EOS-1D X, Dual Back Button AF

[Viggo]

My personal experience has been, through testing on all sorts of subjects in all sorts of light, that One Shot is only better when light is VERY poor and it misses just as much or as little as Ai servo if you take 20 shots of the same subject in normal light. This is true for the 1dX, but not the 1d3, 1d4, 5dc, 5d2 and 5d3. IF you miss more still subjects with the 1dx using Ai Servo, try changing the case to Case 1 or 2. Using Case 6 for a non moving subject will give a lower hit rate for sure. I have also used 4 point expansion for still subjects with great results. 1.2, 2.8 or f4 has nothing to do with the hit rate.

 

[eml58]

Northstar: No I did not know that 'one shot' is sharper than servo for still objects. I thought is was about getting focus, not the way one got focus. And I believe that once I get focus and I remove the thumb from the back focus, I am as good as 'one shot'. Am I wrong?

Having said all of this, I am positive that I am missing something... I will get it one day and go 'yeyyyy'.

Hi Sanj, having seen your impressive Images & the things you like to Photograph, this might help to understand what is being suggested (I have certainly set my own Bodies up for this method).

Before the Firmware update Back Button could only be programmed for either AI Servo OR single shot.

That's still the same, but now we can set up the Back Button Focus Button for say AI Servo (Those Cheetahs at 80KPH)

And we can at the same time set up AE Lock Button for Single Shot Focus (Those lovely Bollywood stars I've seen you Photograph)

Under "normal" conditions your in the Bush Photographing a Cheetah @ 80KPH in the Serengeti, so AI Servo works best, but suddenly the most Beautiful Bollywood star on the Planet suddenly appears standing under a Tree 10 metres away (all thoughts of the Cheetah are now completely superfluous at this point), your AI Servo isn't the best way to capture this situation in all it's Glory, single shot is, gives you much better Focus Lock, you can focus on the eyes (or where ever you desire) and be a lot more confident you have excellent focus.

Prior to the firmware update you would have had to go into your menu system & change your Back Button Focus Button to single shot from AI Servo and that takes time, time to allow that Bollywood Star to become skittish and make a break for the tall grass, so now we can programme one button for AI Servo, the other button for single shot, and that Bollywood star is dead in the Serengeti.

Hope that helps, now........ all we need to do is get a Cheetah & a Bollywood Star into the same area......

I'll work on the Cheetah, I'll leave the Bollywood Star to you.

 

[expatinasia]

I think eml58 and others explained it very clearly, but if you are in AI Servo mode you use the AF ON button to focus as you normally do, but if you want to switch to One Shot mode you now simply need to press the * button and it automatically shifts to One Shot and focuses under that system. Some will find it easier than using one of the front buttons to switch.

The only thing is, and maybe this is something I have misunderstood, is you need to keep the * button down because as soon as you release it, your camera switches back to what it was on before - most likely AI Servo.

 

[Loswr]

The only thing is, and maybe this is something I have misunderstood, is you need to keep the * button down because as soon as you release it, your camera switches back to what it was on before - most likely AI Servo.

If you're using back button AF, when you release the button the camera simply stops focusing...which is the point of back button AF. So, with that setup, you press one back button to focus with AI Servo or the other back button to focus with One Shot.

The issue that I have with the setup is that I usually want single point selection with One Shot, but with Servo I want 61-pt auto (for people) or 8-pt expansion (for birds). The dual back button approach won't change the point selection mode, AFAIK.

 

[expatinasia]

The issue that I have with the setup is that I usually want single point selection with One Shot, but with Servo I want 61-pt auto (for people) or 8-pt expansion (for birds). The dual back button approach won't change the point selection mode, AFAIK.

I think you are right, you can choose the AF point but not the setting. Mind you it only takes a second or two to toggle between those three settings and you do not need to remove your eye from the VF to do so. I think mine toggles between single small point, single point, 8-pt expansion and 61-pt auto.

 

[Loswr]

The issue that I have with the setup is that I usually want single point selection with One Shot, but with Servo I want 61-pt auto (for people) or 8-pt expansion (for birds). The dual back button approach won't change the point selection mode, AFAIK.

I think you are right, you can choose the AF point but not the setting. Mind you it only takes a second or two to toggle between those three settings and you do not need to remove your eye from the VF to do so. I think mine toggles between single small point, single point, 8-pt expansion and 61-pt auto.

I have C2 set to One Shot and single point, C3 set to Servo and 61-pt, and the M.Fn button set to change modes – so it's one button press to go to Servo, two to go back (C1 is restricted).

 

[sanj]

Now I understand. Clearly understand. Thx much ALL!!!

However I am very surprised that servo will not focus on still objects. Everyone is saying that. But that has not been my experience so far. Or perhaps I have not noticed it. Hmmm.

Eml: You not only photograph beautifully but write beautifully as well.

 

[sanj]

And yes, if one did feel the need to have one shot, this is a great firmware update. Very thoughtful of Canon.
I am telling myself: If Canon thought there was a need to do this, then one shot must be 'sharper'.

 

[arbitrage]

This is my favourite new feature of the new FW. I had been fairly happy using AI Servo all the time and just releasing it for static or focus/recompose shots. However the one shot algorithms are more accurate and I recently was photographing perched birds in very low rainforest light and sometimes really needed that more accurate One shot focus with the confirmation beep and flash combined with spot focus mode to get accurate focus. I think in good even average light using the aiservo is fine but it was helpful in f 5.6, 1/60, ISO 20000 type light.

 

[RustyTheGeek]

Since I don't own a 1DX, I think I'll just heckle those more fortunate than myself! 8)

This thread is a true camera geek thread!!

A bunch of uber-camera geeks sitting around discussing the various methods, techniques and strategies of which button method they use to focus with on their fancy expensive cameras! And even going so far as to consider the f-stop and speed of the focus points together with which algorithm is used for the different focus modes! Wow!

Truly, it's an enlightening thread but I just had to step back and joke with you a minute on how truly geeky it is!! ;D

 

[Loswr]

Truly, it's an enlightening thread but I just had to step back and joke with you a minute on how truly geeky it is!! ;D

I knew there was a reason I felt so comfortable here...

 

[Northstar]

Since I don't own a 1DX, I think I'll just heckle those more fortunate than myself! 8)

This thread is a true camera geek thread!!

A bunch of uber-camera geeks sitting around discussing the various methods, techniques and strategies of which button method they use to focus with on their fancy expensive cameras! And even going so far as to consider the f-stop and speed of the focus points together with which algorithm is used for the different focus modes! Wow!

Truly, it's an enlightening thread but I just had to step back and joke with you a minute on how truly geeky it is!! ;D

lol...Rusty, you are one funny dude! ;D

 

[RustyTheGeek]

lol...Rusty, you are one funny dude! ;D

You think that's funny, check out what I changed my signature to today! Bwaa Ha Ha!! ;D

 

[sagittariansrock]

lol...Rusty, you are one funny dude! ;D

You think that's funny, check out what I changed my signature to today! Bwaa Ha Ha!! ;D

Just noticed it- that is funny!

 

[Northstar]

lol...Rusty, you are one funny dude! ;D

You think that's funny, check out what I changed my signature to today! Bwaa Ha Ha!! ;D

Funny...and I'm sure we would all agree that whatever Surapon said, it surely would be very respectful, friendly, polite, and helpful!

 

[eml58]

I have C2 set to One Shot and single point, C3 set to Servo and 61-pt, and the M.Fn button set to change modes – so it's one button press to go to Servo, two to go back (C1 is restricted).

Another excellent heads up, I have my own 1Dx Bodies set up in a similar fashion, I have a suspicion a lot of Canon users don't utilise this set up of being able to have 3 different set ups arranged at the flick of a switch (5DMK III) or press of a button (1Dx).

Having had a brief outing a year or so back with the D800 I was hugely surprised to find Nikon hadn't made this feature as easy to use as Canon have. But then of course I haven't heard any Nikon users complain about it either.

I spent a few days recently with a Phase One IQ250 and was pleasantly surprised to see they also have implemented the Canon C1 C2 C3 system as well, only thing unpleasant about the experience was the purchase Price, but 50MP & ISO to 6400, great stuff, 1.2 fps not so great, but those files are amazing.

 

[RustyTheGeek]

lol...Rusty, you are one funny dude! ;D

You think that's funny, check out what I changed my signature to today! Bwaa Ha Ha!! ;D

Funny...and I'm sure we would all agree that whatever Surapon said, it surely would be very respectful, friendly, polite, and helpful!

I also considered, "If you don't know Surapon, you don't know jack!"

Maybe we should start a thread called Surapon Field Day - Take Your Best Shot! You know, sort of a Surapon Roast! All in good fun with more Surapon Photoshopped Photos of course! He would either feel extremely loved or run out of his house screaming, Nooooooooooooooooooo!

How many times do we ever have threads about CR members, anyway?

OK, I just realized that I have hi-jacked this poor unsuspecting thread on Dual Back Button AF and turned it into a Surapon joke thread. Ohhhh, the shame! OK moderators, do your worst!!

I'll be good from now on, honest! :-X

 

[sanj]

lol...Rusty, you are one funny dude! ;D

You think that's funny, check out what I changed my signature to today! Bwaa Ha Ha!! ;D

Funny...and I'm sure we would all agree that whatever Surapon said, it surely would be very respectful, friendly, polite, and helpful!

That is true. But I find you very helpful and polite as well!

 

[Northstar]

lol...Rusty, you are one funny dude! ;D

You think that's funny, check out what I changed my signature to today! Bwaa Ha Ha!! ;D

Funny...and I'm sure we would all agree that whatever Surapon said, it surely would be very respectful, friendly, polite, and helpful!

That is true. But I find you very helpful and polite as well!

Very nice of you to say,! Thank you .

 

[Roo]

I have C2 set to One Shot and single point, C3 set to Servo and 61-pt, and the M.Fn button set to change modes – so it's one button press to go to Servo, two to go back (C1 is restricted).

Another excellent heads up, I have my own 1Dx Bodies set up in a similar fashion, I have a suspicion a lot of Canon users don't utilise this set up of being able to have 3 different set ups arranged at the flick of a switch (5DMK III) or press of a button (1Dx).

Funny this has come up now - I realised shooting at the F1 race the other weekend that there were times when I wanted to switch between shooting action and portraits so I spent last weekend setting up the 3 custom functions I'm looking forward to trying it out in the next couple of weeks