Can Canon AF do real time tracking of objects (not just faces,eyes,cars,animals etc)?

Joe Reynolds wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

Yes, I keep my ( * ) back button set for Spot AF (Servo) for exactly such use cases. Just a quick press and release of the * button locks focus at that distance (no need to hold any buttons down). You can shoot all the various compositions that you want without the focal distance changing. You could even chimp your images or turn the camera off or whatever, and then when you want to take more shots you don't even need to refocus (it remains right where it was left). Easy peasy.

R2, you are correct but such usage does not involve servo tracking.

And I asked why would subject tracking be necessary? These are landscape photos. The OP was very specific about subject, in fact listing “bushes, rocks, fences, houses, etc” as being the objects he was focusing on.

The better implementation is one where you do as you suggest but keep the bbf button pressed so when you recompose the tracking keeps the spot in focus.

Well I asked if the subject would be moving out of the DOF. Received no response.

As you are aware, focus and recompose in days prior to tracking meant the distance from film/sensor plane to focus spot changes somewhat. Not a problem in most cases except when the depth of field at the focus spot is narrow.

Typically with landscape shots (even wide open or telephoto) there is plenty of DOF to allow focus and recompose, with field curvature not being an issue either. If the OP was talking about headshots, then geometry might indeed factor in, but of course you’d be using Eye/Face Detect for those.

I offered two very viable solutions to the OP’s problem. Now it’s up to them to succeed or fail.

Others disagree, but my experience with the R5 indicates somewhat unpredictable results. The Sony real time tracking for servo focus/recompose is much more reliable.

I agree. I have the R5 too. This analytical subject detect autofocus is just in its infancy. There’s plenty of room for it to grow and improve. However this fact doesn’t stop me from taking any landscape shot I choose, and in the blink of an eye.

Of course I am talking of focusing on any random location in the frame, not a person, eye, etc. R5 does that well.

I am not not sure why some folks become so agitated over the issue.

The responsibility is on the OP to succeed. They’re ignoring the solutions that have been placed directly before them (it’s indeed the “horse to water” effect). Like I said earlier, I think they’re only here to make a point (not looking for a solution). People can see right through this sort of veneer.  It has an agitating effect.

R2