20D No Assist Button(X) :(

[scottbergerphoto]

I recently got a 20D and noticed that there is no Assist Button (X), only that stupid jog button. On my 10D and 1DMII I use CFn. 4-1 and 18 (1DMII) or 13 (10D) to easily switch back and fourth from Multipoint AF (*) to Registered Point(X) while focusing at the same time, simply by moving my thumb from * to X. Now on the 20D, I have to change focusing points with the jog button before I can focus. That bites. Has anyone figured out anything that resembles what you can do on the 10D or 1DMII?
Scott

[CyberDyneSystems]

Scott,. I don't have my 20D or manual in front of me..

...but with the 20D and CF#4 and I think something to do with CF#13? (check the EOS Sticky for 20D CF functions?)

...anyways.. with the correct setting of these two CF #'s you get something that is even better and faster using the "stupid jog button" :mrgreen: then was available on the 10D and 1D IMHO.

It takes a little getting used to at first ,. but after a short week using only the 20D (I put down my 1D MkII for a while to get used to the 20D last September)

..I truly found that the 20D and the jog button is a substantial improvement over the 10D/1D set up.

Yes,. the jog button (or eraser head) is a little harder to reach.. but I got so I could mash the eraser with my thumb pretty much as easy as the X button.

Tapping the other button to the left of * gets you all points, mashing the eraser head gets you center af point,... tweeking the eraser in a given direction gets you any of the other 9 points.

It's really quite handy once you get used to it. :)

[CyberDyneSystems]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=42867

Yes,. it's CF#13-1

[scottbergerphoto]

I looked at that last night. As far as I can tell, you still have to touch the jog button to set the focusing point and then the * button to focus. On the 1DMII and 10D you press a single button to select the AF point/s and focus.
Scott

[CyberDyneSystems]

true...

[drisley]

I use the little joystick to pick AF points. It's awesome!

[yenoram]

I agree with Cyber, set CF 4 and 13 to 1 and allow some time to get used to it. I did and I find I really like this set-up.

[dwildone]

I recently got a 20D and noticed that there is no Assist Button (X), only that stupid jog button. On my 10D and 1DMII I use CFn. 4-1 and 18 (1DMII) or 13 (10D) to easily switch back and fourth from Multipoint AF (*) to Registered Point(X) while focusing at the same time, simply by moving my thumb from * to X. Now on the 20D, I have to change focusing points with the jog button before I can focus. That bites. Has anyone figured out anything that resembles what you can do on the 10D or 1DMII?
Scott
I recently changed the CF 04 to 1 and CF 13 to 1(multicontroller direct for AF selection) on my 20D. In playing with this setup, I think that I've found some behaviors that have not been mentioned here, and may at least be a substitute/workaround for your problem. With this setup, pressing the focus point selection (magnify) key before the * sets to Multipoint AF. From then on, the camera continues to use multipoint AF every time that you hit the * button to focus. The joysitck multicontroller allows you to select any AF point by moving in a direction, BUT if you press the joystick in the camera defaults back to centerpoint AF. The camera will then use that single AF point (either the center or one of the others if you selected it with the joystick) until you a) press the AF select key to use multipoint or b) chose another single point. While this may not be as convienent as having to press one button, it is a simple and quick way to switch b/w single and multipoint AF which should work well for most people in most situations.

Let me know if that was way off base from what you are looking for Scott...:rolleyes:

[scottbergerphoto]

While this may not be as convienent as having to press one button, ..............

Exactly. Being able to use Center AF by using X and Multipoint by using * and switching back and fourth by just moving my thumb from one to the other is something I miss.
Scott

[aikidoforever]

Exactly. Being able to use Center AF by using X and Multipoint by using * and switching back and fourth by just moving my thumb from one to the other is something I miss.
Scott

scottbergerphoto, are you saying that on the 10D/1D you can get focus of the Center AF and Multipoint by switching back and fourth from the * and X bottons. No other push of a button required to acquire focus?

I do use the * button when photography fairly static subjects and I need to tap the joystick to get center af then the * to get focus. Then to get multipoint I tap the X button and once again the * button to acquire focus. There's always the pressing of the * to acquire focus.

Am I correct? The 10D/1D doesn't have that extra step?

Ivan

[scottbergerphoto]

Exactly! You use the Cfn's such that all you need to do to use a registered AF point is to press X and to use Automatic AF point selection is to push the *. That's it. On the 10D it's 4-1 and 13-2, and on the 1DMII, it's 4-1 and 18-2.
Scott

[PacAce]

Exactly! You use the Cfn's such that all you need to do to use a registered AF point is to press X and to use Automatic AF point selection is to push the *. That's it. On the 10D it's 4-1 and 13-2, and on the 1DMII, it's 4-1 and 18-2.
Scott

Or the other way around (I have my "*" set for center AF and "X" for AFPS). But either way, the "single push of the button to focus" feature is really great to have! :)

Now, if Canon would only make the "X" button a little easier to get to, things would really be perfect. :D

[aikidoforever]

Exactly! You use the Cfn's such that all you need to do to use a registered AF point is to press X and to use Automatic AF point selection is to push the *. That's it. On the 10D it's 4-1 and 13-2, and on the 1DMII, it's 4-1 and 18-2.
Scott

Man! That would be so awesome if the 20D could do that. Darn. :-(

Ivan

[aikidoforever]

Hey Scott,

I believe it was you in the first place that got me hooked on using the * to focus, so I might as well ask you. You wouldn't use this for action or moving subjects right? Or, would you?

Ivan

[CyberDyneSystems]

Absolutely! (if I may)

Using cf#4 to focus with * on AI servo is THE way to shoot for action IMHO.

[scottbergerphoto]

I do alot of AI Servo for fast moving RC Planes. Using the * and X buttons I can instantly switch from Center to 45 pt. It is really much better then the shutter button. If I can't track with 45pt I just move my thumb.
http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/30892167.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/29265875.jpg
Scott

[PacAce]

Scott, that F-15 Eagle shot is my all time-favorite among your RC plane pictures. I never get tired of looking at it. :D

[scottbergerphoto]

Thanks Leo!.
Regards,
Scott

[CyberDyneSystems]

OMG! That last shot is priceless!!!!!!!!

Tell me have "more" in the series.. (preferably the "after" and "during" impact shot :lol: )