topic Re: need focusing help with my new R8 in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

need focusing help with my new R8

b_vanwey — Sun, 12 May 2024 00:28:50 GMT

I recently purchased a new R8. I have been practicing action shots with my dog playing frisbee. I have subject detection set to animals - eye detection on- AF on servo- expanded AF area:around - I was using a shutter speed of 1/1000. Using a Canon EF 100-400 USM on a Canon EOS to R adapter.

I am using BBF, locking on to the eye to begin with and trying to track the dog as she goes for the frisbee. When I review the shots, I have my focus points turned on and it shows focus all over the place. Sometimes it stays with the dog and sometimes it shows the focus elsewhere - but the area inside the red box is not actually in focus at all. I deleted those already. My son says that the focus is where the dog was at, a moment before the shot was taken. Very few of my shots are usable, and the best ones are not really what I would call sharp. She is pretty speedy, but would have thought My shutter speed would have been sufficient to stop action. This one is usable, but my focus point showed it was on her tail, not her face. Sometimes the focus points showed in the grass or the trees. Can you tell me what I am missing?
this one is usable but the focus point was her tail

Re: need focusing help with my new R8

iCollector — Sun, 12 May 2024 01:28:21 GMT

Well,I ditched BBF simply because I can rely on the R5 to do what I want focus wise. I may try it again after a spell - if I find I am not getting good shots…. It didn’t fail me tracking my Aussie playing with her herding ball…

If that is what you want to stick with, 👍🏼. As to this pic…. Try for a higher shutter speed… see if that makes a difference. If you can bump up the ISO, you may even be able to stop down a bit for some depth of field…. Good luck!

Re: need focusing help with my new R8

Tronhard — Sun, 12 May 2024 08:33:26 GMT

I use BBF but with servo focus turned on. That allows the camera, once focused to track the subject as it moves - did you have that enabled?

To help you along, I suggest checking out this video:
Master Back-Button Focus | How to Back-Button Focus on your Canon Camera (youtube.com)

Re: need focusing help with my new R8

b_vanwey — Sun, 12 May 2024 20:23:57 GMT

Yes, Servo enabled.

"I have subject detection set to animals - eye detection on- AF on servo- expanded AF area:around - I was using a shutter speed of 1/1000. "

Re: need focusing help with my new R8

iCollector — Sun, 12 May 2024 22:09:11 GMT

All AF/face tracking…

As just a suggestion why not go back to the ‘stock’ meter/focus shutter button. Set the AF to the face tracking, eye detect if you want, and have animals selected on the AF menu tab that has it.

Re: need focusing help with my new R8

p4pictures — Sun, 12 May 2024 22:12:05 GMT

Which AF Case do you have selected on the second page of the AF menus? If it's set to AUTO, then I suggest giving Case 4 a try as this is more reactive to random movement and for subjects that accelerate and decelerate quickly.

Secondly I would also suggest switching to one of the flexible zone AF areas, possibly the square one as this looks at a slightly larger initial area to locate the subject. I find I get better results on fast action with this than the AF point with expansion surround.

I would also consider going for a faster shutter speed just to rule out any question of motion blur being confused with focus errors.

Here's one of my shots of a friends jack russell - bichon friese cross, he's small and fast.

1/3200th, f/2, ISO 250 - EF 135mm f/2L lens on mount adapter

Re: need focusing help with my new R8

b_vanwey — Sun, 12 May 2024 23:59:04 GMT

I will try a faster shutter speed- I see on your pic that you have it at 1/3200th, and I was using 1/1000th. I had my AF area set to the 4th choice - Expand AF area:Around (the one with the square surrounded by boxes). I didn't get to try again this afternoon- the wind got strong, and I have to be reasonably sure where the frisbee is going in order to have time to throw and then take the pic. Another thing I got to thinking about is that since this mirrorless is smaller than my DSLR, and I have big hands, maybe when I depress the shutter I am slightly releasing the BBF as I take the pic. I am going to try to depress it with the side of my thumb rather than the tip, and see if the focus points look better.

Re: need focusing help with my new R8

b_vanwey — Mon, 13 May 2024 00:01:32 GMT

I will try a faster shutter speed and see if that helps. Probably stop down as well. I was trying to isolate her a bit from the background, but I guess I better nail the focus first.

Re: need focusing help with my new R8

b_vanwey — Mon, 13 May 2024 00:08:19 GMT

I have used BBF for years with my other cameras, and it is ingrained in me. I did have it on tracking animals, eye detect. I had the AF case on Auto, but have changed it now to case 4 to be more responsive to things that quickly change direction.

Your dog is beautiful.

Re: need focusing help with my new R8

Waddizzle — Mon, 13 May 2024 00:14:58 GMT

I believe that you need to use one of the Zone AF modes for the advanced subject tracking features to become active.

This is a long video because it takes a deep dive into every aspect of the AF system on R series cameras. The video also has a chapter feature, which allows you to jump to different topics under discussion.

This is what the chapter display look like. Note the time index of each chapter is provided.

Re: need focusing help with my new R8

p4pictures — Mon, 13 May 2024 06:59:30 GMT

@Waddizzle

EOS R10, R7, R3, R8, R50 and R6 Mark II will all do subject detection and tracking with any AF area. The EOS R5 / R5C and original EOS R6 require face detection & tracking or one of the zone AF modes to do face tracking. The YouTube video is kind of old now as the AF has changed for more recent cameras.

Re: need focusing help with my new R8

Waddizzle — Mon, 13 May 2024 08:47:42 GMT

Yes, you are correct. The video is old news. The “Face + Tracking” seems to have been removed in the newer camera models that have the next generation Dual Pixel AF II image sensors. .

Here is an explanation of the R6 Mark II AF system.

https://youtu.be/RwqnOCWYRbo?si=-VOF7TKzLq1fjtbd

The next generation AF seems able to perform subject tracking using just about any AF point selection mode. The AF system creates a large virtual box around a subject or the scene. The selected AF point seem to be used as the starting point for subject acquisition and tracking.

However, the “Face + Tracking” functionality is stll present, perhaps not in name. The cameras still seem able to track subjects the way the most advanced DSLRs could do it Live View lusing arge cluster of little squares of AF points.

I think of the AF configuration “DSLR mode”. You disable the AI autofocus features,and the camera behaves like a DSLR.

This AF configuration seems to still require that you select one of the Zone AF modes.

Re: need focusing help with my new R8

b_vanwey — Wed, 15 May 2024 00:22:10 GMT

Ok, tonight I took a few shots with these changes: switched to 1st curtain shutter, raised the shutter speed, changed to AF case 4. Things look a lot better! Thanks for the tips everyone. This is heavily cropped. The real test will be the frisbee, as soon as I can snag someone to do the throwing for me.

Re: need focusing help with my new R8

stevet1 — Wed, 15 May 2024 00:40:54 GMT

b_vanwey,

You did very well with your last photo.

Congratulations!

Steve Thomas

Re: need focusing help with my new R8

iCollector — Thu, 16 May 2024 02:14:51 GMT

Thanks! Hope you get the issue sorted…. I tried the BBF, but maybe I just did not run into any situation yet that really bopped me on the head to make me regret not having the R5 set that way….

Re: need focusing help with my new R8

iCollector — Thu, 16 May 2024 02:18:52 GMT

Stunning doggy you got there! Great shot as well! Ahhhhhhh….. Aussies!❤️❤️