Canon R7 R7 AF issues - no sharp images

[shamlin]

I have a nearly new R7 that I'm using with mostly older EF L-series lenses. I've been out with it twice photographing birds and haven't gotten a single usable image - a far cry from the tack-sharp images I expected after reading reviews and watching Youtube videos. The eye detect locks onto my subject and tracks it, giving the appearance that the focus is working exactly as it should, but on download, every image is soft. I ran rhe best of them through DxO PureRaw 3 and it was still very soft, so I ran that image through Topaz Sharp AI. It was still way too soft to be usable.

I have the current firmware and I have a bit of experience with Canon cameras and bird photography in the field - I've been using Canon gear to shoot wildlife since 2004. I called Canon service and spoke at length with a rep there who recommended I send it to the service center. Since I bought the camera used, I expected it would cost me at least a couple hundred dollars for the service. When I filled out the online form, I was pleasantly surprised that the estimate was $0. A couple of nights ago, I was reading reviews of the camera on the B&H website. Among them, I stumbled on a review from a buyer who described precisely the same problem. He sent his to the service center where it was repaired for free too. It fixed the problem for him. I just shipped my camera out yesterday. His experience gives me hope that my camera will return without a surprise bill and capable of delivering the sharp photos I expected.

From my conversation with Canon support, combined with the $0 estimate and the review on B&H, I get the impression my experience isn't unique. I don't think it's a widespread problem, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's more common than the few isolated cases I've been able to find evidence of, since Canon seems to be aware of it and to have a remedy worked out. According to the B&H review, the repair invoice was vague, stating "Your product has been examined and Electrical adjustments were performed." Whatever they did, it fixed the problem for him. I hope to have the same result.

 

[ACEkin]

Hi Jake. I agree fully with your assertions.I have gone through all of the above with Canon,having fully tested the camera myself. The top UK repair centre did likewise as has Canon UK. The camera I have is at fault as it still does odd things such as locking up and refusing to focus, not tracking as it should, changing settings on the touch screen unless it's turned off . The list is a big one. I think I will put it back in the box as I am not convinced that spending a sum on an RF lens is a good investment right now. I did get a super image of a Eurasian Bluetit the other day, showing that the R7 can be brilliant. But...its too random

I fully sympathize with you and your assessments, Barry. I had very similar problems with the camera and the lens as well as Canon factory support. In the end, I was lucky to have an understanding and accepting retailer who replaced both kits I bought from them six months prior. Since then, the same retailer, Hunt's Photo, has done the same for another R7 owner who visited them after reading my article on my Web site. I exchanged many e-mails with that user, whom I did not personally know. Too bad that your retailer did not show the same level of understanding. By the way, I got somewhat better results from the EF L lens than the RF-S kit lens with the old bodies. Now, the kit lens performs fine, and so does the EF 70-200 f/4 L version 1 lens.

 

[Barry]

Sadly, many retailers in the UK only care about taking money off you and offer limited recourse to refunds. I borrowed an RF 100-500mm lens for a few days and put it to the test. Its not really any better than the EF glass with the adapter. At the short end its fine 100mmx 1.6 (160mm actual) but at the 500mm end its off by a good amount. I still get focus shift. I have included an image to show doubters. I pointed the camera clearly at the flower in the centre, with all settings to spot focus as that was my subject. As you can see the best focussed part of the image is to the left, a shift of several degrees. I cannot blame the lens for that as all my lenses did the same more often than not. The camera body is at fault and its been back to Canon who "tested" it and said it "was working to specification". That being the case its rubbish!!! As I have mentioned before I allow some margin for user error but as well over 60% of images taken with the R7 are off, I can only believe that I have a dud!. Into the box it goes ready for sale or PX.

• Canon EOS R7
• RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
• 100.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/125 sec
• ISO 400

 

[AntonLargiader]

It looks like the flower is slightly farther away than the surrounding leaves (below, left, and upper right), which are all in the plane of focus. If I had done everything right, I'd sure be disappointed. When you look at the shot in DPP, where is the active focus point? Can you post the RAW?

 

[Barry]

I didnt shoot in RAW so no-sorry! I agree with you that the plane of focus seems even right across the frome but, with centre weighted focus point surely the camera should concentrate on that point, not the wider area. The active focus point should have been in the centre of the frame. I have many images where this error occurs, despite trying all the focus settings available for comparison. Its like the sensor is slightly on the skew.

 

[ctitanic]

I wonder if the Firmware update 1.4 fixed anything relative to this topic.

 

[Barry]

No it didn't. I updated the firmware before the lens was borrowed.

 

[ctitanic]

That's a problem with Canon, they do not give a detailed list of issues fixed with a firmware. A simple "fixed minor issues" does not cut it.

 

[Barry]

I totally agree. You can't get diddley squat out of them.

 

[Archibald]

I didnt shoot in RAW so no-sorry! I agree with you that the plane of focus seems even right across the frome but, with centre weighted focus point surely the camera should concentrate on that point, not the wider area. The active focus point should have been in the centre of the frame. I have many images where this error occurs, despite trying all the focus settings available for comparison. Its like the sensor is slightly on the skew.

Sorry that your R7 is having focus problems. It happens to all of us at times, but it should be sharp most of the time.

How does the camera perform with bigger subjects that have good contrast? ...like traffic signs or animals with clearly visible eyes that are big in the frame.

What happens if you photograph a flat subject square-on? ... like a wall, or flat copy when on a copy stand. Is the whole image slightly off, or only part? Or maybe it's all sharp.

When shooting, if the little AF points jump around crazily, then you know the camera is having trouble, and anything could happen.

AF should normally perform better when on 1-point (not spot AF). 1-point gives the AF system more data. I know that the camera sometimes behaves inexplicably, but we need to give it the best chance.

When testing for focus, it is best to shoot wide open. That is the most critical. It also avoids focus shift when stopping down, which has been reported for the RF 100mm macro. I don't think it happens with the RF 100-500mm.

By doing some careful tests, it should be possible to determine if the problem is caused by the subject, the camera, or the settings.

 

[Barry]

Bigger subjects are easier to photograph so I would use a wider area focus for them. Under those circumstances there is no problem. My point has always been that I wanted a natural replacement for my 7D mk2 and hoped the R7 would be that camera. As it doesnt perform nearly as well as the 7Dmk2 it doesnt fit the bill. Its like owning a car that has countless faults, better that I trade it in. Its not like I havent explored every avenue. I have had it over a year and have had it back to Canon etc, ie: done all the right things. I have tested the camera in a wide range of conditions and setting changes and have had the same poor results. I will say that when it takes a good picture its really good, sharp, clear and detailed, but thats a rarity. If I cannot trust or rely on it whats the point?