1D mk3 Autofocus settings for BIF

[Peter Hawrylyshyn]

An earlier thread provided the link to the new CANON Mark III guide to optimize AI Servo AF Custom Functions
http://www.pressefotografforbundet.d..._cfn_guide.pdf

The closest analogy to BIF is probably the tennis player (#6) - rapid motion in all directions, for which they recommend: C Fn III-2 at slow (-2) , C Fn III-3 at 0, C Fn III-4 at 0, and C Fn III-8 at 2 (to use most AF points).

Is this what most people are now using? Does changing C Fn III-8 improve tracking for BIF?

Would be curious to hear what's working most successfully for others

Thanks
PH

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I use center AF point most of the time (C Fn III-0), particularly if the background is not just sky and C Fn III I have at -1 (moderately slow).

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Peter I'm still experimenting with CF 111 Haven't seen any real difference but currently favoring first setting (1) ... maybe because I did better with the setting in the original Mk3.

btw Do use Center Point only most of the time.

[Michael Wolf]

Al,

Are you shooting both Nikon & Canon now ?

Michael Wolf

[Alfred Forns]

No Michael ... just Canon :)

[Doug Brown]

I use center point only and I prefer the slow setting for BIF.

[Jim Neiger]

Here is a copy of a post I made a while back. It explains the tracking sensitivity custom function.

Tracking sensitivity is misunderstood by many. It does not speed up Af or make the af track better. What it is is a delay when the camera switches focus from one subject to another subject. For example; if you are tracking a BIF against a varied bg and you miss and the af point hits the bg, there will be a short delay beffore the camera focuses on the BG. The delay in this case is a good thing. It may allow you to get back on the bird without losing focus. If you do mistakenly focus on the bg, the same delay will cost you time when trying to return focus to the BIF. In thiscase the delay is a bad thing. The delay is really a double edged sword. Sometimes it works for you and other times against you. I used to balnce this by setting the tracking sensitivity to STANDARD, but then I discovered a way to use the delay when it helps me and override (get rid of) the delay when it doesn't. I override the delay by bumping the focus. By bumping, I mean let off and refocus. This will override the delay. Now I have the best of both worlds and I can maximize the benefits of the delay by setting tracking sensitivity to SLOW. So SLOW is the way to go if you learn how to bump the focus to override the delay when needed.