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AI Servo AF and Backbutton Focus Canon T6i

Started Apr 15, 2019 | Discussions
vic66
vic66 New Member • Posts: 9
AI Servo AF and Backbutton Focus Canon T6i

I have my Canon T6i set up for back button focus using single-point AF mode. I would like to photograph birds.

If I set the camera to AI Servo AF using the back button to focus on the bird and the bird takes off, will the camera stay focused on the bird as it moves across the frame in the same manner that the manual describes when using the shutter button for both exposure and focus (the default)?

 vic66's gear list:vic66's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 Canon EOS Rebel T6i Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +4 more
Canon EOS Rebel T6i (EOS 750D / Kiss X8i)
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Lemming51
Lemming51 Forum Pro • Posts: 15,278
Re: AI Servo AF and Backbutton Focus Canon T6i

vic66 wrote:

I have my Canon T6i set up for back button focus using single-point AF mode. I would like to photograph birds.

If I set the camera to AI Servo AF using the back button to focus on the bird and the bird takes off, will the camera stay focused on the bird as it moves across the frame in the same manner that the manual describes when using the shutter button for both exposure and focus (the default)?

No, if you select Single Point AF, AI Servo uses only that point.

If you want AF to follow a subject across the frame, you need to set 19-Point Automatic Selection AF. With AI Servo + Auto AF Selection, you can set which of the 19 AF points where focus will be initiated. (pp. 102, 104, 106, 108)

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 Lemming51's gear list:Lemming51's gear list
Canon EOS 40D Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +5 more
vic66
OP vic66 New Member • Posts: 9
Re: AI Servo AF and Backbutton Focus Canon T6i

Thank you Lemming51. The next time waterfowl show up on our pond I'll give that a try.

 vic66's gear list:vic66's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 Canon EOS Rebel T6i Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +4 more
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