5d mk11 iso and focusing help please.

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Shaun
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Got my hands on a a 5dmk2 a couple of days ago, been having a slight play around and I am getting to know the buttons a bit more as compared to my 450d. Two questions( as I dont have the owners manual yet) is it better to focus using the AF_ON button on the rear of the camera instead of using the shutter button to focus? also when I try to select a low ISO the lowest I can get is 200 I think it is because the previous owner has set it to D+ or something which gives you a better dynamic range I think?, Help needed, as it seems to be almost to much choice with this camera.
 
you could reset the settings via the menu page so it will clear however the previous user has it set up.
 
Thanks for replies and link :clap: just seems like an extra button you do not need if you focus via shutter button or maybe I am missing something.
 
Is it better to focus on the rear button? As the guys above said its user preference, but I'd say it makes my life much easier once the shutter and focus are separated. It means you choose what to alter and when. For example get an exposure lock on the subject, wait for the moment, subject moves slightly, dab a bit of re-focus keeping the exposure the same, and shoot - you got the moment!

As for the ISO, it does goes down to iso50 (enable this by setting it in custom functions) which I use alot, especially when using my ND110.

Have fun with it. You'll soon see why people love this camera!

Mark
 
Thanks for that Mark,I think I am finally understanding the reason behind the button, if I was happy with my exposure then using this button instead of the shutter button just alters/refocusses on subject and no alterations will take place by camera recalculating exposure.
 
Couple of other advantages to back button focus,
1) you can focus using middle AF sensor, then release the focus button (it will hold that focus point) and re-compose, much easier than reselecting which Af sensor to use (middle is more sensitive too).
2) once focus is achieved, release focus button then if someone/something walks through the shot the camera wont try and re-focus.
3) achieve nearly in focus, release then manually tweak with lens if it has full time AF.

I use this setup a lot, you can also use C (custom setup) on the "mode" dial to have front shutter button do everything as "normal", then with any other selection (M/A/T etc) setup differently e.g. back button focus. So if you leave the camera mode dial on C it is very easy to get a grab shot using the front shutter button to do metering and focusing. More complex shots etc an then use the back button, 2 cameras in one :)

IS seems to activate with both buttons when you have back button focus set to on, neat idea I think.

Matt
 
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