1DX Wedding Photogs - Which AF Area Selcection Mode?

So which do you use - Manual Select Spot AF or 1 PT AF, Expand Area, Expand Area Surround, Manual Select Zone AF or Auto selection?

Michelle Brooks Photography wrote in post #16865291
So which do you use - Manual Select Spot AF or 1 PT AF, Expand Area, Expand Area Surround, Manual Select Zone AF or Auto selection?

The AF system in the 1DX is almost the same as the one in the 5DIII. The 1DX uses color information and is probably a little bit faster in acquisition.

The modes are the same as well. I use either 1 pt AF or expanded area (assist points). I never use the zone AF or auto selection and rarely use spot AF.

I don't find these modes too useful at weddings since tracking subjects isn't really a difficult task at weddings. The more important aspect of the AF system is that the outer points are cross type points, which is TONS better than say the 5D2.

Cool, thanks, Nick!

nicksan wrote in post #16865930
The AF system in the 1DX is almost the same as the one in the 5DIII. The 1DX uses color information and is probably a little bit faster in acquisition.

The modes are the same as well. I use either 1 pt AF or expanded area (assist points). I never use the zone AF or auto selection and rarely use spot AF.

I don't find these modes too useful at weddings since tracking subjects isn't really a difficult task at weddings. The more important aspect of the AF system is that the outer points are cross type points, which is TONS better than say the 5D2.

agreed with Nick.
I had been using the 5D3 for a while.
now that i have a 1dx, i look thru my 5D3 setting and change the 1Dx setting to the same as the 5D3. easy.
O am using 1pt AF. i also never use zone AF or others just like Nick.

So waht do you guys use in the Selectable AF Point - 61 points, Only Cross Type, 15 or 9 points?

I use all 61 in mine. I shoot shallow and want to compose in camera and get that focal point where i need it. The extra spots helps me a lot.

Michelle Brooks Photography wrote in post #16875509
So waht do you guys use in the Selectable AF Point - 61 points, Only Cross Type, 15 or 9 points?

Only cross type.

Ok, thanks!

I use the all cross type when I'm in dim light, but all AF points when there is good light or I'm using flash.

As for AF mode, i've always used single point, but experimenting with the others right now.

frugivore wrote in post #16881299
I use the all cross type when I'm in dim light, but all AF points when there is good light or I'm using flash.

As for AF mode, i've always used single point, but experimenting with the others right now.

If you don't mind, what's the reasons for your choices for dim or good light/flash?

Michelle Brooks Photography wrote in post #16881467
If you don't mind, what's the reasons for your choices for dim or good light/flash?

In good light, even the non-cross type AF points are good at latching onto something in the scene, whereas they will have trouble doing this in dim light. The cross-type AF points have a higher chance of finding some contrast to latch onto, even in lower light. My flash puts out the AF assist beam, so AF will work with any point in any light level.

I haven't really tested this theory in real life. In fact, I was shooting the reception last night at a wedding without flash and I think I had left all 61 AF points on. Using the 24mm and 40mm lenses I have, using the outer non-cross type point, I was still getting some decent AF. But I'm guessing that I would've gotten better AF performance with only X-type points. And even better had I had my flash on.

frugivore wrote in post #16881487
In good light, even the non-cross type AF points are good at latching onto something in the scene, whereas they will have trouble doing this in dim light. The cross-type AF points have a higher chance of finding some contrast to latch onto, even in lower light. My flash puts out the AF assist beam, so AF will work with any point in any light level.

I haven't really tested this theory in real life. In fact, I was shooting the reception last night at a wedding without flash and I think I had left all 61 AF points on. Using the 24mm and 40mm lenses I have, using the outer non-cross type point, I was still getting some decent AF. But I'm guessing that I would've gotten better AF performance with only X-type points. And even better had I had my flash on.

SOunds logical! Thank you for taking the time to explain

Here'a a related question- Do you use One Shot, AI Servo??

The ability to focus seems to be more related to having enough contrast than light levels. I can be outside in good light but shooting against low contrast targets and the non crosstype AF points would struggle.

I have my DOF Preview button assigned to switch to AI Servo. Takes a little getting used to but I never put my camera in AI Servo mode. Instead, I press the DOF Preview button to momentarily engage AI Server, then let it go when I am done.

Servo dies not miss on either body. It's the best canon has ever had. Don't be afraid of it. I use it for just about anything that's gonna move