Focus Confirmation on Canon 5D Mark iii
Apr 22, 2014 11:06:51 #
Greetings!
I'm new here and have a brand new Canon 5D Mark iii. I'm a recent convert f rom Nikon to Canon.
What is frustrating me in this first week of use is I'm not getting any visual confirmation of focus by the point lighting up in the viewfinder. I do get the confirmation of the green steady dot in the lower right. Isn't this a standard function in all pro level cameras?
What I'm thinking is this is activated by some Menu function that must be set or enabled. If so, could you point me in the best direction to find it?
If it is something else, I'd love to know! Thanks so much for your help.
I'm new here and have a brand new Canon 5D Mark iii. I'm a recent convert f rom Nikon to Canon.
What is frustrating me in this first week of use is I'm not getting any visual confirmation of focus by the point lighting up in the viewfinder. I do get the confirmation of the green steady dot in the lower right. Isn't this a standard function in all pro level cameras?
What I'm thinking is this is activated by some Menu function that must be set or enabled. If so, could you point me in the best direction to find it?
If it is something else, I'd love to know! Thanks so much for your help.
Apr 22, 2014 11:28:22 #
I'm not trying to be snarky, but have you tried to find your answer in the manual?
Apr 22, 2014 11:37:14 #
No, I don't take your comment as snarky at all. Been reading the AF chapter since Sunday and not finding any answer to this. So that's why I am asking.
Apr 22, 2014 11:38:11 #
Hikerchick wrote:
Greetings! br br I'm new here and have a brand ne... (show quote)
You will find all the different configurations for AF Point Display during Focus in the AF menu, where you can choose the focus point and/or the currently defined field or zone to be displayed and when. It's all in the owners manual.
Apr 22, 2014 11:45:26 #
Make sure VF display illumination in AF Menu 5 is set to On. This will help under dark conditions. The viewfinder and focus point will illuminate for a split second after autofocus is achieved.
Apr 22, 2014 12:12:49 #
That setting is on, but nothing changes. Still the points don't light up.
Apr 22, 2014 12:31:33 #
Hikerchick wrote:
That setting is on, but nothing changes. Still the points don't light up.
When I set my autofocus points manually, I get the confirmation.
Apr 22, 2014 12:33:57 #
Apr 22, 2014 12:38:35 #
Hikerchick wrote:
Guess I'm going back to the manual and reading it all again.
Do you have a really good camera store near by? If so they may be able to help.
Apr 22, 2014 12:52:19 #
Hikerchick ..... I don't think you're going to find it. I use both the Canon 7D (which lights up to show your focus point) and the 5D MK III (which doesn't). I did the same search you're going through now and came up with nothing. That being said, the 5D MK III STILL does a great job of focusing (I use spot focus, center point, recompose shot almost exclusively).
Apr 22, 2014 13:03:08 #
Bob Yankle wrote:
Hikerchick ..... I don't think you're going to find it. I use both the Canon 7D (which lights up to show your focus point) and the 5D MK III (which doesn't). I did the same search you're going through now and came up with nothing. That being said, the 5D MK III STILL does a great job of focusing (I use spot focus, center point, recompose shot almost exclusively).
My autofocus point blinks red on confirmation. You might want to check your firmware. They addressed this issue when many complained. The 1Dx apparently had a happier following after the firmware update opposed to the 5D3. Admittedly I still prefer the old system on my 1D4 but I found the adaptation fairly easy.
Question: Why would you use recompose with 41 cross type points? Seems like your wasting a superb focus system. Or am I missing something?
Apr 22, 2014 13:11:37 #
TheDman
Loc: USA
Haydon wrote:
My autofocus point blinks red on confirmation. You might want to check your firmware. They addressed this issue when many complained. The 1Dx apparently had a happier following after the firmware update opposed to the 5D3. Admittedly I still prefer the old system but I found the adaptation fairly easy.
Question: Why would you use recompose with 41 cross type points? Seems like your wasting a superb focus system. Or am I missing something?
Question: Why would you use recompose with 41 cross type points? Seems like your wasting a superb focus system. Or am I missing something?
Because none of the 41 cross type points can tell what exactly you would like to focus on. :)
Apr 22, 2014 13:14:22 #
TheDman wrote:
Because none of the 41 cross type points can tell what exactly you would like to focus on. :)
Wouldn't manually setting your focus point take care of that? Shooting with a shallow depth of field with compose recompose isn't wise IMO.
Apr 22, 2014 13:16:18 #
TheDman
Loc: USA
Haydon wrote:
Wouldn't manually set your focus point take care of that?
Not if you're shooting a moving subject.
Apr 22, 2014 13:41:35 #
Thanks for all your replies. Good things to check out. I'm sitting down with a friend this PM who currently uses the %Diii and that will help. Will check firmware, too.
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