Canon R8 Help understanding auto focus

[Radical 1]

Hello Group, finally had some time to play with the R8 using a 100-400 canon lens. Having troubles understanding the auto focus area in automatic mode, I have taken 2 pictures both at the same objects, the one on the left is manually focused onto the large tree center frame, the second picture is fully auto focus and it will not pickup the same tree, only the branches in front of the tree. Is there a way to manually set the auto focus to center frame permanently or is the only way to achieve the left image by manual focus?

 

[Only RF]

Found it. Sorry for going off topic a bit. Back then we could only upload 800 on the long side to a site I frequented. That night I learned the meaning of a fast lens. I shot a 300 L f4 IS and could barely hit 1/500, even at ISO 12800, which was the max for the 7D. I know I only used PS and did it step by step first removing colour noise. Since that day I was never afraid of high ISO.

 

[Photofarmer]

Totally agree. These exchange of experiences and methods are invaluable source of knowledge for both rookies and experts. Our cameras are complex tools and you can't pretend that you know everything about them. When you think that you know all there is somebody coming with a new trick to improve what you already know. Photography is not static it changes with every new feature or camera release. You are always learning.

And there’s no boneheads or smartarses in this group, no read the manual, no snarky comments no belittling or made to feel stupid heck if there was I’d be long gone

 

[Only RF]

And there’s no boneheads or smartarses in this group, no read the manual, no snarky comments no belittling or made to feel stupid heck if there was I’d be long gone

There’s a manual?

 

[jcass]

Hello Group, finally had some time to play with the R8 using a 100-400 canon lens. Having troubles understanding the auto focus area in automatic mode, I have taken 2 pictures both at the same objects, the one on the left is manually focused onto the large tree center frame, the second picture is fully auto focus and it will not pickup the same tree, only the branches in front of the tree. Is there a way to manually set the auto focus to center frame permanently or is the only way to achieve the left image by

You're not alone. I switched to Back-Button-Focus (BBF) with my Canon 7D. It was a game changer primarily for focus and recompose, which appears to me to be the scenario in your original question... how to use AF instead of MF to "pick" the focal point of an image. Covered before in earlier posts, but on my 7D setup I would have a CenterPoint AF on a back button and would use that to focus and recompose. I have comfortably done that for years and it has become ingrained in my mind.

The game has changed again - for the better, but all change requires learning. I've had an R5 for the past four years which I used very much the same as my longtime 7D. Now I've upgraded to the 5D Mk II... The AF system in the camera is doing way more than I could have ever done myself with my 7D. I find that I am struggling with letting go of control and letting the 5D MK II do its work. And I can't imagine the impact of going from a DSLR to any camera in Canon's current line-up. Let alone the realization that my R5II can usually find and focus on a bird in branches faster and more accurately than I can.

 

[Only RF]

You're not alone. I switched to Back-Button-Focus (BBF) with my Canon 7D. It was a game changer primarily for focus and recompose, which appears to me to be the scenario in your original question... how to use AF instead of MF to "pick" the focal point of an image. Covered before in earlier posts, but on my 7D setup I would have a CenterPoint AF on a back button and would use that to focus and recompose. I have comfortably done that for years and it has become ingrained in my mind.

The game has changed again - for the better, but all change requires learning. I've had an R5 for the past four years which I used very much the same as my longtime 7D. Now I've upgraded to the 5D Mk II... The AF system in the camera is doing way more than I could have ever done myself with my 7D. I find that I am struggling with letting go of control and letting the 5D MK II do its work. And I can't imagine the impact of going from a DSLR to any camera in Canon's current line-up. Let alone the realization that my R5II can usually find and focus on a bird in branches faster and more accurately than I can.

I could never go back to a DSLR. I had an 7D2 and a 5D4. I sold the 5D4 and picked up the R just to get my foot into ML. Despite the very slow fps and awful frame to frame blackout the 7D2 never came out the bag again. AF was just too much fun. I shot BIF with the adapter, 2X TC and EF 100-400 II.

 

[Only RF]

I was looking for something else and found this.

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