Hi and welcome:
I have been shooting in single point focus for a long time, using BBF. First let me say that to make this work, the single point is best locked at the centre of the field of view, and focus is set to Servo mode, as per the linked video from Canon Oz:
BTW, I also have the exposure locked to single point centre and assigned to the * button.
So, here is the procedure in order:
- Point at a place that has the required 18% reflectance level that the sensor required for correct exposure. This might well not be the subject, so it's not locked to the point of focus. TAP the * button to lock the exposure
- Now, point the centre at the eye (or other desired point of focus) and TAP the AF-ON button. If the subject is moving, HOLD the AF-ON button to track with it.
- Recompose and shoot.
Now, this take a lot more effort to explain than to do, as once one gets enough practice then it becomes very rapid. I use this in conjunction with Face/eye tracking as sometimes the focusing system will fixate on the wrong spot - e.g. the wrong person, wrong eye, horn or a twig or other obstacle in the way. Usually, once I have told the face/eye tracking where to look it will follow from there, so I don't have to hold the AF-ON button.
If the focus point should stray from the centre as a result of a previous shot, I have the joystick button or the SET button assigned to centre the focus point with a tap.
There are times when this can be absolutely critical. I shoot wildlife in NZ bush, which is essentially like a jungle, so a bird (our dominant native fauna) could easily be in dappled light, and obscured behind foliage. For occasions such as that this it is almost the only way of getting the precision for both exposure and focus required.
In this example, the Kea is behind some flax which is causing the out of focus stripe, and it shows one can get past obstructions precisely.
These two demonstrate the precision one can get in focusing around foliage with the single point BBF method. In both cases the point of focus is the eye.
Or, selecting either of two birds in close proximity:
Or in this example of a Red Panda sitting deep with a tree's foliage:
Or when one is photographing a very tiny subject where exact precision is critical - in this case the tiny cricket is barely 10mm in length <1". The first image is as shot (through glass in dim light), the second is cropped heavily and shows the point of focus where the depth of field is razor thin.
@KSC_Photo wrote:
I shoot with an R5 and an R6 MkII and am having a particular issue with the R6. Unlike the R5, the R6 will not let me select a specific spot to focus on even though I am in One Shot mode, eye detection is turned off, and I am in Spot or I-Point AF. I can put the AF point on a specific spot, say a certain pedal of a flower, but when I focus (I use the * back focus button) the camera focuses on another pedal that is closer. It did this even when I set the focus to the shutter button. I am updatged on Firmware to 1.5 Does anyone else have this issue?
A lot of great info from my esteemed colleague, Trevor!
I will add that one thing that is easy to overlook, especially when using both the R5 and R6 II (which I do), and now the R5 II, which is similar to the R6 II. Make sure "Whole area tracking" is disabled as it can be enabled when using ANY of the focus point arrays, even single fine. You can toggle it in the AF menu structure or by using the Quick control (Q) button when selecting an AF point method by toggling the "INFO" icon above the AF point method panel.
So, just make sure it is disabled.
Newton
