Dave Z Loc: Bolingbrook, IL

If you don't like working with the manual, get a copy of "Canon EOS 60D: From Snapshots to Great Shots" by Nicole Young. It's about $20 on Amazon

clanmack Loc: Asheville, NC

JCam and others
Thanks for all the responses and information. I do see the focus points both before (along with a double beep) and as part of the photo when reviewed. I know now how to turn it off thanks to several of you.
Am taking a trip to Brazil for work but will have a weekend to capture a little of the spirit of Sao Paolo.
Clanmack

philz Loc: Rockaway Township NJ

This function identifies where you are focusing in your viewfinder. It can be turned on or off and is always under your control. When shooting, push the upper right button on the back of the camera (+ magnifier) and then rotate either wheel to set whether you want all focus points to be on or whichever one you want to be used. I usually leave on just the center point and put it where I want with the shutter half down and then hold it while I move to the composition I want. Or you can create the composition and then dial to the focus point you want if you leave more selected. Up to you.

In the Menu there is an AF Point Display that enabled shows you which focus point(s) you used in the image on your LCD. As I primarily use only the center I leave it off as it always shows up in the center regardless of where I actually focused. But if you use all or some of the other focus points, it can be useful to verify if you got the focus where you wanted. Hope this is helpful.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Not sure why you are suggesting this. That feature, turned off by default, is intended to determine whether an image has been modified in ways that are useful for such things as law enforcement and scientific use. Not really relevant here, unless I'm missing your intent.

philz Loc: Rockaway Township NJ

Original question was about the red rectangles showing up on his screen. I answered what they are and how to use them. Or not use them.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Are you responding to my note just above? My note was in response to JeffT, not you.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Actually, reading the original question I was not certain whether the poster was asking about the red rectangles during image review, or asking about them in the viewfinder.

In image review it's simply a matter of turning them on or off in the menu (I have them turned on in my camera, to help when I'm checking focus accuracy in images).

"Add image verification data" has nothing to do with displaying the focus points or not, either in review or in the viewfinder. Image verification is only used with supplementary software (sold separately), to determine whether or not an image is "as shot" or if it's been "Photoshopped". This is used by police, crime scene investigators and similar, when digital photos are being used as evidence and legal proof.

If we're talking about the red rectangles when the AF points light up in the viewfinder, we really don't have enough info yet. What those indicate differs depending upon the AF mode being used: One Shot, AI Focus, or AI Servo. It also differs depending upon whether you have the camera set to Single Point/Manual, or if you have All Points/Auto enabled, allowing the camera to select the point of focus for you. (Note: 60D only has those two focus patterns to choose. Other models have additional patterns. For example, 70D adds two more with Zone Focus and Expansion Points. 7D has a total of five: All Points/Auto, Single Point/Manual, Zone Focus, Expansion Points and Spot Focus. 5D and 5D Mark II have only the two - All Points/Auto and Single Point/Manual.... but has a limited Expansion mode that, when enabled, only works in AI Servo.)

One Shot is used for stationary subjects, flashes an AF point when AF starts, then flashes one or more again to indicate which have locked onto the target, at the same time that Focus Confirmation is given by the green LED lighting up and, if it's enabled, the audible "beep". In One Shot mode, you need to release the button and reapply, to make the system refocus.

AI Servo is used with moving subjects (also useful with varifocal zooms, if you zoom after focusing). The red rectangle AF point in the viewfinder lights up when focus starts and on 60D stays lit so long as the shutter release is kept half pressed. Focus never locks, it continues to be updated as the subject (or the photographer, or both, and/or the focal length of a varifocal zoom) move and the focusing distance changes, so there is no Focus Confirmation in AI Servo.

There's a lot more to the AF system and it pays to know it and how to control it. So I'd highly recommend the original poster view this half hour video on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAx86nblZ2g - along with the two vids others in the series. These three vids are a seminar about Canon focus systems by Rudy Winston recorded a few years ago, recorded and posted on YouTube by B&H Photo in NYC. The 60D is newer and not included, but the 50D is discussed and it's AF system is identical to the 60D's. Some other Canon model AF systems are covered, too, that won't apply to 60D, but might be handy to know about.

If shooting action, the poster might also be interested in Back Button Focusing. This is a very popular technique among sports photographers in particular (though it's usable with nearly any type of photography). Here's an article aobut it written by Rudy.... http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2011/backbutton_af_article.shtml

I heartily second the suggestion to buy one of the guide books for 60D. There are quite a few and they aren't expensive. I don't have a 60D, but have made a point of buying a guide for ever Canon model I've ever used, just to get up to speed and make best use of it as quickly and with as little fuss as possible. The guide books complement the user manuals nicely... http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=zeikos%20UV#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=canon+60D+in+books&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Acanon+60D+in+books

I'm sure most of the available guides are helpful. Just from personal experience, I can recommend those by Michael Guncheon, Charlotte Lowrie, and David Busch.

I have no idea your experience level, but if you're new to using DLSRs and photography in general, supplement the guide book and user manual with Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure". http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-3rd-Photographs-Camera/dp/0817439390/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396202163&sr=1-1&keywords=understanding+exposure Sometimes I think this book should be required reading for folks before they're allowed to post questions on forums!

LPigott Loc: Monterey Peninsula, CA

The red squares are focal points. You can go up to 9 or select fewer, down to one. Try to find tutorials online. It's a powerful system.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

60D has 9 AF points... not 19 (like 7D and 70D).

And, again, 60D only has choice of two focus patterns: All Points/Auto or Single Point/Manual selection. (7D has five patterns, 70D has four.)

chiya Loc: Wellsboro, Pa.

now that is useful info and just happen to have some credit with barnes and nobles thanks to the lawsuit they just settled so am downloading it right now. Thanks

gessman Loc: Colorado

Welcome to uhh! I hope you like cha-grinnin' an awful lot 'cause there's a good chance that you're gonna be doin' a whole lot of it. Making my way to a 5D2 through a bunch of intermediary steps from a FTb, which still works, I've generally found that about anything you want to know about your camera is in your manual. Whether I worked my way up or down from the FTb to the 5D2 seems to be a matter of conjecture.

The problem is that the manual is pretty dry reading and not always easily understood and in spite of that, some folks sit down, camera in hand, and go through each feature, page by page, sometimes multiple times 'til they get it. Some folks feel like when the manual has you on the floor and by the throat is a wonderful time to give your fellow uhh members a shout out for some help. Some of us old goats in this forum see "human interaction" as being synonymous with, among other things, a lazy person who wants someone else to read the manual and give them the answer. Mind you, I'm not one of those people but just wanted to give you a heads up that you may often encounter that attitude when you ask a question since most folks who know the answer also know that it's usually in the manual. In fact, there'll be times when some of our less friendly members will answer with a bit of a terse comment followed by a well known acronym - "RTFM," where the "R" is for "Read," the "T" is for "The," and the "M" is for "Manual." I will leave it up to you to fill in the rest with your own favorite expletive.

Are you a member of the Clan MacKenzie? I'm not but I have some good friends who are. If you are, maybe just another quick heads up - I wouldn't wear that tartan kilt to a uhh picnic if I were you unless you're sure you can do a really good caber toss. :mrgreen: Again, welcome to uhh. :thumbup:

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

I would strongly suggest getting David Busch's Canon EOS 60D Guide to Digital SLR Photography. Available on Amazon, its an easy to read and understand book with plenty of photos and covers every aspect of this camera.
http://www.amazon.com/David-Buschs-Canon-Digital-Photography/dp/1435459385

There is also his Compact Field Guide which contains less detail than the the larger book, but is smaller, spiral bound, and fits comfortably in many camera bags.
http://www.amazon.com/David-Buschs-Compact-Field-Guide/dp/1435459962/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y

rob s Loc: La Mesa, CA

I assume you're talking about the image as seen on the camera screen. These are the focus points used when taking the pictures. They are shown on the image for your reference and I believe you can turn this off if it bothers you.
If you're getting these to show in your computer or when you print or email them I can't help you.

GLbro Loc: Sacramento County

Hello, I'm in the exact same place. I have an xsi, and I love it, but am thinking about stepping up to a 60D. Great choice.

BillH Loc: Lancaster County PA

One of my cameras is a 60D. There is nothing wrong with your camera. As you suspect they are simply showing you what focal points were active at the time of the shoot! They do not appear on your computer when downloaded or when printed. When you look at camera and wonder about focus, you can go to the camera and see where the major focus was. Don't worry - enjoy your camera it is a great one!