Canon 1D MK III Focus setting help...

[ARMEE]

Canon 1D MK III Focus setting help...

I wonder if anyone who has photographed Football (American) can
help me as to what are the best settings in the diffrent menus to obtain optimal autofocus.

Thank you.....
All help well appreciated....

[oomus]

Use the center focus and slow the reaction time down in the custom functions as slow as you can.

That way if someone runs between you and the subject it will not track it and change the focus as quickly.

Make sure you have it set to AI servo as well.

[namasste]

For the MarkII but find the settings in Cfn on the MIII and try to replicate, Its a good starting point.

http://www.siphoto.com/?canon1DM2.inc

[S.Horton]

Center point only, immediate surrounding AF assist points on <9?>, focus priority (not drive priority), and I use maximum AF speed.

I've seen comments about slowing the AF down but, at least for my shooting style, I want it running as quickly as possible on the subject I have in the middle of the frame.

From time-to-time, I also use manual focus or a lens preset point.

[eigga]

I think AF speed is one of the main things to use and learn about for the Mark III ... I have found my cameras to work best with slower AF speed in good light and faster in low light. So for night football I have it set to fastest..for daytime I have it in the middle to one step slow depending on how it is focusing.

[namasste]

I think AF speed is one of the main things to use and learn about for the Mark III ... I have found my cameras to work best with slower AF speed in good light and faster in low light. So for night football I have it set to fastest..for daytime I have it in the middle to one step slow depending on how it is focusing.
Thanks Matt, that's a good tip since I usually leave my MkII in normal to one step down all the time. never thought about bumping it in bad light. .

[ARMEE]

Thanks a lot guys....Scott G and Scott E. Sam and Matt....
I will try and play with AF speed and adjust according to ambient
light,I have a few night games coming up too...
Armand...

[namasste]

Thanks a lot guys....Scott G and Scott E. Sam and Matt....
I will try and play with AF speed and adjust according to ambient
light,I have a few night games coming up too...
Armand...
Anytime bud. When it comes to night games, you may want/need to use flash. If done right, you can get it looking fairly good with just a shoe mount. I don't want to get way off topic but start a new thread if you have questions about that when the time comes and I am sure plenty of us can/will be willing to offer our two measely cents.

[ARMEE]

Thank you Scott,
As far as night flash,I tried and had limited success...so any quick
hint/tips will be golden....

[KIPAX]

theres a few mentions of AF speed.. am i missing soemthing? there is no option to change AF speed as far as I know

[eigga]

there is no option to change AF speed as far as I know

CFn III-2 AI Servo Tracking Sensitivity

Very important CFn for the Mark III IMO

I does not change the "speed" of focus but how fast the focus will switch or re-focus. Most people just refer to the CFn as AF speed

[KIPAX]

CFn III-2 Focus Speed

Very important CFn for the Mark III IMO

Yeagh but it is NOT focus speed.. It doesnt effect how fast your camera focuses.. I had a feeling it would be III.2

It effects how your camera stays focused in AI servo mode

I think calling it focus speed is missleading to anyone who doesnt quite understand to be honest :)


PS haha you edited your reply while i was posting.. tsk :)

[Palladium]

theres a few mentions of AF speed.. am i missing soemthing? there is no option to change AF speed as far as I know

CFn III-2 AI Servo Tracking Sensitivity

Very important CFn for the Mark III IMO

I does not change the "speed" of focus but how fast the focus will switch or re-focus. Most people just refer to the CFn as AF speed

The Mark III only focuses at 1 speed for a lack of better explanation

The AI Servo tracking sensitivity controls how long the camera will try to stay focus on the area of the focus point being used.

This is 1 area where I think a lot of photogs with the Mark III mess up and is the cause of a lot of their OOF frames.

[eigga]

haha you edited your reply while i was posting.. tsk
Sorry, I had to look up the real name and somehow posted while I was searching.

You are correct, it is misleading but an important CFn to be able to use regardless what its called...especially on the Mark III

[Palladium]

to explain it another way - with the AI Servo tracking sensitivity turned up all the way - your telling the camera to keep trying to lock on focus on the area of the focus point. The focus is so fast that any little movement away from the focus point will get focus on.

eg. birds in flight - if you have the setting on the highest: one moment your focus point is on the wing but for the next frame the wing is moved and the focus point has nothing but the background sky so it's focuses there. For single birds in flight I would think setting AI Servo Sensitivity to the slowest would be the correct setting

[KIPAX]

I have always used slow on the mkII and now my markIIIs

palladium.. I know.. see my second post :)

[KIPAX]

how about a cfn compare list ? :)

[Palladium]

from a couple of Canon Mark III PDF's...

C.Fn III-2: AF system sensitivity to sudden subject changes when in AI Servo mode
0 — Standard sensitivity (AF tracking will momentarily pause if the AF point sees another subject while tracking)
-2 — Slow (Tracking will pause for a longer period when AF is disrupted to allow the photographer to find original subject)
-1 — Moderately slow (Pause length will be in between setting -2 and 0 )
+1— Moderately Fast (The AF system will respond faster to a change in subject position)
+2 — Fast (AF system will not pause, if a change occurs camera will instantly re-focus)
This custom function adresses the different focus tracking needs of various photographers. It adjusts how the AF system will
respond if when tracking a moving subject (AI Servo mode), you lose your subject and find your AF point now in the distance,
or if something closer moves in front of you subject. Important: It does NOT change the speed at which the camera can track
a continuously-moving subject. It only deals with how quickly the system will try to focus upon something different, if the active
AF point no longer sees your moving subject.

----------------------------------

C.Fn III-2

The heightened sensitivity of the EOS-1D Mark III AF system can, in some situations, cause the autofocus to appear erratic. In fact, it is not erratic at all, simply it is so sensitive that it will identify and re-focus on a new subject much faster than previous cameras – and crucially – much faster than you might expect.
Turning down this response rate to ‘Moderately Slow’ or ‘Slow’ will help when tracking subjects as the camera will not jump instantly to any new ‘subject’ or the background and should ensure a more familiar AF response. Note that this will not slow down the speed of the autofocus, only the speed at which the camera recognises a new subject. It’s like a buffer than provides you with more time and leeway to track a subject without the camera constantly finding new ones.

[Palladium]

here is something worth reading for Mark III users...

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/technical/custom_functions_for_sports_pt1.do

[KIPAX]

palladium excellent reply :)

what about III.1 3 AND 4 :)

[Palladium]

palladium excellent reply :)

what about III.1 3 AND 4 :)

July 2007 EOS-1D Mark III: AF custom function settings

The EOS-1D Mark III has a plethora of Custom Function settings making it easy to personalise. However, it can be a bit of a minefield if you don’t know where to start.
The EOS-1D Mark III has a completely re-designed autofocus system that gains much of its performance improvements from the increased sensitivity and instant response. However, it is precisely this instant response and heightened sensitivity that can catch you out if you’re not expecting it.
Fortunately, all the Custom Functions allow an enormous range of flexibility in how you set up the camera so it can be tailored to your needs.
If you’re photographing fast moving subjects and are struggling to use AI SERVO to track them reliably, there are a few of the custom functions you should take a look at, as well as a potential change in the way you work.
Most photographers will tend to use the central focusing point as in previous EOS cameras it was the most sensitive. With the EOS-1D Mark III however, all AF points are as almost sensitive as the central focusing point. With the EOS-1D Mark III, the other focusing points have been further refined and, depending on your subject, you may find it easier to focus by using one of the off-centre points. It should also provide more flexibility in composition.


C.Fn III-2

The heightened sensitivity of the EOS-1D Mark III AF system can, in some situations, cause the autofocus to appear erratic. In fact, it is not erratic at all, simply it is so sensitive that it will identify and re-focus on a new subject much faster than previous cameras – and crucially – much faster than you might expect.
Turning down this response rate to ‘Moderately Slow’ or ‘Slow’ will help when tracking subjects as the camera will not jump instantly to any new ‘subject’ or the background and should ensure a more familiar AF response. Note that this will not slow down the speed of the autofocus, only the speed at which the camera recognises a new subject. It’s like a buffer than provides you with more time and leeway to track a subject without the camera constantly finding new ones.


C.Fn III-8

Expanding the size of the active autofocus point will improve the tracking of the camera as it will stand more chance of holding focus if the main focus point moves from the subject to the background. (The AF speed is the same even is III-8-2 is used.)


C.Fn III-4

When you activate C.Fn III-8-1 or -2, it is best to also set C.Fn III-4-1 so the camera will continue to track the main subject, even if a ‘subject’ moves to the foreground and is therefore covered by one of the active AF points - a swimmers hand moving in front of their face, for example.
This custom function will be operation in automatic AF point selection mode, or if C. Fn III-8 is set to –1 or –2 in manual AF point selection mode.


C.Fn III-5

When tracking subjects against a background with little detail, a bird in flight, for example, if the AF point moves from the subject to the background, the camera can begin to ‘hunt’ for a subject to focus on. Setting C.Fn III-5-1 will stop the camera hunting – and risking a completely out-of-focus situation while the lens searches for a subject to focus on – so when the AF point re-finds the subject, it can re-acquire focus faster.

[Palladium]

I think this is the most recent Mark III PDF from Canon - any Mark III user should be familiar with it...

http://www.pressefotografforbundet.dk/fil/eos1dmk3_af_cfn_guide.pdf

[Palladium]

Last link - I promise
EOS Mark III AI Servo manual

http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=2866

[KIPAX]

My AUTO FOCUS Settings C.fn III

1: 0
2: SLOW
3: 0 (I dont even understand this one)
4: 1 (in conjunction with eight )
5: 1
6: 0
7: Per lens
8: 1 (In conjunction with 4)
9: 5 (I love this feature)
10: 0 (Not too sure I understand this)
11: 0
12: 0
13: 1
14: 0
15: 0


Any comments, advice or help appreciated..

[eigga]

Here are mine.. not sure how you say 4 and 8 are in conjunction

1: 0
2: One step slower in good light - fastest in low light
3: 0
4: 0
5: 0
6: 0
7: Per lens
8: 0
9: 0
10: 0
11: 0
12: 0
13: 0
14: 0
15: 0

[Palladium]

My AUTO FOCUS Settings C.fn III


10: 0 (Not too sure I understand this)



Any comments, advice or help appreciated..

registered focus point - I always see posts about only using center point focus - but the Mark III has the same sensitiviy at it's 19 points so it doesn't really matter which you use - but back to #10

you can instantly switch between focus points with just a push of the multi focus point selector.

So you can jump from ROF to Center Point to Registered Point.

To establish a Registered Point you just need to select a focus point

eg. camera in portrait orientation and you want to use the top most center point - you select that point and establish focus using that point, when you have #10 active the camera will remember the top most center point. Now you want to switch immediatedly to the Center Point or ROF you just need to push the multi controller. To get back to you top most center point you must push the controller again - this eliminates having to manually switch and go thru all the points.

I have to double check the steps, I did this from memory - I may have left one out - let me get my camera.

[Palladium]

Here are mine.. not sure how you say 4 and 8 are in conjunction


2: One step slower in good light - fastest in low light



IMHO with low light I use a slower setting - make sure to look at this Canon PDF
http://www.pressefotografforbundet.d..._cfn_guide.pdf (http://www.pressefotografforbundet.dk/fil/eos1dmk3_af_cfn_guide.pdf)

[Palladium]

My AUTO FOCUS Settings C.fn III


6: 0

Any comments, advice or help appreciated..

Using telephotos with the focus stop buttons on the lens barrel - I have this setting to activate Image Stabilazation (IS) option #5. I have the IS on the lens turned on but when this option is active the IS does not kick in until I press one of the Focus Stop buttons on the lens barrel.

IMHO this is my preferred setting for how I have my cameras set up - I have 2 shooting paramaters (CF # 1 - 14) set

1st parameters is with the regular focus button eg. action photos

2nd parameters gets engaged buy using the * (star button) eg. sportraits. So in real world shooting I can go from my sports action settings (non IS) to my sportraits settings (using IS) just by moving my thumb onto the star button and my top hand by pressing one of the focus stop buttons on the lens.

[KIPAX]

Here are mine.. not sure how you say 4 and 8 are in conjunction


as above posts by palladium and indeed in the pdf files from canon.. if you set 8 to 1 or 2 then setting 4 to 1 is the way to go :)

[KIPAX]

eg. camera in portrait orientation and you want to use the top most center point - you select that point and establish focus using that point, when you have #10 active the camera will remember the top most center point. Now you want to switch immediatedly to the Center Point or ROF you just need to push the multi controller. To get back to you top most center point you must push the controller again - this eliminates having to manually switch and go thru all the points.
.

thank you :) and apolgies in advance if this is a no brainer

I ahve 10 to off (0)

I ahve 9 set to 5 using just 9 outer points wiht the controller.. I do prefer just 9 to quickly jump into places I know I want..

I use the controler to pick a focus point and pressing center of controller brings me back to center...


Am I using it correctly for center point and extra 9 points when i need to focus elsewhere.. i believe I am?

your example i presume just lets you jump to a preset point rather than using the controller... yes?

[Palladium]

thank you :) and apolgies in advance if this is a no brainer

I ahve 10 to off (0)

I ahve 9 set to 5 using just 9 outer points wiht the controller.. I do prefer just 9 to quickly jump into places I know I want..

I use the controler to pick a focus point and pressing center of controller brings me back to center...


Am I using it correctly for center point and extra 9 points when i need to focus elsewhere.. i believe I am?

your example i presume just lets you jump to a preset point rather than using the controller... yes?

Right - but by controller I'm using the small joystick and not the wheel.
You're problly using the same joystick but I think you able to put the focus points onto the wheel.

Anyway I find using the registered point important when using ROF (as the registered point) - typiciallty I'll start the subject with the center point and then can instantly just to ROF just by hitting the joystick. If I think the focus need to be refocused I just hit the joystick to get back to the center establish focus and then back to ROF all in an instant.

I'm out the rest of the afternoon

[KIPAX]

yes the controller stick as in 9.3 set to 5.

i thought i was doing it right so glad to know i was.. i suppose its a case of more than one way to do things :)

thanks for your help .. much appreciated.. sorted now:)


its evening here :)

[jtsy]

Can anyone advice me on the settings below?

A) I have set the C.Fn IV : 0 when I have an E-TTL flash (480EX) turned on. Shutter button for AF, AE, Evaluative metering and FEL button for flash photography.
The same C.FN IV : 0 when using One-Shot works well along with Evaluative metering. I read somewhere that C.Fn IV :0 is not accurate with Spot metering, Center Weighted or Partial metering. Is this correct?

B) Without Flash. On AI Servo tracking mode I set to C.Fn IV : 2, along with either Spot metering,Partial or Centre Weighted metering. Back button (thumb) AF and then press shutter button to set exposure technique.
Can I set this C.Fn IV : 2 as default when taking still subjects (such as studio photography & landscape) without AI Servo on? Use this setting also on Evaluative metering?