Question About Subject Detection

[THXGEEK]

I've noticed that my R5II has a tendency to lose its subject detection 'lock' when I'm photographing various critters (mostly birds and small mammals). It doesn't seem to matter what subject detection mode I have selected (Auto vs Animal) or what focus mode I have selected (wide vs spot or anything in between). Once I've done the initial focus lock with the AF-ON button and start firing away, the camera will almost always decide to switch its subject to a nearby twig or clump of leaves. This very frustrating and requires me to release and re-engage the AF-ON button to reacquire my subject. My Nikon Z8 and Sony A1II do not have this issue with similar lenses and light conditions.

Any advice or counsel would be most appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[PKM-UK]

I've noticed that my R5II has a tendency to lose its subject detection 'lock' when I'm photographing various critters (mostly birds and small mammals). It doesn't seem to matter what subject detection mode I have selected (Auto vs Animal) or what focus mode I have selected (wide vs spot or anything in between). Once I've done the initial focus lock with the AF-ON button and start firing away, the camera will almost always decide to switch its subject to a nearby twig or clump of leaves. This very frustrating and requires me to release and re-engage the AF-ON button to reacquire my subject. My Nikon Z8 and Sony A1II do not have this issue with similar lenses and light conditions.

Any advice or counsel would be most appreciated!

Thanks!

Hi Craig,

I've not come across this (yet!), but the first thing I would try is adjusting the 'Locked On vs Responsive' settings if using AF: Case Auto, or 'Tracking Sensitivity and Accel./decel. tracking' if using AF: Case Manual.

I believe Jan Wegener has made various posts on R5m2 AF tweaks (other YouTubers are available!).

Phil

 

[THXGEEK]

Hi Craig,

I've not come across this (yet!), but the first thing I would try is adjusting the 'Locked On vs Responsive' settings if using AF: Case Auto, or 'Tracking Sensitivity and Accel./decel. tracking' if using AF: Case Manual.

I believe Jan Wegener has made various posts on R5m2 AF tweaks (other YouTubers are available!).

Phil

Thank you most kindly! I will look into this!

 

[Only RF]

I don’t have the R5II but I had the R5 and R6II. Just got the R6III. Similar AF systems.

I doubt this has anything to do with it but I noticed the Distance setting on the lens is more sensitive so if I over 3 meters to my subject I set it there.

I’ve set my AP point selection button (beside the * ) to cycle through the following AF modes “with eye detect on”. Whole area, zone, single point and spot. I always start in whole area and if it struggles because of dense foliage, etc I will cycle through the modes.

I have both AF and Metering on the shutter button. I use the AF-ON for zone AF and the * for single point. Both are no subject or eye detect. Just the plain old DSLR AF. I use those first to override the subject and eye detect and get my desired subject in focus first. If still no go then I cycle through the AF modes I mentioned in the second paragraph.