Canon R7 R7 Frustrations

[Barry]

Back again. I have now lost patience with the R7 . I have just taken 300 + images in good light using a 1.4x extender on a 100-400mm EF zoom and the adapter ring. I have tried a variety of settings with av, tv, fully automatic, and a range of ISO settings. I have used 1 shot AF, servo AF, mechanical, electronic first curtain and silent shutter modes ........ you get the picture? I have basically tried everything settings wise and been consistent with the choice of lens etc. Result is 12 sharp images and about 290 blurs.

MY camera is a piece of junk!!!! Its gone back to Canon with a stiff note. Apparently there are quite a few people in the UK with the same issues. Are you listening CANON????

 

[RickyRed]

Try resetting the camera back to stock settings. The R7 with canpn EF adapter and EF 100-400 II is an amazing piece of kit. I don't use the noisy mechianial shutter. Just an outstanding camera.

 

[Only RF]

Try resetting the camera back to stock settings. The R7 with canpn EF adapter and EF 100-400 II is an amazing piece of kit. I don't use the noisy mechianial shutter. Just an outstanding camera.

I had the 100-400 II since its release. I shot for almost two years with that lens and the R and it was excellent. My 7D2 never came out of the bag. I ordered both the R5/100-500 and sold the 100-400 II before I got the R5. I know I would have had zero issues using the 100-400 on any ML body.

 

[Only RF]

When things didn't seem right I reset my R5 a few times. All the menu items on that page. Good advice by RickyRed.

 

[Barry]

Interesting reading . I have done what you suggested regarding resetting the camera back to stock. I haven't used a tripod yet as most of my wildlife shooting isn't done in static situations . With my old DSLR kit it didn't matter, I got the shots I was after, but the R7 won't play ball. I have found today a couple of settings to switch off and they have improved the hit rate quite a bit. I turned off all the tracking functions and subjects to track. The eye tracking is appalling anyway. I changed the metering modes around from evaluative through the whole set and compared the results. I even tried auto ISO , something I really dislike doing. Somebody mentioned that sticking to single shot AF would help so I tried that too. All the above made a difference, some improved, others a waste of effort. I am now trying shorter lenses like the 24-105mm L series zoom. I am getting more consistent results with it. BUT !!!! The whole point of my purchasing an R7 was to have an improvement over the 7DmkII. With of course the bonus of extra reach provided by the APS-C sensor. This I haven't got because the longer lenses result in too many bad hits. Did Canon really test out this camera with EF glass? Did they really think we would all happily go and buy a whole set of new RF lenses and secretly didn't bother ensuring the EF glass was really compatible? Who knows.
I don't want an R5, my 5Dmk4 is well suited to the non-wildlife aspects and is superb!

A question for anyone who can assist. Would I really need to spend out on an RF lens of 400mm or higher to ensure that the R7 performed at its best or is there another way?
I have listened carefully to everyone's suggestions and experiences of RF technology and want to get the best I can from it.

 

[Barry]

Second this.

I'd be also curious to know if you tested on static setting so put camera on tripod, use phone app as remote (so you don't touch the camera) on a static subject, preferably something with clear contrast or even those focus test sheets. Whenever I had focus trouble on my earlier dslr bodies the focus tests would give indication on what might be causing it and start figuring out what's the steps to correct it. Could be faulty camera, for example if the sensor is not in plane it'd cause lot of focus issues.

Yes I think that's a worthwhile suggestion. I have has cameras out of calibration before and the guys at Lehmanns in the UK sorted it for me.( they are the approved repair and service people in England)

 

[pcassel]

I think the tripod suggestion was to rule out certain factors. I think it is worth the try.

Where the purchase of an RF 400 lens may no be what's needed, a day or two rental of one may be instructive in offering you direction to get the camera solution you seek.

 

[Only RF]

I think the tripod suggestion was to rule out certain factors. I think it is worth the try.

Where the purchase of an RF 400 lens may no be what's needed, a day or two rental of one may be instructive in offering you direction to get the camera solution you seek.

It's what I used to do with with my DSLR's. Compared phase detect to LV.

 

[Jake Shoots Birds]

The eye tracking is appalling anyway.

Really?!

REALLY?!

I'm going to have to say that there's either a ton of user error going on here or your body is garbage (I am not implying either), because I find myself wishing my R5 had this eye tracking every time I pick up the R7. As said, I have had issues with what the camera decided to focus on once the eye was locked, but the eye was most certainly locked. I'll just leave it at that, because if this is what you're experiencing then I've got no more help to give.

 

[Only RF]

We would still like to see see samples.

 

[TonyB]

I have an R7 as a second body to an R5. I find it to be excellent and is my preference for traveling being a lighter, smaller system. Regarding the eye tracking and overall camera performance, I find the R7 delivers excellent results, however, I am using only RF lenses. If you’re not feeling the same and are confident in your settings and technique, I would recommend you get the camera over to Canon to get checked. Obviously, others are not sharing in your experiences with the R7.

This was taken with the R7 and RF100-500 w/1.4x.

• Canon EOS R7
• RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM + EXTENDER RF1.4x
• 420.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 500