband
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LOL, Sorry I meant not the dog!
DemiLion
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A couple of points Ed:
You images from the 7D will need enhanced sharpening in LR compared to your 40D, that's just a fact of the camera and not something to stress about. If you had tried to oversharpen the photograph of your dog, or to recover an OOF image it would have shown up quite clearly.
I know that you won't like the answer, but I think that a lot of the current problem lies with your camera setup and knowledge of how to deal with the images in post. The 7D isn't a pick up and shoot tool and you have to become familiar with how it works and how to get the best out of it by, balancing the use of different methods of AF, different Focal points and selections.
You aren't the first person to be disappointed by your immediate results when jumping up from an xxD body, and many of us have already been down this route, but once you have got it mastered you will love it.
This is a really useful guide to some of the AF complexities, and whilst it's written for the 1DMkIV, almost all of the detail relating to AF applies to the 7D as well, but you can ignore all of the ISO part:
http://www.canonrumors.com/files/1dm4cfnguide.pdf
One of the greatest improvements that you can make is to take the camera off 19pt autoselection straight away. Apart from a very few specific circumstances it's going to be the worst option to use.
Best of luck!
You images from the 7D will need enhanced sharpening in LR compared to your 40D, that's just a fact of the camera and not something to stress about. If you had tried to oversharpen the photograph of your dog, or to recover an OOF image it would have shown up quite clearly.
I know that you won't like the answer, but I think that a lot of the current problem lies with your camera setup and knowledge of how to deal with the images in post. The 7D isn't a pick up and shoot tool and you have to become familiar with how it works and how to get the best out of it by, balancing the use of different methods of AF, different Focal points and selections.
You aren't the first person to be disappointed by your immediate results when jumping up from an xxD body, and many of us have already been down this route, but once you have got it mastered you will love it.
This is a really useful guide to some of the AF complexities, and whilst it's written for the 1DMkIV, almost all of the detail relating to AF applies to the 7D as well, but you can ignore all of the ISO part:
http://www.canonrumors.com/files/1dm4cfnguide.pdf
One of the greatest improvements that you can make is to take the camera off 19pt autoselection straight away. Apart from a very few specific circumstances it's going to be the worst option to use.
Best of luck!
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copperband
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DemiLion, before I read your comment I was starting to get that feeling and now you have cruelly confirmed it 
Perhaps the truth is that the 40D was easier to pick up and shoot with and was quite considerably less complex to set up. I have always shot RAW and in either Tv or Av but beyond that I have perhaps failed to grasp the basics of 7d's set up?
It's quite a daunting prospect going through all those menu set ups but clearly that's what I need to do but importantly before that, take the camera off the Autoselection:bonk:
Perhaps the truth is that the 40D was easier to pick up and shoot with and was quite considerably less complex to set up. I have always shot RAW and in either Tv or Av but beyond that I have perhaps failed to grasp the basics of 7d's set up?
It's quite a daunting prospect going through all those menu set ups but clearly that's what I need to do but importantly before that, take the camera off the Autoselection:bonk:
tijuana taxi
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Do you a straight swap for a 40D with just under 400 actuations and will chuck in a mint 430EX flash for good measure?
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copperband
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trencheel303
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I think he was kidding, at least I sure hope he was 
mipevo6
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DemiLion, before I read your comment I was starting to get that feeling and now you have cruelly confirmed it
Perhaps the truth is that the 40D was easier to pick up and shoot with and was quite considerably less complex to set up. I have always shot RAW and in either Tv or Av but beyond that I have perhaps failed to grasp the basics of 7d's set up?
It's quite a daunting prospect going through all those menu set ups but clearly that's what I need to do but importantly before that, take the camera off the Autoselection:bonk:
Stick with it, I went from a 450D to a 7D... My first set of shots was terrible... OOF exposed badly etc..
A few more goes, a play with the various modes and I would fight anybody if they tried to take my 7D away now
It is a great bit of kit...
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copperband
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Still pondering this and my only question is...if it is purely down to user error then why do I have so many pics where I really can't find anything in focus and linked to that why would canon have a default auto mode that so often doesn't get it right.
Just looking through some holiday pics where I took quite a few portrait pics of people before going out and they are really hit and miss, about 1 in 4 are in focus and sharp, another 1 has a small area in focus (usually the bottom right corner) and the others appear to have no point anywhere in the frame in focus???
Just looking through some holiday pics where I took quite a few portrait pics of people before going out and they are really hit and miss, about 1 in 4 are in focus and sharp, another 1 has a small area in focus (usually the bottom right corner) and the others appear to have no point anywhere in the frame in focus???
tijuana taxi
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He was, would want a few quid as a sweetener if i was being serious
The 1/focal-length rule doesn't take account of crop factor so, for 200mm, it should be at least 1/320th. Of course he was likely using IS which would more than compensate
This is exactly my experience and feelings.Stick with it, I went from a 450D to a 7D... My first set of shots was terrible... OOF exposed badly etc..
A few more goes, a play with the various modes and I would fight anybody if they tried to take my 7D away now
It is a great bit of kit...
Went from a 300D to the 7D and for the first couple days I couldn't understand why my focus kept wandering from photo to photo. Once I figured out what was happening, and also figured out some of the 7D's other cool tricks, I never looked back. Absolutely brilliant bit of kit, and to badly quote Charleston Heston, you will only get it by prising it from my cold lifeless fingers
DemiLion
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Ed, I don't think that we are saying that it is definitely not the camera yet. There is always the outside chance that you have a duff AF system which might need looking at.
I think that the most important thing is to get to know the 7D's AF system and then, if it's off, you will be in a better position to turn round to Canon and request a service/repair/replacement.
Have a bit more homework......
These are the tutorials from the Canon Learning Centre on their US site:
A description of the AF functions:
http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=3049&fromTips=1
A series of video tutorials ref AF and other bits:
http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=3167
Back button focus and how to use it:
http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=2286
There are some ideas about set up here:
http://www.deepgreenphotography.com/2009/12/setting-up-your-new-canon-7d/
although take a few with a pinch of salt, as I disagree with the aRGB part. If you're shooting RAW it's immaterial.
One thing that this does highlight, however, is how useful the 'Q' button is whilst you're getting used to the camera. In time you shouldn't need it, but until then it gives you a very useful instant overview of how your camera is set up, and the ability to change settings on the fly.
That should give you enough to keep you busy over a cold weekend!
mipevo6
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Using the default with all 19 points active I found too random and I couldn't control what I wanted in focus.
Try selecting a single AF point for focus or the small group that you can move around with the control stick.
Turn on the function that shows the AF point on the camera preview.
Then see what you are getting...
If it is showing lock onto something that isn't in focus, you may have a faulty camera....
Try selecting a single AF point for focus or the small group that you can move around with the control stick.
Turn on the function that shows the AF point on the camera preview.
Then see what you are getting...
If it is showing lock onto something that isn't in focus, you may have a faulty camera....
coldpenguin
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Can you put some up (with exif), or a screenshot of DPP showing where the AF point was for the photos?
Tv and Av are IMO ok to use, but you do want to reduce the size of the area that is being used for focus (I would use point, spot or expansion. If you must, then segment mode.)
I don't think that the larger modes are expected to be used outside of P. (as they appear to, in my experience, prefer larger objects, than the people in front of you)
