clanmack Loc: Asheville, NC

Just upgraded from XSi to a used 60D. In learning to use the camera, sometimes the image in the camera has small red rectangles on the image. They appear to be AF points. Is this normal? What is the use of this phenomenon? I am an inexperienced enthusiast trying to learn.
Appreciate any insights and thoughts.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

60 D is a great upgrade. But needs the manual to really be used to full potential. I have had this body for some time and still find things that are peculiar or are practical or I just don't know about. I have the vertical battery grip love it. Some our Photo Club Thursday night when down town and shot night lights. It was very cold here in Idaho. Shooting on tripod with cold hands and my camera was not working at times. I had three bodies with me and did a change out. Long story short the grip needed tightening.

Look in your manual or the on line one and you will find that you can change the focus points. It's a great tool. I tend to use center point only much of the time.

I used the XSi also, have fun. J. R.

clanmack Loc: Asheville, NC

Thanks J.B.
Because I prefer human interaction, I end up chagrined when the answer is in the manual.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

That's what I'm talking about - but! 2012 spent four days in YP/GT when Canon did "Canon in the Parks." I am an old guy with hearing loss. I went only to try equipment out. One of the young ladies in charge ask to if I would like her to go over the stuff as it was obvious that I could not hear them instruction. Some where it changed from instruction of gramps to drill sarge and you need to be able to do this blind folded.

Early and late I roamed the Yellowstone and got some great captures and made friends with the young people and my equipment.

This is very different from my old Ftb film, but still the same basis.

J. R.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

clanmack,

You can go to the Canon web site, search for your exact model, and download the user manual as a .PDF file for printing. You may also be able to order the original printed manual in small size.

Michael G

clanmack Loc: Asheville, NC

I still have my old Ftb, though needs repair!! Got a few great shots in San Antonio 4 decades ago. The film technology was more "real" to me, required more patience leading to more delicious anticipation, greater letdowns. Life goes on, "be the change you want to see" apologies to Ghandi

clanmack Loc: Asheville, NC

Michael G

Thanks! I actually have the manual (small size). I really want to know if there is something wrong with the camera.

Clanmack

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Clanmack,

From your brief description, I don't think you have a problem. You camera is performing like any other Canon EOS body. It is displaying multiple focus points within the field of view.

This may cause one of two undesirable effects.
1. Very slow to focus on your subject of interest.
2. locking focus on the wrong element in the field of view.

Set the camera body for Center Point focus and the central square will illuminate when focus is locked on your subject.

Your camera manual will go into greater detail on how to set focus, and focus lock.

Michael G

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

NO! Come on over spend a day in the field. J. R.

Cameoblue Loc: British Columbia Canada

No there is nothing wrong with your camera. Those red rectangular points ARE your auto focus points and a big reason why your camera cost so much. Usually the availability of more red square dots the more the cost of the camera. Read the manual and learn how to adjust from multiple dots all the way to a single dot. Then try each set up. When your camera is set up to "Ai" (complete auto mode) the setting is defaulted to the most multiple of the dots but if you use the other setting you can lock in how many dots show up in the viewer. Ideally when taking a picture you want a red dot to be superimposed over the main feature (focal point) of the shot. When you switch your lens button from "A" (auto) to "M" (manual) the dots will disappear.

Note on some cameras the red square dot are black square dots (i.e. Canon 5D mkIII) and are harder to see which is not a good thing.

Also multiple dots, ideal for many things especially landscapes, single dot especially ideal for portraits or wildlife such as birds, focus on the eye.

By the way, you can set up your camera to show the red dots on the playback screen after you have taken a shot, this will show you what you actually focused on rather than what you thought you focused on. Again read the manual.

JeffT Loc: Central NY

Go to Menu > Custom Functions (second from right) > C.Fn IV:Operations Others > 5 > Disable "Add image verification data" (selection 0:Disable). Press set and you should be good.

Mmatu

I have had a 60D for several years, it does a wonderful job including video
Cameoblue explains it perfect..I used this camera with a Sigma 150-500mm, it works great. My next camera will be a full frame.

kcimato

I'm more of a visual person. I previously had the Zsigmondy and upgraded to a 60D. I bought Michael Andrew's Crash Course for the 60D and I can't tell you how much it helped. He goes through all the settings on the camera in his video. I refer back to it all the time when I learn something new. You can't beat it. Just Google Michael Andrew trading video , he is also km
Known as Michael the Maven or Michael the mentor he has small segments on you tube also.the crash course is about 35 dollars and the best money ever spent

mikedidi46 Loc: WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA

A wonderful camera, and you can change the points. They are actually your focus points. and can be turned off so as not to be included in your photo.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

You don't say if you are seeing the AF points when taking a shot or in the after shot review. If the latter, you can turn them off in one of the tools menu pages.