1D Mark III Users: Great Camera Setting Tip

Hell friends,

I just wanted to let you all in on a little tip that I found with the Mark III and how it is capable of making your life a whole lot easier.

If you know about it then good for you. If you don't then try it out...

This is primarily for the photographers who like to assign the '*' button for their auto focusing over those who just press the shutter half way.

The feature that helps me get the shot 10/10 times is that I have my AF set to the AF-ON button on the back right and I have the * set to a registered camera setting. I move my thumb to the * when I don't have time to adjust my manual settings so it just jumps into Av mode with +1/3 EC so I can always get the shot and get it exposed in the ballpark. As soon as I release it it back to normal Manual mode. The * button also does the AF as long as going into Av mode.

I have my Mark III set up as follows:
cFn. IV - 1: Shutter Button/AF-ON button = Set this up with what you do in mind. The main thing here is to assign the AF-ON button to do all the Autofocus action. I don't have my camera near but I think I am set to 0 or 3. Who knows.

cFn I - 14: Apply Shooting/Metering Mode = Enable. I registered this to put me into Av mode with + 1/3 exposure compensation. This means that every time I press the * button, my camera will not only auto focus, but it will also jump into Av mode with +1/3 exposure compensation. No need to fidget with my settings. All I need to do is move my thumb from the AF-On button to the * and I am in Av mode to ensure that I get the shot. You can assign this button to whatevr you want really. Program mode, Tv mode whatever!

Finally (optional)
cFn. IV - 2: AF-ON/AE Lock Button Switch = enable to switch their functions so you are back to AF with the * and the AF-ON will activate the registered camera setting.


This is open to interpretation and isn't perfect for everyone. If you think it would be helpful then give it a shot and let me know what you think.

Thanks for the tips I just took a look into 1-14 and that is pretty spiffy. I havent read up on all the custom functions but that is really handy.

MichaelAlan_Photo wrote in post #6371886
Hell friends,

I just wanted to let you all in on a little tip that I found with the Mark III and how it is capable of making your life a whole lot easier.

If you know about it then good for you. If you don't then try it out...

This is primarily for the photographers who like to assign the '*' button for their auto focusing over those who just press the shutter half way.

The feature that helps me get the shot 10/10 times is that I have my AF set to the AF-ON button on the back right and I have the * set to a registered camera setting. I move my thumb to the * when I don't have time to adjust my manual settings so it just jumps into Av mode with +1/3 EC so I can always get the shot and get it exposed in the ballpark. As soon as I release it it back to normal Manual mode. The * button also does the AF as long as going into Av mode.

I have my Mark III set up as follows:
cFn. IV - 1: Shutter Button/AF-ON button = Set this up with what you do in mind. The main thing here is to assign the AF-ON button to do all the Autofocus action. I don't have my camera near but I think I am set to 0 or 3. Who knows.

cFn I - 14: Apply Shooting/Metering Mode = Enable. I registered this to put me into Av mode with + 1/3 exposure compensation. This means that every time I press the * button, my camera will not only auto focus, but it will also jump into Av mode with +1/3 exposure compensation. No need to fidget with my settings. All I need to do is move my thumb from the AF-On button to the * and I am in Av mode to ensure that I get the shot. You can assign this button to whatevr you want really. Program mode, Tv mode whatever!

Finally (optional)
cFn. IV - 2: AF-ON/AE Lock Button Switch = enable to switch their functions so you are back to AF with the * and the AF-ON will activate the registered camera setting.


This is open to interpretation and isn't perfect for everyone. If you think it would be helpful then give it a shot and let me know what you think.

I literally got my camera 5 days ago, so this is a great tip, i'll be playing with it tommorow.

Glad it can help. Just like GI Joe said, Knowing is half the battle.

The other half is remembering that you have this nifty feature enabled!

I feel more comfortable with AF assigned to the "*" button, but I can certainly see the benefit of this.

nicksan wrote in post #6372581
I feel more comfortable with AF assigned to the "*" button, but I can certainly see the benefit of this.

That is why God gave us this feature:
cFn. IV - 2: AF-ON/AE Lock Button Switch


It will switch their purposes. So your AF can be back to the * and the Av mode will be on the AF-ON button. See above again which explains that feature.

Yep, have had the "*" for AF for a while now...don't ever need to switch to Av but for those who do, I can certainly see this as a great alternative.

MichaelAlan_Photo wrote in post #6372875
That is why God gave us this feature:
cFn. IV - 2: AF-ON/AE Lock Button Switch


It will switch their purposes. So your AF can be back to the * and the Av mode will be on the AF-ON button. See above again which explains that feature.

Thanks a bunch for the tip, this will be very useful assuming I remember that I set this up out in the field!

That's actually very cool.

I have a question, though... would the cFn I - 14 happen to be available on any of the other series cameras? Specifically, the 5D. I'm assuming the fact that the 5D has a dial might make that a no (plus you have the custom modes that could perform essentially the same function), but wanted to ask anyway. Would be handy to avoid having to turn a dial if you have 2 modes you alternate between a lot.

Michael,
thanks for the tip when I get mine on Monday (hurry Up UPS) I will try them setting.

cFn I - 14 is one of the most underused but best CFN's on that camera.

I found that out some time ago and it's a real lifesaver in fast changing situations. It's a shame it isn't publicized more because it basically allows you to work in two modes at the same time with no lag in between.

Good job pointing this out to the masses, it's been mentioned before but every now and again it helps having a refresher

thx for the tip..

when u set it up in this way, too bad u cant change the aperture value too... like press * and scroll the top wheel to increase/decrease a/v

datadump wrote in post #6377593
when u set it up in this way, too bad u cant change the aperture value too... like press * and scroll the top wheel to increase/decrease a/v

I would consider this a beggars can't be choosers setting.

What I mean by this is that you will get a shot that is no worse than one stop over / under exposed.

If you shoot in RAW then this should be no skin off your back. Would you rather miss the shot entierly?