topic Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

sparkycpg — Wed, 04 May 2022 13:28:46 GMT

I understand some people want to have touch autofocus on the LCD screen. However, I am constantly ruining pictures by inadvertently touching the screen before taking a picture and moving the focus location. I would like to see an option to turn this off so the focus location always stays in the center of the screen. If you want to move the focus point there are several ways before taking the shot. Again it would be a setting option so those that want it could keep it.

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

Tronhard — Thu, 05 May 2022 01:58:43 GMT

If you want to disable touch autofocus, did you check out your Advanced User Guide for firmware 1.5.0 or later, on P417? If you don't have that version you should download it.

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

sparkycpg — Thu, 05 May 2022 13:12:19 GMT

Thank you for the response but I do not think that is what I am looking for. Many people post this response when this questions is asked. I am not the only one asking for this. I don't what the focus point to jump to the position I touch on the LCD screen which I am doing by accident. I have "touch and drag AF" disabled (which I think is the default) but it still does the same thing. I want the focus point to ALWAYS stay in the center of the screen and NOT move then I touch the LCD screen. If I want to move it I will do so manually. If I am missing something please let me know.

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

Tronhard — Thu, 05 May 2022 18:31:40 GMT

I have all touch functions turned off - even menu ones. I use single point autofocus and the point stays in the centre unless I am tracking something. I turn off focus and exposure functions from the shutter button and use back-button focus and exposure locks. Never had an issue...

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

sparkycpg — Thu, 05 May 2022 19:27:49 GMT

How did you turn it off? I am not seeing that option. Unless you disabled touch control completely.

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

Tronhard — Thu, 05 May 2022 20:02:16 GMT

That's what I am saying I disabled touch completely. With touch settings, if focus is turned off - but not the touch menu, it seems the camera thinks you want to configure something, so I disable all touch functions to avoid confusing it. I don't need touch control to set up my camera - I have most scenarios programmed into the C1-C3 settings and I have used the legacy menu system for decades.

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

FloridaDrafter — Fri, 06 May 2022 06:29:13 GMT

@sparkycpg wrote:
"I understand some people want to have touch autofocus on the LCD screen. However, I am constantly ruining pictures by inadvertently touching the screen before taking a picture and moving the focus location. I would like to see an option to turn this off so the focus location always stays in the center of the screen. If you want to move the focus point there are several ways before taking the shot. Again it would be a setting option so those that want it could keep it."

Although the majority of my shots are taken using the EVF, I do use the rear LCD in some situations. It is a little annoying to accidently touch the screen and have the focus point shift. I usually remember to reset it, but not always. IMHO, turning off touch all together is not an option as I love that feature and regularly use it in my day to day. I'm old school, but think the touch screen is a very valuable asset.

I did submit a request on the Canon support site. Please report it as well. It may not get Canons attention, but it can't hurt. Click the URL below, scroll to the bottom and click "+Feedback".

https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support

Newton

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

sparkycpg — Fri, 06 May 2022 11:31:25 GMT

Thank you. I agree with you totally and will send a message as you suggested.

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

lwalley219 — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 10:29:38 GMT

I FOUND A WAY! If you are still having trouble.

if you go to menu > spanner > multi function lock and tick only the touch control then back out and on the top of the camera you can simply press “lock” to lock and unlock the touch control when in shooting mode…the focus box will always be centred and can’t be accidentally changed when it’s locked and you can still use the touch control for when navigating the menu.

hope this helps 🙂

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

MisterWizard — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 19:02:53 GMT

There is such a setting in firmware 1.6.0, it's in the tools (yellow wrench icon) menu, page 4, touch control. Disable it and the touch screen won't work any more.

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

shadowsports — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 19:34:37 GMT

I posted about this previously. I personally don't use my camera with the LCD exposed (folded in) on the back of the camera, and only ever use it open, so I have never had a problem hitting the screen with a finger, my nose or face, etc. Its always intentional, but I understand why someone would want to see while shooting LCD "tucked in".

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

Waddizzle — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 20:28:16 GMT

That is exactly what I do with my flip screen camera bodies, close it up when not in use. It helps to keep the screen clean from face and nose rubs. I also have the [LOCK] option set to disable touch control. Touch control just means more smudges.

BTW, isn’t the rear screen supposed to blank itself when you bring the OVF up to your face?

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

shadowsports — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:06:50 GMT

Waddizzle,

It does, quite accurately I'd add. There is a rather large sensor right below the EVF. Once it senses proximity the LCD gets disabled. For whatever reason I don't have the issue and like you, keep my LCD closed 95% of the time.

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

FloridaDrafter — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 00:15:31 GMT

@Waddizzle wrote:
*SNIP*
"BTW, isn’t the rear screen supposed to blank itself when you bring the OVF up to your face?"

As Rick said, it does it quickly and, for me, isn't distracting. But it depends on how you have "Screen/viewfinder display" set up in the wrench 3 menu and where you have the rear LCD view set while toggling the Info button.

I like the rear LCD set to Info, so I toggle to that. My wife, on the other hand, likes it blank and that is where she keeps hers. I keep the panel exposed so I can get a quick glance at what I have set, especially at night since the top LCD needs to have its light turned on and I end up fumbling around in the dark trying to find the light button. I have "Screen/viewfinder display" set to "Auto 2 (auto switching)" and it seems to work well for me, but you can set that up to your liking. I'm pretty confident in my settings, so I rarely use the rear LCD for previews, but I do from time to time have to "Chimp", LOL!

Newton

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

Waddizzle — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 13:53:30 GMT

If you have it set to display the [INFO] screen of your choosing, then folding it closed will turn it off. But, opening it back up will display your [INFO] screen.

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

jblooo — Thu, 16 May 2024 14:31:23 GMT

I 100% agree. I find that if my eye is not completely aganst the eyepiece, like if I have glasses or shift my body slightly, the LCD turns on and my noc moves the focus point to the corner. If I don't notice right away, I'll blow through pictures of of focus.

I understand there are "Workarounds", each with it's own side effects, but it seems a simple firmware update to disable only moving the focus point with the screen would be a perfect, simple fix.

I'd also like to adjust the sensitivity for the EVF/LCD flip point. Just cause I lean forward doesn't mean I want the LCD activated.

My 2 cents

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

p4pictures — Thu, 16 May 2024 17:15:49 GMT

One option is to use the multi-function lock, this can lock the touchscreen - effectively disabling it - but you can reactivate it by releasing the lock.

Navigate to the Multi function lock setting in the SET UP menus. Each control that has a check mark next to it will be locked when the lock is active. If there is a check mark for the touch control it will be locked. The LOCK button is on the top of the camera next to the top LCD panel.

Even if you have the lock enabled, pressing the menu button is enough to tell the camera you want to use the menus and the lock will be disabled so you can navigate the menus using touch.

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

StrictlyAmatuer — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 13:52:48 GMT

Thanks! This is very usable work-around. A dedicated setting would still be best, but this solves the immediate problem, and is easy to turn on and off.

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

Waddizzle — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:51:51 GMT

“ I understand there are "Workarounds", each with it's own side effects, but it seems a simple firmware update to disable only moving the focus point with the screen would be a perfect, simple fix. “

This post is few years old. There a handful of settings that disable screen in certain operating modes, including autofocus. But it seems to differentiate between shooting with the EVF and LCD.

There.is a “global” setting that disables the touch behavior completely. It’s in the Orange menus. Screen 3?

Re: R5 feature request option to disable touch autofocus

Waddizzle — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 23:02:12 GMT

Screen 4