Best 5d3 custom function AF point selection quick!

[Daniel Flather]

Go to the CF menu, second one, custom controls. Then, go to the one in the right column, at the bottom, called Multi-Controller AF point direct selection. Its default is off, hit it and select AF point direct selection. Now focus the camera and move the Multi controller (joy stick), you can select the AF point with out going in to a menu!

If this has been covered, great, but I just noticed it from a post to something in another thread.


Note, I only use spot AF and have the other modes turned off.

 

[Loswr]

Indeed. That's what I did on my 7D, 5DII, and will do on my 1D X.

 

[Dianoda]

Now focus the camera and move the Multi controller (joy stick), you can select the AF point with out going in to a menu!

I've had it set up that way on my 7D pretty much since I got it - actually I can't remember ever setting the AF point any other way. Ha, more than anything, I was surprised to hear that multi-controller AF point selection isn't the default setting.

 

[samthefish]

Well learn something new every day. I have the 7D and was wondering why people made a big deal about AF point selection because it seemed too cumbersome to use for me. This seems like the way to set it.

 

[Daniel Flather]

Really, this should be the default, not the option.

 

[dunkers]

I think the reason that this isn't the default setting is because some people may brush against the controls and accidentally move the AF point without realizing it. Then when you bring up your camera for a shot, your focus is off b/c the AF point moved.

I also think that a lot of people only use center point focus, so they don't have the need to switch the AF points.

 

[wickidwombat]

yep this is the best way to use it I have all mine setup like this

 

[Jamesy]

Thanks for that tip - mine is now set this way.

One more pointer about this configuration, all you have to do is push in on the multi-controller while adjusting focus points and it will switch between center focus and the offset point - pretty sweet!

 

[jalbfb]

And if you push the multi-controller straight in, if you had moved the center AF point to another position, it brings it right back to the center. So those who have reported having trouble with moving the focal pointer saying they have to push too many buttons in previous posts probably were never aware of this or discovered it. Make for a nice and easier management of AF. Make sure you make whatever you prefer as an AF setting your "registered AF point." (Select an AF setting your use most of the time, hold down the AF selection button on the back and then the top LCD Light button and what for a small beep and you're "registered."

 

[jrista]

This post should be stickied! I have the 7D, but never realized this was an option.

 

[Daniel Flather]

And if you push the multi-controller straight in, if you had moved the center AF point to another position, it brings it right back to the center.

Yes, and if you push straight in again it goes back the the AF point you were just using.

 

[msdarkroom]

This post should be stickied! I have the 7D, but never realized this was an option.

+1
And I read the manual.
More than once.

 

[JerryKnight]

This post should be stickied! I have the 7D, but never realized this was an option.

+1
And I read the manual.
More than once.

See, the way the Custom Functions used to work, you could scroll through one list of C.Fn's and read their titles and quickly have an idea of what's customizable. The 7D/5D3 menus seem to make quite a bit of options incredibly non-obvious.

The only way I knew about this was from the 5D classic and 5D2 setup, so I immediately went into the 5D3 options for this and eventually found it in that Custom Controls menu.

 

[JerryKnight]

And if you push the multi-controller straight in, if you had moved the center AF point to another position, it brings it right back to the center.

Yes, and if you push straight in again it goes back the the AF point you were just using.

jalbfb is correct. Clicking the multi-controller centers your focus point. It doesn't go back to the one you were using previously.

 

[Bosman]

And if you push the multi-controller straight in, if you had moved the center AF point to another position, it brings it right back to the center.

Yes, and if you push straight in again it goes back the the AF point you were just using.

jalbfb is correct. Clicking the multi-controller centers your focus point. It doesn't go back to the one you were using previously.

Actually Mr Knight it does, just push it again and it will go to whatever of center point position you had it.

 

[Bosman]

Go to the CF menu, second one, custom controls. Then, go to the one in the right column, at the bottom, called Multi-Controller AF point direct selection. Its default is off, hit it and select AF point direct selection. Now focus the camera and move the Multi controller (joy stick), you can select the AF point with out going in to a menu!

If this has been covered, great, but I just noticed it from a post to something in another thread.


Note, I only use spot AF and have the other modes turned off.

I believe it was an option after a firmware update for my old 5D and i loved it so much as soon as i got my 1dm3 I set that up the same way, same thing with the 5dm3, one of the first things i did is set that up. It makes so much sense.

 

[mrmarks]

This is on page 326 of the manual under "AF point direct selection"

 

[prestonpalmer]

I set this up before I took a picture with it same on my 5d2 and 7d

 

[Waiting on Godot]

Wow. Despite reading the manual, I was totally oblivious to this incredibly useful tip. My 20D had the old school scroll-through-the-custom-functions menu.


While we're on the topic, what are some other highly useful tweaks and tips that are assumed knowledge? I think we'll be surprised to see how many people were otherwise unaware.

 

[jalbfb]

And if you push the multi-controller straight in, if you had moved the center AF point to another position, it brings it right back to the center.

Yes, and if you push straight in again it goes back the the AF point you were just using.

I didn't realize this but found it out last night by playing around. Thanks, Dan.