Canon 7D autofocus strategy

bigsnowdog

I have a 40D for a personal camera and just took delivery of a 7D for my work setting. They are similar, yet different.

Regarding the autofocus system, the manual does not make clear to me how and why I choose certain strategies, best modes, for autofocus.

I have an AF point selection button, an AF-ON button, and you are also directed to use the M-Fn button.

I don't care to have it decide all for me, and am uncertain as to what it defaults to.

Does anyone have a lucid line of comment on the 7D's autofocus system and how to best make use of it?

Thank you.....

ziggy53

The simplest strategy is to use single AF point selections, and to position the points where you wish prime focus to be. I highly recommend making use of the 7D's ability to designate different points for landscape and portrait orientations.

The only deviation from the above is when working in extremely low light. In that situation the center AF point is both more sensitive and more accurate with lenses of f2.8 or better so it makes sense to use that point alone if the other points are either sluggish or inaccurate. Do remember that focus and recompose does result in geometrical errors at close proximity to the subject or with a wide angular deflection from where you focus to where you compose.

Ric Grupe

Check these videos out.

pathfinder

Great link, Ric!

Ric Grupe

pathfinder wrote:

Great link, Ric!

Thanks...I'll need to watch them again myself before spring (shooting season for me) arrives.

Maybe I should read the manual too...........:nah

Ann McRae

Thanks for that link, Ric. Wonderful!

ann

kewlcanon

http://www.video.bhphotovideo.com/index.jsp?ens&rdm=95608.63777893019

Type in 'Canon 7D' on the Video Search box, you'll see some tutorials from a Canon engineer.

Another link that I like the most...short and sweet.

http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=3049&productID=329&articleTypeID=5

bigsnowdog wrote:

I have a 40D for a personal camera and just took delivery of a 7D for my work setting. They are similar, yet different.

Regarding the autofocus system, the manual does not make clear to me how and why I choose certain strategies, best modes, for autofocus.

I have an AF point selection button, an AF-ON button, and you are also directed to use the M-Fn button.

I don't care to have it decide all for me, and am uncertain as to what it defaults to.

Does anyone have a lucid line of comment on the 7D's autofocus system and how to best make use of it?

Thank you.....

Ric Grupe

Ann McRae wrote:

Thanks for that link, Ric. Wonderful!

ann

You are welcome, Ann. :curtsey:D

mercphoto

bigsnowdog wrote:

I have a 40D for a personal camera and just took delivery of a 7D for my work setting. They are similar, yet different.

Regarding the autofocus system, the manual does not make clear to me how and why I choose certain strategies, best modes, for autofocus.

I have an AF point selection button, an AF-ON button, and you are also directed to use the M-Fn button.

I don't care to have it decide all for me, and am uncertain as to what it defaults to.

Does anyone have a lucid line of comment on the 7D's autofocus system and how to best make use of it?

Thank you.....

It does look very similar to the 45-point system of the 1-series cameras, and that is impressive for a camera this cheap. About the only thing lacking, other than truly having 45-points as opposed to 19, is a focus speed setting.

If you read up on auto focus strategies for the 1-series (1D Mark II, II-n, III or IV) it would give you some additional further information that would apply, to varying degrees, even to the 7D. Just extra food for thought.

kewlcanon

There is a focus speed setting on 7D.

mercphoto wrote:

It does look very similar to the 45-point system of the 1-series cameras, and that is impressive for a camera this cheap. About the only thing lacking, other than truly having 45-points as opposed to 19, is a focus speed setting.

If you read up on auto focus strategies for the 1-series (1D Mark II, II-n, III or IV) it would give you some additional further information that would apply, to varying degrees, even to the 7D. Just extra food for thought.

bigsnowdog

I just got home and was able to check this thread. Thank you for all the great comments and assistance.