Canon EOS-1D Mark II Digial User manual

AF Setting Guidebook
Detailed explanations of how to master high-performance
AF features to capture that perfect moment
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latest
firmware
ver. 2.0

AF Setting Guidebook
AF Custom Guide Functions that Controls 61-Point High-Density Reticular AF
Make use of high-performance 61-point AF at effective parameter settings
to match the shooting conditions or subject.
Firmware V2.0
Support for a wider variety of scenes through expanded parameters
and new functions
By combining the ultimate in AF
performance and ease of use,
a wealth of new photographic
possibilities are available.
The EOS-1D X is equipped with a newly developed
61-Point High-Density Reticular AF. By arranging
the 61 AF points in a dense concentration, the
level of freedom in composition and tracking
performance of quick moving subjects is
improved. A totally new focusing method, AI
Servo AF III, ensures superb focus-tracking on
many types of moving subjects. You can also
effectively set AI Servo AF features using the AF
Configuration Tool. Because you can choose from
six different preset "Cases," optimized settings
are always quick and easy, without requiring
adjustments of individual parameters to match
the subject or scene.
In the new EOS-1D X firmware Version 2.0, AF
performance is even further improved and instant
access to AF features is enhanced. AF
performance in low-light conditions is improved
for the first shot of AI Servo AF, demonstrating its
true ability when shooting subjects in dark
locations. Additionally, this version incorporates
numerous helpful features that assist in shooting
moving subjects, such as newly added choices to
deal with changes in subject speed, and additional
functions to allow instant changes in AF settings
at the push of a button. This AF Setting
Guidebook introduces the EOS-1D X's high-
performance AF features, including those
introduced with firmware V2.0 for the EOS-1D X.
New!
Firmware

Contents
New AF Setting Operability
4 Newly established AF tabs: AF menu functions are in a separate tab
AF Configuration Tool [Presets]
06 Select from Case 1-Case 6 to match subject scenarios
08 Case 1: Versatile multi-purpose setting
10 Case 2: Continue to focus-track even when the subject momentarily moves from the AF points
12 Case 3: Focus instantly on subjects that move into the AF points
14 Case 4: Focus-track subjects that accelerate or decelerate quickly
16 Case 5: Focus on subjects with erratic movement
18 Case 6: Focus on subjects with erratic movement and changes in speed
AF Configuration Tool [Parameters]
20 Tracking sensitivity: Adjust whether the camera instantly re-focuses on new subjects
in the active AF area or continues to focus-track an existing subject.
22 Accel./decel. tracking: [-1/-2] is effective for steadily moving subjects
26 
AF pt auto switching: [+] setting is most effective to quickly change AF points
to follow erratically moving subjects, when more than one AF point is active
AF Area Selection Mode
28 AF area selection mode
30 Spot AF, Single-point AF: Focusing on a small or narrow area
32 AF point expansion: Fast moving subjects that are difficult to track with a single AF point
34 Zone AF: Effective for capturing subjects within a known area
36 Auto selection of 61 AF points: All 61 points can be used for automatic tracking
61-Point High-Density Reticular AF Cross-type Points
38 The 61-point AF has many cross-type points that support F/4 for great tracking performance
39 The number and placement of cross-type points used by the F/2.8 lenses
40 The number and placement of cross-type points used by the F/4 lenses
41 The number and placement of cross-type points used by the F/5.6 lenses
Setting the AF Shutter-release Characteristics
42 AF operation and shutter-release timing settings
44
Improved low-light AF performance and expanded parameter characteristics
during continuous shooting
Utilizing the AF
46 AF points can be set to switch automatically for horizontal and vertical shooting
47 [Separate AF pts.: Pt only] is added to [Orientation linked AF point]
48 AF points can be called instantly using Switch to registered AF point
50 Custom controls for effective AF related functions
52 New customization features for the AF ON/AEL button
54 Expanded exposure compensation/minimum shutter speed for ISO Auto
AF Custom Guide Functions that Controls 61-Point High-Density Reticular AF
Make use of high-performance 61-point AF at effective parameter settings
to match the shooting conditions or subject.
Items with the NEW icon indicate pages with details on the new firmware

4
New AF Setting Menu
All AF-related menu functions now in a separate menu
The Various AF-related functions are now incorporated into an AF menu tab
AF-related setting items
in the AF menu
The AF1 tab is important when shooting moving
subjects using the AI Servo AF of the EOS-1D X. It's
possible to effectively set AI Servo AF characteristics by
selecting the option that closely matches the scene
with the AF Configuration Tool.
The AF1 tab displays the AF Configuration Tool
The EOS-1D X puts various AF-related settings
that were previously spread out in the custom
functions (C.Fn) menu in one place — the new
AF menu tab. This makes access to AF-related
settings much easier. In particular, the AF
Configuration Tool in menu tab [AF1] can be
used to easily tailor the camera's AI Servo AF
characteristics to anticipate subject movement,
taking full advantage of the advanced AF
performance on the EOS-1D X. Six presets (Case
1-Case 6) make it possible to set the AI Servo
AF characteristics to most accurately suit both
movement and scene conditions. It's also
possible to fine-tune individual parameters, if
desired. (Refer to P. 6–27 for AF Configuration
Tool details.)
Menu tabs [AF 2] – [AF 5] include a variety of
settings such as shutter release timing settings,
the number of AF points that can be selected and
AF area selection method.

5
New AF Setting Menu
All AF-related menu functions now in a separate menu
The Various AF-related functions are now incorporated into an AF menu tab
Various settings for AF-related features can be made with AF menus [AF2] – [AF5]
AF2: AI Servo
Settings related to shutter timing and speed when
tracking moving subjects with AI Servo AF
The [AF2] tab includes settings related to camera's priority
concerning shutter release timing when using AI Servo AF. [AI
Servo 1st image priority] and [AI Servo 2nd image priority]
make it possible to make focusing the priority, slowing the drive
speed if necessary or prioritizing faster continuous frame rates.
AF3: One-Shot
Settings related to focusing and shutter release
timing when using One-Shot AF
AF4
Settings related to AF point selection
Within the [AF3] tab, the [One-Shot AF release priority] lets
users change shutter release timing when shooting non-moving
subjects. The other options [USM lens electronic MF] and [AF-
assist beam firing] control the manual focus operation of select
lenses with electronic manual focus, and the operation of AF
assist beam of attached Speedlites.
Select which and how AF points are selected. This menu includes
settings related to [AF area selection mode] ([Automatic AF
point selection criteria], [Selectable AF points], [AF area
selection mode], [AF area selection method] a n d
[Orientation linked AF point]). In addition, there is the [Lens
drive when AF impossible] option in this menu.
Within [AF5] tab are settings that control how AF points are
displayed in the viewfinder, such as [AF point display during
focusing], [VF display illumination] and [AF status in
viewfinder]. With [Manual AF pt. select pattern], the AF point
selection can stop at the end of a row or, instead, loop back to
the opposite side of the AF area. For those who need to make fine
focus adjustments, [AF Micro-adjustment] is available.
AF5
Settings related to display of AF points, etc.

6
AF Configuration Tool [Presets]
Optimize AI Servo AF for the type of subject movement
Six preset options for different situations, with further ability to fine-tune if desired
The AF Configuration Tool is
a function for set ting AI
Servo AF characteristics.
Therefore, its settings will
have no effect when using
[One shot AF].
[AF1] tab screen: The AF Configuration Tool. By selecting an appropriate
preset from the Case 1-Case 6 icons on the left side of the screen, the most
effective AI Servo AF settings for different subjects can be made.
When the [AF1] tab on the EOS-1D X is
opened, [Case 1: Versatile multi-purpose
setting] a running man icon will be displayed.
This is the default option for the AF
Configuration Tool. Different presets to match
the characteristics of the type of subject and its
movement, and the shooting conditions, can be
selected from Case 1-Case 6. By simply
selecting one of these cases, AI Servo AF
characteristics are changed and optimized to
match different types of movement.
These six presets are combinations of the
following three parameters: [Tracking
sensitivity], [Accel./decel. tracking], and [AF
pt auto switching] (P. 20–27). Selecting a
Case sets the parameters in the most effective
way. However, if you wish, it is also possible to
manually adjust each parameter individually.
Important to note: the six cases in the AF
Configuration Tool only affect focus-tracking in
AI Servo AF — there's no impact in One-Shot AF.

7
The AF Configuration Tool: Six preset options to tune AI Servo AF
for specific types of subject movement and shooting conditions
Hints & Tips
Case 6
For subjects that change speed and move erratically
Case 5
For erratic subjects, moving in any direction
Case 4
For subjects that accelerate or decelerate quickly
Case 3
Instantly focus on subjects suddenly entering AF points
Case 2
Continue to track subjects, ignoring possible obstacles
Case 1
Versatile multi-purpose setting
AF Configuration Tool [Presets]
Optimize AI Servo AF for the type of subject movement
Six preset options for different situations, with further ability to fine-tune if desired
The most advanced Canon AF system to date allows EOS-1D X users to optimize AI Servo AF for different
conditions and subjects. By selecting the appropriate icon and Case, photographers can change and fine-tune AI
Servo AF for incredible continuous AF, even with the most challenging action subjects.
Press the
INFO.
button
Content
displays on
the help
screen
Moving the purple square over Case 1-Case 6 will
display the name of each case, for example [Case1
Versatile multi-purpose setting]. If you want more
detailed information, you can press the INFO button.
This will display the help screen, containing
straightforward information about what the setting
does and circumstances in which it could be best
applied.
Push the button, while any of [Case] is
indicated in the AF menu, and an explanation
of that setting is shown on the LCD monitor.

8
Parameter default settings
• Subject tracking sensitivity [0]
• Accelerate / decelerate Tracking [0]
• AF point auto switching [0]
AF Configuration Tool [Presets]
Precise and accurate focusing for a wide range of subjects
The starting point for AI Servo AF: a versatile, multi-purpose setting
Case 1 is the basic AI Servo AF setting on the
EOS-1D X. As its name suggests, it is versatile
and achieves a high level of tracking
performance in a wide variety of scenes.
Equipped with AI Servo AF III, the EOS-1D X
has improved flexibility in handling a variety of
moving subjects and superior prediction of
movement for more accurate focusing. Even
with a variety of difficult elements such as
extremely fast movement, sudden changes in
speed and interruptions by obstacles, AI Servo
AF III overcomes these and is able to capture
the subject.
Case 1 is the recommended starting point
for tracking moving subjects, especially those
moving at a steady speed. For more challenging
types of moving subjects, consider Case 2-Case
6, to match shooting conditions.
Case 1

9
Single-Point
Case 1 can be used to great
advantage when shooting
continuously moving
subjects, regardless of the
speed of their movement.
A F o n t he E OS -1D X i s
equipped with a new
focus tracking algorithm,
AI Servo AF III. It supports
an even greater variety of
subject movement than
before. Case 1 should be
most users' first option
for action shooting. In
particular, it's ideally
suited for subjects moving
continuously toward or
away from the camera.
AI Servo AF III makes it
possible to carry out
precise focus for
subjects in a wide
variety of conditions

10
AF Configuration Tool [Presets]
Continue to focus-track even if the subject momentarily
AI Servo AF maintains focus-tracking, even when sudden changes occur
Parameter default settings
• Subject tracking sensitivity [-1]
• Accelerate / decelerate Tracking [0]
• AF point auto switching [0]
Example of a fast
moving subject,
where the focus
has momentarily
shifted to the
background
(photo 2). By
selecting Case 2
for situations like
this, AF is less
likely to be thrown
off by sudden
changes.
Case 2 is an effective setting for shooting fast
moving subjects, which may move away from
the selected AF point or when obstacles may
momentarily obscure the subject. Sometimes
when the subject moves from the selected AF
point, focus can shift to the background
(resulting in an out of focus subject). Or, if
another subject or obstacle suddenly comes
between you and the subject, AF may refocus
on the obstacle. By selecting Case 2 in
situations like these, the AF system will attempt
to continue to track the initial subject. When a
1 2
Case 2

11
Continue to focus-track even if the subject momentarily moves from the AF points
Try selecting Case 2 when
shooting a subject with fast
side to side movement. Even
if it momentarily moves away
from the active AF point, AI
Servo AF resists refocusing on
the background or any
obstacle.
subject moves away from the AF points for an
extended period (such as swimmers doing the
butterfly stroke or sports where the subject is
hidden for intervals), even better performance
may be achieved by manually setting the
[Tracking sensitivity] parameter to [-2].

12
AF Configuration Tool [Presets]
Focus instantly on subjects that move into the AF points
Effective for continuously photographing new moving subjects, one after another
Parameter default settings
• Subject tracking sensitivity [Responsive: +1]
• Accelerate / decelerate Tracking [+1]
• AF point auto switching [0]
Case 3 is the ideal setting when you want the
AF system to focus instantly on any new subject
within the active AF area. In Case 3, the
[Tracking sensitivity] parameter is set to [+1].
As a result, subjects that come into the AF
points will be focused on more quickly. This
setting is most effective when subjects appear
suddenly in the frame (for example, an alpine
skier bursting over a hill and suddenly appearing
in your viewfinder). Case 3 can also be
extremely effective when you want to instantly
switch from one moving subject to another (for
example, at the start of a bicycle road race,
when you want to shoot continuously and
switch from cyclist to cyclist while focusing).
With Case 3, unlike Case 2, if the subject
moves away from the AF points, the camera will
quickly refocus on a different subject or the
background. Therefore, Case 3 is recommended
only when you truly want the AF to instantly
refocus on new subjects. 2. Focus on the lead cyclist
Case 3

13
Focus instantly on subjects that move into the AF points
A scene with cyclists coming towards
the camera. While focusing on the
lead cyclist, you may wish to switch
focus to the other cyclists while
continuously shooting. In this
situation, Case 3 would allow you to
move the active AF point from one
cyclist to another and instantly begin
to focus-track on the new subject.
3. Focus on the right side cyclist 4. Focus on the left side cyclist
1. Shoot the whole group while
focusing on the cyclist in the center

14
AF Configuration Tool [Presets]
Focus track subjects that may change speeds rapidly
Optimize AI Servo AF for erratic, stop-and-start movement or changes in subject speed
Parameter default settings
• Subject tracking sensitivity [0]
• Accelerate / decelerate Tracking [+1]
• AF point auto switching [0]
Continuously track players as they suddenly slow down and speed up
When shooting sports, there are many
situations when subjects won't be moving at
steady, continuous speeds. Athletes suddenly
going from static to moving or quickly stopping
can occur in various sports and situations and it
can be challenging for traditional AF systems. In
these situations, Case 4 may be most effective.
With the [Accelerate / decelerate Tracking]
parameter set to [+1], the AI Servo AF will work
to focus track any changes in speed, including
For example, a soccer
g a m e . A p l a y e r
dribbling at high
speed stops suddenly
in front of a
defender, changes
direction and then
begins to sprint
again. By using Case
4, the AF system
reacts to sudden
changes in speed,
allowing continuous
and accurate
focusing.
Case 4

15
sudden stops and starts. This makes Case 4 an
effective setting for shooting events like
American football, soccer, rugby, basketball or
sports where there is a lot of running, stopping
and changes of direction. It's also effective at a
corner during motor sports (sudden
deceleration and acceleration) and for many
types of wildlife shooting.

16
AF Configuration Tool [Presets]
Rapid changing of AF points, to follow erratic movement
Takes full advantage of expanded AF Areas, for subjects with quick side-to-side motion
Parameter default settings
• Subject tracking sensitivity [0]
• Accelerate / decelerate tracking [0]
• AF point auto switching [+1]
Case 5 is most effective for subjects that can
move unpredictably from side to side — when
more than one AF point is active. This setting
works in 61-point automatic selection AF, Zone
AF and AF point expansion modes only. In Case
5, [AF pt auto switching] is set to [+1],
speeding up the camera's ability to shift from
one AF point to another. One of the key
benefits of the 61-point AF system is its ability
to enlarge the active AF area and Case 5 takes
Using Case 5 when
photographing a
figure skater making
a big jump (the AF
area selection mode
is set to [AF point
expansion]). Case 5
allows even faster
automatic switching
from one AF point to
another, when an
enlarged AF area is
being used.
Inline skating on a half-pipe. Case 5 allows the camera's AF system to change from one AF
point to another one more rapidly, when using AF Point Expansion, Zone AF or Automatic
AF point selection mode.
It is possible to focus on subjects that move erratically
and could move in any direction.
Case 5

17
Rapid changing of AF points, to follow erratic movement
full advantage of this when erratically moving
subjects make it difficult to keep a single AF
point on the subject. Case 5 is especially
effective with subjects that will tend to have
relatively consistent movement toward or away
from the camera, but which can be expected to
have erratic side-to-side movement: figure
skating, skateboarding and various forms of
wildlife shooting — especially birds in flight —
are possible examples.
Blue color of focus point is for illustration.

18
AF Configuration Tool [Presets]
Focus on subjects with erratic movement and changes in
Fast switching of AF points and AI Servo AF optimized for acceleration/deceleration
Parameter default settings
• Subject tracking sensitivity [0]
• Accelerate / decelerate Tracking [+1]
• AF point auto switching [+1]
Case 6 combines features of both Case 4
(support for sudden changes in speed) and Case
5 (support for erratic movement in any
direction). [Accel./decel. tracking] and [AF pt
auto switching] parameters are both [+1].
Therefore, Case 6 is an effective setting for
subjects that stop and start suddenly, but also
have erratic side-to-side movement. Like Case
5, its faster AF Point Auto Switching works
when the AF Area is set to Auto selection
61-point AF, Zone AF and AF point expansion
settings only.
Subjects that are most appropriate for Case 6
include rhythmic gymnastics, where there are
often large movements with complete stops,
and others.
A rhythmic gymnast
making sudden big
jumps can be captured
when shooting with
Case 6, which can
focus on subjects with
both speed changes
and erratic movement.
Like Case 5, it allows
users to take full
advantage of the
61-point AF system,
to work with a larger
active AF area.
Case 6

19
Focus on subjects with erratic movement and changes in speed
Blue color of focus point is for illustration.

20
[Locked on : -] [Responsive : +]
20
Tracking Sensitivity
AF Configuration Tool [Parameters]
You make the choice: Lock-on and ignore sudden changes
Fine-tune any of the six Cases for more consistent focus-tracking on one subject (even if
An example where [Locked
on: -2/-1] is more effective
When another player, referee or
obstacle appears in front of your
original subject, focus can shift
to that new subject.
Example when the referee momentarily
appears in front of the player being
tracked, then the player appears again.
With the [Locked on: -1] and especially
[-2] setting, AI Servo AF resists refocusing
on the obstacle and continues to track
your intended subject — the original
player.
Choose any of
[Case] and push
button for
Tracking sensitivity,
then adjust level
by pressing
and turning .