Back-button AF on Canon SX60?
Oct 1, 2019 02:27:58 #
bellgamin
Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
I just inherited my older cousin's Canon SX60, which he hardly ever used. Sheesh! Some of the nomenclature, menus, & button positions are very different from what I am used to (Nikon). Ergo, can anyone tell me (step by step) how to set up back-button AF on this SX60?
Oct 1, 2019 05:42:27 #
Did you visit the support section of the usa.canon.com website and download a PDF copy of the camera manual? Did you check the manual index for how to reassign / reprogram the various camera buttons? Is reassignment of buttons a feature of this model? Try a text search against the PDF for 'assign' to see if that idea / topic is covered in the manual.
Oct 1, 2019 06:07:37 #
bellgamin
Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Yes, I have a copy of the manual and yes, it does enable reassignment of buttons (at least I'm pretty sure it does). But that manual (for a Nikon fan-boy) is like trying to learn English by reading a dictionary and I am in a hurry because my younger daughter will take me on a circle-the-island junket day after tomorrow.
I just had a faint hope that there was someone here who is familiar with this old jewel of a camera who would walk me thru with something simple like "push this button, then push that button, then scroll down 3 lines etc". If I can't get spoon fed, I suppose I will take along my Nikon, but I was hoping to give the SX60 some exercise WITHOUT having to slog through a manual that uses unfamiliar/Canon terminology.
I just had a faint hope that there was someone here who is familiar with this old jewel of a camera who would walk me thru with something simple like "push this button, then push that button, then scroll down 3 lines etc". If I can't get spoon fed, I suppose I will take along my Nikon, but I was hoping to give the SX60 some exercise WITHOUT having to slog through a manual that uses unfamiliar/Canon terminology.
Oct 1, 2019 07:55:32 #
Neither Nikon or Canon manuals include language about how to implement "back button focus". However, for applicable models, the manuals include language / instructions about how to re-assign functions to buttons on the external of the body. The key requirements are (a) the ability to remove the auto focus action from the shutter release button and (b) the ability to assign the AF activation to another button. If the shutter release button cannot be re-assigned / modified, BBF is not a candidate for this model.
Oct 1, 2019 08:12:30 #
Using the key word assign and doing a word search on the pdf I downloaded to my Chromebook, I found the information on page 96. I can't tell, though, if the displayed icons include focus. I'm thinking the feature isn't available on the sx50 or 60, but there's a 50% chance I'm wrong 
Oct 1, 2019 08:16:36 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Neither Nikon or Canon manuals include language ab... (show quote)
True. They never refer to "back button focusing", just reassigning the buttons.
It took a while to find the assignment for my T1i.
It looks like the only reference to reassigning is on page 96 of the manual.
They don't go into a lot of detail, but some button functions can be reassigned.
I'd suggest looking through the menu of options on the camera as what is assignable is not in the manual. See what the camera menu allows.
Hope it's there! (Meaning an available option for the camera.)
Oct 1, 2019 08:17:55 #
Longshadow wrote:
You're four minutes late, Bill. Must type faster ...It looks like the only reference to reassigning is on page 96 of the manual...
Oct 1, 2019 08:21:42 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
You're four minutes late, Bill. Must type faster
Again????? Dang!
(All the time spent looking through the manual...... And I thought I was perusing quickly!)
<I never learned to type, just a really quick hunt-n-peck typer.>
ALSO: Be advised that the BBF assignment (any button reassignment), if you can do it, may not be available in all shooting modes!
The nice thing about that is if I have to hand my camera to anyone, I set AUTO mode and it reverts to normal operation.
Oct 1, 2019 08:25:34 #
Longshadow wrote:
You keep me from growing complacent 🤗Again????? Dang!
(All the time spent looking through the manual...... And I thought I was perusing quickly!)
(All the time spent looking through the manual...... And I thought I was perusing quickly!)
Paul did mention pdf and using "assign" as the search in his first reply to the OP. Sometimes the key word isn't obvious, though, so one must enjoy solving puzzles.
Oct 1, 2019 08:30:47 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
You help me from growing complacent 🤗
Paul did mention pdf and text search in his first reply to the OP. Sometimes the key word isn't obvious, though, so one must enjoy solving puzzles.
Paul did mention pdf and text search in his first reply to the OP. Sometimes the key word isn't obvious, though, so one must enjoy solving puzzles.
That's the way I treat programming, as a puzzle (or video game)!
'Tis a challenge to come up with the code to do what I want.....
Oct 1, 2019 08:31:57 #
Longshadow wrote:
That's the way I treat programming, as a puzzle (or video game)! 'Tis a challenge to come up with the code to do what I want.....
Oct 1, 2019 12:05:26 #
juan_uy
Loc: Uruguay
Longshadow wrote:
The nice thing about that is if I have to hand my camera to anyone, I set AUTO mode and it reverts to normal operation.
One thing I would love Nikon to copy from Canon
Oct 1, 2019 18:38:21 #
bellgamin
Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Thanks to all for your comments. I mean... REALLY thanks. At page 96 in the Manual, I found I can assign "Servo AF" to a button. I *think* Servo AF means continuous focus, right? Would it make sense to assign Servo AF to a button, I wonder?
Oct 1, 2019 19:02:03 #
bellgamin wrote:
Thanks to all for your comments. I mean... REALLY thanks. At page 96 in the Manual, I found I can assign "Servo AF" to a button. I *think* Servo AF means continuous focus, right? Would it make sense to assign Servo AF to a button, I wonder?
The way I read your manual, BBF isn't an option for this type of camera.
If we assume you realize continuous focus (Canon's AI Servo) is a better way to shoot always, regardless of using the shutter release or some other button, having the camera in this mode is better than not. Assigning to a button on the body to activate / deactivate seems unnecessary if you desire it always to be active.
Oct 1, 2019 19:57:08 #
bellgamin
Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
CHG_CANON wrote:
I'm a raw rookie so... please explain why continuous focus "is a better way." (This is an honest question.)If we assume you realize continuous focus (Canon's AI Servo) is a better way to shoot always... ...
As I understand it, pressing then releasing the button turns Servo AF on. Pressing & releasing the button again turns Servo AF off. Not as good as BBF, but it might be useful, huh?
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