Canon 60D: how's the "joystick" working out for you?

I'm not in the market for a 60D (I have a 7D and if you've read my previous comments on it, you'll see that I think it's very nearly perfect). But if I were considering moving up from a 40D or 50D, one of the big considerations would be the ease with which I could select the autofocus point.

On the previous XXD and XD cameras (excluding the 1D series), you can configure the camera to make autofocus selection with the joystick possible. And the joystick is located where it's easy to get at when you're holding the camera to your eye: just move your thumb off the dial and the joystick is right there, positioned right under your thumb. You don't have to contort your thumb or anything to use it. The placement is excellent.


On the 60D, the "joystick" is integrated into the rear dial assembly. It looks to me like its position is much worse for use when selecting the autofocus point, in part because it's now possible to bump the rear dial accidentally while fiddling with the joystick, and in part because it's now also possible to hit the "set" button when moving your thumb from one joystick direction to another.

But that's just my impression. My question is, then: how well is that "joystick" working for you in practice for selecting the autofocus point quickly and painlessly? Your comments will be especially valid if you have previous experience doing this with the joystick on the other XXD or XD cameras.

The dpad probably will be more usable if you use a grip and do alot of portrait styled shots

personally, joystick >>>>>>>>>>> dpad for af point selection, its just way more comfortable/fast/accur​ate using the joystick. but then again i've only gone for 3/4 shoots using the 60d, probably will take sometime getting used to

I don't think was being asked but first up for me the 60D is not the successor to the XXD range, the 7D is - I would never "drop" to a 60D having used a 50D for the past couple of years ... I think you used to be safe calling the XXD range as serious, "semi-pro" or "entry level pro" kit, but not really so any more, this manacle has shifted strictly to the XD range ... and ermm, sorry for that little outburst, but its the first 60D thread I have commented on

That said ... on my 50D I changed the default setting to use the multi-select joystick affair on the back (can't remember its proper name any more) to select the AF point.

I find this quick and easy to use without having to take my eye from the viewfinder, although sometimes takes several attempts to get the right AF point, specifically the bottom left/right or top left/right AF points.

I upgraded from a 50D to a 60D (and it definitely *is* an upgrade, for me).

With the dpad it's easier to select the corner points, which sometimes took a few attempts with the multi-controller joystick. However, the dpad has no tactile feedback so sometimes you're not sure that you've pressed it.

When using the dpad for AF points the SET button selects the centre point... but that means you can't assign other functions to it. Not really a problem for me.

I can't say I change focus points especially quickly, but I have no problems with the position of the dpad.

I think the dpad and the movie mode position on the dial will be the only two major items brought up over the history of the 60D if you come back to look in a year or so.

The mushy buttons or lack of feel that some describe will probably be resolved over time, there were bodies in the past that had mushy shutter buttons etc.

Will probably justify my comments elsewhere on the 60D (if necessary) but I guess it depends on your needs and expectations of upgrades ... the only thing I will say here and now is that the flip out panel and plastic body on the 60D are big no go's from where I am coming from - horses for courses and all that but honestly I am happy for you that you are happy with your choice of kit, just do not feel the same way towards it

Sorry ... will let it all get back on topic now

You might want to take this observation and post it in this thread, there is alot of discussion about the items you mention there.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=934115

MintMark wrote in post #11101095
When using the dpad for AF points the SET button selects the centre point... but that means you can't assign other functions to it. Not really a problem for me.

I can't say I change focus points especially quickly, but I have no problems with the position of the dpad.

This is a bit inaccurate. Once the AF point is selected, the "SET" button is then used for whatever you assigned to it under the custom function menu (accessed on the "Q" menu screen) At first I thought it did nothing as well, but that's not the case. There are several different functions you can assign to it.

I don't change points with exceptional speed either. But, I think the dpad is great, has decent feel, selects items easily...like all new things, it just takes a little time to get used to.

One reason I got the 60D for the better ergonomics - 'for my hands', vs the 50D which comparatively feels chunky - and I rarely used the 'joystick' on the 50D because it was a little too far left for my thumb. I have only held the 7D once but I see in pictures that the 7D has the wheel more to the right as does the 60D. Feels great to me, and the grip is not quite as tall, and its deeper.

I don't do much AF selection - I use center point AF 90% of the time with AI Servo for BIF. The pad is a bit finicky but I don't use it much, although I have got used to its feel vs the first few days.

I use the SET for center selection - or putting it back to all points - but I also have the SET button for activating the Electronic Level on the top LCD display and VF.

MintMark wrote in post #11101095
I upgraded from a 50D to a 60D (and it definitely *is* an upgrade, for me).

With the dpad it's easier to select the corner points, which sometimes took a few attempts with the multi-controller joystick. However, the dpad has no tactile feedback so sometimes you're not sure that you've pressed it.

When using the dpad for AF points the SET button selects the centre point... but that means you can't assign other functions to it. Not really a problem for me.

I can't say I change focus points especially quickly, but I have no problems with the position of the dpad.

I like the directional pad. It doesn't have enough "clicky" feeling as I would like it to be, but It'll function just fine as it is.

For me, the dpad (or whatever they're calling the multi-directional controller on the 60D) is one of the weakest points of the camera handling-wise. I don't ever select focus points (I learned a long time ago to rely on the center-only on these xxD cameras) but I do need to scroll around an image in preview or Live View mode a lot and find the dpad to be a weak compromise at best.

But having owned the 60D since the day it was released (as well currently owning a 5DII and previously owning a 40D & 7D) I can say that's about as bad as it gets for the 60D. In other words, it's a great camera with a couple of minor shortcomings.

MintMark wrote in post #11101095
With the dpad it's easier to select the corner points, which sometimes took a few attempts with the multi-controller joystick.

Quite honestly, I think that was a retarded design. I had easier time doing that with a XTi (up down left right, like a joypad) than on a 50D.

I have a 30D with a joystick, and that little thing is impossible for me to control right. I never get the right AF point on the first try. So I don't use it at all. I just hit the AF point button and scroll the wheel. There is only 9 points anyway and you can scroll either way so you are never farther than a 1/2 turn from your AF point. Don't get the joystick love.

vzipper wrote in post #11101787
This is a bit inaccurate. Once the AF point is selected, the "SET" button is then used for whatever you assigned to it under the custom function menu (accessed on the "Q" menu screen) At first I thought it did nothing as well, but that's not the case. There are several different functions you can assign to it.

I don't change points with exceptional speed either. But, I think the dpad is great, has decent feel, selects items easily...like all new things, it just takes a little time to get used to.

You made me go back and check! I think the real answer is that it depends on the setting of CFIII-2. If that is set to 0 (that is, press the AF button and then select focus points) then it behaves as you say. The SET button has its assigned function when you're not selecting a focus point.

If CFIII-2 is set to 1 (manual selection, or "direct" as it was on the 50D), then the dpad and SET button always select focus points while metering is active, and the SET button won't do anything else. There is a note in the manual about it.