7D AF point selection

[mark_james]

<p>I have a new 7D (f/w 1.09; received about a week ago). I also have a 5D and XTi. On the 7D, as on the 5D and XTi, when I press the AF point selection button I expect to be able to manually select and set a single focus point that remains in effect until I press the AF point selection button again. Expected to use the multi-controller and/or quick control dial to select the point. What I get is nothing. The AF point selection button itself is functional because Magnify works fine. AF point selection in combination with the M-Fn button switches AF mode fine, and those work fine. In single point AF mode I can select the single point as expected with the multi-controller and/or quick control dial. I can't seem to set it to use a single point all the time (for instance, force it to use only the center point). </p>

<p>Am I missing something? Has the functionality changed? Since the buttons are functional I'd think it is a firmware "feature" rather than hardware problems. I have reset the camera to clear all functions with no help. Just hoping that I don't have to send it back -- that there's something I missed.</p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>Mark</p>

 

[thierry nguyen cuu - nomad]

<p>Mark,</p>

<p>With the new AF system, you really need to select the AF group first with the M-Fn button after the AF selection button.<br>

For each depress of the M-Fn you'll see through the view finder the AF mode.<br>

To use the multi-controller to change your AF group/point position, you'll need to activate the custom function in the menu.</p>

[manuel barrera houston,]

<p>first you push the regular button that was normally used, then you hit the m-fn button that is near the shutter button, then you use the toggle to select the method, can also use the wheels, the manual is handy as there have been changes in the way to select certain things.</p>

[sattler123]

<p>Read the manual! The Af is so different from any other consumer based Canon DSLR that it can easily confuse you. Once you figure it out, it's a breeze to use!</p>

[PuppyDigs]

<p>Set it to single point AF via Quick Control screen or press AF selection and then M-Fn to toggle through the options. Select the desired point. It remains as the default until you change it. Like Omega wrote, to use the joystick thingie to change your AF group/point position, you'll need to activate the custom function in the menu.</p>

<p>If it makes you feel any better, 7D AF confused me for a couple days as it's so different from prior models. I actually had to read the frickin' manual. And, yep, it's a friggen breeze now. I prefer spot AF, single point.</p>

[mark_james]

<p>OK. As soon as I read Omega's response it was clear. Just had to break my old mental model.<br>

Thanks,<br>

Mark</p>