CF #4 Option 1

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stepheno

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Does anybody use this option? It seems a logical choice to me, to be able to set focus and metering independently. Well I gave it a go this evening and found it very strange and wonder whether I would adjust to it.

Any experience or opinions welcomed. TIA. PS I'm using a 20d.

regards
 
All of the time.

Can't answer in full, need to go to work
 
Hard luck if you have to go to work at 9.39pm :shock: Thanks for the reply - I look forward to some enlightenment.

regards
 
If it's the AE/AF lock, then yes, I use it all the time too.

It was wierd trying to get used to it at first, and away from the squeeze and shoot mentality but that doesn't take long :)
 
I also use it all the time, not much else I can say.
 
I tried and failed miserably....Think I'll try it at 3 Sisters on Saturday and if successful, use it Sunday as I can afford to loose Saturdays images but race day would be bad!!!

Carl.
 
What's it like at 3 sisters? Ive been tempted to have a venture up sometime. Can you get quite near the action?
 
Well...you're replies have convinced me to give it a prolonged trial. Thanks for your opinions.

regards
 
I've heard about a number of people using it and seems a bit unusual at first but Im going to give it a go also - as unusual as it may feel, it does actually appear a more logical layout to work with.
 
Well I'm probably the only one on here who doesn't understand, I just can't see what difference it makes....using the shutter button for focus and the ae button for ae.....or vice versa?
Looking forward to someone enlightening me.
 
KenCo1964 said:
Well I'm probably the only one on here who doesn't understand, I just can't see what difference it makes....using the shutter button for focus and the ae button for ae.....or vice versa?
Looking forward to someone enlightening me.
Click to expand...

The biggest advantage as I understand it is that it seperates exposure and autofocus, handy in situations where you're subject could be changing from one lighting situation to another.

Say for example a motorbike moving from a shaded part of the track to a brightly lit one ideally needs two different exposures. If you use only the shutter button to set focus and exposure the problem is that the exposure is locked to the first actuation so taking a burst of shots could give exposure issues. Seperating them gives you the ability to maintain autofocus but also adjust exposure. You really need to try to change the method you shoot, not take bursts but try to take individual shots. Not easy.

At least that's what I understand it does anyway, I'm sure I'll be corrected if it's not :p
 
That's right Dod. Also with single shots say, you might be shooting a building in front of bright sky. Using CF#4 you can expose for the sky, lock it, reposition and focus on the building - or vice versa.

regards
 
stepheno said:
That's right Dod. Also with single shots say, you might be shooting a building in front of bright sky. Using CF#4 you can expose for the sky, lock it, reposition and focus on the building - or vice versa.

regards
Click to expand...
Can't this also be done with the buttons in 'normal' configuration.... :Ponders: sure I've done it before.
 
Marcel said:
What's it like at 3 sisters? Ive been tempted to have a venture up sometime. Can you get quite near the action?
Click to expand...

It's okay. You can get quite close depending on where you stand. If you stand on the hill side on the furthest side from Lunar (Lunar is a very long sweeping corner where you enter the track) you'll be very close to the track. Lunar, with the sun in your face (if it is sunny) you'll be quite far away.

If you go Saturday it's free to get in as it's practice day. Sunday is £10.

I'm going Saturday to speak with the promotor as I've managed to get a photo of his son in Motor Cycle News this week and need a couple of passes for Sunday.

HTH,
Carl.
 
Mr THX said:
Can't this also be done with the buttons in 'normal' configuration.... :Ponders: sure I've done it before.
Click to expand...
Yes! that's why I'm so confused. On the back of the 350d anyway there is a button for your exposure...which is the way I do it, then shutter button to focus or shoot. All that is being done is swapping the functions of the buttons round....and when anyone would expect to use the shutter button for the shutter, using a different button for the shutter seems weird.
 
I think the difference is that if you use the button on the back it only locks for one shot in normal configuration.
 
There's a subtle difference. Swapping the autofocus to the exposure lock button allows you to track subjects and not confirm exposure till you actually take the shot.

It's always a cause of debate anyway, check out this thread, all 15 pages of it
 
dod said:
There's a subtle difference. Swapping the autofocus to the exposure lock button allows you to track subjects and not confirm exposure till you actually take the shot.

It's always a cause of debate anyway, check out this thread, all 15 pages of it
Click to expand...
Thanks dod, I've got you now. Very handy for action stuff I suppose.
 
Ok this may be a thick question. When you go into CF# 4 you have 4 choices. 0 AF/AE lock, 1 AE lock/AF, 2 AF/AF lock,no AE lock, and 3 AE/AF, no AE lock. Which one are we talking about.:confused- :dizzy:
 
Choice #1 , Choice #0 is usually the default.
 
ASH said:
Ok this may be a thick question. When you go into CF# 4 you have 4 choices. 0 AF/AE lock, 1 AE lock/AF, 2 AF/AF lock,no AE lock, and 3 AE/AF, no AE lock. Which one are we talking about.:confused- :dizzy:
Click to expand...
1: ae lock/af
Meaning the shutter button will now be the AE lock/shot and the AE button will now be AF.:Ponders: :D
 
AE Lock is used to focus. half shutter button depression is used to lock exposure, and complete shutter button depression activates the shutter.
 
ASH said:
Ok this may be a thick question. When you go into CF# 4 you have 4 choices. 0 AF/AE lock, 1 AE lock/AF, 2 AF/AF lock,no AE lock, and 3 AE/AF, no AE lock. Which one are we talking about.:confused- :dizzy:
Click to expand...
:laugh1:

It does get a bit cerebral doesn't it! Custom Function 4/1 is the one. I don't use it much but it can be handy for action and wildlife stuff sometimes. Most of the time I prefer the default Function 4/0.
 
KenCo1964 said:
Very handy for action stuff I suppose.
Click to expand...

It's not just handy for action photography.
I use this method all of the time, with most of my photography being wildlife,
sometimes its moving and sometimes it isn't.

One of the advantages of using this method is, you can focus on your subject, recompose, release the shutter, and all in a very short time span.

I would recommend you give it a go, and see if it's a technique you can use successfully.

Some people have difficulty getting used to this method of shooting, so I suggest you practice at home and get used to it, before you get frustrated out in the field.
 
I will give it a try sometime, I've been reading the thread dod gave and I understand how it can be of benefit especially photographing something that moves. I tend to photograph stationary objects, much easier.
 
Mr THX said:
Can't this also be done with the buttons in 'normal' configuration.... :Ponders: sure I've done it before.
Click to expand...
True - this is just a different take on it. Thanks to all who contributed and to those who gave good explanations. :thumb:

regards
 
Thanks guys, I've been giving it a try and think it's pretty nifty. I can see how this would benefit tracking moving objects. So I take it all you guys going to Silverstone will be trying this method?.:D
 
I'm trying it at weekend for sure... Three Sisters for a SuperMoto Bike Race.
 
CarlOgden said:
I'm trying it at weekend for sure... Three Sisters for a SuperMoto Bike Race.
Click to expand...

Three Sisters in Ashton in Makerfield I presume? :)
Used to live 3 miles from it.

I've been using CN4.1 and 3 since I bought the 350d.
I read somewhere there are issues using this mode when using flash.
Can't remember the details but I think it's mentioned in the thread Dod linked to.
 
Just a heads up. I forgot I had it set and spent the last 15 minutes wondering why autofocus wasn't working :embarasse :doh: :whistle2:
 
stepheno said:
Thanks for brightening up my afternoon, Dod :D
Click to expand...

Bookings being taken for parties ;)
 
Heheheheh...

Manual exposure setting means I don't even have to think about any of this...
 
Well!!!!!!!

Went out for the day at 2 Sisters, got totally soaked, along with my 1D Mk2 and my 70-200. My 550 stayed dry cos I covered it with a shower cap!!!!!

Anyhow, I've got 624 images to now sift through, delete the dross and host them.

I used this option and once I got used to the focussing, I must say, from the screen they looked okay but I never comment until I've looked at them properly on my computer!

I'll post soon.
Carl.
 
dod said:
Just a heads up. I forgot I had it set and spent the last 15 minutes wondering why autofocus wasn't working :embarasse :doh: :whistle2:
Click to expand...
hehe :)
I sometimes switch focus and exposure back to the shutter button when other people are trying my camera and wonder the same thing when I come to use * button for focus - doh
 
I've put a new desktop image available for the Supermoto racers on another forum. I used this option to take all the photos on Sunday and once I got used to it, I do think it's better!

Right, until I get a technically perfect one.....this will have to do:-

Click Here!

Cheers,
Carl.
 
Just as an update - I've been using CF#4 1for over a week now. Had a few odd moments, like me thinking the lens was broken because it wouldn't focus, but I like it and I'm sticking with it.

regards
 
Here's one!

From yesterday at Rowrah in Cumbria.

Comments please....obviously about how to work the "*" button when you're thumbs frozen and your index finger is just as cold :(
 
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