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The Canon EOS-1D/Ds-series offers the broadest
and most sophisticated autofocus capabilities of all
EOS DSLRs. For example, the EOS-1D Mark IV
alone offers 16 different AF custom functions. Many of
these functions are unfamiliar to new users, yet even
users who are familiar with them may have trouble
remembering the full range of options.
This QuickGuide will therefore provide a
summary of the most popular and useful functions
related to AF point management, how they work,
and the photographic problems they’re designed to
solve. We encourage you to experiment with various
settings so you can become familiar with how they
operate and confirm which are most useful and when.
EOS-1D/Ds cameras allow you to control:
•
Whether AF points are selected automatically or
manually
•
How many manual AF points are available for
selection
•
Which manual AF point you select to be active
•
Whether the manual AF point can expand if
necessary to achieve focus
Automatic AF Point Selection
This is the default mode. All 45 AF points are active.
Whenever you’re set to Automatic AF point selection
mode, the camera will automatically choose which of
the 45 available points to use to achieve and maintain
focus on your subject. This makes automatic AF point
selection mode ideal for rapid shooting situations
where the camera can focus more quickly than you
can. How the AF points are selected and displayed
in the viewfinder will depend on which AF mode the
camera is set to.
One-Shot AF Mode:
The camera will select the
AF point(s) that cover the nearest subject with
recognizable detail. The point(s) it selects will
light up red in the viewfinder.
AI Servo AF Mode:
The camera will first use
the
center
AF point to focus and begin tracking
the subject. If the subject moves away from the
center, the camera will automatically transfer
focus to the outer AF points to continue tracking
the subject. When Automatic AF point selection is
combined with AI Servo AF, the active AF points
will
not
light up red in the viewfinder.
Manual AF Point Selection
This mode allows you to manually select any of
the available AF points to use for focusing on your
subject. With any “Mark III” model you can manually
select 19 of the 45 points, one at a time. With “Mark
IV” models you can manually select any one of the 45
points.
Regardless of whether the camera is set for One-
Shot AF or AI Servo AF, the AF point you manually
select will be the only one available. It should ideally
be the one closest to the area of your subject you
want tack-sharp and that will require the least amount
of re-framing. To manually select an AF point:
1. Press the rear AF Point Select Button. You
will then have six seconds to turn whatever
dial you prefer to use to select AF points.
2. Use either the rear Quick Control Dial, the
top Main Dial, or the Multi-controller to
navigate from one AF point to another.
Whenever you’re selecting an AF point, the one that
is active will appear red in the finder. If a “ring” of
outer points lights-up red, you’re in Automatic AF point
selection mode. Either way, you can stop selecting
when the point (or points) you want light red in the
finder.
Manual vs. Automatic AF Point Selection
As a rule, professional photographers prefer to
manually select the AF point closest to the area of
the subject where they wish to focus. This minimizes
the need to reframe as well as the risk of focus
shift caused by reframing. When shooting moving
subjects, you should set the camera to AI Servo AF.
As long as you keep the AF point centered on the
subject the camera will maintain focus.
There may be occasions when the area you’ve
picked doesn’t have enough detail or it’s difficult to
keep the AF point centered on the subject. The EOS
1D and Ds therefore have custom functions that can
be set to automatically adjust for such situations and
thereby increase the percentage of sharply focused
images. Custom Functions allow you to refine the
AF controls on your camera to suit specific needs,
preferences, and circumstances.
QuickGuide to EOS-1D/Ds
AF Point Management
