Canon R3 Users: Are you experiencing (any) focusing issues? I am!

cfieldgate wrote:

Skyboximages wrote:

cfieldgate wrote:

Skyboximages wrote:

Wondering should I do a complete reset and start over? I’m not having the battery issues. So that’s a good thing. I haven’t lost hope but my confidence is getting lower with each time I watch another YouTube video or read another article about the R3 thinking aha! I think I got it. Anyways. Any help or suggestions I’m all ears. Thank you.

No need for a reset, unless you are really messed up.

Whether or not you do reset, watch Jan Wegener on YT for his two / three back button setup on an R5 to get you started.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgCPjCR-GpI

However, you really need to look into using the Smart Controller, and maybe Eye Control AF (it doesn't work for me unfortunately). Plenty of threads her on that.

My setup:

• I shoot my R3 set to ED on and Subject Tracking off in the menus. I have the Shutter button set to AF and the shooting mode set to Single Shot. I move the chosen AF Area with the Smart Controller. I have the front two buttons set to toggle on/off ED and Subject Tracking.
• When I press the Smart Controller to AF I override to Servo and Subject Tracking on. With the * button I override to Servo but without Subject Tracking.
• This set up lets me quickly and flexibly select different AF configurations to suit the situation with the camera up to my eye and without any delay caused by having to go into menus.
• In the Quick Control menu I have added the AF Area selection. I also have this on the far right back button and Main Dial as well as the Control Ring.

Also, don't forget you can still set it up to work like your 1DX II and track the 'old-school' way.

Thank you for the reply! This might be a real ignorant question. As I shoot sports 99% of the time. I don't think in single shot would be very helpful. In the last 24 hours since I first posted I have learned a lot about the differences in the sensor. I do think with all the custom settings I have enabled I might've placed a setting that is helping with my AF problem. I may just do a reset and start over. I purchased the R3 in December. So its not like I have a lot of shutter time with it. Thank you for the assistance!

I think you misunderstand me. Setting the shooting mode to One Shot allows you to focus and take images with the shutter button alone. However, when you press the AF-On button / Smart Controller then I have it configured to override One Shot with Servo. So, when pressing AF-On the shooting mode changes from One Shot to Servo so I can track moving subjects (e.g. sports).

An often-stated reason for disabling AF from the shutter button when set up for back button focus is that it the camera will re-focus when you press the shutter button. However, if you are overriding the shooting mode with the AF-On button, if you continue to press the AF-On button then the shutter button just fires the shutter.

Again, in the old days of 'focus and recompose' which allowed you to obtain the focus outside of the DSLR's AF points, back button would help you to stop focussing, reframe, and then fire the shutter - but you need to disable the shutter from AF-ing. With mirrorless, that is not an issue as you can AF anywhere in the frame. I find the Smart Controller and a smaller AF Area useful for that.

I re-read your response.  You are correct I did misunderstand.  I am very interested in doing this.  I also had some success capturing images at a wrestling tournament.  I didn't have as much jumping of the AF to other subjects while trying to focus on a player.  I didn't do the factory reset either.  I decided perhaps the smartest thing I need to do is read about the R3 and the posts of other users and learn.  I think with more shutter time I will figure out the "sweetspot" of the R3.