Canon 7DMkII AF system

[Donald]

This is probably only of interest (if at all) to 7DMkII owners.

After 6 months of ownership (albeit interrupted by personal family matters), I feel I have only now started to get to grips with understanding the 7DMkII AF system and how to set the camera up to get the best out of it.

The lesson I've taken from this is that even though it takes some time, that old adage about getting to know the camera and mastering all the controls so that they become 2nd nature, is so important. I now feel confident about making the highly flexible AF system on the 7DMkII work for my benefit.

Something I happened upon by chance (and I'm grateful I did) was this YouTube video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpFezdEC4d4. I don't know who the presenter is (for which I apologise to him), but he is very good.

[James G]

Donald, ... I've been concentrating on macro's of insects for the last couple of months. I'm still 'struggling' with the AF on my MkII.
I've read the manual a number of times, think I understand AF options but have been finding it tricky with the macros.
I've had a quick look already at the video, and it is excellent..... Thanks for posting the link!

[Bobobird]

The series of videos by Arthur Morris. albeit about birds, can be useful.

Kelby has a long discussion about it - the noise part shows off very well the low light/noise capability.

The flicker warning/setting is good for shooting under artificial lights.

One function worth assigning to a button is the "recall/register shooting function". Much like the custom controls. Useful if you have to constantly change between 2 widely differently lit scenes in an instant. I use the "*" for that. It only activates while pressed and since I have back button focus it is pretty easy just pressing the 2 buttons at the same time. Release * button and you are back to whatever you were at.

The toggle button around the joystick is very useful for switching between various focal point clusters. It is active whenever the shutter button is half pressed. Otherwise one needs to use the expansion point button and cycle with the joystick. Big time saver. Of course the expansion button can then be reassigned for something else.

Sometimes while using one of the expansion clusters, we need to quickly change to a single point, the DOF button can be programmed to do that. Like the "recall" function, it needs to be kept pressed while you are focusing.

There is no obvious way to protect an image from accidental deletion. Set the rate button to do that.

@James - use the "spot in spot" focal point for macro. It will pinpoint those tiny eyes.

[Bobobird]

3 other "tips" - use the CF card for main storage and the sd for fall back. Also the burst rate means cards will fill up really quick. Get the biggest/fastest cards.

Those used to larger bodies may want to consider getting a grip both to simulate a larger body and also take an extra battery.

Get a spare battery. The battery is a variant of the that used in the 5D3 and can be used in the 7D2. The 5D3 is a 5fps and I have never had to change the battery for even very long shoots (my personal max is 2000 in a 4 hours period). The 7D2 on the other hand is a 10fps, the battery would have drained in half the time. So do get that spare battery.

I shoot mainly (mostly) flight which mean lots of shots. If your subjects are not as active, that battery with conservative use will last the day. Alternatively the number of burst shots can be changed to say 5 for almost the same kind of battery life on the 5D3.

[Geoff F]

Talking about battery drain. I find the GPS option takes a lot of battery power; even when the camera is turned off, because the GPS function is still working unless you actually remove the battery. Or alternatively, disable the function.

[Donald]

Talking about battery drain. I find the GPS option takes a lot of battery power; even when the camera is turned off, because the GPS function is still working unless you actually remove the battery. Or alternatively, disable the function.

Thankfully, I've never switched that on. I have no use for it.

[Bobobird]

Yes, the GPS will. Same with phones. If one did need the coordinates we can switch it on for a couple of shots then switch it off. Useful sometimes if we want to pass on the exact location to a friend etc.

I would have preferred it to have wireless but that would not be possible with the metal body.

Nothing to do with the camera but if we are on tripods a lot the new UniqBall is a great, great, great replacement for a normal ballhead or gimbal. Andy Rouse has a lot of info on his website.

[Cantab]

Nothing to do with the camera but if we are on tripods a lot the new UniqBall is a great, great, great replacement for a normal ballhead or gimbal. Andy Rouse has a lot of info on his website.

Bobo, do you use the UBH35 or the larger one?

[Bobobird]

The larger one. If you do intend to get one make sure it has the X plated head if possible. Pic shown here - http://www.andyrouse.co.uk/index.php?page_id=189

I got it at retail and it already had the X type head and not the straight head that B&H is showing on their site. Not sure how the shop chain wrangled it (probably a big enough order). Cost me almost the same as the normal retail price though the x plate is selling for quite a bit extra.

Some others I know have switched out of their gimbals and/or fluid heads. Most are bird photographers and the ability to tilt and pan was is not possible with a gimbal. The previous of choice item (in Asia anyway) was the Sachtler fluid head but that thing is heavy.

Some of these guys have removed the plate portion and replaced it with a quick release type. I have that but find it no quicker to release than loosening the plate screw.

Oh btw, one of the American makers have something that fits on the normal heads and makes the head work like a gimbal with tilt and pan but does not have the levelling base that this one has. Also the head and accessory are considerably more expensive.

[rpcrowe]

Michael the Mentor also has a good You-Tube video on the Canon 7D focusing systems...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nBV...5wAUsFqtq2RO1f

He also has a plethora of other training videos on YouTube which "might" (I have not seen them all) be beneficial to some members of CiC...

[rpcrowe]

Nothing to do with the camera but if we are on tripods a lot the new UniqBall is a great, great, great replacement for a normal ballhead or gimbal. Andy Rouse has a lot of info on his website.

Just an aside... I paid less than the cost of the UniqBall for my first car.

[Charlie Woodrich]

Here's a link to a book developed by Canon engineers on how to use the AF on a 7D2.

http://learn.usa.canon.com/resources...uidebook.shtml

[Donald]

Here's a link to a book developed by Canon engineers on how to use the AF on a 7D2.

http://learn.usa.canon.com/resources...uidebook.shtml

I just get to grips with it and then they produce this!!!

This is an expansion of the 'AF Setting Guidebook' that they produced at launch time and I'm sure will be a useful tool.

It raises an interesting point however. Why did they feel they needed to produce this? Are they finding that the AF system is indeed too comprehensive and flexible (some might say too complicated) for a significant number of the target market?

Whatever, I think it will be a useful learning tool.

[Charlie Woodrich]

Look at it this way, this is the new AF protocol for Canon. I shouldn't say new because it is on the 1DX and 5D3. So if you've mastered all of this you can easily move to these bodies. Although after purchasing a new 1D MkII N I promised myself I would never own a pro body if I couldn't depreciate it. I own a 5D3, and unless I win the lotto, this will do just fine.