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Canon 5d mark iii: problem with focus

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HeyKit

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Dear All,
I would be extremely appreciative if anyone has a solution to this problem:
The Canon 5D Mark III sets its default focus point at the centre, but has many focus points for users to choose from. I've been trying to use some of the off-center points. However, every time I changed the focus point (by moving the red square away from the centre to one of the off-center points), as soon as I press "focus", the red square would shift back to the centre, and centre becomes focused instead of where I want the focus to be! And as soon as I release the focus button, the red square would return to the focus point I chose! I've tried this with 3 different lenses, all producing the same result. The Canon Technical Hotline said that it is most likely an issue with the camera settings, and advice that I reset everything to factory default. However, this would mean deleting all my other settings too. Does anyone have a more simple solution (and may be even an explanation) for the problem?
Many thanks in advance for your advice!!
Best wishes,
Kit
 
Solution
F
OK, now I understand what you are talking about. You basically have the AF-ON button assigned to lock the focus on the registered focus point. And when there is no registered focus point, the center point is always pre-selected. To change this behavior, go to:
Custom Function 2(4th tab, 2nd set) then select Custom Controls and hit SET button
choose the AF-ON and hit SET button
hit INFO button and choose "Manually selected AF point"

This actually make sense when you have certain setup for the photography, eg: studio portrait and you may use certain AF point more often than another. If in the future you learn and use the register AF point then you may want to come back and change this.
Most likely the tech is referring to the focusing mode this dSLR has offer. It's certainly the case that 5D3 has offer a much better(and more complex) AF system than the predecessor model.

I say you should go watch this youtube playlist, at least from 9-15.

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www.youtube.com

I'm not sure exactly what you means by pressing 'focus'.
 
OK, now I understand what you are talking about. You basically have the AF-ON button assigned to lock the focus on the registered focus point. And when there is no registered focus point, the center point is always pre-selected. To change this behavior, go to:
Custom Function 2(4th tab, 2nd set) then select Custom Controls and hit SET button
choose the AF-ON and hit SET button
hit INFO button and choose "Manually selected AF point"

This actually make sense when you have certain setup for the photography, eg: studio portrait and you may use certain AF point more often than another. If in the future you learn and use the register AF point then you may want to come back and change this.
 
Solution
Dear Jo,

Thanks a million for taking the time to help me with the focus issue!!! Your solution worked!!! Everything is back to normal again!!!! I was really starting to worry that there was something wrong with the camera itself!!

Thank you once again for everything! Have a great weekend!

Best wishes
Kit
 
And you can set the camera to use different focus points depending on orientation. Also note that if you set two back buttons to focus - one with the registered point, and one for the selected point. A tap on the center of the joystick will toggle the focus point from center to selected point too.

Setting the registered point is a little tricky, it requires hitting the LCD light button on top while in focus-selection mode (please review the manual).

Lots of options - but once you figure out what works for you, it does become 'natural'.

Love the horizontal/vertical shift!
 
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