7D settings

[boomerd35]

Originally Posted by webtech

OK - Here they are:

Picture Style - Standard (but sharpness upped to 4)

C.Fn III: Autofocus Drive
1 - AI Servo tracking Sensitivity: Set to -1
2 - AI Servo 1st/2nd img priority - Set to 0 - AF priority/Tracking Priority
3 - AI Servo Tracking Method - Set to 0 - Main Focus point priority (that way the camera focuses on what you want, not what it wants)
4 - Lens Drive when AF impossible - Set to 0
5 - AF Microadjustment - Set to 0 (Most people have said this is ineffective. Even the manual says it needs to be done on location where you are shooting to do any good.)
6 - AF area select mode - I have single point w/expansion selected and single point. Been shooting mostly on single point w/expansion for sports.
7 - AF Manual pt. selection pattern - Set to 1 (Continuous)
8 - VF display illumination - set to 1 (Enable)
9 - Display all AF points - Set to 0
10 - Focus Display in AI Servo/MF - Set to 0
11 - AF-assist beam firing - set to 2 (Enable to external flash only)
12 - Orientation linked AF point - Set to 0
13 - Mirror lockup - Set to 0 (Disable)

C.FN IV: Operations/Others

Shutter button is set to Meter only
AF-ON button is turned OFF (too easy to hit accidentally)
AE lock button (*) is set for metering and AF Start

That is how mine is set up up right now and seems to work great. If any of you find a setting on anything that works better, let us all know!

The wifey got a new 7D so I'm going to try it out as my backup tonite. I'm gonna try many of these settings and see how they work out for me. But I had to leave the shutter button function alone since my wife refuses to focus with the * button.

[andyz]

The 7D has a AF button already. You don't need to reset it. I focus with my thumb all the time. Just turn that off on the shutter button, register your settings under C1 (or C2 or C3) and turn the shutter button back on for your wife. Check the manual, but I think that setting will carry over to the user registered settings.

[garykohs]

Originally Posted by catfish

hmmm, some of the issues mentioned in earlier posts are seeming to show their head with my new 7D. I've had 4-6 weeks to play with the camera and get used to the new system and the AF system continues to befuddle me.

I was shooting in AF point expansion, some Zone AF, and Spot AF. Errors in focus were in all 3, the worst in the Zone AF, and the least in the Spot AF.

The camera does not seem to be focusing on what I've got the AF point(s) on, and it's hit or miss. I plan to shoot the big pro bike race in Dallas next month so I went out today to a local crit to practice and work with the settings. Totally hit or miss. I would have one shot in focus, the next shot OOF and the next shot in focus - running in either P, TV or AV mode, single shot and high speed - behind a Tamron 70-200 2.8/f.

I had several shots that weren't just a tad OOF, but completely OOF as well. It seemed as if the first shots in a string would be OOF and then the AF would catch up to where the action was and it would focus. Also had issues with the AF tracking, it would not reliably track in either AI servo or AI focus.

I've read through this thread and set up the camera as others have mentioned here. A quick glance through the images on my computer shows I did get some that look pretty good, a very, very high percentage of shots are not.

I'm about 95% convinced this is not user error but I'm not experienced enough to know what is the next step.

Probably your 7D needs a visit to Canon. [I had to return my first 7D due to just the type of hit and miss behavior you are describing.] When it's properly functioning and using expansion as Andy suggests I've found the focus speed and accuracy to be amazing.

It could be that the Tamron - not the fastest focusing lens around - just can't keep up with the 7D. So my advice would be to borrow or rent a Canon 70-200L and see if the problem goes away.

[catfish]

Update on my 7D. Sent it to Canon 3 weeks ago and got it back Monday. Note attached said that the CMOS sensor was not properly set up and that the camera would not focus properly. They performed electrical and mechanical fixes, tested and updated to latest firmware.

From what I can tell so far, I believe the issue has been resolved!

I was just happy to see I wasn't being crazy about it. ;)

[andyz]

Kewl!

[wmanning]

I recently changed the settings in my 7D to match those that Diana had posted a while back in this thread. Now when I shoot in High continous mode I can only get 4 pictures before the buffer is full and shooting stops until caught up. It only takes about 1-2 seconds before shooting resumes. It doesn't matter what size file I am shooting, raw, large or small jpeg, still only 4 frames. I am using a Sansdisk extreme III 4gb card, so I believe that speed should be sufficient to keep up. During the spring I shot several soccer games and did not have any issues with high continous shooting. I just would like to know if anyone else that changed to these settings is having the same difficulty or is this something completely unrelated? I have emailed Canon Tech Support, but have not received a response back as of yet. Right now I am left scratching my head...
Thanks,
William

[garykohs]

William,

The obvious question is whether you have reset the settings to factory specs and tried a burst. I haven't seen a change in burst/buffer behavior at all. Although I've used Diana's recommendations as a guide I'm not sure I've ever used exactly those settings.

[andyz]

I haven't heard of this and haven't experienced it.

[wmanning]

Thanks Gary and Andy. I will reset to factory settings tonight and see what happens.

William

[andyz]

I'd also ensure that you format the card in the camera first, and that you try a different card as well. I use an 8gb Extreme IV (UDMA) card in my 7D most of the time.

[wmanning]

Andy, I do format my card each time it goes in, and I tried 8 different cards last night. Sansdisk and Lexar, still all the same. Canon tech sent back a reply but wont be able to perform their steps until I get home late tonight. Thank you for your help Andy.

William

[andyz]

I'm interested in what they have you try. Might be good info for the future, although I haven't heard of this.

[wmanning]

Andy and Gary, this is what Canon had to say;" There are several custom functions and other features that can reduce
the continuous shooting speed and buffer depth. For instance:

1) Setting C.Fn II-2 "High ISO Speed Noise Reduction" to "Strong" will
greatly reduce buffer depth, due to the additional memory required for
processing.

2) White balance bracketing will reduce the continuous shooting buffer
depth.

3) A low battery or shooting in low-light areas will reduce continuous
shooting speed.

4) AI Servo focus mode may reduce continuous shooting speed depending on
the subject and lens used.

You can revert the camera to factory defaults for testing by using the
"Clear Camera settings" option on the third tools menu and the "Clear
Custom Functions" option on the custom functions menu in the camera. If
the problem continues after resetting these settings, please let us know
so that we can troubleshoot further. "
Number 1) was the culprit. I changed the setting to 0: Standard and I am back to 20 raw pictures before the buffer can't keep up. I am a happy camper again...
William

[andyz]

Thanks for the follow up. I've never turned that on so it wasn't even in my mind. Glad it was minor.

[carrbowl]

Ok..I saw this thread and want to make sure I haven't lost my mind...which is entirely possible!! I have the need/want for a new camera and was looking at the 5D Mark 2...then saw this about the 7D. I use mine for both portrait and some sports. I would like it to do some better indoor sports, but I do mainly portraits as my money maker as of now. Is the Mark 2 still a better choice for me?? Just making sure!!