canon 550d focus lock

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ukphd

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Nancy
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Hello

I'm currently in a rather remote island in Indonesia and trying to post this from my phone so I hope it comes out ok!

I have a slightly stupid question about the 550d I hoped someone could answer for me.

I'm shooting mostly wildlife out here so have tended to have the focus set to AI Servo. However I've been having issues trying to get the animals properly in focus. I've been wanting to focus on the eyes but when the eyes aren't in the centre of the frame this obviously doesn't work. I was using AI servo on the recommendation of a wildlife photographer (as the animals are either moving or about to move!).

I just wanted to know whether you can focus lock in AI Focus mode. I don't think you can, but I wanted to check.

I'm probably going to move to using one shot focus so I can focus, quickly recompose and take the shot but if the animal moves at all this won't work, hence my question about AI focus mode.

Does anyone have any better ideas for ways to cope with this?

cheers
Nancy :)
 
Hi Nancy

You can set the * button to lock the focus, pretty sure its custom function 10 then option 3

So you can still use AI Servo, but focus by pressing the * button then recompose, the shutter button still meters the exposure.

If you want to keep focusing whilst tracking a moving target, keep the * button pressed

You will need to set the focus point to the central one only

Sure someone will correct me if I have the menu options wrong, but i'm at work and can't quite remember, does work though because I use it all the time

**EDIT those are the correct custom settings**

Cheers
Rich
 
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Hi Rich

Thanks so much for replying. I wasn't able to get a good enough signal to check again until today, hence the delay.

That sounds like a great solution. The only thing is, in my instruction book it says custom function 10 option 3 is "LCD monitor on/off". There is a function under custom function 9 which says "AE/AF, no AE lock" - is that the one?

Thanks again
Nancy :)
 
TTK said:
Here's a short video on BB Focus, Canon USA has a page about BBF on your camera the info I belive is under tip's and trick's or something like that..

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-use-your-back-button-focus-why-298678/

:):)
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Unfortunately I can't access the video as I'm on a remote island in Indonesia right now and only able to access the internet via my phone (and that's a bit of a struggle!) But I'll check it out when I get back to civilisation in a month or so!

:)
 
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ukphd said:
Thanks!

Unfortunately I can't access the video as I'm on a remote island in Indonesia right now and only able to access the internet via my phone (and that's a bit of a struggle!) But I'll check it out when I get back to civilisation in a month or so!

:)
Click to expand...

Ok, have a nice time..:)
 
That's the one you want so custom function 9 option 3

Give a go, should be what you are looking for

Sorry, read it as 500D not 550D, must have changed slightly
 
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