Just an update, here is the setting I use when I posted my question today in this thread, If you just select it and don't move the expanded AF area at all it just stays static and none of the points move in the viewfinder but I am told they are still active in Case 4 and 5 http://www.fosterphoto.co.uk/BlackandWhite/Black-and-White-1/19799439_RHq4zb#!i=2512556445&k=6bFtpLw&lb=1&s=A
May 14, 2013 at 04:10 PM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
Stoffer wrote:
I dont understand how Zone AF can work with iTR AF either.
Nils, this morning I finally set out to verify iTR AF effectiveness.
The camera/lens used: handheld 1DX + 500 II.
AF mode: Servo AF, center AF point with 61 pt. auto selection, iTR AF ON.
The results: On fly-by shots of the type below (a willow tree in the background), iTRF AF (center AF pt. + 61 Pt. auto selection) gives noticeably higher keeper rate than any other AF mode without iTR AF. Typical failure to focus on the target is a diversion to the background.
That is for a simple fly-by case. For head-on flight case I have not accumulated sufficient shot sample size in order to make any good conclusions yet, as such shot opportunities against a busy background are generally scarce.
FosterPhoto wrote:
That very impressive PetKal I wonder if it would track racehorse the same if I aim the centre point on the horse I want to follow?
I think it would, as long as you make sure to get enough DoF. However, if the horse colour is similar to the background colour, then iTR AF doesn't work well. I've seen that sorta thing before, whereas my test target above is very distinct in colour/luminance compared to the background.
PetKal wrote:
Nils, this morning I finally set out to verify iTR AF effectiveness.
The camera/lens used: handheld 1DX + 500 II.
AF mode: Servo AF, center AF point with 61 pt. auto selection, iTR AF ON.
The results:
On fly-by shots of the type below (a willow tree in the background), iTRF AF (center AF pt. + 61 Pt. auto selection) gives noticeably higher keeper rate than any other AF mode without iTR AF. Typical failure to focus on the target is a diversion to the background.
That is for a simple fly-by case. For head-on flight case I have not accumulated sufficient shot sample size in order to make any good conclusions yet, as such shot opportunities against a busy background are generally scarce. ...Show more →
Thanks a lot for testing, Peter! This is actually quite encouraging.
I understand the requirement that the subject should be of an other color and luminance level than the background, but it still sounds like iTR AF can be pretty effective?
Stoffer wrote:
I understand the requirement that the subject should be of an other color and luminance level than the background, but it still sounds like iTR AF can be pretty effective?
Yes, it does look promising if one has the "courage" to use a preselected AF pt + 61 pt. auto selection (that is the very AF mode many of us have shunned in the past), and also we need to develop a good practical feel as to what target/background scenarios would benefit from iTR AF.
I remember a video not so long ago that Canon produced showing one of their Ambassadors using AF pt + 61pt auto selection , he was using it to track runners I believe with great results but I can not remember where the link was ? after all Canon built that 61pt in and really promoted it when they announced the new DX1
PetKal wrote:
Yes, it does look promising if one has the "courage" to use a preselected AF pt + 61 pt. auto selection (that is the very AF mode many of us have shunned in the past), and also we need to develop a good practical feel as to what target/background scenarios would benefit from iTR AF.
I think you're the first here on FM that has shown this level of bravery! Maybe you should consider a new thread on the subject if you decide to gain more experience with iTR AF down the road. It would surely be interesting for a lot of 1D X owners.
AF mode: Servo AF, center AF point with 61 pt. auto selection,
Can you tell me how you set the 61 pt. auto selection, whereby the points move around and glow red? when you say servo AF do you mean AI Servo?
FosterPhoto wrote:
AF mode: Servo AF, center AF point with 61 pt. auto selection,
Can you tell me how you set the 61 pt. auto selection, whereby the points move around and glow red? when you say servo AF do you mean AI Servo?
That is an option where the entire reticular AF point matrix is enveloped by four large brackets in the VF display. In one shot AF, any of those 61 AF points can grab focus. I do not even know if they glow red, my eyesight is not too good plus I do not do this in darkness , but the AF point squares get displayed and move around as they grab focus. Again, that is a one shot deal.
When you switch from one shot AF to AI servo, then the focusing has to start from your preselected AF point. After that starting AF point has been "registered", then any of the 61 AF points can continue to track, and the little AF squares become visible if and when they grab focus.
When ! go to 'Select AF area selec mode' settings in the AF menu the Auto Select Area: 61 pt AF wont keep the tick when I select it for some reason so I can not use the setting you tried on the bird?
Ahh now I have set it! wow do those black squares move around , I will have to try it , when shooting racehorses I aim the centre point at the horses head and follow so I am not sure what will happen with the 61pt auto.
That is odd, mine works fine even w/o any lens on it.
Make sure that on the same menu panel, one line above (i.e., "Selectable AF point") you have chosen all 61 pts., and not 15, or 9 pts, or only cross type AF points. (Although that shouldn't make any difference for tracking which is always based on all eligible AF points. That "eligibility" is lens model dependent. Some lenses curtail the number of available AF points, down from 61. )
So that is the menu line above the "Select AF area selec. mode" line you are talking about.
Incidentally, this is the target-motion type mentioned in my post above, which still requires a bit more testing in order to estimate iTR AF effectiveness.
Maybe you should consider a new thread on the subject if you decide to gain more experience with iTR AF down the road. It would surely be interesting for a lot of 1D X owners. 