auto focus points on 5dmark2 question

Question, I shoot in AI servo mode and also moved to back button focusing, only my center point stays light up red. What can I do to make all points light up red? Thanks and take care.

I'm pretty sure that the 5DII is similar to my 50D for the AF settings. If you the multi controller direct function for AF then pressing the controller selects the center point only. If you then press the AF selection button, not the AF button, that will set the camera to all points. This lets you start out using the center point, but then allows tracking across all points.

Alan

BigAl007 wrote in post #18450752
I'm pretty sure that the 5DII is similar to my 50D for the AF settings. If you the multi controller direct function for AF then pressing the controller selects the center point only. If you then press the AF selection button, not the AF button, that will set the camera to all points. This lets you start out using the center point, but then allows tracking across all points.

Alan

I'm assuming using all points is the better option. thank you!

James Crockett wrote in post #18450757
I'm assuming using all points is the better option. thank you!

If you are tracking a moving subject with these older cameras it is really the only option that will track across points. At least it only uses the center point, along with the hidden helpers, for initial acquisition in AI Servo. So it's not like all points in Single Shot, where it will just focus on the closest point under any of the points.

Although I use AI Servo all the time with BBAF I often use it like single shot, with a press and release, I tend to use a single selected point for this sort of work.

Alan

BigAl007 wrote in post #18450752
I'm pretty sure that the 5DII is similar to my 50D for the AF settings. If you the multi controller direct function for AF then pressing the controller selects the center point only. If you then press the AF selection button, not the AF button, that will set the camera to all points. This lets you start out using the center point, but then allows tracking across all points.

Alan

I think the 50D has 9 cross type AF points. The 5DII has 1, the center point. IMHO, the AF system of the 5DII is seriously outdated for AI-Servo work.

The only good AF, if you have hopes of keeping AF locked onto a target, is the center AF with acquisition helper points turned on. No other AF point ever worked for me when even trying to track kids moving around, and especially anything else moving more quickly or erratically. And if you expect the 5D2 to start with one point and track something over to the other points, the gaps are too large for as few AF points as there are, coupled with the poor AF structure, you will most likely be disappointed in a majority of the results.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #18451035
The only good AF, if you have hopes of keeping AF locked onto a target, is the center AF with acquisition helper points turned on. No other AF point ever worked for me when even trying to track kids moving around, and especially anything else moving more quickly or erratically. And if you expect the 5D2 to start with one point and track something over to the other points, the gaps are too large for as few AF points as there are, coupled with the poor AF structure, you will most likely be disappointed in a majority of the results.

Concur. That is exactly my experience with the AF of the 5Dc, which is exactly the same as the AF in the 5D2.

At least the six assist points, surrounding the center point, does improve the situaiton somewhat. They are enabled by a separate setting, though.
The 5D and 5D Mark II has the AF module from the 20D/30D/400D, just augmented with the assist points.
The 50D has all cross type points and dual cross type at the center (a feature first appearing on the 40D), but no assist points. They came to the APS-C line with the 7D, which added ten more points inside the original nine point diamond shape array.

But it's true as is said above. The 5D and 5D Mark II are infamous for poor Servo AF tracking capability, if you need more than one point.