DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

M6II: Tips to focus correctly

Started 3 months ago | Discussions
Badlagar Junior Member • Posts: 33
M6II: Tips to focus correctly

Hello,

I was this days playing a lot with the M6II and while some of my photos were perfectly focused with the 22mm, some of them were not so good.

I am not sure what is the best mode to set the autofocus and how to do it properly.

Do you know any guide/video/tutorial about how to correctly setup the focus and how to properly take photos with this camera? If not, could you give me some tips?

borris14 New Member • Posts: 15
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly

I had a similar concern when I got my M6 II. I was using single point autofocus and some of my photos were just not sharp and appeared out of focus at times. I then saw a tip about using tracking autofocus with servo mode on but where you select the initial point of focus, and all of my shots now come out bang on. I think before, with single point focus, any slight movement with a shallow depth of field would easily throw the focus off.

 borris14's gear list:borris14's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Canon EF-M 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM Canon EF-M 32mm F1.4
Advi
Advi Regular Member • Posts: 456
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly

Check this thread https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/63194274

-- hide signature --

Bye

 Advi's gear list:Advi's gear list
Canon EOS M50 Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-M 15-45mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM Canon EF-M 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
R2D2 Forum Pro • Posts: 26,528
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly
3

Badlagar wrote:

Hello,

I was this days playing a lot with the M6II and while some of my photos were perfectly focused with the 22mm, some of them were not so good.

I am not sure what is the best mode to set the autofocus and how to do it properly.

Do you know any guide/video/tutorial about how to correctly setup the focus and how to properly take photos with this camera? If not, could you give me some tips?

Spot AF with Servo delivers for everything.  Nearly a 100% keeper rate!

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64108171

R2

-- hide signature --

Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgment.
http://www.pbase.com/jekyll_and_hyde/galleries

 R2D2's gear list:R2D2's gear list
Canon EOS M6 Canon EOS M6 II Canon EOS R5 Canon EOS R6 Canon EOS R7 +1 more
Larry Rexley Senior Member • Posts: 1,238
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly

R2D2 wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

Hello,

I was this days playing a lot with the M6II and while some of my photos were perfectly focused with the 22mm, some of them were not so good.

I am not sure what is the best mode to set the autofocus and how to do it properly.

Do you know any guide/video/tutorial about how to correctly setup the focus and how to properly take photos with this camera? If not, could you give me some tips?

Spot AF with Servo delivers for everything. Nearly a 100% keeper rate!

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64108171

R2

Right, as long as you're not shooting Amtrak trains moving towards you at 70 mph!

 Larry Rexley's gear list:Larry Rexley's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II Canon EOS M200 Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +21 more
m100
m100 Senior Member • Posts: 2,048
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly

Larry Rexley wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

Hello,

I was this days playing a lot with the M6II and while some of my photos were perfectly focused with the 22mm, some of them were not so good.

I am not sure what is the best mode to set the autofocus and how to do it properly.

Do you know any guide/video/tutorial about how to correctly setup the focus and how to properly take photos with this camera? If not, could you give me some tips?

Spot AF with Servo delivers for everything. Nearly a 100% keeper rate!

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64108171

R2

Right, as long as you're not shooting Amtrak trains moving towards you at 70 mph!

How do you do it with a M6II ?

-- hide signature --

Dr. says listen to this every morning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEeaS6fuUoA

 m100's gear list:m100's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II
Larry Rexley Senior Member • Posts: 1,238
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly

m100 wrote:

Larry Rexley wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

Hello,

I was this days playing a lot with the M6II and while some of my photos were perfectly focused with the 22mm, some of them were not so good.

I am not sure what is the best mode to set the autofocus and how to do it properly.

Do you know any guide/video/tutorial about how to correctly setup the focus and how to properly take photos with this camera? If not, could you give me some tips?

Spot AF with Servo delivers for everything. Nearly a 100% keeper rate!

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64108171

R2

Right, as long as you're not shooting Amtrak trains moving towards you at 70 mph!

How do you do it with a M6II ?

Zone focus with the zone in the middle of the frame, where I hold the nose of the lead Amtrak engine.  It's 80% accurate, but I have to admit I'm a little wanting of the R7/R3's superior AF in this regard (but not enough to drop $10k on an upgrade of my entire system of EF-M native bodies and lenses to get it!)

 Larry Rexley's gear list:Larry Rexley's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II Canon EOS M200 Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +21 more
m100
m100 Senior Member • Posts: 2,048
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly

Larry Rexley wrote:

m100 wrote:

Larry Rexley wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

Hello,

I was this days playing a lot with the M6II and while some of my photos were perfectly focused with the 22mm, some of them were not so good.

I am not sure what is the best mode to set the autofocus and how to do it properly.

Do you know any guide/video/tutorial about how to correctly setup the focus and how to properly take photos with this camera? If not, could you give me some tips?

Spot AF with Servo delivers for everything. Nearly a 100% keeper rate!

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64108171

R2

Right, as long as you're not shooting Amtrak trains moving towards you at 70 mph!

How do you do it with a M6II ?

Zone focus with the zone in the middle of the frame, where I hold the nose of the lead Amtrak engine. It's 80% accurate, but I have to admit I'm a little wanting of the R7/R3's superior AF in this regard (but not enough to drop $10k on an upgrade of my entire system of EF-M native bodies and lenses to get it!)

The M6II sometimes has a little trouble getting the letters on a smooth rounded silver pop can in focus.

Have to zoom in with the digital zoom and refocus with BBF.

I am thinking a smooth rounded silver fast moving train is a challenge !

-- hide signature --

Dr. says listen to this every morning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEeaS6fuUoA

 m100's gear list:m100's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II
Maxmolly7
Maxmolly7 Senior Member • Posts: 1,481
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly

Larry Rexley wrote:

m100 wrote:

Larry Rexley wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

Hello,

I was this days playing a lot with the M6II and while some of my photos were perfectly focused with the 22mm, some of them were not so good.

I am not sure what is the best mode to set the autofocus and how to do it properly.

Do you know any guide/video/tutorial about how to correctly setup the focus and how to properly take photos with this camera? If not, could you give me some tips?

Spot AF with Servo delivers for everything. Nearly a 100% keeper rate!

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64108171

R2

Right, as long as you're not shooting Amtrak trains moving towards you at 70 mph!

How do you do it with a M6II ?

Zone focus with the zone in the middle of the frame, where I hold the nose of the lead Amtrak engine. It's 80% accurate, but I have to admit I'm a little wanting of the R7/R3's superior AF in this regard (but not enough to drop $10k on an upgrade of my entire system of EF-M native bodies and lenses to get it!)

😈 I am sure you will, much sooner than you think, because you will want that extra percentage keeper rate.

May be if the upcoming small R body delivers what you want?

Restistence is futile... 😇

-- hide signature --

May THE LIGHT be with you!

 Maxmolly7's gear list:Maxmolly7's gear list
Sony RX10 IV Sony RX100 VII Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +16 more
m100
m100 Senior Member • Posts: 2,048
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly

Maxmolly7 wrote:

Larry Rexley wrote:

m100 wrote:

Larry Rexley wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

Hello,

I was this days playing a lot with the M6II and while some of my photos were perfectly focused with the 22mm, some of them were not so good.

I am not sure what is the best mode to set the autofocus and how to do it properly.

Do you know any guide/video/tutorial about how to correctly setup the focus and how to properly take photos with this camera? If not, could you give me some tips?

Spot AF with Servo delivers for everything. Nearly a 100% keeper rate!

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64108171

R2

Right, as long as you're not shooting Amtrak trains moving towards you at 70 mph!

How do you do it with a M6II ?

Zone focus with the zone in the middle of the frame, where I hold the nose of the lead Amtrak engine. It's 80% accurate, but I have to admit I'm a little wanting of the R7/R3's superior AF in this regard (but not enough to drop $10k on an upgrade of my entire system of EF-M native bodies and lenses to get it!)

😈 I am sure you will, much sooner than you think, because you will want that extra percentage keeper rate.

May be if the upcoming small R body delivers what you want?

Restistence is futile... 😇

I am thinking 8 out of 10 is great ?

He is good with that M6II. 

-- hide signature --

Dr. says listen to this every morning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEeaS6fuUoA

 m100's gear list:m100's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II
OP Badlagar Junior Member • Posts: 33
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly

R2D2 wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

Hello,

I was this days playing a lot with the M6II and while some of my photos were perfectly focused with the 22mm, some of them were not so good.

I am not sure what is the best mode to set the autofocus and how to do it properly.

Do you know any guide/video/tutorial about how to correctly setup the focus and how to properly take photos with this camera? If not, could you give me some tips?

Spot AF with Servo delivers for everything. Nearly a 100% keeper rate!

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64108171

R2

Thank you for the answers! I was testing and I do not know if something is misconfigured or there is some step that I am not doing.

I set Spot AF and Servo AF. Then focus point is now in the center of the screen (I use the EVF to take photos), I point in the center to the place I want to focus and then reframe the photo but the focus point is in the center so I lose the focus.

Is there anything that I am not doing correctly?

MyM6II Senior Member • Posts: 2,424
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly
1

Badlagar wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

Hello,

I was this days playing a lot with the M6II and while some of my photos were perfectly focused with the 22mm, some of them were not so good.

I am not sure what is the best mode to set the autofocus and how to do it properly.

Do you know any guide/video/tutorial about how to correctly setup the focus and how to properly take photos with this camera? If not, could you give me some tips?

Spot AF with Servo delivers for everything. Nearly a 100% keeper rate!

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64108171

R2

Thank you for the answers! I was testing and I do not know if something is misconfigured or there is some step that I am not doing.

I set Spot AF and Servo AF. Then focus point is now in the center of the screen (I use the EVF to take photos), I point in the center to the place I want to focus and then reframe the photo but the focus point is in the center so I lose the focus.

Is there anything that I am not doing correctly?

If you are using the (old?) reframing technique, you should not use Servo AF. Use One Shot instead. (And turn off continuous focus in the menu.)

When you are using Servo AF you should always keep the focus point over the subject that you want to have in focus.

 MyM6II's gear list:MyM6II's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II Canon EOS M6 Canon EOS M200 Canon EOS M50 II +1 more
OP Badlagar Junior Member • Posts: 33
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly

MyM6II wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

Hello,

I was this days playing a lot with the M6II and while some of my photos were perfectly focused with the 22mm, some of them were not so good.

I am not sure what is the best mode to set the autofocus and how to do it properly.

Do you know any guide/video/tutorial about how to correctly setup the focus and how to properly take photos with this camera? If not, could you give me some tips?

Spot AF with Servo delivers for everything. Nearly a 100% keeper rate!

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64108171

R2

Thank you for the answers! I was testing and I do not know if something is misconfigured or there is some step that I am not doing.

I set Spot AF and Servo AF. Then focus point is now in the center of the screen (I use the EVF to take photos), I point in the center to the place I want to focus and then reframe the photo but the focus point is in the center so I lose the focus.

Is there anything that I am not doing correctly?

If you are using the (old?) reframing technique, you should not use Servo AF. Use One Shot instead. (And turn off continuous focus in the menu.)

When you are using Servo AF you should always keep the focus point over the subject that you want to have in focus.

Yes I use the "old" but being sincere, I do not know the new

How is the new technique using the Servo?

Maxmolly7
Maxmolly7 Senior Member • Posts: 1,481
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly

Badlagar wrote:

MyM6II wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

Hello,

I was this days playing a lot with the M6II and while some of my photos were perfectly focused with the 22mm, some of them were not so good.

I am not sure what is the best mode to set the autofocus and how to do it properly.

Do you know any guide/video/tutorial about how to correctly setup the focus and how to properly take photos with this camera? If not, could you give me some tips?

Spot AF with Servo delivers for everything. Nearly a 100% keeper rate!

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64108171

R2

Thank you for the answers! I was testing and I do not know if something is misconfigured or there is some step that I am not doing.

I set Spot AF and Servo AF. Then focus point is now in the center of the screen (I use the EVF to take photos), I point in the center to the place I want to focus and then reframe the photo but the focus point is in the center so I lose the focus.

Is there anything that I am not doing correctly?

If you are using the (old?) reframing technique, you should not use Servo AF. Use One Shot instead. (And turn off continuous focus in the menu.)

When you are using Servo AF you should always keep the focus point over the subject that you want to have in focus.

Yes I use the "old" but being sincere, I do not know the new

How is the new technique using the Servo?

=> Frame your shot right to taste and touch the spot where you would like to have the main focus area.

-- hide signature --

May THE LIGHT be with you!

 Maxmolly7's gear list:Maxmolly7's gear list
Sony RX10 IV Sony RX100 VII Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +16 more
R2D2 Forum Pro • Posts: 26,528
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly

Badlagar wrote:

MyM6II wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

Hello,

I was this days playing a lot with the M6II and while some of my photos were perfectly focused with the 22mm, some of them were not so good.

I am not sure what is the best mode to set the autofocus and how to do it properly.

Do you know any guide/video/tutorial about how to correctly setup the focus and how to properly take photos with this camera? If not, could you give me some tips?

Spot AF with Servo delivers for everything. Nearly a 100% keeper rate!

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64108171

R2

Thank you for the answers! I was testing and I do not know if something is misconfigured or there is some step that I am not doing.

I set Spot AF and Servo AF. Then focus point is now in the center of the screen (I use the EVF to take photos), I point in the center to the place I want to focus and then reframe the photo but the focus point is in the center so I lose the focus.

Is there anything that I am not doing correctly?

If you are using the (old?) reframing technique, you should not use Servo AF. Use One Shot instead. (And turn off continuous focus in the menu.)

When you are using Servo AF you should always keep the focus point over the subject that you want to have in focus.

Yes I use the "old" but being sincere, I do not know the new

How is the new technique using the Servo?

Remove focus from the shutter button completely! Use the AF-On (back button) to focus. The camera will focus whenever you have the button pressed, and will stop focusing when you let up. Easy peasy.

If you're a left-hemisphere person, you can instead configure the AF-On button to "Stop Focus" instead.   ...or was that right-hemisphere?

R2

ps. Keep in mind that the AF will not focus on horizontal lines. If you come across this, just rotate the camera about 30 degrees and then lock focus (remove thumb from the AF-On button).

-- hide signature --

Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgment.
http://www.pbase.com/jekyll_and_hyde/galleries

 R2D2's gear list:R2D2's gear list
Canon EOS M6 Canon EOS M6 II Canon EOS R5 Canon EOS R6 Canon EOS R7 +1 more
R2D2 Forum Pro • Posts: 26,528
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly
1

Larry Rexley wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

Hello,

I was this days playing a lot with the M6II and while some of my photos were perfectly focused with the 22mm, some of them were not so good.

I am not sure what is the best mode to set the autofocus and how to do it properly.

Do you know any guide/video/tutorial about how to correctly setup the focus and how to properly take photos with this camera? If not, could you give me some tips?

Spot AF with Servo delivers for everything. Nearly a 100% keeper rate!

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64108171

R2

Right, as long as you're not shooting Amtrak trains moving towards you at 70 mph!

Actually I shot a nighttime airshow this year with my M6ii + 15-45 Kit Lens.

.

Not much to see except some pretty (fast-moving) lights however.

Added this one just for some color.

R2

ps. I didn't track the planes during the fireworks (subject motion blur).

Crazy pilots!

-- hide signature --

Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgment.
http://www.pbase.com/jekyll_and_hyde/galleries

 R2D2's gear list:R2D2's gear list
Canon EOS M6 Canon EOS M6 II Canon EOS R5 Canon EOS R6 Canon EOS R7 +1 more
m100
m100 Senior Member • Posts: 2,048
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly
1

Am thinking I won't be doing any Amtrak trains moving towards you at 70 mph focus mode tests.

-- hide signature --

Dr. says listen to this every morning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEeaS6fuUoA

 m100's gear list:m100's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II
OP Badlagar Junior Member • Posts: 33
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly

R2D2 wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

MyM6II wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

Badlagar wrote:

Hello,

I was this days playing a lot with the M6II and while some of my photos were perfectly focused with the 22mm, some of them were not so good.

I am not sure what is the best mode to set the autofocus and how to do it properly.

Do you know any guide/video/tutorial about how to correctly setup the focus and how to properly take photos with this camera? If not, could you give me some tips?

Spot AF with Servo delivers for everything. Nearly a 100% keeper rate!

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64108171

R2

Thank you for the answers! I was testing and I do not know if something is misconfigured or there is some step that I am not doing.

I set Spot AF and Servo AF. Then focus point is now in the center of the screen (I use the EVF to take photos), I point in the center to the place I want to focus and then reframe the photo but the focus point is in the center so I lose the focus.

Is there anything that I am not doing correctly?

If you are using the (old?) reframing technique, you should not use Servo AF. Use One Shot instead. (And turn off continuous focus in the menu.)

When you are using Servo AF you should always keep the focus point over the subject that you want to have in focus.

Yes I use the "old" but being sincere, I do not know the new

How is the new technique using the Servo?

Remove focus from the shutter button completely! Use the AF-On (back button) to focus. The camera will focus whenever you have the button pressed, and will stop focusing when you let up. Easy peasy.

If you're a left-hemisphere person, you can instead configure the AF-On button to "Stop Focus" instead. ...or was that right-hemisphere?

R2

ps. Keep in mind that the AF will not focus on horizontal lines. If you come across this, just rotate the camera about 30 degrees and then lock focus (remove thumb from the AF-On button).

I have to test this, really makes sense. Do you also use EVF?

So then if I understood correctly I remove AF from the shutter and the process to take the photo using the EVF:

Put the subject that I want to focus in the center.

Hit the AF_ON button (camera focus my subject).

Release the AF_ON button.

Reframe.

Hit the shutter.

Then I do not need to enable the Servo right?

BTW, what a impressive photos, really good focused in milliseconds... and I am not able to do it with walking people... :`(

ThrillaMozilla Veteran Member • Posts: 7,665
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly

Badlagar wrote:

BTW, what a impressive photos, really good focused in milliseconds... and I am not able to do it with walking people... :`(

It's really very simple.

  • The camera tells you where it focused or is focusing.

Read the manual if you are in doubt about this. There's a small chance that it might explain.

You know those little squares? THAT's where it's focusing. They're color-coded. Read the manual.

  • With Servo focusing, as long as you hold the shutter partly down or back button focus partly down, it continues to focus on wherever the spot is.

If you move the spot off your subject, that's your problem.

  • With OneShot focusing it focuses once.

If the subject moves or you move the camera, that's your problem.

It won't focus on an area with no detail or only horizontal lines. If you don't get a focus confirmation, it's not focused. Read the manual for this.

 ThrillaMozilla's gear list:ThrillaMozilla's gear list
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
borris14 New Member • Posts: 15
Re: M6II: Tips to focus correctly

Badlagar wrote:

Thank you for the answers! I was testing and I do not know if something is misconfigured or there is some step that I am not doing.

I set Spot AF and Servo AF. Then focus point is now in the center of the screen (I use the EVF to take photos), I point in the center to the place I want to focus and then reframe the photo but the focus point is in the center so I lose the focus.

Is there anything that I am not doing correctly?

I use the option to set the initial servo auto focus position. You set the focus point and it will track and maintain the focus for you as long you have the focus button pressed.

For single point focus, the other technique  to use is back button focus and remove the focus from the shutter option. That way you can use the back button to select the focus point and then recompose and press the shutter button.

 borris14's gear list:borris14's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Canon EF-M 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM Canon EF-M 32mm F1.4
Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum MMy threads