topic Re: Canon C1-C3 Modes (Using EOS R5, R1, and R5m2) in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

C1-C3 retaining settings when switching mode (Using EOS R5, R1, and R5m2)

pedz — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 13:59:15 GMT

In this post, I’m going to ignore A+ and Bulb mode. What I believe is true is Fv, P, Av, Tv, and M have one set of settings which includes all the settings including the buttons. I’m going to call this set of settings the “non-C” settings. Meanwhile, C1-C3 each have their own set of settings which again includes all the settings including the buttons. The one exception that I know of is the Multi-Function button which is not saved in the C1-C3 modes. There may be other settings not saved in the C1-C3 settings as well that I'm not aware of.

In particular, if C1 is saved while in P mode for example, then the C1 icon will have a P in it and switching from C1 to Av for example will replace all of the settings that C1 has with the “non-C” settings.

If all of the above is not valid, please let me know. And, it also makes all of the following invalid.

I’ve never used Fv mode. I started using Canon cameras before Fv mode and just never paid much attention to it but I think maybe that is the answer to my problem.

I currently don’t use C1-C3 modes because the P, Av, Tv, M mode is locked in. For example, if I am in C1 mode and it is using Tv mode, I can’t switch to M just so I can set the aperture. Switching to M changes all of the settings. But I’m thinking maybe if I religiously set Fv mode before I save the C1-C3 settings, then I would not be so handicapped. I’m thinking I can set up a Cn mode with Fv mode and then as I’m using it, I can still decide if I want the shutter or aperture to float or not and still retain all of the other settings.

Does all of the above seem valid to others? This would be kind of exciting for me. I’ve shot Canon since 2001 and have been frustrated the concept with C1-C3 being a “mode” instead of a set of settings the whole time.

Re: Canon C1-C3 Modes (Using EOS R5, R1, and R5m2)

jrhoffman75 — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 14:54:28 GMT

@pedz wrote:

In this post, I’m going to ignore A+ and Bulb mode. What I believe is true is Fv, P, Av, Tv, and M have one set of settings which includes all the settings including the buttons. I’m going to call this set of settings the “non-C” settings. Meanwhile, C1-C3 each have their own set of settings which again includes all the settings including the buttons. The one exception that I know of is the Multi-Function button which is not saved in the C1-C3 modes. There may be other settings not saved in the C1-C3 settings as well that I'm not aware of.

In particular, if C1 is saved while in P mode for example, then the C1 icon will have a P in it and switching from C1 to Av for example will replace all of the settings that C1 has with the “non-C” settings.

If all of the above is not valid, please let me know. And, it also makes all of the following invalid.

I’ve never used Fv mode. I started using Canon cameras before Fv mode and just never paid much attention to it but I think maybe that is the answer to my problem.

I currently don’t use C1-C3 modes because the P, Av, Tv, M mode is locked in. For example, if I am in C1 mode and it is using Tv mode, I can’t switch to M just so I can set the aperture. Switching to M changes all of the settings. But I’m thinking maybe if I religiously set Fv mode before I save the C1-C3 settings, then I would not be so handicapped. I’m thinking I can set up a Cn mode with Fv mode and then as I’m using it, I can still decide if I want the shutter or aperture to float or not and still retain all of the other settings.

Does all of the above seem valid to others? This would be kind of exciting for me. I’ve shot Canon since 2001 and have been frustrated the concept with C1-C3 being a “mode” instead of a set of settings the whole time.

I am away from my camera right now, so I can't verify, but I believe:

1. if you are in a Cx mode you can change any camera settings.

2. if you haven't selected the Update option the camera will revert to the stored Cx settings when it powers down.

3. If you enabled Update then the Cx will be changed to the new selection(s) you made.

Re: Canon C1-C3 Modes (Using EOS R5, R1, and R5m2)

jrhoffman75 — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 15:48:39 GMT

Clarification- you can change settings but not the mode.

Re: Canon C1-C3 Modes (Using EOS R5, R1, and R5m2)

johnrmoyer — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 16:21:36 GMT

I have EOS R5. This is not advice, but only what seems to work for me.

I do not let C1, C2, C3 update when I change settings, but they always go back to the saved settings.

I set C1 to Fv with aperture auto and ISO auto and shutter speed on the main dial and starting out with a fast shutter. It seems to work well for me on large birds flying. Sometimes when using it I will lock either aperture or ISO by turning dials and return them to auto by pressing trash can button. This seems to work better for me than M with auto ISO.

I set C2 to Av with slower shutter relative to focal length. It seems to work well for me on small birds hiding in foliage in the shade.

I set C3 to Av with 1.6x crop mode. For a small bird at a distance, crop mode seems to me to make autofocus more likely to find the eye of the bird.

Re: Canon C1-C3 Modes (Using EOS R5, R1, and R5m2)

pedz — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 16:32:00 GMT

Those settings sound logical to me. I'm going to try the 1.6 crop mode in particular. I shot a lot of small birds with my 100-500mm.

Re: Canon C1-C3 Modes (Using EOS R5, R1, and R5m2)

p4pictures — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 21:49:55 GMT

Yes you are correct:

Camera config A - shared for P/Tv/Av/Fv/M/B
Camera config B - only for C1
Camera config C - only for C2
Camera config D - only for C3

Camera config contains most of the camera settings and button customisations except for a couple of specific ones. System frequency (PAL/NTSC) is common for the camera regardless of the mode, and some buttons or button functions are specific to the camera too.

The single setting for auto update of the stored settings applies to all C-modes, you cannot lock the settings with no update for C1, but then allow C2 to auto update for example. You can choose to initially register the settings to a custom mode, then if you need to make changes later, allow the update to be automatically done. Then switch auto updates back off. This can be handy if you stored 1/500th shutter speed but now find you wished you stored 1/2000th instead.

Fv mode is a good one to store in a mode that you need to change how it works, since it can be effectively manipulated to work like any of the four main modes, M/P/Tv/Av. Personally I find Fv less ideal if I want to use M mode since I prefer to work by feel with a separate control for aperture, shutter speed and ISO with M. One additional idea is to change the auto power off time for the custom mode, it's one of the independent settings that is specific to a custom mode. You could have the camera out power off in 30s in P/Tv/Av/M/B, but power off in 1 minute when using C1, 5 minutes with C2 and not at all with C3. I find that can be useful if you need to make changes to something like exposure and want that change to hold a little longer.

Re: Canon C1-C3 Modes (Using EOS R5, R1, and R5m2)

Waddizzle — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 22:28:25 GMT

“ If all of the above is not valid, please let me know. And, it also makes all of the following invalid. “

I am not going to describe your conclusions as invalid or incorrect. A better description would be shallow. As JohnMoyer described above, the behavior is far more subtle than what you have described. He noted that he has auto-update disabled, which is the default setting.

Custom shooting modes are far more than mere memory slots for your exposure settings. They are designed to be used as preset camera configurations.

For example, I have C1 set for “bird on a branch” mode. It’s set for One Shot AF. 1-pt AF point selection (Center). Initial AF point is Center. Whole Area Tracking (known as Face Tracking in R5) is disabled. Single Shot drive mode. The [AF-ON] button is set to standard BBF with the Shutter set to Metering only.

I have C2 set for “bird in flight” mode. It’s set to Servo AF. I use 1-pt AF with Surround AF points. The Initial AF point is set to the Center. Whole Area Tracking is enabled. I use Continuous Drive mode. The [AF-ON] button is set for [AF-OFF]. The Shutter is set to it’s default, metering + autofocus.

Both modes are defined by M mode exposure mode with ISO Auto. The [Set] button is configured for Exposure Compensation, which allows for 3 stops of ISO tweaking.

[EDIT] Default exposure is 1/1600, f/1.4, ISO Auto capped at USO 12800. If a lens is not capable of f/1.4, then it defaults to its minimum setting, f/2.8 or whatever. [\EDIT]

Of course, auto update is disabled, as previously mentioned.

Re: Canon C1-C3 Modes (Using EOS R5, R1, and R5m2)

Waddizzle — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 22:36:37 GMT

There are a number of other settings shared by the two custom modes. Foremost among them are the EVF settings, which I won’t bore you with detailed descriptions.

I wanted to post my R6ii settings for C1.

….and the settings for C2.m

Re: Canon C1-C3 Modes (Using EOS R5, R1, and R5m2)

mdphotography — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 03:02:23 GMT

In particular, if C1 is saved while in P mode for example, then the C1 icon will have a P in it and switching from C1 to Av for example will replace all of the settings that C1 has with the “non-C” settings.

yes, because you're no longer using the saved settings.

I love C1-C3 - I use one for wildlife photography, one for sports photography, and one for astro photography. I also programmed my buttons so I can make quick adjustments off the saved settings.