Is my 7d slightly faulty or is this normal?

Nutsy

Nutsy

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Hi i've just got my new 7D its fantastic but i think it might be ever so slightly faulty and i want your opinions. It might be normal but if it isnt I need to know whats the best way of dealing with it.

The red indicator light in the viewfinder is casting across the whole viewfinder not just the focus markers.

So when half pressing and you get the bleep to show focus point. The red light shines a sheen across the whole view. Its rather distracting and wasn't like this on my 400d. So is this a fault or totally normal?

Thanks
Simon
 
hi does this happen indoors and in a darken room
 
The light only turns on on darkend conditions it seems. So indoors yes. Though its not exactly dark in here its morning with windows.
 
It's normal. I believe it has three settings; on, off and auto (auto illuminates the viewfinder in dim light).
 
I'm not sure you quite understood what i meant. The red indicator light. Instead of just lighting up the focus points in the view finder its lighting up the whole viewfinder. Light a red flash all over.
 
Yes, I understood and as I said it can be set to on, off or auto (probably default) where it illuminates in dimmer light.
 
Is it just a brief red flash in the viewfinder as you attain focus? If that's the case it's entirely normal.
 
The flash is across the entire view finder not just the indicator points... That is normal?
 
Nutsy said:
The flash is across the entire view finder not just the indicator points... That is normal?
Click to expand...
Yes it's normal. You can switch it off if you like but it's actually a very visual and instant indication that you've obtained focus - a pretty cool feature.

It's actually referred to in the manual and custom functions as 'Viewfinder Illumination' IIRC
 
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Oh, I prefer to just see the flash on the indicator marker only :p

I'm still reading the manual so I haven't got that far yet.

I did have a quick look through the menu but couldn't find the option...
 
Nutsy said:
Oh, I prefer to just see the flash on the indicator marker only :p

I'm still reading the manual so I haven't got that far yet.

I did have a quick look through the menu but couldn't find the option...
Click to expand...

It depends what focus mode you are in how much lights up...

The double bracket one lights everything pretty much..

The other modes light much less...
 
Nutsy said:
I'm not sure you quite understood what i meant. The red indicator light. Instead of just lighting up the focus points in the view finder its lighting up the whole viewfinder. Light a red flash all over.
Click to expand...

If you are not convinced, you can always go to your local Cam shop try out there copy. dont forget to take yours too to check under same conditions .

i have to admit the last time i tried the 7d i found the red af illum. distinctly stronger than the likes of 40d's and 400d's
Cheers,
S
 
Nutsy said:
The flash is across the entire view finder not just the indicator points... That is normal?
Click to expand...

Yes it is normal and I find it a very handy feature. If your eye slightly moves off the focus point and you attain focus lock then the red tint it puts over the viewfinder let's you know you are ready to shoot.

Thinking about it, I really love this feature.
 
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