Initial AF Point in 5D4

There are three options in this 5D4 menu i.e. Initial AF Point Selected, Manual AF Point, and Auto. I don't quite understand how the Manual AF Point works, and what it actually does. When I select this option, it does not look any different from the Initial AF Point Selected, at least from what I can see in the VF. Before I switched to AI Servo and Auto Selection AF, I manually selected Expand AF Area. When I get into AI Servo and Auto Selection AF (with Manual AF Point option), all I see is one AF point and this is no different from using the Initial AF Point Selected option. This does not make sense. I would appreciate an explanation on this.

I think you'll find some answers toward the end of this Canon vid. The issue of you not seeing any difference may lie in the fact that these selections behave differently in one shot vs AI Servo.

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=KY6VHltC-1U

I've seen that video. It touches very briefly on the initial AF, and I don't find it very helpful.

If you look at those options on the camera menu (press information for help) the description is clear. Remember that this affects the point used when switching to auto AF using AI Servo. If you select the 1st option (Initial () af point selected) the camera will use the selected AF point to start focusing (if possible). What selection? It remembers the AF point from the last time that AF selection was used. If you look in the viewfinder you can move the point around freely. The 2nd option (Manual AF point) is essentially the same but it will default to using the AF point that was selected in the AF selection you were previously using before switching to auto. So this option will not remember the point selected during last use but only the point you were using in your previous manual AF selection. Again, I'm talking about the point that it will try to start focusing with. As with the 1st option you are capable of moving the AF point anywhere with the available points. The only difference between the two is how the the camera determines which point is to be used for initial focusing. With the 3rd option (auto) the camera will decide which AF point to start with based on a pre-determined AF algorithm.

So to summarize:

Option 1 - (Initial () af point selected) - The camera will determine which initial AF point to use by recalling where it was the last time you used this AF selection.

Option 2 - (Manual AF point) - The camera will use the AF point from your previous manual AF selection as the initial point.

Option 3 - (auto) - The camera decides everything.

If you need a clear demonstration in option 1 go to your auto AF area. Move your AF point around then move to a different AF selection and move your AF point to a different location. Return to auto and you will see that your AF point is where it was when you left this AF mode. In option 2 go about the same procedure and you will see that your AF point is not where you left it but where you put it in the AF selection that you were using previously.

With option 1 and 2 you will see a moveable AF point in the viewfinder. With option 3 you will not.

Hope that helps you out.

Initial AF point only works in Full Auto AF or 61 point. If you enable it a single point AF point appears in the viewfinder. You use this to focus on your target. Once AF is acquired it drops out as the initial point and becomes part of the 61 AF point array. At this stage there is no single dedicated AF point, all 61 will go on an off as the target moves across the screen and/or use the ones that detect the best contrast.

When you take your finger/thumb off the BBF or shutter button the initial AF re-appears and the cycle repeats. You can move the initial AF point around to wherever you want before you start to focus on something.

nqjudo wrote in post #18695823
If you need a clear demonstration in option 1 go to your auto AF area. Move your AF point around then move to a different AF selection and move your AF point to a different location. Return to auto and you will see that your AF point is where it was when you left this AF mode. In option 2 go about the same procedure and you will see that your AF point is not where you left it but where you put it in the AF selection that you were using previously.

Thanks a lot for outlining this demo! I can now see the difference in how the two options work. However, I am still wondering in what shooting situations where one option has an advantage over the other? Thanks again.

No problem. As for situations where this can be used I don’t use the full auto AF selection myself but I know people who do. Mostly wildlife and sports shooters. If you aren’t aware the 5D4 can be configured for very fast switching of AF selection areas. One way to do this is with advanced configuration of the DOF preview buttton. The full auto selection is a little unstable and doesn’t work well with complex backgrounds so some people move between selections as conditions dictate. An example of this might be a birder who uses a single point for a bird in a tree but goes full auto when it takes off into a clean background. Whether they want the point to be the same as the previous selection or move to a different point depends on the shooter.

I switch selections at a touch of a button sometimes. Like if I'm tracking a runner with a rather long lens, perhaps the EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. At long distances, I probably use a single point with four expansion points. But if the runner gets very close and/or I zoom in a lot, all points may end up on clothes that are one single color and not much contrast to focus on. By having a zone pre-programmed at the press of a button, I can instantly go up in size for the AF array. If I combine that with iTR with face recognition, the camera can frequently find and track the face automatically for me.

apersson850 wrote in post #18696221
I switch selections at a touch of a button sometimes. Like if I'm tracking a runner with a rather long lens, perhaps the EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. At long distances, I probably use a single point with four expansion points. But if the runner gets very close and/or I zoom in a lot, all points may end up on clothes that are one single color and not much contrast to focus on. By having a zone pre-programmed at the press of a button, I can instantly go up in size for the AF array. If I combine that with iTR with face recognition, the camera can frequently find and track the face automatically for me.

Oh yeah. It is seriously good stuff. Sometimes I set up the *, AF-ON and DOF preview with different configurations. Multiply that by the three custom dial positions and you've got more than you can remember! One of the things I really appreciate about the camera.

I'm set up so when I use the AF-ON I pre-select the Case number and AF Mode. I change AF configs as I go. The * button is set so Case 6 and 61/65 point auto kicks in.

C1 = One shot. Single Shooting, Shutter not disabled, Pressing AF-On enables AI Servo.

C2 = AI Servo - High Speed continuous, shutter disabled

C3 = Auto ISO, AI Servo - High Speed continuous, shutter disabled. Just started to use Auto ISO so experimenting.

nqjudo wrote in post #18696260
Oh yeah. It is seriously good stuff. Sometimes I set up the *, AF-ON and DOF preview with different configurations. Multiply that by the three custom dial positions and you've got more than you can remember! One of the things I really appreciate about the camera.

I have never found the DOF preview button comfortable to use to use for anything. I use the AF-ON and * buttons. The 5D4 offers Detail Set where you can configure AF start position, AF characteristics, AF operation and AF area selection t taste when either button is pressed.

digital paradise wrote in post #18696376
I have never found the DOF preview button comfortable to use to use for anything. I use the AF-ON and * buttons. The 5D4 offers Detail Set where you can configure AF start position, AF characteristics, AF operation and AF area selection t taste when either button is pressed.

Yes. I've heard you make that comment before about the DOF preview. I think just using the AF-ON and * are more than sufficient for most cases and there's always the option to set up different configurations for the custom dial positions. Out of curiosity have you ever tried to use the DOF preview with your left hand?

When I hold my 5D4 in my right hand and cradle the lens in my left, I can hit the DOF very easily. I think I have my button set up to switch between AI Servo and One Shot though.

nqjudo wrote in post #18696419
Yes. I've heard you make that comment before about the DOF preview. I think just using the AF-ON and * are more than sufficient for most cases and there's always the option to set up different configurations for the custom dial positions. Out of curiosity have you ever tried to use the DOF preview with your left hand?

Yes I have. I know some like it but to me it is just awkward, even for DOF going back to the film days. When I sell a camera that is the only button I can guarantee has zero wear

Instead of starting a new thread I have shot Av and manual for over a decade. I just started to using Auto ISO but it seems to me that Tv might be better for BIF. It seems to pick the lowest f stop which is good unless the correct exposure can't be achieved. I then pick the shutter I want and ISO adjusts. It is little foreign trying it out this morning.

I'm on the road and about to pull up the manual but I figured I'd ask as well.