PLT Loc: Seattle

Recently bought a refurb 5DMKIV from Canon and could use some set up help with it. Coming from 50D.
Consider myself to be an amateur/hobbyist for quite a while but would like to improve my skills. Primary photography interests are landscape, travel, college level volleyball, wildlife, family stuff with grandkids.
Currently have 70-200 F4.0 IS L for the camera. Probably will be picking up the 24-70 F2.8L IS for it but not in a rush yet as travel curtailed.
Could really use help setting up the focusing system. Have never used BBF but would be willing to try. Any set up tips or ideas for any of the camera systems/menus will be appreciated. Also any accessories that you have found to be useful would help also. Will be picking up a spare battery soon.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

I disabled focus from the shutter release and moved it to the two "thumb" buttons on the rear top-right of the camera (AE lock * and AF-ON).

AE lock * - I set to Case 3
AF-ON - I set to Case 4

This allows for the AF point which is the third button on that row to be used if I am changing the focus point.


Since I mostly do static landscape, the AE Lock is used most of the time. But on the rare occasion I get a chance to take pictures at my kids soccer games, Case 4 works pretty well.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

While the 24-70 f/2.8 L is a fine lens I consider the 24-105 f/4 L II to be much more useful for all-around shooting. The 5DIV is an excellent and very capable camera. You will probably get all kinds of recommendations about setting up the auto-focus but I suggest you get out the manual and start experimenting. If you compile a list of specific questions I believe you will get more useful answers. There are also online videos showing the set-up and use of the auto-focus. Google is your friend!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

As said also here the 24-105 L is a far more travel and general use versatile lens. I debated the two and got the 24-105 because it had IS and the 24-70 did not. I do not shoot low light sports and the extra reach has been invaluable. The IS far more than makes up for being a stop slower as it has a 4 stop IS capability which you do not get at all with the f2.8 lens so effectively in low light it is far faster for hand holding.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

All kinds of tutorials can be found on U-tube.

elee950021 Loc: New York, NY

Hi PLT!

Great camera! I still use my 5D Mark 2 and older 1Ds Mark 2 and 3. Nikon FFs also. Just use your favorite search engine and type in: "Best settings for (your favorite camera)." A plethora of articles with explained reasons for various settings will show up, for general and specialized photography such as weddings.

Here are 3: < https://photographylife.com/recommended-canon-5d-mark-iv-settings >,
< https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=18895 >,
< https://handandarrow.com/for-photographers/how-to-dial-in-the-right-canon-5d-mark-iv-settings-for-weddings >.

Many youTube videos as well. Enjoy your camera! Be well. Ed

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

I have a Canon 5DIV and I found https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQl9OcqN_ig by, Michael The Maven
to be very helpful. Just grab your camera and pause the instructions as you require.
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

MountainDave

I'll take the contrary view on the 24-70 vs 24-105. I bought my 5D IV with a 24-105 II but found it was just not as good as other L lenses. I had a 70-200 f/4 IS at the time and thought it was much better. My $125. 50 1.8 blew it away. In particular, the AF wasn't very consistent and the colors seemed a bit dull as well. After months of trying to like it, I threw in the towel and bought the 24-70 2.8 II. It is a lot sharper, colors are better and the AF performs fast, accurate and consistent. You won't miss the IS. It's really not needed in this focal length and after having a 2.8 aperture, I could never go back to 4.0 maximum. It's also built like a tank. There is a reason it is the pro's choice.

Dave

ggab Loc: ?

Love my 24-105II. No issues with IS or image quality. It filled a gap in my kit. (read, I got gas and a great price) I use it with my 5D IV and 6D II. I have even used it with my 7D II to shoot outdoor sports. Heck, I even used it two weeks ago to shoot close up flower shots, just to test it.
Not much use for it indoors as I also have the 24-70 and 70-200, both f/2.8
Did you ever reach out to Canon about it?

Robdur

For indoor volleyball you probably want the 70-200 f2.8 IS L lens. The F4 70-200 might work depending on the lighting conditions, however, for indoor sports the lighting conditions are usually poor. Have fun, its a great camera.

MountainDave

I considered doing that but I read a number of other reviews that confirmed my experience. For instance, DxOmark rated the sharpness of the 24-105 at 15 vs 21 for the 24-70. Even if my AF wasn't up to par, that still doesn't change the sharpness or color rendition. Canon has a reputation for just sending lenses back saying they perform in spec so I didn't bother.

PLT Loc: Seattle

I had read that the 24-70 was sharper than the 24-105, plus I already have some coverage from 70-105 with my 70-200. Am going to get series II with IS for sure as ratings and comments looked good.

ggab Loc: ?

All due respect and certainly no ill will, however DxOmark?? Really???

I have yet to find an L glass that wasn't excellent.
However, so long as we are each happy with our decisions, that is what is important.

George

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Way too much info to try to post, when there are entire books already written that will answer your questions. Happy to help with individual topics and questions, but as broad and general as some of yours, I'd recommend...

Pick up one of the guide books specific to the 5D IV. There are a number of them available. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=canon+5D+IV&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss_2 I'm familiar with Doug Klostermann and David Busch's books and recommend them. Some of the others might be fine, too. Check out the reviews. I don't see any books for 5D IV by Charlotte Lowry or David Taylor, but they are other authors whose books I've found good and helpful.

While you're on Amazon, you also might want to pick up a copy of Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure". It's one of the best general overviews of how cameras work... not specific to any brand or model. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=understanding+exposure+by+bryan+peterson&i=stripbooks&crid=TWDES87D3961&sprefix=understanding+exposure+%2Cstripbooks%2C248&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_23

Some time spent reading that guide book and studying Peterson's book will go a long way toward helping you "step up your game".

The 70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens you have is excellent... sharp and capable. There's a new version, but the original is still top notch. I have the first version too, and have no plans to update to the newer one. There just isn't enough difference for me to worry about it. I also have Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM... used it a lot... so much I bought the f/4 lens as a backup. But the f/4 lens proved to be just as good optically, maybe even a little sharper than the older f/2.8 IS USM, plus it's about 1/3 lighter and smaller... I find I use the f/4 lens far more often.

Instead of the 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM II, which is a superb lens but rather hefty and expensive... and not image stabilized... you might want to consider:

- EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM... Also excellent, but about half the price and significantly smaller and lighter, a better "travel companion". It's also incredibly close focusing and might take the place of a macro lens.
- EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM II... Possibly a better range for a "walk around" lens (personally I find 70mm on full frame cameras too short at times for portraiture... though it's great for that on crop sensor cameras), also quite a bit less expensive than the 24-70/2.8 II, but not a great deal smaller or any lighter. And, although it's very good, the 24-105mm II is not quite as sharp as either the 24-70/2.8 II or 24-70/4.

There are lots of online resources to help make comparisons, for example: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/Canon_EF_24-70mm_f_2.8L_II_USM_Lens_vs_Canon_EF_24-70mm_f_4L_IS_USM_Lens_vs_Canon_EF_24-105mm_f_4L_IS_II_USM_Lens/BHitems/843008-USA_898652-USA_1274709-REG

Check out these or any other lenses you might consider at https://www.the-digital-picture.com/, which specializes primarily in Canon gear, although there's some useful info on other brands, too.

While the 70-200mm lens will be fine for most of your purposes, it's going to come up very short for a lot of wildlife. Depending upon how important that is to you, a longer focal length might be another thing you should consider. There are a number of possibilities, but a couple excellent options that aren't huge and won't break the bank are:

- Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM.... very sharp lens and quite compact. The only problem is, no image stabilization.
- Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM with EF 1.4X II or III teleconverter... also quite good, gives you two focal lengths instead of one, has image stabilization (though it's an early version of it).

There are other options, of course. All the above are L-series, which are generally top notch.... even the earlier designs like the 300mm and 400mm I mentioned.

If the volley ball you are shooting is outdoors, you'll be all set. If it's indoors, you may want a faster prime lens. That's not a zoom and it has a larger max aperture. For example, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is more than two full stops faster than the f/4 lenses above. The EF 100mm f/2 USM and EF 135mm f/2L USM are both two full stop faster than f/4. What this means is that these prime lenses allow in a whole lot more light, so you'll be able to keep shooting in more challenging lighting conditions. Shooting fast action sports, you'll need faster shutter speeds and that means both increasing your ISO and using faster lenses. Each full stop larger doubles the amount of light allowed to pass through the lens.... so an f/2 lens allows four times as much light in as an f/4 lens. (Full stop lens apertures are f/1.0, f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22, etc. There are also corresponding full stops of ISO/sensor sensitivity to light and full stops of shutter speeds. In each of these your camera actually works in 1/3 stop increments or can be set to work in 1/2 stop increments. This allows more precise exposure adjustment. But assuming your camera is set to 1/3 stop increments, just remember when you adjust these factors "three clicks = 1 stop".)

For faster action such as sports and a lot of wildlife, autofocus performance is another key concern. Lenses that allow in more light can be helpful with that and Canon's lenses that use USM (ultrasonic) focus drive are among the fastest.

If you are shooting volleyball indoors, also learn about your camera's "Flicker Free" feature and use it. That can save a lot of shots done "under the lights" used in many sports venues. You also might want to learn how to set Custom White Balance, shooting under various types of lighting.

Finally, a spare battery is good... as are some extra memory cards (I recommend a number of smaller cards instead of one gigantic card... don't put all your eggs in one basket... and be wure to write your phone number and email address on your memory cards). Other important accessories include a good flash. Canon's are excellent, but there are some very good third party too. I do recommend using a flash bracket to position the flash off to the side and higher up, for best image quality. This requires using an off-camera shoe cord. A tripod or at least a monopod can come in handy, too. And, you may want some image organizing and post-processing software... I recommend Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020. It's reasonably priced, pretty easy to learn and able to do a lot of things that most photographers need. It can be expanded with plug-ins and enhancements, too... if need be. Lastly, establish some sort of organization and set up a means of safely backing up your photo storage now, before you have a lot of images to deal with. It's much easier than when you have hundreds of thousands of digital images, which will happen before you know it!

Enjoy your new camera!