Both the EOS R6 and the EOS R5 have remarkable capabilities for autofocus, and I wanted to modify the autofocus controls of the EOS R6 so that they would provide me with direct access. Take a look at these buttons that I made for the EOS R6 and R5 AF.
When the cameras were initially made available, I had the idea that I’d just transfer all of my vast, user-defined preferences from the EOS R to my EOS R6. With the knowledge that comes from having used the camera for a few months, I have altered my setup in order to make the most of the capabilities and features that are included in these cameras.
EOS R5 / EOS R6 autofocus controls modification
Since I’ve had the camera, the majority of the photos I’ve taken care of humans, but I’ve also experimented with photographing the animals in my backyard and the nearby nature reserve. This has something to do with a pandemic and three lockdowns.
The environments Both of these cameras now function properly thanks to my modifications, which include the following buttons and dials:
- AF selection button located on a joystick or multi-controller
- AF-ON button for the movie button
- The joystick has been brought back!
The inclusion of the joystick and multi-controller on both cameras has filled me with elation and gratitude. To move your AF point, using this control is so natural that you might as well do it automatically. I have it set up for direct AF point selection, just like I do with all of my other EOS cameras that have joystick controls. Do not forget that this also implies that the AF point will return to the center of the image if you press the joystick toward the body of the camera.
It’s possible that this is the one control where Canon’s default option over the years has always been incorrect, but I highly doubt it. In addition to this, it is the one that receives the most “thank you for helping my camera operate better” comments during any workshop or one-on-one training session. When photographing landscapes, macro subjects, or still life, it is possible that you may need to adjust the placement of the autofocus point.
If you are curious about the reason why I still use the joystick with the amazing face and eye-AF, let me explain. If there isn’t a topic that’s immediately apparent, or if your composition of a person doesn’t contain two eyes, a nose, and a mouth, you will need to tell the camera where to focus. This is a fact that you will need to face.
C.Fn3 > Customise buttons > Multi-controllers > Direct AF point selection
Because the joystick is back, I do not require the touch-and-drag autofocus feature that the camera offers. It is possible for me to shift the autofocus point either by tapping the screen or by using the joystick while the camera is mounted on a tripod; but, when I am shooting via the viewfinder, the joystick is by far the superior method.
Toggle the autofocus mechanism with the AF point button.
I used the movie button on my EOS R to swap the focusing mechanism, and originally I did the same thing with the autofocus settings on my EOS R6. Both of these setups made me incredibly pleased. I have relocated it once more at this point. I’ve switched to using the AF point button, which is one of the additional buttons available on the EOS R5 and R6 models for selecting the direct AF approach. On my camera, switching between the two autofocus (AF) systems that are available, which are 1-point AF and facial recognition, requires nothing more than a simple touch of the button.
The AF point button is traditionally the first step in accessing the other two AF options, which are the AF point position and the AF technique selection. Simply telling the camera that you want to change an AF setting by pressing the button, followed by using the M-Fn button to change the AF technique, and then moving the joystick to relocate the AF point is done by pressing the button.
Because I showed how to configure the joystick for direct AF point selection, I no longer require the AF point button to provide me access to that function on my camera.
When I discovered that I could modify the function of the AF point button to pick the direct AF technique, it seemed natural to change the button’s function. I also find that using the new function seems natural when I’m shooting. It would be incredible if Canon could retroactively add this functionality to the EOS R and RP cameras through the use of firmware upgrades.
C.Fn3 > Buttons to Customize > AF Point Button > Select Direct AF Method
My issue with Canon is the following: when the camera is set to record movies, why is it unable to make this helpful adjustment? Undoubtedly, a mistake was made.
AF4 > Limit AF techniques
I have found the face and eye recognition AF to be so amazing that I can scarcely see a need for anything more on the EOS R5/R6, but when that moment arrives, it’s been 1-point AF or very occasionally spot AF that’s been needed to get the job done on the EOS R5/R6. Because of this, I have turned off all of the autofocus modes on my camera, with the exception of face recognition and 1-point AF. I only activate spot AF when it’s absolutely necessary.
Movie button – toggle Eye AF
The movie button on my remote has been reprogrammed to toggle Eye AF on and off. It will only function properly if the camera is configured to use face detection AF, but in all of the shoots I’ve done so far, I’ve had very no need to disable Eye AF. However, if the subject you are focusing on takes up a very little portion of the frame, you can turn it off in order to get quicker AF.
Eye detection AF may be activated through the AF-ON button.
Additionally, I reprogrammed the AF-ON button such that it now activates Eye AF. I can always get Eye AF focused by pressing the normal back button, which is labeled as AF-ON. This works regardless of the AF technique that I’m currently employing.
C.Fn3 > Customize buttons > Eye detection AF > AF-ON button
It’s possible that you haven’t noticed, but I’ve stopped using the back button on my autofocus camera. I have come to the conclusion that Canon had a strategy to wean me off of using the rear button AF by designing the EOS R AF-ON button with a horrible placement and form.
I also utilized the back button AF so that I wouldn’t have to switch between servo and one-shot AF, which requires you to press and hold the button for servo and push and release it for one shot. On the other hand, the new reality is that I can now utilize Servo AF all the time with my EOS R5/R6 cameras, and I can even recompose a portrait after the face has been identified.
