Servo mode

filibuster wrote:

Here’s a question for the sage and wise. With servo mode engaged, there is a constant drain on the battery I presume, when walking about with camera slung over the shoulder. Would that be the case, if one was in the habit of simply pressing the menu button so that the LCD is showing the menu options instead of the live view when walking about?

K

Servo mode will only engage the AF when you are half pressing the shutter, or if enabled, using back button AF.  You might be thinking of "Continuous AF", which was probably enabled by default when you bought your camera.  Continuous AF, as the name implies, will run the AF continuously whenever the camera is turned ON.

nnowak wrote:

filibuster wrote:

Here’s a question for the sage and wise. With servo mode engaged, there is a constant drain on the battery I presume, when walking about with camera slung over the shoulder. Would that be the case, if one was in the habit of simply pressing the menu button so that the LCD is showing the menu options instead of the live view when walking about?

K

Servo mode will only engage the AF when you are half pressing the shutter, or if enabled, using back button AF. You might be thinking of "Continuous AF", which was probably enabled by default when you bought your camera. Continuous AF, as the name implies, will run the AF continuously whenever the camera is turned ON.

Ah! Trust me to get the terminology wrong. Yes – that is indeed what I should have made my enquiry about for my M6ii. Thank you nnowark for the correction. Continuous AF. So irrespective as to whether the camera is in image review mode or has the menu button pressed, the camera is still working away on focusing whilst just carrying the camera when ‘ON’. Avoid the battery drain by switching off, or popping the lens cap on I presume. Alternatively, pop the feature and associated settings to – in my case – C2. Then go back to my normal mode, normally Av, or whatever the occasion calls. (I already have C1 allocated to electronic shutter).

R2D2 wrote:

filibuster wrote:

Here’s a question for the sage and wise. With servo mode engaged, there is a constant drain on the battery I presume, when walking about with camera slung over the shoulder. Would that be the case, if one was in the habit of simply pressing the menu button so that the LCD is showing the menu options instead of the live view when walking about?

"Continuous AF" is the first thing I disable. Can you live without it? The M6ii's AF is so fast that I don't get any benefit (but do get drawbacks) when using it.

Will a short "Sleep Timer" work for you? (Half press the shutter to wake)

If you're using the EVF, while walking does the "Eye Proximity Sensor" keep the camera awake? Can you cover the sensor with electrical tape? (and use the button on the EVF to manually switch between EVF and LCD).

R2

Thanks for your interest R2. I note your observations about how fast the AF is. But can I live without it? Well, that depends. One has to try it first, doesn’t one! Hence, I have now allocated it to C2 and will go from there for a trial run. Wanting to catch those pesky insects in flight ya know. Can lead to an unexpected but delightful result. Especially with the unpredictable movement of the humble butterfly who dance around in the breeze like they are trippin’. 

Now: About my question further down the page, about 'Motion Detect'? 

Keith

R2D2 wrote:

filibuster wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

filibuster wrote:

Here’s a question for the sage and wise. With servo mode engaged, there is a constant drain on the battery I presume, when walking about with camera slung over the shoulder. Would that be the case, if one was in the habit of simply pressing the menu button so that the LCD is showing the menu options instead of the live view when walking about?

"Continuous AF" is the first thing I disable. Can you live without it? The M6ii's AF is so fast that I don't get any benefit (but do get drawbacks) when using it.

Will a short "Sleep Timer" work for you? (Half press the shutter to wake)

If you're using the EVF, while walking does the "Eye Proximity Sensor" keep the camera awake? Can you cover the sensor with electrical tape? (and use the button on the EVF to manually switch between EVF and LCD).

R2

Thanks for your interest R2. I note your observations about how fast the AF is. But can I live without it? Well, that depends. One has to try it first, doesn’t one! Hence, I have now allocated it to C2 and will go from there for a trial run. Wanting to catch those pesky insects in flight ya know. Can lead to an unexpected but delightful result. Especially with the unpredictable movement of the humble butterfly who dance around in the breeze like they are trippin’.

Funny that you mention insects in flight, as I like to prefocus at the distance I expect the critter to appear (greatly enhancing initial subject recognition and tracking), which "Continuous AF" doesn't let me do since it's focusing on the background most of the time (or whatever it's pointing at). But if the AF distance is (kept) close to where the critters are, then it'll more often than not pick up the insect instead of the background once AF is initiated. Here are a couple of dragons I shot using this technique...

M6ii + EF 100-400 ii. Subject Tracking AF. 2160 images. Click on "original size"

.

.

.

And one that settled for a moment in the backyard...

100% crop. Large file. Very short DOF.

Me too… But with the slightly more humble M6

Now: About my question further down the page, about 'Motion Detect'?

Sorry, which question was that? I missed it.

Thanks,

R2

About 4 or 5th from the bottom, about to slide of the page. 

Keith

R2D2 wrote:

filibuster wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

filibuster wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

filibuster wrote:

Here’s a question for the sage and wise. With servo mode engaged, there is a constant drain on the battery I presume, when walking about with camera slung over the shoulder. Would that be the case, if one was in the habit of simply pressing the menu button so that the LCD is showing the menu options instead of the live view when walking about?

"Continuous AF" is the first thing I disable. Can you live without it? The M6ii's AF is so fast that I don't get any benefit (but do get drawbacks) when using it.

Will a short "Sleep Timer" work for you? (Half press the shutter to wake)

If you're using the EVF, while walking does the "Eye Proximity Sensor" keep the camera awake? Can you cover the sensor with electrical tape? (and use the button on the EVF to manually switch between EVF and LCD).

R2

Thanks for your interest R2. I note your observations about how fast the AF is. But can I live without it? Well, that depends. One has to try it first, doesn’t one! Hence, I have now allocated it to C2 and will go from there for a trial run. Wanting to catch those pesky insects in flight ya know. Can lead to an unexpected but delightful result. Especially with the unpredictable movement of the humble butterfly who dance around in the breeze like they are trippin’.

Funny that you mention insects in flight, as I like to prefocus at the distance I expect the critter to appear (greatly enhancing initial subject recognition and tracking), which "Continuous AF" doesn't let me do since it's focusing on the background most of the time (or whatever it's pointing at). But if the AF distance is (kept) close to where the critters are, then it'll more often than not pick up the insect instead of the background once AF is initiated. Here are a couple of dragons I shot using this technique...

Me too… But with the slightly more humble M6

Now: About my question further down the page, about 'Motion Detect'?

Sorry, which question was that? I missed it.

Thanks,

R2

About 4 or 5th from the bottom, about to slide of the page.

Keith

Cool. Butterflies are so special. The M6 is definitely a nice little camera (I use it within its capabilities and love it).

I still don't get your question though. Can you re-state it here for me? Thx

R2

And for anyone that may be able to respond: -

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/66443767

Keith