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Best G5X AF settings?

Started Dec 3, 2017 | Questions
greggles Regular Member • Posts: 239
Best G5X AF settings?

I've just purchased a G5X and like a lot of things about it. Unfortunately I'm struggling a bit with the AF, with a success rate only around 50/50 currently. I understand how to get the best from contrast based systems (my trusty Powershot G11 has very solid contrast AF performance) and will continue to experiment with the G5X. I don't do video, sports or wildlife. Most of my subjects are static ... landscape, people, architecture and general travel photography.  What AF settings would people recommend for my requirements?

Thanks

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Greg

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Canon PowerShot G11 Canon PowerShot G5 X
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Chaplain Mark
Chaplain Mark Veteran Member • Posts: 6,539
Re: Best G5X AF settings?

Not to answer a question with a question, but, which AF modes have you tried?

Are you aware of how to control the positioning of the AF frame in the various shooting modes?

Lastly, a which shooting modes have you been using?

(help us help you, with more data, please)

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OP greggles Regular Member • Posts: 239
Re: Best G5X AF settings?

Thanks for your reply Mark ... Yep, fully aware of how to  move the AF position although I almost exclusively leave it centred. I achieve focus with a press of the (reassigned) rear "star" button, recompose and shoot. This has worked well for me through many years of using a variety of G series cameras dating back to the G3. I shoot in aperture priority auto.

I think I might be asking this camera to focus closer and with less subject contrast than it is capable of ... the G11 and G12 were very good at that ... I'm getting much better results after some experimenting, and not trying to do stuff the camera seems not to be designed for.

Nevertheless, these issues combined with the laughable battery life has got me seriously contemplating dumping it on ebay. Such a pity though. The G5X ticks so many design/functionality boxes for my requirements.

Chaplain Mark
Chaplain Mark Veteran Member • Posts: 6,539
Re: Best G5X AF settings?

greggles wrote:

Thanks for your reply Mark ... Yep, fully aware of how to move the AF position although I almost exclusively leave it centred. I achieve focus with a press of the (reassigned) rear "star" button, recompose and shoot. This has worked well for me through many years of using a variety of G series cameras dating back to the G3. I shoot in aperture priority auto.

I think I might be asking this camera to focus closer and with less subject contrast than it is capable of ... the G11 and G12 were very good at that ... I'm getting much better results after some experimenting, and not trying to do stuff the camera seems not to be designed for.

Nevertheless, these issues combined with the laughable battery life has got me seriously contemplating dumping it on ebay. Such a pity though. The G5X ticks so many design/functionality boxes for my requirements.

I guess I'm not getting a clear read on what the AF issues are which you're experiencing with the G5X, given what you stated your typical shooting subjects are, which seems to conflict with what you said about the camera being unable to focus as close as you are asking it to?

You wrote "landscape, people, architecture and general travel photography." In which of those scenarios is the subject so close that the camera cannot achieve focus?

Sorry, I'm confused...!  ðŸ˜¶ðŸ˜¶

I concur about the battery, though...

I will be purchasing a spare batt for myself for Christmas,  lol...

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Thank You,
Chaplain Mark
-----
'Tis better to have a camera and not need one than to need a camera and not have one.

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(unknown member) Senior Member • Posts: 2,265
Re: Best G5X AF settings?

greggles wrote:

Nevertheless, these issues combined with the laughable battery life has got me seriously contemplating dumping it on ebay.

Is this a problem transitioning from OVF to EVF? Needing 2 batteries for a days shooting is pretty much par for the course nowadays. Are you not managing to do this? Plus I presume you can refresh from a powerpack during the day via the USB port.

Such a pity though. The G5X ticks so many design/functionality boxes for my requirements.

OP greggles Regular Member • Posts: 239
Re: Best G5X AF settings?

My apologies people ... I omitted to explain that when out and about with a camera I enjoy getting close-up and macro shots of various small subjects like flowers and insects. These shots are often done in dark forests and/or late or early in the day. I don't have facts and figures or objective comparisons to back-up my impressions ... I just feel that The G11 and G12 that I used extensively in the past were both a lot more capable of focusing consistently in those scenarios. During my limited experience with the G5X so far it seems it does not focus anywhere near as close as the earlier Gs with smaller sensors. Nor does it handle low contrast situations as well.

Regarding the battery life ... tomorrow I am heading over to a nearby river gorge to see how things go with the G5X and a couple of freshly charged brand new batteries.

Thanks again Chaplain Mark and Keepcalm for you responses.

Greg

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Greg

OP greggles Regular Member • Posts: 239
Re: Best G5X AF settings?

KeepCalm wrote:

greggles wrote:

Nevertheless, these issues combined with the laughable battery life has got me seriously contemplating dumping it on ebay.

Is this a problem transitioning from OVF to EVF? Needing 2 batteries for a days shooting is pretty much par for the course nowadays. Are you not managing to do this? Plus I presume you can refresh from a powerpack during the day via the USB port.

Such a pity though. The G5X ticks so many design/functionality boxes for my requirements.

Thanks KeepCalm. The EVF on the G5X is fine and I'm really enjoying it ... not as good as the OVF on decent full frame SLRs but I don't expect it to be. I'm hoping the initial very ordinary battery performance I'm getting from my two genuine Canon batteries is due to the fact that they are both brand new ... and just need a few full discharges/charges to bring them up to there full "potential" . Tomorrow's early morning shooting expedition to the local river gorge with the G5X and the batteries freshly charged should provide some insight into the situation. It's my first opportunity to really get serious with the new G ... I might even provide some feedback and sample shots if there is some interest expressed.

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Greg

arrow501 Senior Member • Posts: 1,030
Re: Best G5X AF settings?

greggles wrote:

My apologies people ... I omitted to explain that when out and about with a camera I enjoy getting close-up and macro shots of various small subjects like flowers and insects. These shots are often done in dark forests and/or late or early in the day. I don't have facts and figures or objective comparisons to back-up my impressions ... I just feel that The G11 and G12 that I used extensively in the past were both a lot more capable of focusing consistently in those scenarios. During my limited experience with the G5X so far it seems it does not focus anywhere near as close as the earlier Gs with smaller sensors. Nor does it handle low contrast situations as well.

Regarding the battery life ... tomorrow I am heading over to a nearby river gorge to see how things go with the G5X and a couple of freshly charged brand new batteries.

Thanks again Chaplain Mark and Keepcalm for you responses.

Greg

The G5X has a minimum focus distance of 5cm at wide angle, the minimum focus distance increases as you zoom. The minimum focus distance can be seen at the top of the display just under the zoom indicator bar. For macro shots at wide angles you'll get better result stopping down to around f4. The G7X and G5X cameras can have flare/ghosting problems doing macros with the lens wide open. Can you post some examples?

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Chaplain Mark
Chaplain Mark Veteran Member • Posts: 6,539
Re: Best G5X AF settings?

greggles wrote:

KeepCalm wrote:

greggles wrote:

Nevertheless, these issues combined with the laughable battery life has got me seriously contemplating dumping it on ebay.

Is this a problem transitioning from OVF to EVF? Needing 2 batteries for a days shooting is pretty much par for the course nowadays. Are you not managing to do this? Plus I presume you can refresh from a powerpack during the day via the USB port.

Such a pity though. The G5X ticks so many design/functionality boxes for my requirements.

Thanks KeepCalm. The EVF on the G5X is fine and I'm really enjoying it ... not as good as the OVF on decent full frame SLRs but I don't expect it to be. I'm hoping the initial very ordinary battery performance I'm getting from my two genuine Canon batteries is due to the fact that they are both brand new ... and just need a few full discharges/charges to bring them up to there full "potential" . Tomorrow's early morning shooting expedition to the local river gorge with the G5X and the batteries freshly charged should provide some insight into the situation. It's my first opportunity to really get serious with the new G ... I might even provide some feedback and sample shots if there is some interest expressed.

Greg,

I, for one, really hope you resolve those issues to your satisfaction; it's such a powerful little camera, I love mine..!!

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Thank You,
Chaplain Mark
-----
'Tis better to have a camera and not need one than to need a camera and not have one.

 Chaplain Mark's gear list:Chaplain Mark's gear list
Canon G3 X Canon PowerShot G5 X Sony a7R III Sony a7C Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM +3 more
(unknown member) Senior Member • Posts: 2,265
Re: Best G5X AF settings?

greggles wrote:

KeepCalm wrote:

greggles wrote:

Nevertheless, these issues combined with the laughable battery life has got me seriously contemplating dumping it on ebay.

Is this a problem transitioning from OVF to EVF? Needing 2 batteries for a days shooting is pretty much par for the course nowadays. Are you not managing to do this? Plus I presume you can refresh from a powerpack during the day via the USB port.

Such a pity though. The G5X ticks so many design/functionality boxes for my requirements.

Thanks KeepCalm. The EVF on the G5X is fine and I'm really enjoying it ... not as good as the OVF on decent full frame SLRs but I don't expect it to be. I'm hoping the initial very ordinary battery performance I'm getting from my two genuine Canon batteries is due to the fact that they are both brand new ... and just need a few full discharges/charges to bring them up to there full "potential" . Tomorrow's early morning shooting expedition to the local river gorge with the G5X and the batteries freshly charged should provide some insight into the situation. It's my first opportunity to really get serious with the new G ... I might even provide some feedback and sample shots if there is some interest expressed.

I remember going out with a brand new fully charged battery in a Panasonic TZ40 with GPS and it was flat in 30 minutes. A few recharges and the battery was fine all day with GPS.

I do wonder if the rapid evaluation in a one week return window does give GPS a worst reputation for battery drain than it deserves. Not an issue here but I do find some batteries can be slow in coming to full capacity. Canon battery indication is poor though so you never really know when the batteries are about to give up.

I hope they do come up to scratch in the end.

Cango Regular Member • Posts: 157
Re: Best G5X AF settings?

greggles wrote:

My apologies people ... I omitted to explain that when out and about with a camera I enjoy getting close-up and macro shots of various small subjects like flowers and insects. These shots are often done in dark forests and/or late or early in the day.

Just a thought,have you tried to touch focus?

I wonder if you're not getting enough light to keep focus ? A plus for the G5X is the hot shoe. You can easily attach a variable light for macro shooting.

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OP greggles Regular Member • Posts: 239
Re: Best G5X AF settings?

Thanks Cango ... No, I have to admit I haven't used the touch screen to focus yet and thanks for reminding me to give that a try. Same goes for the hot-shoe flash provision.

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Greg

OP greggles Regular Member • Posts: 239
Re: Best G5X AF settings?

Thanks Chaplain Mark ... After a few weeks of initial frustration I am coming to terms with the camera's short comings and really starting to appreciate it's strengths.

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Greg

OP greggles Regular Member • Posts: 239
Re: Best G5X AF settings?

Thanks KeepCalm ... I've softened my opinion of the battery somewhat. I have at least one spare battery for every camera I currently own ... I don't consider that a major imposition in itself, and as you suspected the capacity of the two that I have for the G5X has improved noticeably with a few deep discharges/re-charges. Considering the circumstances that I will be using the G5X in, the less than stellar battery performance simply won't be an issue. I'm guessing I won't be alone there. 
Greg

OP greggles Regular Member • Posts: 239
Re: Best G5X AF settings?

some shots that survived culling ... some have been ever so slightly massaged in post processing ... https://www.flickr.com/photos/gregmacc/albums/72157663785533968

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Greg

Chaplain Mark
Chaplain Mark Veteran Member • Posts: 6,539
Re: Best G5X AF settings?

greggles wrote:

Thanks Chaplain Mark ... After a few weeks of initial frustration I am coming to terms with the camera's short comings and really starting to appreciate it's strengths.

Really glad to hear that, Greg, thanks..!

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Thank You,
Chaplain Mark
-----
'Tis better to have a camera and not need one than to need a camera and not have one.

 Chaplain Mark's gear list:Chaplain Mark's gear list
Canon G3 X Canon PowerShot G5 X Sony a7R III Sony a7C Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM +3 more
PBrac New Member • Posts: 1
Re: Best G5X AF settings?
1

For macro mode F4 works very well zoomed in a couple of clicks, FD jpeg setting

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