EOS R6 Mark II Best AF settings for newborn and family photography

[Kayleightorr]

Hi everyone! 
I have my own photography business at my home studio using natural lighting. 
I mainly do newborn, family sessions. 

I have canon r6 mark ii with 24-105mm usm lens. Brand new. 

what I’m wondering is what auto focus settings get the best results as I’m struggling to get that sharp image? 

The options I’m not sure on is the AF AREA POINT, METERING POINT & AF OPERATION (such as AI, Servo, or one point) 

any recommendations and advice would be so appreciated.

Thank you. 

[p4pictures]

I would suggest the following settings

• Set the AF area to 1-point
• Set the metering to evaluative
• Make sure the AF operation is SERVO
• Make sure that subject to detect is people
• Set eye detection to AUTO
• Set Whole area tracking servo AF to on

With this  configuration, you will see a single AF point in the frame that works like a "target", you aim it near to the specific face you want to capture and half press the shutter to focus, the camera detects the face and eye near to the AF point, but if you keep your finger on the half press of the shutter button you can recompose the frame and the AF point will stay on the subject. 

For groups of people you can switch off eye detection as most likely you have enough depth of field that if one face is sharp they all will be. If not then you need to close the aperture value.

[ebiggs1]

I picked up on this point, "... using natural lighting".

You may not have enough light and are defaulting to an more open aperture which is reducing your DOF. Or perhaps it is adjusting the SS to a more slow one. A lot of the tiem availiberlight isn't as bright as it looks.

"Make sure the AF operation is SERVO", I would not use that mode and favor One shot with no auto AF features. Infants aren't quick moving subjects so advanced AF modes are not needed.

If you do have several AF points active make sure you know which one the camera selected. "...the camera detects the face and eye near to the AF point..." but as you see that feature would not have worked in the sample photo. Photographing infants or babies is not the same as groups of people.

[Kayleightorr]

Thanks. So no AF features. Meaning use manual focus?

[ebiggs1 · Accepted solution]

No use AF and use One shot. No AF servo features. I also prefer to use just the center focus point and turn the others off. This way you know exactly where and what you are focusing on. Cameras tend to achieve focus on the closest thing and sometimes it isn't what you wanted but you may not have noticed it did.

Remember just because a camera has a certain feature doesn't mean you need to use it. Only use what is needed. In other words do as much as you can with as little effort as possible.

[FloridaDrafter]

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@Kayleightorr wrote:

I have canon r6 mark ii with 24-105mm usm lens. Brand new. 

what I’m wondering is what auto focus settings get the best results as I’m struggling to get that sharp image? 

The options I’m not sure on is the AF AREA POINT, METERING POINT & AF OPERATION (such as AI, Servo, or one point) 

any recommendations and advice would be so appreciated.

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It may not make a big difference in AF settings or methods, but knowing which 24-105mm lens you have could make a big difference in how you approach shooting using indoor "natural lighting" and any advice given to sharpen up your images. Is it the RF f/4L, the RF f/4-7.1 non L, one of the EF versions, etc.? Also, is your light from a window, multiple windows, a sky light? What software do you use to process your Raw files?

Just curious about these points as no one has asked 🙂

Newton

[Kayleightorr]

Hello! 

it’s the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. I use multiple full length windows on one wall, all are covered with sheer curtains. 

I use lightroom classic 🙂 

thank you 

[ebiggs1]

"I use lightroom classic" 😁 Good it is the best!