Canon R7 - better autofocus than 7D MKII or Canon 90?

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davholla

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David
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As in the title is the autofocus noticeably better than those two in real life.
I mainly photograph birds with a Sigma 150-600 mm and an Canon 60 mm (but I might get a Sigma 150mm)
I am thinking of getting it using Canon hire to test it.
 
Mike.P said:
In a word .... Yes.

Tracking is on another level, the only reason I got rid of mine was size (and lack of a grip)
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This ............... :plus1:

Tracking is another level to any DSLR I've owned, including a Mk1 7D and 5Div. Tracking is good on those but the animal eye detect on the R7 is witchcraft.

I do find some missed focus issues on the R7 in burst mode, in between frames but I rarely use that, so no biggy for me.

I would also say, I've used the Sigma on the R7 and it worked well but would sometimes hunt for focus. I've now switched to the 100-400 Mk2 on the R7 and it's better but that's to be expected from a Canon lens on a Canon body. Not knocking the Sigma, it's a lovely lens.
 
Mike.P said:
In a word .... Yes.

Tracking is on another level, the only reason I got rid of mine was size (and lack of a grip)
Click to expand...
Dale. said:
This ............... :plus1:

Tracking is another level to any DSLR I've owned, including a Mk1 7D and 5Div. Tracking is good on those but the animal eye detect on the R7 is witchcraft.

I do find some missed focus issues on the R7 in burst mode, in between frames but I rarely use that, so no biggy for me.

I would also say, I've used the Sigma on the R7 and it worked well but would sometimes hunt for focus. I've now switched to the 100-400 Mk2 on the R7 and it's better but that's to be expected from a Canon lens on a Canon body. Not knocking the Sigma, it's a lovely lens.
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Thank you both, have either of you used it for insects?
Also with the sigma did you try the latest software?
 
davholla said:
Thank you both, have either of you used it for insects?
Also with the sigma did you try the latest software?
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I use mine during the summer for insects, it plays very nicely with the EF 100 f2.8L I usually manually focus for insects though.

I keep the Sigma updated, bought the dock last year and it's a doddle. (y)
 
Dale. said:
I use mine during the summer for insects, it plays very nicely with the EF 100 f2.8L I usually manually focus for insects though.

I keep the Sigma updated, bought the dock last year and it's a doddle. (y)
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And the sigma was still not perfect despite that?
 
I wouldn't be using AF for insects with a macro lens tbh.

FTH
 
davholla said:
And the sigma was still not perfect despite that?
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The biggest issue for me with the Sigma was the out of focus frames between shots in burst mode. It never really bothered me though as I don't usually use burst mode. I shoot a lot of birds with my R7 and mostly perched as we rarely get the light here for bird squabbles at the hide feeders/perches, so until that day comes, I won't be using burst mode. The Sigma does seem to hunt a little more than the Canon but that's to be expected with a 3rd party lens. It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me if the Canon 100-400Mkii wasn't in the equation, it's still a very nice set up.

The Sigma is a cracking lens and the main thing for me, sharpness was excellent on my copy.

Since I've gotten the 100-400Mkii though, the difference is noticeable, the Canon is snappier when it comes to AF, probably faster too and sharpness with the Canon on the R7 is second to none. That said, I stil get the missed focus between frames in burst mode to an extent (although, improved) it's just an R7 thing I think, rather than the lens itself.

You would though expect the Canon lens to operate better on a Canon body than a 3rd party lens would.

I should point out too that I obviously use the adapter but IME, it's seamless, you wouldn't know it's there.

I think you'll find manually focusing for insects more reliable than AF, when in close with such shallow DOFs involved.


View: https://youtu.be/0bqIgpX9Lvk
 
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I have a R7, a 7Dii and a Sigma 150-600. To me the AF is better on the R7. I don’t find hunting a problem but I very rarely use burst mode. My firmware is up to date, but I don’t think it has been updated for quite a while.

I have tried the Canon 100-400 L mark ii and found the AF faster than the Sigma, but I prefer to have the extra reach.

As an aside, I don’t like the noise in the R7 images, but they do clean up well with the appropriate software.

As you say, use Canon’s Try The Kit scheme and find out for yourself. You should be able to get a R7 fairly quickly.
 
Chipper said:
I have a vague memory that the R7 doesn't take a grip. This might not be true.
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There is not a specifically made one but you can adapt one from a 20D grip albeit it doesn't take the batteries. It is in all intents and purposes just a grip. It's what I use. It's fine.
 
Brentor said:
I have a R7, a 7Dii and a Sigma 150-600. To me the AF is better on the R7. I don’t find hunting a problem but I very rarely use burst mode. My firmware is up to date, but I don’t think it has been updated for quite a while.

I have tried the Canon 100-400 L mark ii and found the AF faster than the Sigma, but I prefer to have the extra reach.

As an aside, I don’t like the noise in the R7 images, but they do clean up well with the appropriate software.

As you say, use Canon’s Try The Kit scheme and find out for yourself. You should be able to get a R7 fairly quickly.
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Sadly it is not longer free but still not a bad thing.
 
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