topic Re: Servo AF Settings in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Servo AF Settings - Questions about subject tracking

DaBrownCO — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 13:53:33 GMT

File this under a question for which I should know the answer. Does Servo AF track the subject even if you don't have Face + Tracking on? I thought that was the case, but the other day, when I had the Focus Point set to 1 point or Spot, it did not track. However, when I used the *, which is custom set to Eye AF, it did track. The image was of ducks on a lake so there may not have been enough contrast, but Eye AF did track. So I'm a bit puzzled.

My set up is BBF with AF-On set to Focus/Metering Start and as stated * set to Eye AF.

Re: Servo AF Settings

jrhoffman75 — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 21:42:45 GMT

Is your AF1 menu tab top item set to Servo?

Re: Servo AF Settings

Tronhard — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 21:55:02 GMT

Servo AF is different from Face and eye tracking in that it is only active as long as a focusing button is active. In the following video, Canon explain that for setting up BBF, one sets up servo focus, and then tap the BBF button to focus (and then stop) on a static subject, but if that button is held down, Servo will follow the selected object as it moves - even if it is not a face or eye. Even if you don't use BBF, it hopefully demonstrates the principle.

That is different from Continuous Focus that would cause the camera to continually focus as long as the camera was turned on - an excellent way of draining the battery. I have noticed that feature disappearing from the menu systems of some models now.
Face and eye detection intelligently look for faces and eyes and will track them as long as the focusing system is active.
For more detailed investigation of this you might find these interesting:

and

They might be helpful in some general info on the subject

Re: Servo AF Settings

DaBrownCO — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 21:49:39 GMT

Yes

Re: Servo AF Settings

DaBrownCO — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 21:51:17 GMT

I know not to drain the battery so that Continuous Focus is off. I had the BBF pressed while the duck was swimming and it did not track the duck until I hit the * that is set to Eye AF.

Re: Servo AF Settings

Tronhard — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 21:53:04 GMT

Are you using BBF or half-pressing the shutter button? I am adding more to my original response FWIW

Re: Servo AF Settings

jrhoffman75 — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 21:58:58 GMT

Best then to give Canon support a call. Register your product first if you haven’t already done so.

Re: Servo AF Settings

DaBrownCO — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 22:04:08 GMT

Using BBF.

Re: Servo AF Settings

DaBrownCO — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 22:06:44 GMT

Just got the camera back from CPS before Christmas for another issue. I think I'll try it again to see if it wasn't something of a fluke or an operator error.

Re: Servo AF Settings

DaBrownCO — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 22:07:53 GMT

I did watch that Trevor last night, which led me to post here today.

Re: Servo AF Settings

jrhoffman75 — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 22:08:43 GMT

If still having a problem I meant to call Canon.

Re: Servo AF Settings

Tronhard — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 22:13:00 GMT

Well, unless something has changed in the setup, I would agree with John that referring back to Tech Support might be a good move.

Re: Servo AF Settings

stevet1 — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 02:38:52 GMT

DaBrownCo,

In response to your original question you asked, "Does Servo AF track the subject even if you don't have Face + Tracking on?"

The answer would be no. Servo would only focus on whatever you aim the focus point on.

Without knowing what kind of camera you have, my T8i manual says that Servo will not track a subject if you are in one of the Zone focusing modes. You have to be in Single Point if you want to track in Servo.

You might look at this guide from Canon Knowledge. Base,

Quick Guide to AI Servo Mode Autofocus Tracking

(do a Google Search for that exact phrase.)

Steve Thomas

Re: Servo AF Settings - Questions about subject tracking

DaBrownCO — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 18:11:36 GMT

I have resolved my issues and learned a lot in the process. It seems like the ideal set up is to have Face + Tracking as focus point and Initial AF Focus set on Auto. This way, the camera seems to pick up the eyes almost instantaneously. The way I had my camera set up was to have Single Point or Spot Focus set on my BBF, which one would use to select a part of a subject, that the Initial AF Focus may have trouble with and then use the * for Eye AF. That is preferred for subjects/part of subjects in branches, grasses, etc.

The confusion is with the Initial AF Focus tracking setting. I did learn the other day from a You Tube video that Canon may have removed this confusing settings w/more recent models, but I haven't confirmed that. It's very confusing and not real clear