Most useful Custom Functions on 10D/20D

I just received my 20D and coming from the 300D that has few custom functions, I'm a bit lost. What are some of your favorite custom function settings and what kind of shooting do you use them for?

Thanks,
Ovi

http://www.siphoto.com​/?canon10D.inc

Chuck Westfall's 10D Custom Function preferred settings
Should be very applicable to 20D from what I could see:
http://www.cps.canon-europe.com …ducts/eos10D/se​ttings.jsp

So far I'm using close to the same settings on my 20D as my 10D. I don't use my shutter for focusing.

Mine is CF 12 (from memory) on both my 10D and 1nHS - mirror lock-up resulting in tack sharp landscapes when tripod mounted.

Barry

CF # 4 Get that focus control onto the * button ASAP


If you are used to triggering AF with the shutter button this may seem unusual at first.. but if you look at the advantages.. then you may see it is worth getting used to..

You really can't try it for a day.. you need to leave it that way for a few weeks before you have retrained yourself to take 100% advantage.

Using your thumb becomes second nature.. and you can recompose and re-meter at will and only worry about AF re-focusing when and where you want it too...

It offers MUCH more flexibility and control over the three independant actions that are by default tied to the shutter button alone (Shutter release, Metering and/or metering lock, and AutoFocus)

By seperating the AF from the shutter button equation.. in the end you have far more controll.

P.S. the BOLD RED ASAP type is to stesss the importance of getting used to doing this as early as possible.. so as to avoid the hassle of "not being used to it"

In many photogs opinions it is the single most important switch you can make with a CF towards taking full advantage of your cameras flexibility and control. (check Sports illustrated's recomendations or Chuck Westfall of Canon)

I believe Nikon's are set up this way to begin with.. either that .. or every Nikon I have ever handled was allready set to a rear focus button by there owners. IMHO this SHOULD be the default. Having all these functions including AF tied to the shutter release is soooo point and shoot

Yes.. it takes getting used to.

But for any type of action shooting where you actually want control of what you are focusing on.. and when,.. this is the only way to fly.

On the 20D.. CF# 13 set to 1


This is by far the greatest 20D only Custom function. It would be a great addition to the MkII

Another good one

CF#3 @ 1 Flash synch speed in AV mode set to 1/250th

This is a nice feature that keeps you from having to "twiddle" so much in AV mode using the flash to get a high shutter.

I'm lost............

I'll read this more 2nite when my mind is clear.

Too much info!!!

Ro1

More please more CF's

custom functions right? i should read my manual....

I am glad I read this post for my 20D will be here Thursday and some good tips are being discussed here.

CyberDyneSystems wrote:
On the 20D.. CF# 13 set to 1


This is by far the greatest 20D only Custom function. It would be a great addition to the MkII

YEAH, I found this the day I got them and WOW. My Mk2 didn't have this. It rocks for quick, working, focus switching, on the fly!!!

** EDIT **

The subsequent discussion on the preference for using the Shutter button for AF activation Vs. the rear * button via CF# 4 has "Split" to a topic of it's own

Lets try to remember that THIS THREAD is part of our "Sticky-FAQ" so we should try and stay on topic as much as possible.

The new thread can be found here;
-=The CFN #4-1 Thread=-

Any other favorite Cunstom Functions?

I like Cf13 (Focus Assist) in conjunction with CF7 (AF point registration).

I set the center AF point with Cf7 and then Cf13 to 2 (Select HP while pressing).

Then I make all focus points active, and use Cf4-3 to move the AF to the * button.

So normally, I use the * button to get AF and the camera selects the points. Works well most of the time, and since exposure is biased to the active AF points in evaluative mode, I think the exposure works better. IF, however, I don't like where the camera has chosen to focus, I'll put the center point over the subect and press the AF-assist button. It will re-focus using the center AF point. Release the AF-assist button, compose and shoot.

Kinda like having the best of both worlds.