MKIII 45 Point AF - Confused Big Time

Just got my MKIII but I am confused big time about this, the manual is terrible.

In One Shot I see a single sensor in the middle of the focus screen.

Page 84 and 85 of the manual I see a 20 point peripheral array.

But what is this 19 point? and 45 point?

Is there any information out there in laymans terms what this is all about and how to use it?

let me try:

either in one shot mode or servo mode, you can choose your AF point to be any of the 19 selectable point. it can be the center point, a point on the left, a point on the right, up down or what ever. you also have the option of choosing all point (thats where you see all of them lit up) and than the camera will choose the point for you. now, in previous 1 series bodies, you had the option of choosing any point you wanted out of 45 available points which was nice but became a bit of a chore to scroll through all these points. in the mkIII, canon changed this system so now you can only choose out of 19 available points. now before you get all worked up saying that canon robbed you of extra points, they didn't. you still have 45 AF points working for you but you can only choose 19 (trust me, it is more than enough).

i know that it doesn't make much sense to you right now but it will once you start using it. as for how to choose the point and change it from the center one, all you have to do is press the upper right button on your camera (the one that looks like different color squares 2 buttons to the right from the AF-On button) and than use the scroll wheel to choose the point that you want.

i don't want to confuse you even more but in addition to all this mumbo jumbo, you also have some custom functions that will also modify the AF even more. for example, you can set a custom function that will auto expand your af points so if for example, you focus with a single point, the camera might turn on more points to the surrounding area.

Hmm, I have a 1D but I might be able to help. If you want to select another point you first push the button all the way to the right on the back about where the thumb rests. and then scroll with the front wheel to select horizontally and then the back wheel to select vertically. As for the 19 pt, I think you may be refering to the number of higher sensitivity cross type sensors. But there is also a C.Fn that will adjust the amount of selectable AF points. Hope this helps

Best of Luck
Anthony

Here is a link to the 1D mklll white paper.
It explains the autofocus system in detail.
Mac

http://www.usa.canon.c​om …&articleID=666&​fromTips=1

Okay... you're doing everything wrong. I see you're in Ontario, so you're close to me. Just drop by my house, leave the camera on the front porch, and I'll make sure everything works fine. I'll spend the next couple of years learning it for myself. Then once it is about to die from use, I'll give you a call and teach you everything I have learned.

How does that sound?

Blondie and Drake thanks for your quick response I see the array and now can select the right and left sides only and also some of the horizontal sensors, so it appears to be working like you said.

In nut shell I want to test this unit in A1 Servo mode with dogs running at me to ensure the AF is good. I have 14 days to return the unit and I want to be sure.

I am familair with A1 Servo and the High Speed setting but what other settings and custom settings should I use if any? Should I use the ring of fire in the test?

Ballast you're a funny guy,

So is that a "no"?

you're correct if I did my wife would put me in the dog house and I would be exiled for life

I have not been able to download the white paper for the Mk III. Tired both USA and EU sites. It starts and then stalls out. Any suggesitons on how I can get a copy?

gasrocks wrote in post #4116438
I have not been able to download the white paper for the Mk III. Tired both USA and EU sites. It starts and then stalls out. Any suggesitons on how I can get a copy?

what's your email buddy, i will email it to you right now.

http://www.robgalbrait​h.com …_Mark_III_White​_Paper.pdf

all you really need

I've always wondered why we weren't given the option to select *all* of the central ring. I only ever use a nominated point (with expansion) - but I'd have been interested to see how using the center 19 in Servo would work.

Am I right in thinking you cannot have 2 active AF points, like one being the centre and another one say the one above ?

Also if your new to the 1D series of cameras may I recommend you read up on the EOS FAQ Sticky thread, there are links there to some excellent info on the 1D series of cameras. Some of it specific to older versions, but much of it applies to all of them.