Custom Function 4 on 30D is SOOOOOO great!

RRitch wrote in post #2168991
Yes it can. I just tried it on mine. To me it seems like in this mode, the focus and exposure both seem more accurate. Is that true, or is it just my imagination. I can tell that it will take some getting used to, but it does seem to be useful.

I don't think it's any more accurate but it's nice to be able to focus once and not have the camera try to refocus every time the shutter is pressed half way to set exposure.

Hi, Recently I had research about cf 4-1 because I had used it for long time, now I a little confuse, the reason is that almost all my pic are out of focus, so I found the cause in this thread and in this link
http://creativekarma.c​om …os_digital_rebe​l_xt_350d/
I think when used cf4 1 our 3 you must avoid partial meter, hear in the link above explain something about it.

man....I must have eaten too many mashed potatos yesterday and today because my brain is just having a hard time wrapping itself around what I just finished reading here. Maybe I'll try again in the morning. :-/

Geo wrote in post #6776857
Hi, Recently I had research about cf 4-1 because I had used it for long time, now I a little confuse, the reason is that almost all my pic are out of focus, so I found the cause in this thread and in this link
http://creativekarma.c​om …os_digital_rebe​l_xt_350d/
I think when used cf4 1 our 3 you must avoid partial meter, hear in the link above explain something about it.

The link mentions avoiding evaluative metering when using CF4-1 or CF4-3 in some circumstances. However, that would only impact metering and not whether your images are in focus.

e-k

Custom Function 4 question ...

I just found out about that Fn, which also works on a 5D II.

But I don't understand something -- what's the difference between that Custom Function and achieving focus with the shutter, recomposing, then hitting the * for AE Lock?

I take A LOT of party pics. What I want to do is "center-point" focus on one face, recompose, then make sure the evaluative metering is done for the "recomposed" photo, NOT relative to the face where I focused.

TIA for any explanation!

suatives wrote in post #6777079
=superlatives;6777079]​I just found out about that Fn, which also works on a 5D II.

But I don't understand something -- what's the difference between that Custom Function and achieving focus with the shutter, recomposing, then hitting the * for AE Lock?

I take A LOT of party pics. What I want to do is "center-point" focus on one face, recompose, then make sure the evaluative metering is done for the "recomposed" photo, NOT relative to the face where I focused.

TIA for any explanation!

Then custom function 4 is your best friend. The difference between the two methods is how much time you spend waiting for the perfect moment to push the shutter after you have focused and recomposed. I do a lot of bird photography and many times I see a bird sitting on a perch. I focus, recompose and wait WITH MY FINGER NOT HOLDING DOWN THE SHUTTER BUTTON. I want to capture the bird just as it flies from the perch and sometimes that can be a few minutes. If I were to do the traditional focus recompose dance my finger gets really tired holding the shutter button down. It is very easy to either accidently fire the shutter or to have my finger slip off the shutter button and lose focus.

I have been using custom function 4 for several years and I could never go back to the old way.

I've just tried this, but is there a way to set it so the aperture doesn't change? I shoot almost always in AV mode and would like to try focusing with the *, but also want the aperture to stay fixed. Maybe I'm confused? Help!

condorman wrote in post #6778342
Then custom function 4 is your best friend. The difference between the two methods is how much time you spend waiting for the perfect moment to push the shutter after you have focused and recomposed. I do a lot of bird photography and many times I see a bird sitting on a perch. I focus, recompose and wait WITH MY FINGER NOT HOLDING DOWN THE SHUTTER BUTTON. I want to capture the bird just as it flies from the perch and sometimes that can be a few minutes. If I were to do the traditional focus recompose dance my finger gets really tired holding the shutter button down. It is very easy to either accidently fire the shutter or to have my finger slip off the shutter button and lose focus.

I have been using custom function 4 for several years and I could never go back to the old way.

Condorman:

Thanks so much for the reply! But to make sure I've understood you --

Functionally, there's NO difference (metering-wise) between CFn4 and regular "focus > recompose > * (AE Lock)"? I WILL in both cases get eval. metering based upon the "recomposed" shot?

In my case (parties), I don't have to worry about waiting for minutes to fire the shutter.

Thanks again!

There are 3 elements in any photograph: Exposure, Composition and Focus.

On old manual cameras the control over these 3 elements are separate.
Focus is controlled by manipulating the lens.
Exposure is controlled by manipulating shutter speed and aperture.
Composition is controlled by pressing the shutter release.

This gives the photographer total uncompromisable control over the photographic process.
It also requires technical knowledge and is time consuming.


When Autofocus and Autoexposure systems were developed they allowed the photographic process to be simplified and sped up.
They allowed the average consumer to start taking pictures with out any need for special knowledge. All they have to do is compose the photo, and press one button.
The camera does the rest.
They also relieved the photographer from having to worry about getting the focus and exposure right before setting the composition.
Instead a photographer with an automatic camera can sacrifice control over focus and exposure for speed in setting the composition.

Of course tying all 3 elements to one button creates a huge compromise and using auto systems sacrifices total control over the photograph.
It means the focus you want to set, needs to be in the same place as the exposure you want to set, and both need to be lined up with composition you want.
This leads to lots of family snap shots with everyone and everything dead center of the frame.


Most cameras now days allow you to half press the shutter release to set focus and exposure, and set the composition by a full press of the shutter release.
This is better, but still a compromise as you are still forced to focus and set exposure on the same subject.

More advanced cameras allow you to set the exposure manually, and this does separate the 3 elements.
The separation is not always ideal though, as focus is still tied to the same button as composition.

Using custom function 4-1 goes that extra step further, in completely separating the 3 elements into 3 separate sets of controls on the camera when shooting with manual exposure.

Anyone one element can be set, and the controls left with out effecting the settings of the other two elements.

It is simply another option available to the photographer, and offers a level of control over the photograph that most closely resembles that found on older fully manual cameras.

i have always heard of this feature but never really thought about it until now. Thanks for the explanations guys, I will need to try this sometime..

I tried this a while back but chickened out because it felt weird - but of course I didn't stick with it long enough to get used to it.

This thread has inspired me to give it another go - the advantages are just too good to ignore. I'm going to stay with it until my fingers and my burned out brain are back in sync!

Edit: As a concession though on my 40D I've also set IV-2, so that the * and AF-ON button's roles are reversed. The * button is in a much more natural position for me.

OK...so if I make this adjustment as OP did, do I want the AI servo on or just 'one shot'.

I shoot a lot of basketball and want to try this new method. What would be the ideal setting for indoor action such as this?

Wow

what a difference that made this weekend shooting basketball games. I was quite pleased with the results. Once again I have to tip my hat to this site for learning new tips that enhance my picture taking.