Canon 1Div expansion points

Stuart Philpott

Stuart Philpott

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Stu
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Guys I seem to having problems accessing the expansion points,cfniii 8. I'm pretty new to the camera and it's a big upgrade from my 550d. Is there something else that I could have done that effects this? I've been digging about in the manual and on line,but just can't seem to find a solution. And ideas or help gratefully accepted.

many thanks

Stu
 
Need more info;
what are you trying to do?
can you not access the menu?
can you access the menu but are unable to select the expansion points/area?
 
Just on the off chance that we're at cross purposes with terminology......

Do you actually mean 'expansion points' or simply points other than the centre......in which case are you using a smaller aperture lens with an extender that only allows use of the centre AF point.

Bob
 
admirable said:
Need more info;
what are you trying to do?
can you not access the menu?
can you access the menu but are unable to select the expansion points/area?
Click to expand...


Hi Jim,thanks for trying to help me. I can access the menu, which consists of four options in Cfniii (auto focus drive) module 8 (autofocus/ drive) AF expansion w/ selected pt. This part of the autofocus system has four options: 0;disable,1: left/right AF point 2: surround AF point 3: all 45 points area. It seems as though when viewed through the viewfinder the 45 point option is functioning,I can see the focus point/AF point moving around if for example I try to focus on a branch against a blank sky and deliberately move the camera around forcing it to see a new AF point to achieve focus. If I try the same practice with option 1 or 2 I cannot see different red squares alighting as I have seen in the past with this very camera.

I really want to access the surround option for faster moving Birds in flight,or even faster moving wildlife. My base reasoning is it will give the camera more of a chance of aquiring focus and holding it if my mounting or tracking /panning techniques are deficient. I cannot see the Af points turning red,maybe I haven't registered my AF point properly is something that has just sprung to mind,but i'm not sure how the 45point option works in all this?

Hi Bob,thanks for this, it's so nice to be able to access folks with more knowledge than I, like you and Jim,guys both be aware how much I appreciate it,I don't take it for granted someone will devote some of their time to me for nothing,.

Bob I think my terminology is correct,see above what I have returned to Jim,I don't think my issue has anything to do with points other than center or a smaller aperture lens. I'm using a 300F2.8 first is version plus 1.4 extender (f4),this should work with a 2X aswell only equating to f5.6. So I shouldn't be limited to center point F8 with either. That's right isn't it?

I think maybe there is another factor that I have missed that is affecting what I think I should be seeing though the viewfinder,when I select the different options in Cfnii 8.

Both I hope I have explained my problem better this time,cheers for the patience,eng.lang will and always has been a ruddy fight,cheers for baring with me. I'll stand corrected on any of this,I've asked a few questions back,only trying to make sure I'm working all this out in the right way. The terminology is tricky !!

thanks both

Stu
 
With my previous 1d mk4 and that custom function selected, the surrounding AF points of the selected AF point would NOT light up when auto focus was handed over. This changed after the original 7d mk1 was launched.
 
Sam I think you might be right and I'd imagined that they do light up, it's been so much to get my head around I have to be mistaken. Sam i've been using this guide : http://www.canonrumors.com/files/1dm4cfnguide.pdf at the very bottom of pages 19 and 21 I think a bit of print has been cropped which says exactly what you are saying,I've read that damn line but only taken in the bit about the blue squares being for illustration purposes,i'd not realized that maybe there should be a few more words,the second sentence is incomplete is it not?

Please forgive I hate wasting folks time,but this has been driving me nuts for a while now. I was utterly convinced I had seen the points move,I must have been seeing things. Thanks for putting me straight though,Sam does this register, ie follow the same practice in DPP4 when I view the point of focus(Alt +j),or will the actual AF point that aquired focus show in red not the one manually selected? I find there is so much to get one's head around Sam my apologies !!
massive thanks

Stu
 
You are correct Stu. Those two sentences are incomplete and don't help the understanding of that feature. I imagine the word "appear" is missing from the end?

Don't worry, no time has been wasted. It was a perfectly valid question and the forum is here for users to share, debate and further our understanding of photography and all that is within it. I can't help you with DPP and whether the focus point used, actually translates onto the grid correctly, as I never used that software programme unfortunately. You could probably set up a controlled test scenario to see what happens easily enough though. The 1D mk4 is a great camera, good luck.
 
Cheers for being so kind/understanding Sam, Yeah the forum has been great for me as I wade my way through all this!! I do try to do my homework,it's just every now and then one get's stumped. Yup I love the camera it's wonderful,I've just got to do my bit now ! I'm sadly lacking at the moment, but hopefully with time and effort it will come

Yes I'll have a play with DPP, I should be able to sort that bit out myself . It does seem sort of strange that the active AF point doesn't show in "cases 1 and 2, at least your posts have put my mind at rest

Many thanks Sam

Stu
 
Ha, Cheers Gary,:) I find it all quite complex,but there is no doubt in my mind it's a wonderful tool very capable of taking some amazing images. I'm not getting the time I would like with her in my grubby mitts at the moment,but she's already starting to snag images I don't think I could have got before. I just need to be much better at this to really let the camera fulfill it's capabilities How are you getting on with yours?

Stu
 
I think you might be confusing the fact that you can see the focus points moving around in one shot mode ,but not if your in AI servo mode ,when they will just pick up on the a.f points surrounding your chosen point without illuminating ,.i might be wrong but it sounds a likely explanation
 
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