1D series AF better than 7D?

aerobandit

aerobandit

Messages
2,490
Name
Piotr
Edit My Images
Yes
I have my 7D for a while now and I'm quite happy with it. The only downside IMHO is the AF compared with my old 1D2. While 1D2 was able to lock quickly on the flying bird and track it easily, my 7D is usually struggling and hunting. After the focus is locked, it's very easy to lose it after 1 or 2 seconds. Did anyone else experience similar thing? whats your impressions when you compare 7D with any of the 1D series?
 
Have you explored all the different options for BIF on the 7D? Things like AI servo tracking sensitivity, Servo tracking priority, Servo tracking method, as well as the AF options like single point expansion and Zone AF?
I find Zone AF coupled with a fast tracking sensitivity makes BIF ridiculously easy and you have a block of nine focus points to keep the bird locked-on For more precision capture/tracking of single birds then I use single point expansion with a slow Servo tracking sensitivity, that way if you lose the bird it gives you plenty of time to get back on without the AF going wildly out and locking on to something in the background. I must admit I find all these things are a lot easier for BIF if you also use back button focusing as well.

While the more modern Cameras like the 1D3/4 are probably better than the 7D for BIF (although a lot of people argue that the 7D is better than the 1D3 in this department!) I would have doubted that the older 1D2 would have been so good but having never used one I stand to be corrected.
 
I can't compare as I've never used a 1D but I've had no problems with birds or planes with my 7D, focus locks quickly (depending on lens) and very rarely loses it.

Like Roy I mainly use zone or 19 point AF if the background is clear, if shooting against trees/hills etc I use expanded AF with slow tracking.
 
sthwild said:
but its hunting and losing subject more frequent than my old 1D2.
Click to expand...
Piotr, losing the subject is surely down to the user or are you saying that it loses the subject even when the AF point(s) are still over the bird? if so then that is very strange.
When you say 'hunting' is this to get the initial lock? if so what lens are you using and have you tried setting a focus limiter?
 
Roy C said:
Piotr, losing the subject is surely down to the user or are you saying that it loses the subject even when the AF point(s) are still over the bird? if so then that is very strange.
When you say 'hunting' is this to get the initial lock? if so what lens are you using and have you tried setting a focus limiter?
Click to expand...

surely my shaky hands are not helping but as I said, I didnt have this problem on 1d2. It's loosing the subject sometimes even with AF point right on the spot. It will focus on the bird then "defocus" and look for it again. I was using it with 100-400IS now with 400mm f/5.6.
 
sthwild said:
surely my shaky hands are not helping but as I said, I didnt have this problem on 1d2. It's loosing the subject sometimes even with AF point right on the spot. It will focus on the bird then "defocus" and look for it again. I was using it with 100-400IS now with 400mm f/5.6.
Click to expand...
Are you saying this only happened with the 100-400? if so you do switch off the IS when using for BIF! I am using the 400/5.6 these days and I find it great for BIF with the 7D.Must say I have never come across this with the 7D/400/5.6 combo, it is super fast to lock on and I have not experienced the hunting (except when I try to use a taped tc but that is another subject altogether).
 
Sounds like a configuration issue you can set autofocus to not go hunting around for focus when it looses lock somewhere in the custom functions. Might be with experimenting the AF system on the 7d has a lot of settings
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top