Most useful Custom Functions on 10D/20D

[OviV]

I just received my 20D and coming from the 300D that has few custom functions, I'm a bit lost. What are some of your favorite custom function settings and what kind of shooting do you use them for?

Thanks,
Ovi

[timmyquest]

http://www.siphoto.com/?canon10D.inc

[Scottes]

Chuck Westfall's 10D Custom Function preferred settings
Should be very applicable to 20D from what I could see:
http://www.cps.canon-europe.com/articles/products/eos10D/settings.jsp

[Vegas Poboy]

So far I'm using close to the same settings on my 20D as my 10D. I don't use my shutter for focusing.

[psk4363]

Mine is CF 12 (from memory) on both my 10D and 1nHS - mirror lock-up resulting in tack sharp landscapes when tripod mounted.

Barry

[CyberDyneSystems]

CF # 4 Get that focus control onto the * button ASAP


If you are used to triggering AF with the shutter button this may seem unusual at first.. but if you look at the advantages.. then you may see it is worth getting used to..

You really can't try it for a day.. you need to leave it that way for a few weeks before you have retrained yourself to take 100% advantage.

Using your thumb becomes second nature.. and you can recompose and re-meter at will and only worry about AF re-focusing when and where you want it too...

It offers MUCH more flexibility and control over the three independant actions that are by default tied to the shutter button alone (Shutter release, Metering and/or metering lock, and AutoFocus)

By seperating the AF from the shutter button equation.. in the end you have far more controll.

P.S. the BOLD RED ASAP type is to stesss the importance of getting used to doing this as early as possible.. so as to avoid the hassle of "not being used to it"

In many photogs opinions it is the single most important switch you can make with a CF towards taking full advantage of your cameras flexibility and control. (check Sports illustrated's recomendations or Chuck Westfall of Canon)

I believe Nikon's are set up this way to begin with.. either that .. or every Nikon I have ever handled was allready set to a rear focus button by there owners. IMHO this SHOULD be the default. Having all these functions including AF tied to the shutter release is soooo point and shoot :roll: :wink:

Yes.. it takes getting used to.

But for any type of action shooting where you actually want control of what you are focusing on.. and when,.. this is the only way to fly.

[CyberDyneSystems]

On the 20D.. CF# 13 set to 1


This is by far the greatest 20D only Custom function. It would be a great addition to the MkII :)

[CyberDyneSystems]

Another good one

CF#3 @ 1 Flash synch speed in AV mode set to 1/250th

This is a nice feature that keeps you from having to "twiddle" so much in AV mode using the flash to get a high shutter.

[roanjohn]

I'm lost............ :(

I'll read this more 2nite when my mind is clear.

Too much info!!!

Ro1

[L Pagan]

More please more CF's :lol:

[MikesJo]

custom functions right? i should read my manual....

[dorkn]

I am glad I read this post for my 20D will be here Thursday and some good tips are being discussed here.

[davidwegs]

On the 20D.. CF# 13 set to 1


This is by far the greatest 20D only Custom function. It would be a great addition to the MkII :)

YEAH, I found this the day I got them and WOW. My Mk2 didn't have this. It rocks for quick, working, focus switching, on the fly!!!

[CyberDyneSystems]

** EDIT **

The subsequent discussion on the preference for using the Shutter button for AF activation Vs. the rear * button via CF# 4 has "Split" to a topic of it's own :wink:

Lets try to remember that THIS THREAD is part of our "Sticky-FAQ" so we should try and stay on topic as much as possible.

The new thread can be found here;
-=The CFN #4-1 Thread=- (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=46965)

Any other favorite Cunstom Functions?

[dtrayers]

I like Cf13 (Focus Assist) in conjunction with CF7 (AF point registration).

I set the center AF point with Cf7 and then Cf13 to 2 (Select HP while pressing).

Then I make all focus points active, and use Cf4-3 to move the AF to the * button.

So normally, I use the * button to get AF and the camera selects the points. Works well most of the time, and since exposure is biased to the active AF points in evaluative mode, I think the exposure works better. IF, however, I don't like where the camera has chosen to focus, I'll put the center point over the subect and press the AF-assist button. It will re-focus using the center AF point. Release the AF-assist button, compose and shoot.

Kinda like having the best of both worlds.

[dtrayers]

Oh, yea,

I also use Cf12 (Mirror Lockup) all the time. I wish it had a dedicated button. So to speed things up, I use Cf11 to 1, which will keep the menu to the last one used, even if powered off.

So when I want to enable mirror LU, I press menu and it's already on the CF item and it's on the CF12 (MLU), press set, jog the dial, press set, then half press shutter. It takes longer to read about than actually do.

I still wish MLU had it's own button, or maybe a fourth option with the shooting mode (ONE SHOT, CONTINUOUS, TIMER, MLU).

[CanbyOR]

Does anyone use CF-1?
If so, how do you use it, and how do you like it?

I've selected it, but don't can't figure out how to make it work.

[Jon]

I use it on my D60, having been reminded that on that it lets you change the ISO setting. If you change parameters, or have a particular otherwise-inaccessable meu setting you want to get to quickly, this is for you. If you want to pop up the image review without having to shift your hands around to reach the |> button, this will do it. What particular function did you choose to assign to it? what should happen is that when you push the "Set" button, that function will open up for your convenience.

[PacAce]

Another good one

CF#3 @ 1 Flash synch speed in AV mode set to 1/250th

This is a nice feature that keeps you from having to "twiddle" so much in AV mode using the flash to get a high shutter.
Sure would be nice if this could be set for a lower shutter speed such as 1/60th. Most times 1/250th is much too fast for my liking. :confused:

[PacAce]

On the 20D.. CF# 13 set to 1


This is by far the greatest 20D only Custom function. It would be a great addition to the MkII :)
The little joy stick would be great for the 9-point AF system of the 20D but I'm not sure how helpful it would be on the 1D series cameras that have 45 AF points.

[SimonBl]

YEAH, I found this the day I got them and WOW. My Mk2 didn't have this. It rocks for quick, working, focus switching, on the fly!!!

OMG, I'm AMAZED I hadn't found this before. Thankyou, thankyou! :D

Simon....

[ScottE]

I can't remember the CF number, but I set the one that automatically adjusts aperture in Av mode or shutter speed in Tv mode if the lens speed does not allow a correct exposure. I had this on my old EOS 3, missed it on my D60 and was happy to see it back on the 20D.

Almost all the time I have CF 4 set or either 1 or 3 so that I can control auto focus with the * button.

Whenever the the subject permits for long telephoto or macro shots or slow shutter speeds from a tripod I set CF 12 for mirror lock up and use a cable release.

Scott

[dmwierz]

I can't remember the CF number, but I set the one that automatically adjusts aperture in Av mode or shutter speed in Tv mode if the lens speed does not allow a correct exposure. I had this on my old EOS 3, missed it on my D60 and was happy to see it back on the 20D.

Almost all the time I have CF 4 set or either 1 or 3 so that I can control auto focus with the * button.

Whenever the the subject permits for long telephoto or macro shots or slow shutter speeds from a tripod I set CF 12 for mirror lock up and use a cable release.

Scott

I have tried over and over again to understand the difference between C-Fn 4-1 and C-Fn 4-3 to no avail. Any help? The manual mentions AI Servo under C-Fn 4-3, but how does AI Servo impact C-Fn 4-1 if at all?

[René Damkot]

CFn4-1 will lock exposure when you half press the shutter button. CFn4-3 won't

[dmwierz]

CFn4-1 will lock exposure when you half press the shutter button. CFn4-3 won't

Oh, OK. So I'd imagine it only matters if one regularly presses the shutter halfway then? For those of us who just stab the shutter to take the shot, they would be the same, right?

Dennis

[MattyB]

i don't know what half these 2 letter intitials stand for, but i looked in the manual (briefly) and i had a toy with the button on my 300D

and it's funky :D heaps cool for sillouettes (spelling) and pano shots

i can point it at the bright horizon, hit the button, then aim it where i want it to, put the trees in focus, and shoot a nice sillo(that word) shot :D

cooool

[Lord_Malone]

Holy thread revival, Batman!

My Custom Function Settings:
01 = [2] SET Function when Shooting set to "Change Parameters" (like to be able to quickly switch from selected color parameters to B&W)
02 = [1] Long Exposure Noise Reduction (enabled when using slow shutter and high ISO)
04 = [1] Shutter Button/ AE Lock Button set to "AE Lock/AF"
08 = [1] ISO Expansion On (for those rare occaisions in extreme low light. Worked beautifully for me when taking photos in some dark places in Iraq)
09 = [2] Bracket Sequence/Auto Cancel set to "-,0,+/Enable" EDIT
11 = [1] Menu Button Display Position set to "Previous" (saves time by allowing you to go back to where you were on the menu screen w/o having to hit the JUMP button and scrolling with the dial)
12 = [1] Mirror Lock-Up (always enabled when using a tri-pod)
13 = [1] AF Point Selection Method set to "Multi-controller direct" (love having full control of AF Points)
18 = [1] Add Original Decison Data enabled

*all are enabled full-time unless otherwise indicated by red

[René Damkot]

Oh, OK. So I'd imagine it only matters if one regularly presses the shutter halfway then? For those of us who just stab the shutter to take the shot, they would be the same, right?

Dennis
Yeah, but that's a bad habit....

[Lord_Malone]

CFn4-1 is the heat.

[Bama]

CFn4-1 is the heat.

Hi there,

Would it be correct to say that you would lose the function of FEL if cf4 is used.
When the * button is used for focus, FEL is lost.

regards
Bama

[René Damkot]

IIRC the 10D had one button extra for FEL, the 20D doesn't so, yes. you would lose FEL with the 20D

[tacos3]

One more vote for CF 4-1.

[Cassie]

The MOST useful for me at this point is: CF13- 2 (multi-controller direct) which allows you to change focus points with the joystick, no need to push 2 buttons to change points.

Oh and...... CF-1 parameter/set button

[tacos3]

I've found that since I started using CF4-1, I don't need to change my focus points as often. I pick a focus point, focus , then meter, recompose and shoot. this can all be done in 1/2 of a second, much faster than changing a focus point. If the subject is moving, I use AI Servo. It has simplified shooting so much just by separating focusing from metering.

[Bama]

One more vote for CF 4-1.

I normally switch back to CF4-0 during flash photography as I do use FEL.

One more function that is good to use is CF14. Switching to "Average" gives better flash photography than using "Evaluative". In average metering, hot spots are barely seen.

Regards
bama

[Lord_Malone]

I've found that since I started using CF4-1, I don't need to change my focus points as often. I pick a focus point, focus , then meter, recompose and shoot. this can all be done in 1/2 of a second, much faster than changing a focus point. If the subject is moving, I use AI Servo. It has simplified shooting so much just by separating focusing from metering.

Ditto. But occassionally I still do have to fiddle with the joystick or manually actuate all the focus points and let the camera select what it thinks are the best focus points. Sometimes, but not often.

[jrsforums]

I have tried over and over again to understand the difference between C-Fn 4-1 and C-Fn 4-3 to no avail. Any help? The manual mentions AI Servo under C-Fn 4-3, but how does AI Servo impact C-Fn 4-1 if at all?

See: http://doug.kerr.home.att.net/pumpkin/20D_CF04_chart.pdf

John

[weka2000]

This thread is sceary, next I will be shooting on "M" mode only :lol:

Thanks for the tips in here now I just need to remember what I changed.
Love the joystick focus point one and the * focus one. Helps having little fingers.

Wish they had a custom function for distance data :(

[jlacoy82]

Hi there,

Would it be correct to say that you would lose the function of FEL if cf4 is used.
When the * button is used for focus, FEL is lost.

regards
Bama

Just got my 20D and stumbling around through the C. Fn menu, got it just about to my liking for now.

In terms of losing FEL, what do you mean? You mean you can no longer use the half-press shutter to focus/exposure lock --> full press shoot? Thats not a big deal, its only a reach of the thumb away to focus your subject, or would you rather have the option of * and the shutter for focus locking simultaneously?

See: http://doug.kerr.home.att.net/pumpkin/20D_CF04_chart.pdf



John

This is GREAT info to know! In this mode are you able to set the metering mode, and is that metering mode used for each shot in the sequence when the AEL is done? So if you were tracking a large bird across varying backgrounds in partial metering, so long as you could keep the bird centered and filling the frame, it would do the metering off the bird in each shot, independent of the background?

[René Damkot]

FEL = Flash Exposure Lock

[tabsgraphics]

great

[Ronald S. Jr.]

4-1 is great, but unless you're using a small-ish aperture, you could very well end up with a soft shot if you use the focus-recompose method.

[Cameo]

New here and although not new to Canon, I am new to digital. My partner bought me a 20D for my birthday so all the tips that I can find will be very useful. The tips here for settings are wonderful - I shall try them out and see what works best for me. Seems a great place for information from those with experiences and not just from
what you read in the manual.

[tekkie]

huh never noticed function 13 before thats useful I think it always annoyed me I had to hit 2 buttons