EOS R5 How to lock AF point in the center

[renouj21]

I've just bought an R5 to replace my EOS 5DS and I'm struggling with the autofocus settings. My standard method of focusing (with EOS cameras) is to have a single centre focus point active, to use it to focus on whatever I want to focus, keep the shutter half depressed, recompose and shoot. It is an exceptionally fast way of focusing. I can't seem to replicate this on the R5. Even if I chose the single spot focus point (spot AF), I have to drag the focus box around the screen to try and find the centre point, and it moves around of its own accord when (for example) a part of my face touches the screen. 

The tracking/face recognition setting doesn't work for my kind of photography. (For eg, I'm in a cave, the focus boxes randomly decide to focus on a part of one cave wall close to me, when I want to focus in the distance.) None of the other settings seem to give me a single focus box, locked in the centre of the frame.

So my question is this: Is there no way to have a single focus box locked in the dead centre of the frame?

[shadowsports · Accepted solution]

Greetings,

There absolutely is.  I use 1 point AF about 90% of the time.  I don't normally have a problem with my focus point moving since I don't have the LCD open unless I'm shooting live view.  If I do have it open, I don't use the EVF.  I never use the the LCD facing out and folded in and then try to use the EVF either.  

Here are some options for you.  You can press the delete button (trashcan) to quickly re-center the AF point.  With v2.0 firmware you should also be able to use the set button or program the joystick for press to re-center the AF point.  The lock button might do the same but this can limit your ability to make other changes. Give these suggestions a try and let us know if they help.   

[johnrmoyer · Accepted solution]

I also struggled in the same way going from EOS 80D to EOS R5. I usually photograph birds with eye detection and tracking, but occasionally do a landscape. Often it is easier for me to do manual focus with all of the focus peaking assistance enabled. I hope some of this might help.

Maybe some of my guesses I use for me to autofocus might be helpful. Pressing the "set" button moves the focus point back to the center for me. If using a tripod, touching the screen to focus works or using camera connect on an old iPad works for me.

Here are some of my guesses on how to use autofocus:

https://cam.start.canon/en/C003/manual/html/UG-04_AF-Drive_0040.html#AF-Drive_0040_1 one shot instead of servo

https://cam.start.canon/en/C003/manual/html/UG-04_AF-Drive_0050.html#AF-Drive_0050_2 spot AF or 1 point AF

https://cam.start.canon/en/C003/manual/html/UG-04_AF-Drive_0050.html#AF-Drive_0050_4 subject to detect none

https://cam.start.canon/en/C003/manual/html/UG-04_AF-Drive_0060.html continuous AF disable

https://cam.start.canon/en/C003/manual/html/UG-04_AF-Drive_0090.html#AF-Drive_0090_1 MF peak settings

https://cam.start.canon/en/C003/manual/html/UG-04_AF-Drive_0090.html#AF-Drive_0090_2 MF focus guide

[shadowsports · Accepted solution]

Greetings,

There absolutely is.  I use 1 point AF about 90% of the time.  I don't normally have a problem with my focus point moving since I don't have the LCD open unless I'm shooting live view.  If I do have it open, I don't use the EVF.  I never use the the LCD facing out and folded in and then try to use the EVF either.  

Here are some options for you.  You can press the delete button (trashcan) to quickly re-center the AF point.  With v2.0 firmware you should also be able to use the set button or program the joystick for press to re-center the AF point.  The lock button might do the same but this can limit your ability to make other changes. Give these suggestions a try and let us know if they help.   

[renouj21]

Thanks for this, very helpful.

The "delete" button doesn't seem to do anything when I'm single point AF mode, but "Set" does the job nicely! However, it is still slightly prone to jumping around because unlike you, I like to have the rear screen "open" when I'm shooting, so I can quickly check focus, including zooming in. It would be useful if there was an option to disable the touch screen. 

But thanks again

[FloridaDrafter]

Hello, renouj!

Give this a try: Go into the AF 1 menu and disable "Touch & Drag AF Settings". See page 415 of the Advanced Users Guide (2.0.0) 🙂

Newton

[renouj21]

Thanks very much, this is v helpful

[johnrmoyer · Accepted solution]

I also struggled in the same way going from EOS 80D to EOS R5. I usually photograph birds with eye detection and tracking, but occasionally do a landscape. Often it is easier for me to do manual focus with all of the focus peaking assistance enabled. I hope some of this might help.

Maybe some of my guesses I use for me to autofocus might be helpful. Pressing the "set" button moves the focus point back to the center for me. If using a tripod, touching the screen to focus works or using camera connect on an old iPad works for me.

Here are some of my guesses on how to use autofocus:

https://cam.start.canon/en/C003/manual/html/UG-04_AF-Drive_0040.html#AF-Drive_0040_1 one shot instead of servo

https://cam.start.canon/en/C003/manual/html/UG-04_AF-Drive_0050.html#AF-Drive_0050_2 spot AF or 1 point AF

https://cam.start.canon/en/C003/manual/html/UG-04_AF-Drive_0050.html#AF-Drive_0050_4 subject to detect none

https://cam.start.canon/en/C003/manual/html/UG-04_AF-Drive_0060.html continuous AF disable

https://cam.start.canon/en/C003/manual/html/UG-04_AF-Drive_0090.html#AF-Drive_0090_1 MF peak settings

https://cam.start.canon/en/C003/manual/html/UG-04_AF-Drive_0090.html#AF-Drive_0090_2 MF focus guide

[renouj21]

Thanks, this is very helpful

[Waddizzle]

Mirrorless camera behave like Live View on your DSLR, except it’t on steroids.

Select your AF point.  Disable all the advanced AF features like Eye AF and Subject Recognition.  Once done, the camera should behave like your DSLR.

Almost forgot.  It works better with the rear display closed.

[renouj21]

Thanks. I like to use the rear display for checking focus/blurring, but I've disabled the touchscreen element, so it's all fine

[Tronhard · Accepted solution]

Hi and welcome to the forum:

As I think we have established, it is possible to have centre point autofocus - in fact that is the way I have used the R5 (and all previous cameras) for decades.    I shoot using the viewfinder, but have the LCD available to chimp if necessary.   I have all touch screen functions turned off, but if you want to use the LCD for menu functions, at least turn off touch focus and touch shutter functions.   All of this is in your manual.   If you have not done so, I would recommend downloading a PDF version of the manual and at the same time, making sure you have the latest firmware installed.  Manual link here: c003.pdf (start.canon)  note, it is for firmware 2.0.0 or later.

You use the focus selector button on the back to select the centre focus point.   I use Centre Point Back Button Focusing, and if you have not tried it, I strongly recommend it to you.

Then follow the instructions in this video from Canon: 
Master Back-Button Focus | How to Back-Button Focus on your Canon Camera (youtube.com) 
Note: you should have the focus mode set to SERVO.

So, assuming you have watched and followed the video, to focus on a static subject:  Place the centre point on the subject and Tap (not hold) the AF-ON button.  Focus is not locked.   If the subject is moving, then HOLD the AF-ON button to follow it.

Recompose your image and press the shutter button to get the shot.

As an aside, I also use single point centre metering, with the * button set to AE Lock function.