Canon R5 Jittery issues when setting focus point with the Joystick.

[DaBrownCO]

When trying to set the focus point with the joystick, I find it to be jittery. Is there a way to adjust this or a better way to set focus point? I think Touch Enable may be the solution, but I'm curious on the joystick option.

Thanks.

[Waddizzle]

Are you coming from a DSLR?  If so, which one?

The new generation of MILC bodies renders moving your AF point around with a joystick almost a moot point.  The AF systems can move the AF point around faster and more accurately than you ever can.  

I select the center AF point as your Initial AF Tracking Point.  The only use the joystick serves is to press once to reset the active AF point back to the center.   I’ve been using the 7D2 this way for nearly a decade.

[DaBrownCO]

Well, I've been using the R5 for about 3 years. For better or worse, I'm now at the point where I am trying to optimize my experience with it so I'm starting to fine tune the instrument. I'm not sure what you mean by 'the AF systems can move the AF point around faster'. I shoot landscapes mostly.

[Tronhard · Accepted solution]

There are a couple of approaches for setting the autofocus point, and one is the outline that you describe, where you move the AF point with the joystick or the screen.  Personally I don't use either for the following reasons.  I find placing the AF point with the joystick is, as you say, jittery and also slow; while using the screen is something I avoid as my face keeps touching it and moving the point, so I have it, and menu selections on screen disabled.

So, I use single point autofocus, locked to the centre point of the FoV.  When I go to focus, I place the centre dot on the critical point, and lock the focus point using BBF.  I then recompose and shoot. I find it much faster.  If the autofocus strays on the next shot, I can press down on the joystick to re-centre the AF point.  I find that significantly faster than moving my hand around the controls.

I don't know if this is acceptable to you, but is sure works for me.

[DaBrownCO]

Hello Trevor,

Well that simplifies things a lot and makes sense. So, set the center focus point. Put it on point of critical focus. Use BBF, hold down, and recompose to take the shot. I am so glad I asked the question even after all this time.

Thank you!

[Tronhard]

Well, sort of.  There are a couple of things that will make it work better, depending on whether your subject is static or moving.  Set the focus to be servo, then follow the instructions on this video:

FWIW, I have both focus and exposure set to points in the centre, and leave them there.  That is because I want to set the focus on an element within the field of view that I consider offers the mid-reflectance that the sensor wants.  I have that function assigned to the * button on the back of the camera, which is conveniently right beside the AF button, so very little finger movement required.  
So, to go through the complete process:
I locate a point that I consider correct for exposure, and press the * button to lock it.
I locate the point I want to be in focus and press the AF button to lock that
Recompose and shoot.

So, a couple of things. For this to work the AF must be disabled on the shutter, then the AF button will work, but check that in the menu for custom functions.  Note that servo has meant that a tap of the AF button works for static objects, while holding it down will track them.  I have that set up to work with eye/face tracking, so once acquired I can let it follow the eye or the subject if that is what I want.  I use the C1-C3 case modes to set up eye/face tracking and have those features turned off for other modes, like Av.

[Tronhard]

Here is the BBF explained in print mode. 
How to Use Back Button Focus | Canon Australia
BTW, turn OFF continuous mode in the AF Menu P1 - it just attempts to focus all the time the camera if on - in the R5 it's going to chew through your batteries like there's no tomorrow.
In the same menu, I have the Focus method set to Spot AF, but you could choose 1 point or Expand Area, even around, as those modes start in the centre and will expand / contract with your chosen point.

For Exposure - Camera Tab (Brown, second from right)

In  Page 3 Custom buttons
AF-ON button: Metering and Start AF:   set to AF
AE lock button: set to *
Page 2: AE Lock meter mode after focus,
set to only spot (when you press set, it will display the * by the option)