The advantages of using Cfn...

I just thought I'd post this image as an example of why custom functions should not be ignored (or, more positively put, why its important to understand what they do). Most experienced shooters use these extensively so this is really aimed at shooters who aren't sure if there's real value in learning all the complexities of what their CFn's can do.

The image below incorporates several CFn's and while it's not an SI quality image, it demonstrates why these functions are important. In a crowd like this with moving subjects, it would be very easy to lose focus on your subject even if your technique was good. By using a single AF point (no expansion) set one point above center, AI servo (ok, not a CFn but its important to the setup), moderately slow tracking, and no continuous AF, you can isolate your subject even in a situation like this image. The CFn numbers will be different on different bodies but if you shoot team sports like football, soccer, hoops, and LAX, take the time to read the CFn section of the manual and start to play with these in different situations.

this is SOOC, only work done was a small crop.

namasste wrote in post #12664783
By using a single AF point (no expansion) set one point above center, AI servo (ok, not a CFn but its important to the setup), moderately slow tracking, and no continuous AF, you can isolate your subject even in a situation like this image. The CFn numbers will be different on different bodies but if you shoot team sports like football, soccer, hoops, and LAX, take the time to read the CFn section of the manual and start to play with these in different situations.

I completely agree. I switch over to CFn often to just use one focal point. I hven't used it much with sports, but have used it many times on still subjects when my 50D won't focus on what I want it to.

Excellent post for shooting team field sports!!! So many negative comments on xxD camera bodies and even lenses are due to lack of proper camera set-up.

This Canon brochure give a good overview of different sports and which C.Fn's should be considered...

http://www.pressefotog​rafforbundet.dk/fil/eo​s1dmk3_af_cfn_guide.pd​f

It's for the 1D Mk III, but similar settings should be applicable to other bodies.

When mentioning different Cfn settings (like "moderately slow tracking") it would be good to reference the camera body being used, also; as there are only a couple of bodies that allow that sort of setting.

Similar C.Fn info for 1D Mk IV...
http://cpn.canon-europe.com …v/1D_Mark_IV_gu​ide_en.pdf

Snydremark wrote in post #12665536
When mentioning different Cfn settings (like "moderately slow tracking") it would be good to reference the camera body being used, also; as there are only a couple of bodies that allow that sort of setting.

1D3 but I use it with a 1D2 as well. I know the 7D has this, not sure on xxD bodies as I don't own one.

Right. 7D has it, but the XXDs and Rebels don't; that's why I figured it should be specified

Thanks....this will come in very handy.

namasste has given some absolutely excellent advice! Using (and understanding) Custom Functions is hugely important...especially in Sports Photography!

Bryan

Glad you guys think this is useful. I'm a manual reader. You name it, camera, dishwasher, anything that comes with instructions. That said, when I first got into 1 series bodies (and this obviously applies to more than just 1 series) I was intimidated at first so I left things alone for fear I'd tear a hole in the very fabric of the universe if I made a mistake in messing with my CFns. Somehow, I jumped from that to a "let's change everything" attitude at some point. I guess I figured that if Canon gave me the option, it had to make my images better to take advantage, right? Truth be told, it took a few years of really playing with different combinations to understand how they all work together (and even now I still wonder about certain ones). In learning how the CFns work it became obvious to me that CFns offered in the pro and prosumer bodies we are discussing are designed to be tweaked to maximize shooting potential based on subject and situation being photographed. This may seem obvious but the point is that bodies like these are not intended to be set and forget. I'd highly encourage anyone who either doesn't use their CFn's or has set theirs and never changed them, to play around with them in various combinations (this being key as its usually the interaction of the functions that generates the best or most consistent results. The image above demonstrates this which is why I chose it. Had I done everything I mentioned except I had continuous AF enabled, its likely that my subject would have been totally OOF and either the ball or other players closer to me would be.

I read so many threads here about a shooter complaining about focus problems with their pro bodies and they often suggest that the problem is the body itself. True to some degree in that the body is producing OOF images but only because the user has not set it up properly for the situation. A 7D or 1D series camera is not meant to be a point and shoot or set to the green box (1D cameras don't even offer a full auto mode). That's really the bottom line.

That's so true, Scott; when I first got my 40D I went immediately into that "change everything" mindset; and it got things into a state where I couldn't get a decent shot to save my life. Finally dug around and found the 'reset' feature. Hit that, and 'magically' I could get halfway decent shots again.

That prompted me to re-open the manual and find the things *I* actually needed

Agree. After finally getting the 7D setup correctly, getting infocus shots (especially basketball where other bodies and limbs creep into the viewfinder) was like shooting fish in a barrel!

Constantly read everything I could here at POTN on CFn settings, bounced them back to Canon's manual to see if they made sense. Most of the time, the info here at POTN was explained more clearly than the manual itself.

At the end of the day, getting the 7D setup to accurately capture moving bodies with distractions closer and further than the subject was a challenge, but well worth the effort.

dave

Another example similar to what Scott talked about is to set your single focus point low when your camera is in vertical orientation. That way, if you are near the baseline at a volleyball game, you can shoot under the net and grab the knees of the player on the other side of the net! VOILA, player is in focus. Otherwise the focus may grab the net and ruin the shot.

very informative.. thanks for sharing..