R5: AF POINT SELECTION BUTTON Not functioning properly?

It is very unnatural, but I've found I can change the focus selection by using M-Fn button, as indicated in the EVF. You can also use the touch screen as well. I'm still playing with my camera, and there might be other ways.

I think you have to go to Camera / 3 / Customize buttons and set Multi Controller to direct AF Point selection.

Then you move the focus point by joystick in any direction.

Davi

jwpvb said:

So I finally did it – after decades of using Nikon gear I switched to Canon EOS R5.

Can someone explain to me how the “AF point selection button” is supposed to work?

As part of becoming familiarized with the camera, I watched several videos where the demonstrated operation of the button was as follow: When the button is pressed the optional AF points appear on the screen and the Main Control Dial is used to select the desired AF mode.

What I am getting is: When the button is pressed the optional AF points appear on the screen and the Main Control Dial (as well is the Quick Control Dial) JUST MOVE THE LOCATION OF THE AF POINT HORIZONTLLY AND VERTICALLY on the screen.

What am I doing wrong?

Just in case it has anything to do with it, when I received the camera, before starting to use it, I updated its firmware to the latest revision: 1.2.0

I will appreciate your help.

Judah

Click to expand...

Hi Judah,

If you want this button to activate the AF Method selection you can set this up via [Custom Function Menu 3]-[Customize Buttons] then set it to ‘Direct AF Method Selection’.

Once done, press the AF Selection button and use the front dial to cycle the AF Methods.

(Using AF Menu 4 you can limit which of the AF Method options will appear for selection).

Phil

Thank you Ray. I am aware about the other options so I am not completely "disabled" .

I need to find out if it is me, a defect in the camera or something that will be eventually corrected by the FW update.

Thanks

Thanks to all the responses but does it mean that it works as expected or all the other methods represents a way around it?

Thanks

jwpvb said:

Thanks to all the responses but does it mean that it works as expected or all the other methods represents a way around it?

Thanks

Click to expand...

Hi Judah,

Sorry, I misunderstood you - I thought you wanted to dedicate this button to cycling the AF Method. In its default state, when you press this button the Mode Dial/ Back Dial move the AF Points, the Main Dial is used to cycle through the AF Methods.

(You can still limit the AF Methods to be cycled through as described above).

Phil

Hi Phil,

You said: "In its default state, when you press this button the Mode Dial/ Back Dial move the AF Points, the Main Dial is used to cycle through the AF Methods."

Yes, I am referring to the default mode and if I understand you correctly than it means that my camera is not working as expected?

I am just wondering if you already installed the 1.2.0 FW and it works as you described because the video that I watched working that way was published in August 2020 and the most recent FW was released in September, which made me suspect the FW update. The reason for my suspicion is because I also read in one of the older posts that someone customized the "Rate" button but the "Rate" button does not appear as an optional button for customizing when I scroll through the optional buttons.

Your comment please...

Thanks,

Judah

jwpvb said:

Hi Phil,

You said: "In its default state, when you press this button the Mode Dial/ Back Dial move the AF Points, the Main Dial is used to cycle through the AF Methods."

Yes, I am referring to the default mode and if I understand you correctly than it means that my camera is not working as expected?

I am just wondering if you already installed the 1.2.0 FW and it works as you described because the video that I watched working that way was published in August 2020 and the most recent FW was released in September, which made me suspect the FW update. The reason for my suspicion is because I also read in one of the older posts that someone customized the "Rate" button but the "Rate" button does not appear as an optional button for customizing when I scroll through the optional buttons.

Your comment please...

Thanks,

Judah

Click to expand...

Hi Judah,

Yes, my R5 is at FW 1.2.0, but (as far as I can recall) this button has always operated this way as a default (and the same on my R) - as far as I’m aware I haven’t ever customised it. If yours isn’t operating this way, that sounds a bit odd to me. Have you tried a reset?

The Rate button has never been customisable - a gripe for many (including me) and a regular item on the ‘wish list’ thread(s) which appear from time to time on this forum.

Phil

Phil,

Many thanks!

I will do the reset as a last resort. I am also having an issue with customizing the Video Record button. When I customize any other button to replicate it (I use to do it on my Nikons) , the assigned button turns the video on but would not turn it off (not toggling) and the only way I can turn it off is by reaching to the default Video button. I wonder if that may be an indication of a glitch of some sort in my camera

I will keep you posted about my results,

Thank you again,

Judah

Ray Chen said:

Go to Menu → AF → Tab 4 → AF method selection control → Main Dial

That should had been the default, but I digress.

Click to expand...

Ray Chen,

You were right! - I reset all my settings so that it would force me not to to overlook any available settings and it was right there. I did not relate to it initially because everywhere I read, it was stated that it is the default setting and during my initial menus settings I assumed that I don't need to change the default settings.

For now I have only one other issue: When I try to customize any button to replicate the Video record button, it turns on the Video but it does not turn it off (it does not toggle) and the only way to turn it off is by pressing the Video button on top. Any clue? - not I will start a new thread.

Many thanks!

Judah

Hello Phil, As promised I am updating you about the solution to the problem:

Ray Cen had the answer in his second posting:

"Go to Menu → AF → Tab 4 → AF method selection control → Main Dial

That should had been the default, but I digress."

I perform a Basic Reset as you suggested, so that it would force me not to to overlook any available settings and it was right there. I did not relate to it initially because everywhere I read, it was stated that it is the default setting and during my initial menus settings I assumed that I don't need to change the default settings.

so thank you for your help ant at least this issue is solved.

Regards,
Judah

Phil,

Bumped into another post addressing the Rate button that, of all places, has limited options in the Replay, Page 4 menu. Maybe use it for the Delete Image function?

Best..

Judah

jwpvb said:

Ray Chen said:

Go to Menu → AF → Tab 4 → AF method selection control → Main Dial

That should had been the default, but I digress.

Click to expand...

Ray Chen,

You were right! - I reset all my settings so that it would force me not to to overlook any available settings and it was right there. I did not relate to it initially because everywhere I read, it was stated that it is the default setting and during my initial menus settings I assumed that I don't need to change the default settings.

Click to expand...

My camera was shipped to me on Friday, and it too had the M-Fn as the default. I only found out after how to remap while playing with the setting. I had 1.1.1 version of firmware, however. Regardless, it is not natural from a Canon DSLR shooter point of view as well.

jwpvb said:

For now I have only one other issue: When I try to customize any button to replicate the Video record button, it turns on the Video but it does not turn it off (it does not toggle) and the only way to turn it off is by pressing the Video button on top. Any clue? - not I will start a new thread.

Click to expand...

Looking forward to learn what you've found. This is only my third day of owning a R5.

jwpvb said:

Hello Phil, As promised I am updating you about the solution to the problem:

Ray Cen had the answer in his second posting:

"Go to Menu → AF → Tab 4 → AF method selection control → Main Dial

That should had been the default, but I digress."

I perform a Basic Reset as you suggested, so that it would force me not to to overlook any available settings and it was right there. I did not relate to it initially because everywhere I read, it was stated that it is the default setting and during my initial menus settings I assumed that I don't need to change the default settings.

so thank you for your help ant at least this issue is solved.

Regards,
Judah

Click to expand...

Hi Judah,

Many thanks for taking the time to update me on your solution. Thinking back, while I’ve never customised the AF Point Selection button itself, I must have made the adjustment indicated by Ray Cen. (When I got my R5 I sat and copied some of the customisations I’d used with my R and this was clearly one of them - but not something I've remembered).

This explains why my R5 was doing what you wanted. Pleased you got there in the end!

(Apologies for any confusion - I certainly confused myself - and well done Ray!).

Phil

Ray Chen said:

Go to Menu → AF → Tab 4 → AF method selection control → Main Dial

That should had been the default, but I digress.

Click to expand...

It makes sense that it's not the default. If you set that as the default you can't use the dial to move the point around.

Hi Shawn,

I think that enabling the Multi Controller (joystick) to move the focal point is a more efficient way than using the Main Dial for vertical and the Quick Dial for horizontal & vertical location of the focal point. It enables the Multi Controller to function in some other scenarios.

When than are you using the Multi Controller button?

Thanks,

Judah

jwpvb said:

Hi Shawn,

I think that enabling the Multi Controller (joystick) to move the focal point is a more efficient way than using the Main Dial for vertical and the Quick Dial for horizontal & vertical location of the focal point. It enables the Multi Controller to function in some other scenarios.

When than are you using the Multi Controller button?

Thanks,

Judah

Click to expand...

I mapped the multi controller to move the points by default so I don't have to hit the AF selection button first. However, 90% of the time I just use the full frame tracking mode with initial AF point and it just tracks the spot I start focusing on and I can recompose.

I also remapped the AF-ON button to cycle through AF methods, thus I don't press the AF selection button unless I'm going to use the dials to move the AF point.

If I am using a focus point handheld I'll either use touch & drag or the joystick. But, I kind of quit doing that when I got the R5 because the tracking is so good especially with faces. Anything in portrait range and there's literally no reason to even have focus points.

However, if I'm shooting a landscape on a tripod and looking for a very specific spot, I will usually use the dials to manipulate the point because obviously I'm not holding the AF button down for tracking to work, and I don't want the focus to drift since I'm on a tripod and I could be shooting for several minutes, and touching the rear screen and using the joystick aren't as precise. For instance, if I'm shooting a panorama, I may want to move the focus point around to keep the same plane of focus through the whole rotation and I will do it with the dials because I'm being very precise and it's just the nature of the other methods that they're less precise... I don't like being fiddly when doing panoramas, just my way of working!

--
Biden will save us!

Hi Shawn, Thank you for the detailed description. I think everyone has his own techniques for getting the most for their applications. I do mostly wildlife & birds and my needs may be different. I never use a tripod - only monopod when conditions permit. Whoever, I always want to learn new techniques from other people and I definitely learned some things from you.

Thank you for sharing !

Judah