topic Re: smart controller use EOS 1DX iii and especially panning shots in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Tips on using smart controller with EOS-1D X Mark III, especially for panning shots

Ravanelli — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 14:36:40 GMT

Just curious about using the smart controller when panning fast military jets. Just upgraded from a 5d4 and it's slightly odd with the smart controller enabled. I want to use it, so would welcome any tips for its use. I understand it's great for static objects, but I only shoot aircraft moving fast. Thank you.

Re: smart controller use EOS 1DX iii and especially panning shots

stevet1 — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:55:07 GMT

Ravanelli,

Here is what Canon has to say about the smart controller:

"With the EOS-1D X Mark III, Canon introduced a new kind of camera control. Called a Smart controller, it’s part button, part trackpad in operation.

The AF-ON button on the EOS-1D X Mark III has a built-in touch-sensitive pad which can be used for moving the AF point across the AF area with just the touch of a finger or thumb.

Think of it like a trackpad on a laptop – the beauty of the Smart controller is that you don’t need to take your eye from the camera, but you have fingertip control over the position of your active focusing area."

It's not used for panning per se. It just moves your AF point using your AF-ON button.

Steve Thomas

Re: smart controller use EOS 1DX iii and especially panning shots

Ravanelli — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:19:43 GMT

So it's not recommended to use for panning. I guess I should disable it for these panning shots, after all I am following the aircraft with camera and lens, matching its speed then getting af in the normal way (BBF) then taking the shots......

Re: smart controller use EOS 1DX iii and especially panning shots

stevet1 — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 17:32:31 GMT

Ravanelli,

I guess you could.

Just put your camera in AF Servo mode, and if you hold down the AF-ON button continuously, and don't let go, it will keep focusing as you follow the plane.

Steve Thomas