5D3 AF illumination point issue ever fixed?

[zlatko]

I'm doubting that there will be a good fix on any future cameras, Canon is stuck on their LCD in the viewfinder as being more useful than being to focus on a specific subject.

In One Shot, the active AF point lights up when focus is achieved. If I'm in a dark setting and I forget which AF point is active, I just focus on anything and the active AF point lights up. Or I press the AF point selection button and the active AF point lights up for 6 seconds. So, although there's no option to have it on continuously, either of those options works and isn't too onerous.

 

[weixing]

Hi,
Although the AF mode is set to "AI Servo", you still can use "One Shot" AF... in my example, the "*" button is configure as "One Shot" AF button, so I can still use "One Shot" AF by pressing "*" button.

Have a nice day.

Why would I bother? The points on my 5D MK III don't flash in AI Servo in any event, so a klutzy change that results in no AF point lighting even when AF is reached?

I'm replying to the section you mention about 7D2.

Anyway, since can be done on 7D2... so I think if there is no alternate solution, a similar method might be implement in 5D4. Anyway, we'll know soon as 5Ds is coming out and it should have some indication on how Canon going to solve this issue.

Have a nice day.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Hi,
Although the AF mode is set to "AI Servo", you still can use "One Shot" AF... in my example, the "*" button is configure as "One Shot" AF button, so I can still use "One Shot" AF by pressing "*" button.

Have a nice day.

Why would I bother? The points on my 5D MK III don't flash in AI Servo in any event, so a klutzy change that results in no AF point lighting even when AF is reached?

I'm replying to the section you mention about 7D2.

Anyway, since can be done on 7D2... so I think if there is no alternate solution, a similar method might be implement in 5D4. Anyway, we'll know soon as 5Ds is coming out and it should have some indication on how Canon going to solve this issue.

Have a nice day.

I was referring to the topic 5D MK III, sometimes the discussion gets off track, and then its confusing.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I'm doubting that there will be a good fix on any future cameras, Canon is stuck on their LCD in the viewfinder as being more useful than being to focus on a specific subject.

In One Shot, the active AF point lights up when focus is achieved. If I'm in a dark setting and I forget which AF point is active, I just focus on anything and the active AF point lights up. Or I press the AF point selection button and the active AF point lights up for 6 seconds. So, although there's no option to have it on continuously, either of those options works and isn't too onerous.

Its quite onerous if the subject is moving, you end up focusing to a empty portion of the stage or on the wrong person. As I noted, capturing moving subjects, such as a leap or a event that happens in a fraction of a second just doesn't work fiddling around trying to get the point to light up.

Fortunately, I have at least two chances, because I am able to photograph two rehearsals.

This was in dim light, and the dancer was sick the 2nd night, so there was only one chance. I cut the top off and would have zoomed out the 2nd night.

 

[zlatko]

I'm doubting that there will be a good fix on any future cameras, Canon is stuck on their LCD in the viewfinder as being more useful than being to focus on a specific subject.

In One Shot, the active AF point lights up when focus is achieved. If I'm in a dark setting and I forget which AF point is active, I just focus on anything and the active AF point lights up. Or I press the AF point selection button and the active AF point lights up for 6 seconds. So, although there's no option to have it on continuously, either of those options works and isn't too onerous.

Its quite onerous if the subject is moving, you end up focusing to a empty portion of the stage or on the wrong person. As I noted, capturing moving subjects, such as a leap or a event that happens in a fraction of a second just doesn't work fiddling around trying to get the point to light up.

Fortunately, I have at least two chances, because I am able to photograph two rehearsals.

This was in dim light, and the dancer was sick the 2nd night, so there was only one chance. I cut the top off and would have zoomed out the 2nd night.

In a situation like that you can use a wider focus area, like the combination of 9 AF points, to increase your AF success rate. As long as you remember where they are within the viewfinder, you're unlikely to miss when the subject leaps.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I'm doubting that there will be a good fix on any future cameras, Canon is stuck on their LCD in the viewfinder as being more useful than being to focus on a specific subject.

In One Shot, the active AF point lights up when focus is achieved. If I'm in a dark setting and I forget which AF point is active, I just focus on anything and the active AF point lights up. Or I press the AF point selection button and the active AF point lights up for 6 seconds. So, although there's no option to have it on continuously, either of those options works and isn't too onerous.

Its quite onerous if the subject is moving, you end up focusing to a empty portion of the stage or on the wrong person. As I noted, capturing moving subjects, such as a leap or a event that happens in a fraction of a second just doesn't work fiddling around trying to get the point to light up.

Fortunately, I have at least two chances, because I am able to photograph two rehearsals.

This was in dim light, and the dancer was sick the 2nd night, so there was only one chance. I cut the top off and would have zoomed out the 2nd night.

In a situation like that you can use a wider focus area, like the combination of 9 AF points, to increase your AF success rate. As long as you remember where they are within the viewfinder, you're unlikely to miss when the subject leaps.

Really? That is a severe crop, their were other dancers on the stage and I wanted just that one.


Its really great to have advice, but it is not always practical.

 

[zlatko]

I'm doubting that there will be a good fix on any future cameras, Canon is stuck on their LCD in the viewfinder as being more useful than being to focus on a specific subject.

In One Shot, the active AF point lights up when focus is achieved. If I'm in a dark setting and I forget which AF point is active, I just focus on anything and the active AF point lights up. Or I press the AF point selection button and the active AF point lights up for 6 seconds. So, although there's no option to have it on continuously, either of those options works and isn't too onerous.

Its quite onerous if the subject is moving, you end up focusing to a empty portion of the stage or on the wrong person. As I noted, capturing moving subjects, such as a leap or a event that happens in a fraction of a second just doesn't work fiddling around trying to get the point to light up.

Fortunately, I have at least two chances, because I am able to photograph two rehearsals.

This was in dim light, and the dancer was sick the 2nd night, so there was only one chance. I cut the top off and would have zoomed out the 2nd night.

In a situation like that you can use a wider focus area, like the combination of 9 AF points, to increase your AF success rate. As long as you remember where they are within the viewfinder, you're unlikely to miss when the subject leaps.

Really? That is a severe crop, their were other dancers on the stage and I wanted just that one.

Its really great to have advice, but it is not always practical.

I'm talking about using either 8-point expansion (which creates a cluster of 9 points) or perhaps zone AF, instead of a single point —
http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2012/5d3_multiple_af_points.shtml
For moving subjects, those methods have worked better for me than using a single point.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I'm doubting that there will be a good fix on any future cameras, Canon is stuck on their LCD in the viewfinder as being more useful than being to focus on a specific subject.

In One Shot, the active AF point lights up when focus is achieved. If I'm in a dark setting and I forget which AF point is active, I just focus on anything and the active AF point lights up. Or I press the AF point selection button and the active AF point lights up for 6 seconds. So, although there's no option to have it on continuously, either of those options works and isn't too onerous.

Its quite onerous if the subject is moving, you end up focusing to a empty portion of the stage or on the wrong person. As I noted, capturing moving subjects, such as a leap or a event that happens in a fraction of a second just doesn't work fiddling around trying to get the point to light up.

Fortunately, I have at least two chances, because I am able to photograph two rehearsals.

This was in dim light, and the dancer was sick the 2nd night, so there was only one chance. I cut the top off and would have zoomed out the 2nd night.

In a situation like that you can use a wider focus area, like the combination of 9 AF points, to increase your AF success rate. As long as you remember where they are within the viewfinder, you're unlikely to miss when the subject leaps.

Really? That is a severe crop, their were other dancers on the stage and I wanted just that one.

Its really great to have advice, but it is not always practical.

I'm talking about using either 8-point expansion (which creates a cluster of 9 points) or perhaps zone AF, instead of a single point —
http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2012/5d3_multiple_af_points.shtml
For moving subjects, those methods have worked better for me than using a single point.

I'm glad you like the black AF points. The AF point was on the dancer, but on her knee since she jumped higher than I expected. Having the surrounding points on would make little difference.


I do not find it easy to quickly switch AF point options while a play in underway, so I generally use single point, but when the situation calls for it, I may use one of the other options.


I'm not naive or inexperience using cameras, having done it for 60 years now.

 

[TommyLee]

spokane.....
in day lighting...servo... i pick point....move it around.... compose and shoot... lovely
then
i shoot musicians in dark clubs.... agree with all you say
need red active point in servo... bad design...
flat out... no effective work around....
end of story...

those who dont need this missing function... dont understand....

tom