Canon 7D User Manual

QuickGuide to EOS 7D
Autofocus Modes

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This QuickGuide provides the information you will need
to take full advantage of the Canon EOS 7D’s versatile
19-point autofocus system, ve AF-point selection modes,
and three AF shooting modes. The EOS 7D is adaptable to
practically any shooting style and subject while providing
you with full control and continuous feedback. The more
familiar you are with its capabilities, the better your ability to
apply them to your needs and subject matter.

These instructions assume you are familiar with the
location of basic controls such as the Main Dial on the front
of the camera, immediately behind the shutter button, and
the Quick Control Dial, Set Button (in the center of the
Quick Control Dial) and Multi-controller on the back. We

also assume you will be using a Canon EF-compatible lens
with the AF/MF switch set to AF. The additional AF-specic
controls you will also need to be familiar with include the:

 Multi-function (M-Fn) Button
 AF· Drive Button
 AF Point Selection Button

AF SHOOTING MODE OPTIONS

One Shot AF

In this mode the AF system is set to focus on a stationary
object. Once the system has conrmed sharp focus, a half­press on the shutter button will lock focus. You can then
re-compose (if you wish) before you release the shutter.

AI Servo AF

In this mode the AF system is set to detect a moving
subject, focus on it, and maintain focus as you release
the shutter. This mode is ideal for subjects moving in
three-dimensional space; that is, toward or away from the
camera.

AI Focus AF

The AF system will automatically choose between One
Shot AF or AI Servo AF based on whether it perceives the
subject to be still or in motion. Keep in mind, however, that
because AI Focus may not always be able to discriminate
between subject and camera motion, you will have more
predictable results if you choose One Shot AF for stationary
subjects or AI Servo AF for subjects in motion.

Also note that automatic AF point selection and the
viewnder display will function differently depending on
whether the EOS 7D is set to One Shot or AI Servo AF. We
will highlight these differences throughout this QuickGuide.

AF Mode Selection

To select an AF mode, press the AF· Drive Button, then
turn the Main Dial until the mode of your choice appears
on the LCD panel on top of the camera.

AF POINT SELECTION OPTIONS

Automatic AF Point Selection (Default Mode)

In this mode all 19 AF points are active. You'll see a thin
border around the entire AF point area, which indicates
that Automatic AF point selection is active. In One-Shot
AF Mode, the 7D will focus on the closest subject with
adequate detail. The point(s) being used will appear on­screen.

If you are in AI Servo AF Mode you can pre-select any
of the 19 AF points to use as the starting point to begin
tracking your subject. If the subject moves away from that
point, the camera will automatically select new points and
continue to maintain focus. The new points will appear in
the nder so you always know what the camera is doing.

To pick a starting AF point in Servo AF Mode, rst press
the rear AF Point Selection Button , then use either the
Main Dial, Quick Control Dial or Multi-controller to move
the red highlight in the viewnder to the starting point of
your choice.

Best for: Candids and other non-moving subjects where
you want to quickly focus on whatever is closest to the
camera, or single moving subjects that you expect will
move across the composition as you continue to shoot.

Not recommended for: Situations where you need precise
control over the point of focus.

Zone AF Point Selection

Zone AF works the same way as Automatic AF point
selection except that it restricts the AF points to a small
cluster (zone) you have pre-selected. Within this zone the
system will focus on the closest subject with adequate
detail, even if you're in Servo AF Mode.

You can select from one of ve zones: the nine-point
cluster in the center of the viewnder or a four-point
triangular cluster to the left, right, above, or below the
center. Whichever zone you select, its size and location are
xed. Within the zone you select, the camera will function
just as it would if all 19 points were active.

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Zone AF (cont'd)

Best for: Situations where

you want to concentrate
focus on the area of the
viewnder where you
expect to place your
primary subject.

Not recommended for: Situations where you need more
precise control over the point of focus; specically, where
multiple focus points may cause the camera to focus closer
than you wish.

Manual AF Point

Manual AF point selection
allows you to pick any
one of the 19 AF points
to be active, with the rest
inactive. This forces the
camera to focus upon a

small and precise part
of a subject or scene. A single AF point, visible in black
(or illuminated red) clearly indicates where the camera is
looking to focus.

Best for: Selective focus on a small area such as a
subject’s eye or a subject that has a foreground object such
as a fence or archway in front of it.

Not recommended for: Situations where subject or
camera movement will make it difcult to maintain a
specic point of focus. In these situations AF Point
Expansion may be a better option.

AF Point Expansion

AF Point Expansion allows
you to manually select one
AF point to be the primary
point you want to use. As
long as there is adequate
detail, the system will
concentrate focus on
the one point you have
selected.

If for any reason the
system point loses sight
of the subject or can’t
nd sufcient detail, it will
automatically activative

the surrounding AF points. The number and location of
surrounding AF points will vary depending upon which
AF point you manually selected. There is no way to add
or subtract the surrounding AF points.The viewnder will,
however, display the expanded points: During selection and
shooting your primary AF point will appear as a standard
AF box. The expanded points will have the standard AF
box and a smaller spot AF box within it.

AF Point Expansion will work the same way whether
you’re shooting a stationary subject in One-Shot AF Mode
or tracking a moving subject in AI Servo AF.

Best for: Situations where you want to limit focus to a
specic point but also allow the AF system to automatically
expand that point if it’s unable to achieve focus. This mode
is particularly useful for sports photography and other
moving subjects, especially if you’re concerned that the
single AF point you selected may pick up plain, solid areas
of a player’s uniform, a blank wall, open sky, and so on.

Spot AF Point

As with Manual AF
Point Selection, you
select any one of the
19 AF points to be
the active point of
focus. The difference

is that the AF point is
smaller and more concentrated. This allows you to read
an even smaller area of the subject and focus even more
precisely on one particular element in a scene. When Spot
AF is active, a small secondary box appears inside of your
manually-selected AF point. You will see a “box within a
box” in the viewnder.

Keep in mind that although the AF point size is reduced
as compared to ordinary Manual AF point selection, the
actual area is larger than the inner box. Allow for this fact
when composing and shooting.

Best for: Pin-point focus upon a tiny area of a scene,
particularly when neither the camera nor the subject
are in motion. Spot AF is particularly useful for macro
photography of three-dimensional subjects, where depth­of-eld can be extremely shallow.

Not recommended for: Moving subjects where it may be
difcult to keep the AF point placed on an area of adequate
contrast and detail.

Enabling or Disabling AF Selection Mode Options

The factory default setting is to have AF Point Expansion
mode and Spot AF mode disabled and not selectable. To
enable or disable any of the AF point selection modes:

1. Navigate to Custom Function III-6 (“Select AF area
selec. mode”) on your EOS 7D.

2. Press the Set Button to move the orange
highlighting from the number “6” at the top right
corner down to the Disable-Enable-Register row.

3. Turn the Quick Control Dial to highlight “Register.”
Press the Set Button to select Register.

4. Turn the Quick Control Dial to scroll through the
options. If an option is un-checked, press the Set
Button to display a checkmark. If an option has a
checkmark, pressing the Set Button will uncheck it.

5. Scroll to the word “Apply.” When Apply is
highlighted in orange, press the Set Button.

6. The highlighting will immediately move to the word
“Enable.” Press the Set Button one last time to
lock-in your choices.

How to activate the AF point selection mode of your
choice using the viewnder:

1. Press the rear AF Point Selection Button. The
available focus points will illuminate.

2. Tap the M.Fn Button to cycle through the available
modes. They will appear in green at the bottom of
the viewnder. You will see only the modes you
have previously enabled via Custom Function III-6.

3. When you see the mode of your choice, tap the

Shutter Button to select it.

How to choose the AF point or zone of your choice
using the viewnder:

1. Press the AF Point Selection Button. The available
focus points will illuminate.

2. Using either the Main Dial on the front or the
Quick Controller or Multi-controller on the rear,
move the AF point (or zone) to where you want it.

3. Tap the shutter button half-way to register the point
or zone you’ve chosen.

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