Sreejib Loc: Calcutta, INDIA

Few days ego my friends purchased a Canon 7D. But after taking lots of pics we found maximum of those are soft or slight out of focus. Even I have also tried lots with this camera along with its various focusing mode & 3 to 4 different lenses.
Not only the fast moving subject was blurred the static subject is also out of focus, after tried to maintaining the total photographic rule. Have anybody experienced with the same problem, if yes, then please tell me the solution.

old ferret Loc: salisbury plain, uk

Have you tried the microafjustment function, Cfn III,5.
This will allow you to adjust the focus of the lens. Page 227 of the camera manual, which can be downloaded from the Canon site.

mikemilton

Well, if you have the same experience with several lenses, you should know that the micro adjustment is lens-specific. Basically, it is intended to accomodate the fact that tolerances can add up to poor focus if the lens and body happen to be a complete mismatch in their normal variability.

Personally, if this happens with many lenses, either you need to change your technique (ie: you are doing something wrong) or the camera has a problem.

Why not try to eliminate factors that may contribute? Put the camera on a tripod, pick a (still) subject, select a focus point appropriate to the subject and composition, take the pic. Did it focus (or not)? You can check on the screen on the back by zooming in while *showing* the selected focus point.

If that is out of focus, there is some problem. If it isn't then try other focus points and add variables.

It isn't unusual for a camera set to automatically select the focus point to pick one you don't expect. Canon cameras typically pict the closest thing under a focus point. If you want something else to be in focus, pick a point over the thing you want in focus.

I've had over 6 canon bodies and never had one that had a focussing problem that was inherent.

If you do decide to try microadjustment, DO follow the instructions and do this for each of your lenses.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Of all the AF modes, I haven't had much success with the Zone AF on the 7D.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Factory reset your camera, leave it on Auto and a tripod then take a photo. If it is clear look to your technique or contact Canon. http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/standard_display/contact_us_consumer

Sreejib Loc: Calcutta, INDIA

Yes, Ferret I know the micro adjustment. But, can you tell me that why the all 4 lenses [Canon EFS 18-135mm, Canon EF 70-200mm F/4 L, Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8, & Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8] are need for micro adjustment while those lenses are absolutely fantastic with my 60D.

Sreejib Loc: Calcutta, INDIA

Yes Mike , already I have done every thing that you have said except the micro adjustment. I put the camera on a sturdy tripod, taking the single focus point at center, & keep the mirror lockup & shutter speed always grater than the focal length.
Now, my question is why the all 4 lenses are need to micro adjustment while those are fantastic with my 60D.
The lenses are
1. Canon EFS 18-135mm.
2. Canon EF 70-200mm F/4 L.
3. Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8.
4. Tamron SP 90mm Macro F/2.8

mikemilton

The only thing you have not said is if the focus is off in the same direction for all the lenses.

There are variances in all lenses and bodies. These may work out to a wash or they mad add up to OOF images.

That said, the odds of all four lenses and your 60D being 'off' in the same direction such that they work well while your 7D is spot on and showing that all four of the lenses are 'off' the same way seem slight.

You seem to have a couple of options:
- return the body for replacement
- seek a canon repair
- try you own microadjustment

So, Are they all OOF the same direction and consistently or in different directions or inconsistently. If they are consistently fine on your other body but all over the place on the new one, that suggests a problem to me that you might want some help from Canon on.

Noela

If you have the latest firmware, there is an issue with one of the "switches". Go to a Canon forum and see how you can correct this. This focus issue is part of a change to save battery, but it does affect focus in Tv, Av, M, and Bulb mode. As far as I know it is 7D specific. I had the problem, and the correction worked for me.

shutterbug64 Loc: Colorado

Can't find it in the forum?

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Hello Noela

In which forum are you referring to please post the site thank you?

Hendrickus

take the two batteries out for a few minutes this is supposed to reset AF .it worked for me

Noela

I'm sorry. I'm away from home right now and don't have access to my computer. I originally found the information by Googling "auto focus problems with 7D". Hope this helps. I do know it appeared after doing the firmware update, but I didn't realize the issue right away because most of my shooting was MF.

shutterbug64 Loc: Colorado

The 7D has 2 batteries?

Noela

Yes, it does. When you take both of them out you will reset your camera to default settings. If you are running the latest firmware, you will not have soled the problem. I know, I tried that too. I also tried restoring all default settings through the menu, that didn't work.