Morning peeps. I was checking my camera and testing some of my lenses, and I came to thinking, how are you folks utilizing the focus points on your 5D3's? I know a lot of us here are use to using the center focusing point on the old 5D's. Now that the 5D3 actually has a descent AF system, and a system where the outer points actually work, have you been using the different focus points? I'm not gonna lie, I've used this camera at two gigs so far, and I'm still a bit overwhelmed with all the options. There's 5 screens for just the AF for goodness sake! What have you found to be a good setup so far? Are you finding yourself sticking with just the center point like before? The outer points seem to focus pretty damn well though, so I don't see why center point should take center stage now. Also, while I was testing, I noticed that images were a tad bit sharper on the center focus when using just the middle point vs the middle expand and the middle expand surround. Anyone else notice this? I'm still not use to using the full 61 point focusing yet, but I might give it a try this weekend during certain moments to see how it holds up. Would love to hear about your experience so far.
The 50L is now one of my fav lenses since getting the 5D3. Shot at near wide-open apertures, focus and recompose is not a good idea.
I've started using whatever focus points I need to use instead of center focus. It does take some getting used to.
I've also turned on the focus point expansion so that the focus points above and to the sides also assist. Not sure if they even help..but I've been extremely happy with the results.
As far as AF Tracking in Servo, I've left it as Case 2....for processionals or other slow moving targets, it works just fine.
There is a primary and secondary priority setting (can't remember the exact term), but I set the first priority to release priority and the second priority to the middle option - between release and focus priority. AI servo is now CRAZY good for the dance floor. Seriously.
I'm still focus and recomposing out of pure habit. I'm desperately trying to control the impulse to do it and use the other points now that I have them, but that is such a time suck. Ugh.
The lowly 40D had very usable outer focus points so it was a huge pain adjusting to center point recompose with the 5Dc. I am so looking forward to going back to using the outer focus points on the 5D3.
I only use the cross type points or double cross type orwhatever the hell you call them.....I use those. I have always moved points around, even with my 5Dc bodies. Only recomposing when there wasn't enough light. It's so much easier to do now with the new body.
I've used mine quite extensively for personal work and at two weddings. I know exactly what you mean.
Prior to the first paid job I went through the menu systems of both and set them all up to the same settings. A few of those options have changed as experience has taught me better, but largely I've been fairly pleased.
I'm using the second of the AI Servo scenarios. The one for tracking which ignores subjects briefly entering the frame. I figured this would give me a good balance between tracking tenacity and help avoid situations where (for example) a guest crosses in front of me.
I initially set the camera up to use the separately registered AF points for vertical and portrait shooting and to have continuous cycling 'round the corner' of AF points but I've subsequently changed both settings for the following reasons:
I've found it too easy to forget that I've got the AF point somewhere unusual in, say, vertical orientation, and then switching to it on the fly have found it's safer to have an expected result which can be changed rather than an unexpected one that may throw me for a second or two.
The continuous 'looping' AF point selection - where the AF point selection doesn't stop at the edge of the screen sounded good in theory but I've found that it makes it easy to overshoot the outer AF points when using the wheels. By having it stop at the edges this doesn't happen. It reminds me a bit of the thinking behind the Mac OS's display-top menu system rather than the window-top menu system that has been the case in Windows. It effectively gives you an unlimited area to hit as you can't 'overshoot' the menubar.
As for AF points, I have disabled selection of the non-cross type points and am using ones other than the central point plenty, but I too am finding that the urge to focus recompose is still very much there! One downside is that when you're in spot metering and you then move your AF point off centre, things (obviously) go awry if you try and shoot without first locking exposure. Am I right in thinking that the 1DX has spot metering tethered to the selected AF point? I didn't realise how valuable that functionality was until I got into using the camera.
I'd suggest sitting down and going through the menu items with regards to AF and really making a point of understanding it all. Even if you're not sure how best to deploy it, an understanding of the different functionalities has been useful to me and made me feel less overwhelmed. That said, I'm still learning new stuff about the cameras capabilities!
I have left the servo sensitivity settings at default. For Servo priority, I moved it all the way to "focus priority" - meaning the camera needs to achieve focus before the shutter will release. It's so good, that this won't be an issue most of the time and it will cut down on the number of blurry frames when tracking.
As for AF points, I've reduced it from 61 down to 15 (or 16, I forget). To be honest, I'd probably be ok with only 9 AF points, but this particular option is too small of an array. All of the 9 points are clustered in the center. The 16 point option has a larger, more useful array.
For AF point selection, I strongly prefer the direct controller method.
As for general usability, this camera is changing the way I shoot. I can now use fast primes with any AF point on the grid and not have to constantly worry about focus. I still focus and recompose to a small extent when I cant get an AF point over the exact spot I want, but it's far less than before.
Question .... Does the 5Dmk3 allow you to push the joy stick 'down' or 'in' to return the AF point to the center.
Assuming you are using one of the AF spot modes?
The 7D has this feature and i use it from time to time.
Since shooter are annoyed at the illumination of AF points.... this would help shooter find the actual active AF spot.
Ziffl3 wrote:
Question .... Does the 5Dmk3 allow you to push the joy stick 'down' or 'in' to return the AF point to the center.
Assuming you are using one of the AF spot modes?
The 7D has this feature and i use it from time to time.
Since shooter are annoyed at the illumination of AF points.... this would help shooter find the actual active AF spot.
Yes it does. I also do this to find the AF point from time to time.
Not only can you press the joystick to get to the center....if you press it again, it takes you back to the last point used. That's one of the little features I really love.
Can I just pay one of you guys who knows what this thing is actually capable of, in terms of AF, to sit down and show me? My eyes went numb looking at the manual. Seriously.
Favorite feature is turning the depth of field preview button to activate Servo focus while pressed. Thumb for back button focus, ring finger on DOF button and it instantly turns into a tracking machine. Found super helpful during Bride and Grooms exits and any scene that goes from static to very active movements like a bride walking down stairs.
Nailed a good number of shots I know the 5Dc or MK II would miss from focus recompose or just to get the focus tracked in time. Still trying to get the processing down in LR4 though.
ckhagen wrote:
Can I just pay one of you guys who knows what this thing is actually capable of, in terms of AF, to sit down and show me? My eyes went numb looking at the manual. Seriously.
Haha! My manual is still in plastic. I just started pressing buttons, which is pretty much how I learn everything. Fortunately for me, I haven't blown anything up yet.
ckhagen wrote:
Can I just pay one of you guys who knows what this thing is actually capable of, in terms of AF, to sit down and show me? My eyes went numb looking at the manual. Seriously.
THIS
Where are some good youtube tutorials when you need one?
ckhagen wrote:
I'm still focus and recomposing out of pure habit. I'm desperately trying to control the impulse to do it and use the other points now that I have them, but that is such a time suck. Ugh.
I shoot 1divs and I do the same thing for a lot of stuff....but I'm almost always using off center for sports.
