550d v 7d AF System

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Kyle
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Hi All

New to forum and was wondering if anyone could offer advice about whether the AF system on the 7D is noticeably better than the one on my current 550d. I currently use my camera taking pictures of my 2yr old daughter who doesn't sit still for a second so was trying to master the focus tracking without much success. Probably more down to my inexperience but was wondering how different the systems were.

Appreciate any opinions!
 
My 7D has a great AF system.

I think it's as much to do with the lens as the camera...

I'm very happy with the speed of my combinations...

Look for lenses with USM or HSM.
 
Simple answer is yes, the 7D system is better, however depending on lenses you might still struggle. Daniel mentions USM/HSM which are basically lenses with fast focusing motors in them..... now not all are the same, some USM lenses are slower than others, but certainly better than normal lenses.

There is a lot of technique to getting photos in focus with moving subjects and the AI Servo mode is designed to predict where a subject will be in the next split second, then again and again..... if the camera doesn't get a chance to track a subject it is still going to struggle. That is where the faster focusing lenses will help (well they help everywhere, but especially in this situation).

Having good light on your subject will help with focus accuracy and you can stop down a little (use a narrower aperture - bigger f number) to get more in focus, as long as you have enough light to not get motion blur/camera shake.
 
I owned a 400D before I upgraded to a 7D and managed to get perfectly acceptable pictures of my nieces and nephews when they were younger.

Without wanting to sound patronising, I don't think the 7D it's the more advanced AF system will help you as much as perhaps using an external flash gun, bumping up the ISO and using a faster shutter speed :)

I don't think spending all that money on a new body is going to be justifiable (unless you really *want* a new bit of kit and are using this as an excuse to your wife ;) :lol: )
 
Set the 550d up for back button focus, AF tracking is a lot easier with this setting.
 
You need all four of these ingredients:

Good camera (7D :thumbs:)
Good lens.
Good technique.
Good luck.
 
Questions we need to know the answers to:
1. What lens are you using?
2. Can we see some samples of these out-of-focus images?
3. Do you know what AF mode you're using to try and keep them in focus? (Servo, single shot etc.)
 
GR3Z said:
I have a 550d too, what's the back button focus?
Click to expand...

You can set the * button on the back of the 550D to focus, instead of the shutter button, it's done through custom functions C. Fn IV: Operation/OthersShutter/AE Lock Button, it's the 9th option of the 12. set it to 1 AE Lock/AF
 
GR3Z said:
How does this help af tracking?
Click to expand...

It doesn't. But separating focus and shooting operations is often helpful - most people seem to prefer back-button AF.
 
Thank you all for the advice. Think I will spend some more time practising! Have a new 24-105mm f/4 coming tomorrow and heading to Cornwall at weekend so plenty of opportunity!
 
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