Trying new smaller focus box ...

[David Roach]

EOS R EF 400DO I 2xtc II f11 1/160 ISO 1600

Trying the new focus update (FW 1.2) again last night. Late afternoon with clouds hiding the sun. As I was within a few meters, the DOF is shallow. Since I can move focus point almost anywhere in the frame I have been lately only using AI focus with continuous drive. Really liking this update.

As always. comments, suggestions, teachings always greatly appreciated.

[gail bisson]

Lots of excellent details here. The down on the crown of the head is really fun.
Not crazy about the bright green in the BG but the leaf on the right frames the head nicely,
Gail

[Moe Richard]

Excellent close-up with good exposure considering the conditions clearly very narrow depth of field is orange feathers on the neck are not quite as sharp as the area on the beak and head. If someone is distracted by the background, you could easily decrease the green saturation and throw in a very mild vignette.

[John Mack]

Focus looks bang on. Nice detail with a nice pose as well. Too bad about the leaves on the right side of the frame.

[Arthur Morris]

I like it. Having the bird a bit higher in the frame would not hurt.

Can you explain what is new about the focus settings you are using?

with love, artie

[David Roach]

Hi Artie, with firmware version 1.2 there are several fixes and new features. The original camera had a couple of issues with AF which this fixes, for the most part. First when choosing to use a single point for better accuracy in hitting the exact spot the focus point/box in the display was huge. Given the many AF points, 5665 I think, this seemed strange and I thought when I first got the camera the software was just not ready at time of release. There must have been many of those actual sensor focus points within that box and as the user you weren't sure how to point with pin point accuracy. The other was the wonkiness that the AF sometimes thought it was in focus when it was totally out. So, they added a smaller focus point option which I now love. Also the frequency of the wonkiness has been greatly reduced but not completely gone yet. You can tell the competitiom from Sony and others has made old stodgy Canon up their game. They also fixed a long standing issue with the sensor (even going back to 5dmkIV) of banding occuring . I've only seen this twice in hundreds of pictures. They completely fixed it according to experts online. True silent shutter now works also. I truly believe after 6 months with this system, the DPAF is going to be killer in the pro level mirrorless when it comes.

I like it. Having the bird a bit higher in the frame would not hurt.

Can you explain what is new about the focus settings you are using?

with love, artie

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks David, The proof of the pudding will be with flight photograph AF. I have not been hearing good things in that area but hope that I am wrong :)

with love, artie