The Cn-4.x for AF/AE "*" button awkward

OK, I've really really tried to get used to this function code setting to be able to use the "*" buttton for obtaining Focus (vs. the shutter release button). The only thing I find it useful for is when in AI SERVO with HighSpeed shooting (to maintain focus on something moving) -- and I tend to shoot with single/center Focus Point only.

Anyway, I find this AF/AE function to be very awkward when I turn my camera vertically, as the "*" button is now at the bottom end of the camera, vs. when I shoot horizontally and the button is easy to leave my thumb on it to obtain focus.

Does anyone else experience this, and if so, how do you deal with the awkwardness? short of just turning the funtion OFF and resorting to using the Shutter Release button.

Cody21 wrote in post #5716013
Anyway, I find this AF/AE function to be very awkward when I turn my camera vertically, as the "*" button is now at the bottom end of the camera, vs. when I shoot horizontally and the button is easy to leave my thumb on it to obtain focus.

So rotate the camera the other way.

Cody21 wrote in post #5716013
OK, I've really really tried to get used to this function code setting to be able to use the "*" buttton for obtaining Focus (vs. the shutter release button). The only thing I find it useful for is when in AI SERVO with HighSpeed shooting (to maintain focus on something moving) -- and I tend to shoot with single/center Focus Point only.

Anyway, I find this AF/AE function to be very awkward when I turn my camera vertically, as the "*" button is now at the bottom end of the camera, vs. when I shoot horizontally and the button is easy to leave my thumb on it to obtain focus.

Does anyone else experience this, and if so, how do you deal with the awkwardness? short of just turning the funtion OFF and resorting to using the Shutter Release button.

It's simple - rotate the camera counter-clockwise to shoot "portrait" position images. That puts the controls at the top.

Even better, you could get a "grip" to use with the camera and have a second set of buttons to work with.

Thanks for the input gents.. For 25 years, I've always just rotated my camera with the buttons 'down' for portraits, etc ... I'll play around with it the other way and see if I can "get used to it" ... old dog, new tricks ..

Cody21 wrote in post #5716178
Thanks for the input gents.. For 25 years, I've always just rotated my camera with the buttons 'down' for portraits, etc ... I'll play around with it the other way and see if I can "get used to it" ... old dog, new tricks ..

I've always shot vertical with the controls on top so it's second-nature for me. I suspect most shoot vertical the same way.

You'll get the hang of it and, once you do, you'll really enjoy the Cn-4 function. I know I do, regardless of mode I'm shooting.

Good luck

I tried using this once.

Ditched it. Half pressing the shutter is better...for me at least. I saw no advantage to the other way.

OdiN1701 wrote in post #5716332
I tried using this once.

Ditched it. Half pressing the shutter is better...for me at least. I saw no advantage to the other way.

If you favor letting the camera make decisions for you, then keep the camera set the way it came from the factory.

However, if you want the maximum control possible over the camera, the Custom Function 4 set to 1 is one of the tools you'd need. I use it all the time and will not switch.

I just started doing it a couple months ago. It's not naturally intuitive, but as I make myself keep doing it's getting more and more second-nature.

Now that I've gotten used to it there's no going back.

It's essential to getting well framed,in focus action shots while using center focal point only--at least for me.

My .02--Your mileage may vary

SkipD wrote in post #5716833
If you favor letting the camera make decisions for you, then keep the camera set the way it came from the factory.

However, if you want the maximum control possible over the camera, the Custom Function 4 set to 1 is one of the tools you'd need. I use it all the time and will not switch.

Uhm, excuse me? What does moving the button which does autofocus have to do with the camera making decisions for me?

Explain how the camera makes decisions for me. Last I checked, when it is in Manual mode, I'm the one making the decisions.

OdiN1701 wrote in post #5719068
Uhm, excuse me? What does moving the button which does autofocus have to do with the camera making decisions for me?

Explain how the camera makes decisions for me. Last I checked, when it is in Manual mode, I'm the one making the decisions.

If you have the autofocus activated by the shutter release button, the camera will attempt to refocus for each and every shot you make. The decision the camera makes for what's precicely in focus can and often will be different for each of a series of shots of the same subject (but with minor differences in composition).

By using the * button to activate autofocus, you have total control of when you use it. With the right lenses, you can even focus manually without having to switch autofocus off.

Manual exposure control (having the camera's dial on "M") does nothing to change the way autofocus works. I use manual exposure settings most often, along with the CF4=1 setting for autofocus control. With that combination, I have total control over how my camera works for me.

With C.Fn. 4-x and FTM focusing lens, in AI Servo photographer has 3 focusing modes in one: AI Servo, if pressing * button continuously, One Shot if * is pressed and released and Manual.
All in one, with no need to change any camera setting.

Hermeto wrote in post #5720488
With C.Fn. 4-x and FTM focusing lens, in AI Servo photographer has 3 focusing modes in one: AI Servo, if pressing * button continuously, One Shot if * is pressed and released and Manual.
All in one, with no need to change any camera setting.

Your explanation is exactly why I learned to use C.Fn.4-x. It took some getting used to but now I can't imagine not using it.

SkipD wrote in post #5720023
If you have the autofocus activated by the shutter release button, the camera will attempt to refocus for each and every shot you make. The decision the camera makes for what's precicely in focus can and often will be different for each of a series of shots of the same subject (but with minor differences in composition).

By using the * button to activate autofocus, you have total control of when you use it. With the right lenses, you can even focus manually without having to switch autofocus off.

Manual exposure control (having the camera's dial on "M") does nothing to change the way autofocus works. I use manual exposure settings most often, along with the CF4=1 setting for autofocus control. With that combination, I have total control over how my camera works for me.

So you're saying if I have burst on, and hold down the shutter for several shots, it's trying to autofocus on each shot, even when I have it set to one shot?

Or that by half pressing to autofocus, then fully depressing to take a shot, then half raising and then fully depressing again will autofocus between that? Because my camera doesn't do that.

I think I have total control of when I use autofocus. If I want to focus again or differently, I can fully raise the shutter button, then half depress to autofocus. Or I can half press it and then manually ajdust focus, then take the shot. Then I could half raise it and manually focus elsewhere and take another shot - all without autofocus engaging.

So I'm not understanding where this is coming from that I don't have control? It seems to work fine to me - am I not understanding something you're trying to tell me?

OdiN1701 wrote in post #5720619
So you're saying if I have burst on, and hold down the shutter for several shots, it's trying to autofocus on each shot, even when I have it set to one shot?

Or that by half pressing to autofocus, then fully depressing to take a shot, then half raising and then fully depressing again will autofocus between that? Because my camera doesn't do that.

I think I have total control of when I use autofocus. If I want to focus again or differently, I can fully raise the shutter button, then half depress to autofocus. Or I can half press it and then manually ajdust focus, then take the shot. Then I could half raise it and manually focus elsewhere and take another shot - all without autofocus engaging.

So I'm not understanding where this is coming from that I don't have control? It seems to work fine to me - am I not understanding something you're trying to tell me?

In C.Fn 4.3, by continuously holding down * to focus in AI Servo, I don't have to release shutter to refocus the shot. Even in C.Fn 4.1, having the * for focusing is better than relying on the shutter to handle focusing.

Try it for a month before making a decision.