How to make the 85L manual focus override work all the time

For what it's worth (sorry if this was obvious to everyone but me):

I just got the 85L which turns out is a bit unconventional when it comes to manual focus override in that the manual/booklet states that you have to depress the shutter-release button half way to be able to use the manual focus ring. Turns out this is correct. I find it really strange. But it turns out it doesn't have to be that way, courtesy of custom function 4.1. and single shot AF mode.

When using Av mode + single shot AF I normally either
a) focus, then recompose and get my desired exposure setting from the final motif, or
b) capture my desired exposure setting by pointing the camera at an arbitrary area that has the right sort of light in it, then recompose and focus.
I use Custom Function 4 "Shutter/AE lock button" set to 1: "AE lock/AF" to split the AE lock from the AF so I can use separate buttons to control each. (This takes some getting used to, but I heartily recommend it - so much more control, IMHO).

A side-effect of this C.Func. setting appears to be that the 85L behaves as if AF is always half depressed - you can always turn the MF dial and have the lens actually change its focus as opposed to having to keep the shutter release button half depressed. If C.Func. 4.0 (default) is selected instead, the MF ring works according to the manual - i.e. not without shutter-release button.

The manual warns against focusing manually while "AF is active" - but I'm assuming this refers to the lens actually being in the process of refocusing using AF, as opposed to AF being switched on - after all, the manual goes on to say you can adjust focus with MF after you have achieved initial focus with AF - which in a sense is what we're talking about here.

James

xenomorphic wrote in post #7233908
I just got the 85L which turns out is a bit unconventional when it comes to manual focus override in that the manual/booklet states that you have to depress the shutter-release button half way to be able to use the manual focus ring. Turns out this is correct. I find it really strange.

Well, ^%$^ me! I'd say it was more than strange; "bizarre" is the word that comes to mind.
I've read lots of threads extolling the virtues of the 85L, but this little gem had not previously come to my attention. Thanks for posting.

http://photonotes.org …inner-faq/lenses.html#ftm

Yup, that's right. You should have focus set to the * button anyway so the 85L is just encouraging good behaviour.

perryge wrote in post #7234805
Yup, that's right. You should have focus set to the * button anyway so the 85L is just encouraging good behaviour.

I hear this all the time, but why?

KenjiS wrote in post #7235324
I hear this all the time, but why?

https://photography-on-the.net …php?p=5141381&p​ostcount=8

perryge wrote in post #7235346
https://photography-on-the.net …php?p=5141381&p​ostcount=8

Makes sense

Will it fix my issue with FTM wherein ill have held the shutter button halfway, turned the focus ring to correct focus and then fully pressed, only to have the camera **** and say its not in focus anymore and lock my shutter? :/

YES it will fix that.

Gosh I've forgotten how idiotic the shutter half-press is. I still maintain what I said in that link - the back button focus should be default, with the option of switching to shutter half-press if you are a masochist.

perryge wrote in post #7235371
YES it will fix that.

....Then I guess im gonna get used to using 2 buttons

KenjiS wrote in post #7235378
....Then I guess im gonna get used to using 2 buttons

It'll take a few days, but after you get used to it you'll wonder wtf you were doing before you switched.

perryge wrote in post #7234805
Yup, that's right. You should have focus set to the * button anyway so the 85L is just encouraging good behaviour.

I second that.

perryge wrote in post #7235385
It'll take a few days, but after you get used to it you'll wonder wtf you were doing before you switched.

+1

Listen to the bunny!

perryge wrote in post #7235385
It'll take a few days, but after you get used to it you'll wonder wtf you were doing before you switched.

I just set it this morning..

its oddly coming very natural to me and i like it!

I still use the old half press system...never really liked the * way

No number six, the 85L is different. The MF ring doesn't allow full time manual normally, it's an electronic focus by wire design, so if the camera is off, the MF ring does nothing, and if you don't set back button to focus, there's no FTM, instead, MF is activated by the half-press.