Confused about 15-30 STM zoom lens

[Edymagno]

I've watched a few reviews of Canon RF 15-30 4.5-6.3 STM zoom lens and I am totally lost about this sole issue:

Is it possible to change from AF to manual without going to the menu? (and viceversa of course).

In other words: Can I toggle from manual to AF using only the controls on the lens or not?

Or perhaps the use of a physical control on the camera body? Going to menu sucks.

Thinking on pairing it with an R6.

Thank you much in advance.

Edu

 

[Martin_99]

The problem with both of these is that they requires pressing and holding a button - for MF in one case and AF in the other.

Isn't it the same if the AF-ON is set on a shutter button (the default setting) ? You also have to keep it pressed to run the AF.

No, because you now need two fingers instead of one.

And what is the actual downside of that for taking pictures? What specifically is hampered by using a thumb to focus?

I'm with Steve in this topic, it's bad design decision from Canon side. I use MF simply when AF have troubles to focus on what I want. It could be in dificult position, eg. at the ground between the grass etc. Why should I have to above manual focusing also pushing additional button? Sorry...no.

Logical approach is to offer two options: MF-hold and MF toggle. "Problem" solved.

I know BBF has its advocates, and I understand why, but I'm not alone in disliking it.

Not being an advocate to either, we just chat.

 

[Canon_Guy]

The problem with both of these is that they requires pressing and holding a button - for MF in one case and AF in the other.

Isn't it the same if the AF-ON is set on a shutter button (the default setting) ? You also have to keep it pressed to run the AF.

No, because you now need two fingers instead of one.

And what is the actual downside of that for taking pictures? What specifically is hampered by using a thumb to focus?

I'm with Steve in this topic, it's bad design decision from Canon side. I use MF simply when AF have troubles to focus on what I want. It could be in dificult position, eg. at the ground between the grass etc. Why should I have to above manual focusing also pushing additional button? Sorry...no.

Logical approach is to offer two options: MF-hold and MF toggle. "Problem" solved.

I agree with this.

I know BBF has its advocates, and I understand why, but I'm not alone in disliking it.

Not being an advocate to either, we just chat.

 

[Steve Balcombe]

The problem with both of these is that they requires pressing and holding a button - for MF in one case and AF in the other.

Isn't it the same if the AF-ON is set on a shutter button (the default setting) ? You also have to keep it pressed to run the AF.

No, because you now need two fingers instead of one.

And what is the actual downside of that for taking pictures? What specifically is hampered by using a thumb to focus?

It's more to do, takes longer.

The oposite is true. Now with the great eye AF in mirrorless cameras it already is not that evident (yet still beneficial) but with DSLRs BBF made notable difference.

Maybe more importantly, it ties up the thumb which might be needed to adjust settings, for something which ought to be unnecessary.

What setting you NEED to adjust by a thumb DURING focusing?

It seems you are evaluating something you do not use therefore do not know. Should avoid that.

And we are way out of the topic. Feel free to start a dedicated thread if you would be interested in understanding basics and more advanced info about BBF.

Nice attitude.

The topic is the absence of provision for switching AF<->MF in the current generation of full frame bodies, when using the lenses which expect the body to provide this. I'm saying BBF is not a good solution. Nothing to do with whether I like it for other purposes, which is pretty much what I said below:

Remember there's a world of difference between choosing to use BBF because you prefer it in particular situations, vs being obliged to use it as a kludge because of a flawed hardware design.

I know BBF has its advocates, and I understand why, but I'm not alone in disliking it.

Not being an advocate to either, we just chat.

 

[drsnoopy]

I was shocked when I tried RP with 24-105 STM, that there is no way how to simply switch to MF and back without going into menu. I was not expect that from company with such long camera production tradition.

I can understand, that budget lenses don't have physical switch, but missing simple option in custom button setting is really faulty IMO...

The methods for doing exactly this are described above. Personally I’ve been using BBF for several years, so it’s intuitive. By the same token, I find having AF on the shutter button non-intuitive, as it often results in focus not being where you want it, unless you keep moving the focus point. I do have the 24-105 STM with an RP, and a 24-105/4 on an R5, and the BBF method for MF works the same on both.

Re BBF, I started using this specifically for wildlife, but later found it works equally well for landscape, allowing focus/recompose while on a tripod and using the LCD. And I never have to switch between single shot and servo. In my view it’s worth learning BBF as it gives you more control. Having AF on the shutter button is more of an “Auto” thing that people have got used to, but doesn’t always give the intended result. It’s a good thing that we have options of course.

 

[Martin_99]

I was shocked when I tried RP with 24-105 STM, that there is no way how to simply switch to MF and back without going into menu. I was not expect that from company with such long camera production tradition.

I can understand, that budget lenses don't have physical switch, but missing simple option in custom button setting is really faulty IMO...

The methods for doing exactly this are described above. Personally I’ve been using BBF for several years, so it’s intuitive. By the same token, I find having AF on the shutter button non-intuitive, as it often results in focus not being where you want it, unless you keep moving the focus point. I do have the 24-105 STM with an RP, and a 24-105/4 on an R5, and the BBF method for MF works the same on both.

Re BBF, I started using this specifically for wildlife, but later found it works equally well for landscape, allowing focus/recompose while on a tripod and using the LCD. And I never have to switch between single shot and servo. In my view it’s worth learning BBF as it gives you more control. Having AF on the shutter button is more of an “Auto” thing that people have got used to, but doesn’t always give the intended result. It’s a good thing that we have options of course.

I'm much more a Sony user, where I use only AF-C (servo in Canon language) in two modes - wide and the smallest center point, which function as a aim and recompose tool. This combination, with occasional MF, work very well for me, so I don't feel a need for additional techniques like BBF. Not sure if it have some advantage to be honest.

Together with my favourite exposure control - aperture mode with autoISO and minSS, I think that I found very good control scheme where I have great control what camera do, without need of unnecessary regulation steps from my side.

 

[BBR5]

While I agree that a MF button toggle option would be nice, I'm not sure I'd use it over the MF options currently available. Perhaps if I were doing a lot of macro photography requiring frequent MF I would feel differently. But AF is very good on cameras today and I very seldom find a situation where MF is preferred or even needed.

I like the idea that the focusing automatically reverts to AF after you release a button enabling MF. In addition, I've been working with BBF recently and I'm beginning to prefer it for the flexibility it offers. And with MF already being always available with BBF on the FF R-series, all the better.

So even if a MF toggle option were available, I think I would still opt for the one of the existing MF options.

 

[Edymagno]

While I agree that a MF button toggle option would be nice, I'm not sure I'd use it over the MF options currently available. Perhaps if I were doing a lot of macro photography requiring frequent MF I would feel differently. But AF is very good on cameras today and I very seldom find a situation where MF is preferred or even needed.

I like the idea that the focusing automatically reverts to AF after you release a button enabling MF. In addition, I've been working with BBF recently and I'm beginning to prefer it for the flexibility it offers. And with MF already being always available with BBF on the FF R-series, all the better.

So even if a MF toggle option were available, I think I would still opt for the one of the existing MF options.

Some years ago I tried BBF but couldn't get it to work for me. In the possible event of getting such a lens I may try harder to get used to it.

Good hint