topic Re: C1 and C2 settings EOS90D in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS 90D C1 and C2 settings recommendations

Ramsden — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 13:13:27 GMT

Good afternoon (UK)

Following some excellent advice from Brian, p4pictures; I have decided to make more use of my C1 and C2, and have played around with a variety of settings in the last 24hrs.

So my question is reaching out to your greater experiences with C1 and 2. Basically, what works for you?

My current settings are with the EFS 18-135mm IS and Nano USM lens attached.

I decided to use the Av, Tv priority distinction as a starting point. Then chose some fairly random settings.

C1 Tv priority, 1/125, One Shot, Single Shooting, Large zone AF, ISO Auto, Evaluative metering.

C2 Av priority, F22, AI Servo, High Speed Continuos, Spot AF, Partial metering, ISO Auto.

Early days, but my strategy is:

C1 for stationery subjects, landscape, industrial scenes with time to compose etc.

C2 for quick shots of birds and other moving 'things' like trains on viaducts.

I appreciate that these are fairly basic settings as I endeavour to make full use of my camera with stationery and moving subjects.

So, I just wondered how guys with more experience have made innovative use of C1 & 2.

Any ideas welcome.

Thanks

Ramsden

Re: C1 and C2 settings EOS90D

Waddizzle — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 18:23:12 GMT

My settings are a little different, but the intent is similar to yours. One uses One Shot AF and other settings for still subjects. A second one uses Servo AF for moving subjects.

Re: C1 and C2 settings EOS90D

Ramsden — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 18:55:40 GMT

Thanks Waddizzle

It's reassuring that I set off in the 'right' direction. I just took my camera round my local park to try these settings out and I was quite pleased - but the chirping birds weren't playing/flying.

Re: C1 and C2 settings EOS90D

wq9nsc — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 20:00:54 GMT

I shot primarily sports with my 1DX III bodies and I only use my custom settings in a very simple manner. I shoot everything in RAW with manual aperture and shutter speed and with ISO set to auto with a EF 400 f2.8 on one body and a 70-200 f2.8 on the second. My "action" settings are 1/1,000 or higher depending upon illumination level with the aperture wide open. But I have C1 programmed for 1/250 with the aperture stepped down 2 stops for greater depth of field to capture more depth of field for post score celebrations and similar without sending the ISO sky high.

I assigned one of the programmable buttons on the 1DX III bodies to cycle between the regular and C1 settings so that with a touch of the button I can go from capturing a score to capturing post score celebrations and then back to action. I use the lock setting on the camera so that I don't accidentally change aperture, shutter speed, etc. during an event.

The only critical part of my setup is paying attention to the information in the viewfinder so that I don't try to take action shots with the wrong setup, something you have to be careful of when managing a pair of camera bodies in a "dynamic" environment where you don't want to accidentally bump the mfn button and change the setup!

Your use of the memorized settings is a good and likely far more typical use of this feature.

Rodger

Re: C1 and C2 settings EOS90D

Ramsden — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 20:30:13 GMT

Hi Rodger

Thats an interesting response, as I normally try to shoot in M and Raw, learning as I go. The EOS90D has a lot of ‘features’ that I have either not used or avoided, almost in a snobbish manner, in my quest to be a good M Raw guy. But now I’m just curious and want to see just what this camera do. Though, I’ll stick to my M Raw strategy in the long term.

The pre and post goal example is really useful and I’m sure I can use that ‘model’ for different scenarios when I’m out with my camera. Like an express train appearing from a different angle, etc or birds appaearing from knowhere!

Thanks again

Ramsden

Re: C1 and C2 settings EOS90D

wq9nsc — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 21:05:59 GMT

You are welcome Ramsden and I am glad that you are digging deep into the features of your camera. So many people have purchased nice cameras and never take them out of programmed auto mode and shoot only jpg files. You can get some nice images with that simple approach but it doesn't come close to utilizing the capabilities of the camera.

Someone who takes the time to learn technique and how to use their gear will get more out of a simpler camera than someone using a 1 series body who never puts forth the effort to learn. Your 90D is a very capable body and it will continue to amaze you as you spend more time using its capabilities.

Rodger

Re: C1 and C2 settings EOS90D

p4pictures — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 09:27:43 GMT

I am convinced that custom modes are helpful for lots of photographers. However they can be used for several kinds of purposes depending on the needs of the individual.

One possibility is to create some kind of "subject" specific modes like you have done, in some ways this is like the SCN modes that some cameras have. I have also used the custom modes when doing some evaluation between one setting and another. For me I regularly update my custom settings to suit the project / shoot.

It is probably best to think of them as a tool to allow you to quickly access to a group of specific camera settings of your own choice.

Re: C1 and C2 settings EOS90D

Ramsden — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 09:37:40 GMT

Thanks for your support and encouragement, its really appreciated.

I hope my dad would be proud of me - he taught me to develop my own films in our basement in the 1960s! I guess he planted some seeds in my DNA!