Canon R7 R7...very inconsistent auto focus

[JimLeslie]

I have an R7 and the 100-500L lens that are used for aviation photography. When it's on, the results are beautiful.

However, my experience with this combination is that the auto focus results are very inconsistent and highly annoying to say the least. In the same stream of 5 or 6 shots, at least one third to one half will be out of focus. The frame rate is 8 fps, EFCS is selected as is spot AF.

This is not my experience at the same settings with my T7i and Canon 7D II using the EF 100-400 L II. The focus is always spot on and consistent.

Both the R7 and the 100-500 are at the latest firmware versions.

Have others experienced similar results?

 

[PKM-UK]

Hi Jim,

In the absence of any other responses to date, I'll give you my thoughts. My wife (Karen) had a 7D II/ EF 100-400 L II and now has an R7/ RF 100-500 L, but - speculative punts at an aircraft passing overhead aside - we don't do in flight aviation photography, so please make of this what you will.

Though I've seen some users report inconsistent AF performance with their R7's, Karen has good experiences/ outcomes with her set-up/ subjects.

When we moved across from DSLR's to mirrorless we did have to change the way we thought about our set up - particularly with regards to AF. The thing about your post which caught my eye was 'spot AF'. My understanding is this is for honing in on specific points on static objects (e.g. macro).

There are many YouTube articles on R System AF set-up, but you may find AF explained by Randy Winston of interest. (Chapter Markers are your best friend). I believe there are other AF Area options (plus AI Servo and Tracking optimisations) which should yield better/ more consistent results.


Hopefully, other forum users who shoot aviation will be able to provide more specific advice on AF set up and techniques.



Phil

• Join to view EXIF data.

 

[ACEkin]

Several years ago, the R7 series cameras that my wife and I had showed similar problems. Eventually, my local dealer, where I purchased both of them, came to our help and swapped them with new ones. Since then, the erratic focus problems have stopped. My take was, and still is, that the quality control at Canon was probably letting some units hit the market despite some flaws. I shared my thoughts on my website, with a full set of sample files, and I posted that here as well. Of course, my observations and conclusions were intuitive and experience-based. Another R7 user was able to swap his camera based on my article, a while later. Here is the link to the original article on my site:

The shaky saga of Canon R7 Kits - Kept Light Photography

I have been using Canon brand cameras since 1971 when Jan got me one at the PX of the Incirlik Airforce Base. Started with an FTb, I have used well over a

www.keptlight.com

 

[JimLeslie]

Hi Jim,

In the absence of any other responses to date, I'll give you my thoughts. My wife (Karen) had a 7D II/ EF 100-400 L II and now has an R7/ RF 100-500 L, but - speculative punts at an aircraft passing overhead aside - we don't do in flight aviation photography, so please make of this what you will.

Though I've seen some users report inconsistent AF performance with their R7's, Karen has good experiences/ outcomes with her set-up/ subjects.

When we moved across from DSLR's to mirrorless we did have to change the way we thought about our set up - particularly with regards to AF. The thing about your post which caught my eye was 'spot AF'. My understanding is this is for honing in on specific points on static objects (e.g. macro).

There are many YouTube articles on R System AF set-up, but you may find AF explained by Randy Winston of interest. (Chapter Markers are your best friend). I believe there are other AF Area options (plus AI Servo and Tracking optimisations) which should yield better/ more consistent results.


Hopefully, other forum users who shoot aviation will be able to provide more specific advice on AF set up and techniques.



Phil


View attachment 44344