Canon 5D3 focusing on a moving subject

I am trying to figure out how to get my new camera, the Canon 5D3, to focus on a subject. I want to get it to make a focal point (or more) to track the subject while it is moving.

I have had some modicum of success, but it isn't tracking with all the available tracking points
I have gone through all the cases i.e. Case 1-6 with some minor adjustments
AI Servo 1st Image priority has been changed to focus (same for the 2nd priority)
With Selectable AF point set to 61 points
Select AF area selection mode set to default
Orientation linked AF point set to "Select separate AF points"
Manual AF pt. select pattern set to "Stops at AF area edges"
AF point display during focus set to "Selected (constant)"

How do I get a single focal point to track from one point, either from left to right or vice versa?

RichSoansPhotos wrote in post #17620650
I am trying to figure out how to get my new camera, the Canon 5D3, to focus on a subject. I want to get it to make a focal point (or more) to track the subject while it is moving.

I have had some modicum of success, but it isn't tracking with all the available tracking points
I have gone through all the cases i.e. Case 1-6 with some minor adjustments
AI Servo 1st Image priority has been changed to focus (same for the 2nd priority)
With Selectable AF point set to 61 points
Select AF area selection mode set to default
Orientation linked AF point set to "Select separate AF points"
Manual AF pt. select pattern set to "Stops at AF area edges"
AF point display during focus set to "Selected (constant)"

How do I get a single focal point to track from one point, either from left to right or vice versa?

I personally only use the center focus point when capturing action/moving objects, if I need to I'll move that point around I'll do as much but 95% of the time at least in my opinion you should only use the center AF point. I've tried messing around with the AF cases as well with my 7D2 I prefer case 1.. It in general seems to do a decent job. AS far as focus/or quick release I keep both in the middle and haven't had an issue with that.

The 5D3 is probably the best-focusing full frame camera on the market. I will assume the camera is not the problem. My first suggestion is to take focusing off the front (shutter) button. AI-Servo tracking is just a lot easier if you put focusing to the AF-ON or * buttons.

Tracking with one point is the most difficult way to track. Use point-expanded, or point surrounded instead. If the subject is large in the frame, use zone.

Stick to one case, with default settings, until you know how it behaves. Choose the case that most closely resembles your shooting situation. Some really good background and explanations can be found here: http://downloads.canon​.com …X-firmware-v.2.0_CUSA.pdf

Don't let the 1Dx scare you. It has the same AF system as the 5D3. After reading this brochure, I want a 5D3 so bad I can taste it. Yum! Good luck!

RichSoansPhotos wrote in post #17620650
I am trying to figure out how to get my new camera, the Canon 5D3, to focus on a subject. I want to get it to make a focal point (or more) to track the subject while it is moving.

How do I get a single focal point to track from one point, either from left to right or vice versa?

The processing power of the 5D3, or any camera, does not approach that of a human brain - so don't expect it to track a moving subject like your brain can tell your hands to do.

That said, the 5D3, with good lenses, is very fast at grabbing focus if you have 'active focus points' pointed at your subject it has decent light hitting it and at least moderate contrast.

So, if you have something that is moving, use as many initial focus points as you can (without sacrificing your ability for focus on exactly what you are trying to focus on) - and then in my opinion, once accelerated motion starts you may want to throw more focus points at the task to help (this is a key at least for me).

With this in mind, and using the two previous comments which I agree with (BBF with the AF-ON button and using more initial points if you are able to), what I also do is re-assign the DoF button (right ring finger to push it) to Switch to Registered AF Function - and then in the sub menu that you bring up with the Info Button I change the Area Selection to all 61 pt AF.

For 95% of the time, all of my AI Servo 'tracking' is done with whatever initial focus point I chose - example:
- hockey player (center pt with surround 4)
- slow moving bird (single center pt)
- fast moving bird (zone)

If the situation then accelerates to the point where I want to spray and pray, or for framing reasons I need more than the initial AF points that I started with, then by pushing and holding the DoF button with your ring finger, the camera expands (in my illustrated example above) to all 61 points.

In terms of the cases, I use Case 2 for things like hockey and reduce tracking sensitivity to avoid focus being shifted when other players move in front of my desired player. For weddings I use Case 1. For Birds I play with Cases 4, 5 and 6 but it doesn't seem to matter much as big birds don't move that fast and for the tiny fast moving birds the camera is simply not fast enough to track - you have to do it yourself (and this is where the above Switch registered AF to 61 can help).

GeoKras1989 wrote in post #17622261
The 5D3 is probably the best-focusing full frame camera on the market. I will assume the camera is not the problem. My first suggestion is to take focusing off the front (shutter) button. AI-Servo tracking is just a lot easier if you put focusing to the AF-ON or * buttons.

Tracking with one point is the most difficult way to track. Use point-expanded, or point surrounded instead. If the subject is large in the frame, use zone.

Stick to one case, with default settings, until you know how it behaves. Choose the case that most closely resembles your shooting situation. Some really good background and explanations can be found here: http://downloads.canon​.com …X-firmware-v.2.0_CUSA.pdf

Don't let the 1Dx scare you. It has the same AF system as the 5D3. After reading this brochure, I want a 5D3 so bad I can taste it. Yum! Good luck!

Oh I forgot to mention that the BBF was already in place, the link you have provided won't work

I am actually relishing the challenge to get this focus tracking to my needs

wallstreetoneil wrote in post #17622290
The processing power of the 5D3, or any camera, does not approach that of a human brain - so don't expect it to track a moving subject like your brain can tell your hands to do.

That said, the 5D3, with good lenses, is very fast at grabbing focus if you have 'active focus points' pointed at your subject if has decent light hitting it and at least moderate contrast.

So, if you have something that is moving, trying and use as many initial focus points as you can (without sacrificing your ability for focus on exactly what you are trying to focus on) - and then in my opinion, once accelerated motion starts you may want to throw more focus points at the task to help (this is a key at least for me).

With this in mind, and using the two previous comments which I agree with (BBF with the AF-ON button and using more initial points if you are able to), what I also do is re-assign the DoF button (right ring finger to push it) to Switch to Registered AF Function - and then in the sub menu that you bring up with the Info Button I change the Area Selection to all 61 pt AF.

For 95% of the time, all of my AI Servo 'tracking' is done with whatever initial focus point I chose - example:
- hockey player (center pt with surround 4)
- slow moving bird (single center pt)
- fast moving bird (zone)

If the situation then accelerates to the point where I want to spray and pray, or for framing reasons I need more than the initial AF points that I started with, then by pushing and holding the DoF button with your ring finger, the camera expands (in my illustrated example above) to all 61 points.

In terms of the cases, I use Case 2 for things like hockey and reduce tracking sensitivity to avoid focus being shifted when other players move in front of my desired player. For weddings I use Case 1. For Birds I play with Cases 4, 5 and 6 but it doesn't seem to matter much as big birds don't move that fast and for the tiny fast moving birds the camera is simply not fast enough to track - your have to do it yourself (and this is where the above Switch registered AF to 61 can help).

Thanks

RichSoansPhotos wrote in post #17622312
Oh I forgot to mention that the BBF was already in place, the link you have provided won't work

I am actually relishing the challenge to get this focus tracking to my needs

Apologies about the link. It doesn't work from here for me either. Just copy the entire address to a new browser window and hit ENTER. That works for me. If that doesn't work for you, PM me with your e-mail address. I will send you the downloaded PDF, if need be.

It worked with the copy and paste method