XE5… is AF-ON not an assignable function on Fn2?

[Jay Levy]

I’ve always used back button focus on my various X100s and have always assigned Fn2 (the button on the front lever) to AF-ON for my focus button.

Just received my XE-5 and am working on getting it setup as I prefer.

Unless I’m overlooking something, AF-ON seems to not be an option for Fn2 on the XE-5. It is an option for the AEL/AFL button. Am I missing something?

I guess my thumb will get used to now pressing AEL/AFL when I compose, but I would far prefer to continue using my middle finger on Fn2. Much better grip ergonomics in my opinion.

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

I’ve always used back button focus on my various X100s and have always assigned Fn2 (the button on the front lever) to AF-ON for my focus button.

Just received my XE-5 and am working on getting it setup as I prefer.

Unless I’m overlooking something, AF-ON seems to not be an option for Fn2 on the XE-5. It is an option for the AEL/AFL button. Am I missing something?

I guess my thumb will get used to now pressing AEL/AFL when I compose, but I would far prefer to continue using my middle finger on Fn2. Much better grip ergonomics in my opinion.

I don't have an X-E5 to confirm, but the manual seems to indicate that, while AF-On isn't assignable to the front lever. it does seem to be assignable to the front button (Fn2). Are you sure you're selecting to assign the button and not the lever?

 

[Jay Levy]

Yes, I’m trying to assign the button Fn2. I see page 340 of the manual references AF MODE as an available option for Fn2, but not AF-ON.

This is quite unfortunate as I find it very awkward to move my thumb over to AEL AFL when using the viewfinder. My thumb knocks in to my glasses. Definitely some years of muscle memory coming in to play, too. But, this is quite disappointing to me.

Not available for Fn1, either. That would have been a reasonable compromise… still out of the way of my face.

The kit lens has a button on its side, but I haven’t been able to find a way to program/use it (yet). Having come from the X100 family, I’m new to the lenses.

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

Yes, I’m trying to assign the button Fn2. I see page 340 of the manual references AF MODE as an available option for Fn2, but not AF-ON.

Not in the manual I'm looking at. The list of available assignments for ALL the function buttons includes AF-ON...

https://fujifilm-dsc.com/en/manual/x-e5/shortcuts/function_buttons/#gsc.tab=0

Scrolling down a bit, the list of options for the Control Lever, however, does not.

This is quite unfortunate as I find it very awkward to move my thumb over to AEL AFL when using the viewfinder. My thumb knocks in to my glasses. Definitely some years of muscle memory coming in to play, too. But, this is quite disappointing to me.

Not available for Fn1, either. That would have been a reasonable compromise… still out of the way of my face.

The kit lens has a button on its side, but I haven’t been able to find a way to program/use it (yet). Having come from the X100 family, I’m new to the lenses.

 

[nurf]

For the lever button.

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

For the lever button.

That describes the command dials (in the PDF manual), not the Fn2 button.

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

Yes, I’m trying to assign the button Fn2. I see page 340 of the manual references AF MODE as an available option for Fn2, but not AF-ON.

Not in the manual I'm looking at. The list of available assignments for ALL the function buttons includes AF-ON...

https://fujifilm-dsc.com/en/manual/x-e5/shortcuts/function_buttons/#gsc.tab=0

Scrolling down a bit, the list of options for the Control Lever, however, does not.

The PDF manual says the same thing - the list begins on page 340 and is continued on page 341.

This is quite unfortunate as I find it very awkward to move my thumb over to AEL AFL when using the viewfinder. My thumb knocks in to my glasses. Definitely some years of muscle memory coming in to play, too. But, this is quite disappointing to me.

Not available for Fn1, either. That would have been a reasonable compromise… still out of the way of my face.

The kit lens has a button on its side, but I haven’t been able to find a way to program/use it (yet). Having come from the X100 family, I’m new to the lenses.

 

[nurf]

FN2 is the button on the lever. The AF-ON setting is on page 9/10 in the camera setup. No idea what you are trying to say.

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

FN2 is the button on the lever.

Yeah, and AF-On isn't included when you scroll through the assignable options?

 

[nurf]

For me it is. How does your page 9 look in the functions menu?

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

For me it is.

Well, there you go, as expected, it is assignable to the Fn2 button. Did the OP even try, or did he just misread the manual?

 

[nurf]

To be fair in a hurry it's hard to find, I would have expected it on the earlier pages with the other AF options not almost at the end after the video functions.

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

To be fair in a hurry it's hard to find, I would have expected it on the earlier pages with the other AF options not almost at the end after the video functions.

I don't know, I think most folks would just select the button on the camera to see whats available to be assigned there?

 

[nurf]

Button customization is always a pain with almost all manufactures:

A huge list of options, often not sorted by topic/function (some use colors), and often some options not available for some buttons/dials.

There is a lot to check:
A: is the function I need even available in general
B: is it available for the button/dial I want it to be on
C: if not where could I put it then and can I move what is there to the other button

This can result in a puzzle game to fit all the pieces a user wants to access quickly.

 

[Greybeard2023]

I’ve always used back button focus on my various X100s and have always assigned Fn2 (the button on the front lever) to AF-ON for my focus button.

Just received my XE-5 and am working on getting it setup as I prefer.

Unless I’m overlooking something, AF-ON seems to not be an option for Fn2 on the XE-5. It is an option for the AEL/AFL button. Am I missing something?

I guess my thumb will get used to now pressing AEL/AFL when I compose, but I would far prefer to continue using my middle finger on Fn2. Much better grip ergonomics in my opinion.

Yes it is

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

Button customization is always a pain with almost all manufactures:

A huge list of options, often not sorted by topic/function, and often some options not available for some buttons/dials.

There is a lot to check:
A: is the function I need even available in general
B: is it available for the button/dial I want it to be on
C: if not where could I put it then and can I move what is there to the other button

I agree that there a million possible setup permutations to sort out but, except for the front lever which seems to have some limitations relative to the function buttons, the same options are available for all the assignable buttons. Which options are available for any particular button/dial/screenswipe etc. is probably most easily determined by selecting it and scrolling through the options with the camera itself. It looks like the OP misread the manual (which can be confusing and never especially well written), but never actually tried setting what he wanted (and which works for his other Fuji cameras). Speaking of lousy manuals, there are a bunch of button functions not even mentioned in the manuals - like the hold the trash button and simultaneously long-press the rear command dial for a quick card format, or a long-press of an assigned FOCUS CHECK button which then allows you to also click through all the FOCUS ASSIST options. If there’s something you want your camera to do, there’s usually a way do it that may not be mentioned anywhere in the manuals - just ask how other people go about certain things, this is one of the best things about these forums. The one thing that most new users understand though, is that what worked with a different camera system might not always be possible, or work the same way with a Fuji. Some rethinking/experimentation/trial and error might be required when setting up any modern camera. Some things will have to done differently but, once you’ve got things sorted out. Fuji cameras can be a real joy to shoot with. There are some quirks to contend with (like with all camera brands), but there are usually workarounds for most of them.

 

[Alan Sh]

I've just checked on my X-E5. You CAN assign AF-ON to function button 2. It's on page 9 (of 10) of the list of assignable functions.

Alan

 

[Travelerdave]

Speaking of lousy manuals, there are a bunch of button functions not even mentioned in the manuals - like the hold the trash button and simultaneously long-press the rear command dial for a quick card format,

Wow that’s great, thank you Erik.
(On my X-H1 it requires a double press of the rear dial) That’s no problem, love it.

or a long-press of an assigned FOCUS CHECK button which then allows you to also click through all the FOCUS ASSIST options.

I have the [AF-On] button set to ‘AF-Lock’ (I use it to lock focus in Auto-focus mode). Interestingly the button reverts to ‘AF-On’ behaviour in manual-focus mode - which is great. Some things are logical.

 

[nurf]

I just wish I could put a shutter independent AF method on the AF-On button like it's possible on other brands.

My current workaround is using C1 custom setup that can be activated and deactivated with a button press.

 

[Jay Levy]

Well, there you go, as expected, it is assignable to the Fn2 button. Did the OP even try, or did he just misread the manual?

Yes, of course I tried.

Thank you to those who pointed out AF-ON is near the end of the options. I guess when I was first setting up the camera I expected to see it with the other AF functions earlier in the menu listing. My mistake.

I know the answer now.