Help with "Functions available for customization" for R5 Mark II

[pedz]

The Functions available for customization are not described very well.  What each function does is not described and often, aside from what the button does, there is additional information needed such as how do you set up a "registered AF point"?

I have the idea of making a video that tries to explain what each of the functions do as well as pointers to any additional information that is needed but before I go off on this adventure, I thought I would ask if any such thing already exists?

Currently I pick a button, customize it to a particular function, and then play with the camera until I figure out what it does.  This may actually be a very good idea since it will give me a real sense of what each function can and can not do rather than just read it but then I have the problem of remembering it and... ha ha ha... that ain't gonna happen.  So, I'd like either to write it down, record a how-to video, or find a reference that can help me.

[p4pictures · Accepted solution]

I've not seen a complete reference of the kind you describe. I know the use of most of the functions from past experience with other models, but some are new and currently unique to the EOS R5 Mark II. One important point to note is that some functions have additional sub-options that are accessed by pressing the INFO button. For example AF and metering start. The only clue to them existing is the mention in the manual page just above the "Functions available for customisation" table. There is no mention of what these are or when you might use them. Though in the past this depth was covered in some DSLR manuals. 

I took some HDMI grabs of some of the menus and found these options for AF and metering start. There are other functions that have even more elements in the sub levels. 

[pedz]

I get confused or perhaps a better term is perplexed rather quickly.  Right now, I'm toying with "AF on detected subject" which I  put on the AF point selection button.  I have a picture with a face hanging on my wall.  I have a 1-spot AF mode with the spot in the center of the screen.  Subject to detect is People.

If I aim the camera so that that picture is off to the extreme left and half press the shutter, I focus down the hall where the spot is and the spot doesn't move.  The face in the picture is ignored.  If I press the AF on detected subject, the camera focuses instantly on the eye of the face in the picture even though the picture is off to the left of the screen.  Ok... that's interesting and useful but now I have another question / problem.

How do I get what the AF on detected subject on the half press of the shutter button?  And, I guess the real question is, what exactly is it doing differently?

Update:  From the manual on page 510:

Even if you have manually selected an AF area, you can switch the AF area to [Whole area AF] and start AF with subject detection by pressing the button assigned to [AF on detected subject] in [Control customization: Customize buttons for shooting].

To achieve the same effect as "AF on detected subject", set AF Area to Whole Area AF (and select a subject to detect).

[p4pictures]

The same capability is in the EOS R6 Mark II too. You can set any of the AF areas, 1-point, spot AF, af point with expansion even the flexible zone AF areas. With these the placement of the AF point or area is a very strong pointer to the camera to look for the subject at that part of the frame. I think of it as targeting the part of the frame for the AF to look at. If it can AF in that area or there is a subject there then it will identify it and track it. I use this capability for sports, where I use a small zone AF area to identify to the AF the competitor to focus on and it will then track them.

The AF on detected subject function, effectively overrides the area of the AF point and temporarily switches the camera back to whole area AF and it will look all-round the frame for a subject. As the text in the manual says, in effect the AF on detected subject is the same as switching to whole area AF and locating a subject.

So to have this capability on the shutter button the camera needs to already be set for Whole area AF and the subject set to auto, or one of the defined subjects. Then when you half-press the shutter it searches all over the frame for the subject. 

Personally I don't use this function, but achieve something similar. My camera is configured with limited AF areas, only whole area AF, 1-point and flexible zone 1. I then reconfigure the AF point button for direct AF area selection. I can press the button then to cycle between whole area and my chosen two others. 

The reality is that there are multiple ways of achieving similar capabilities on these cameras. Some work for some people and others prefer it a different way. But most people can make it work for them.