Recent EOS R system cameras like the EOS R7 and EOS R6 Mark II boast a new AF operating interface and better subject detection and tracking performance. Here’s what you need to know to use them to the fullest advantage.  (Reported by: Yuta Murakami, Digital Camera Magazine)

1. Use the best AF area mode for the situation

1. Use the best AF area mode for the situation

The first step to getting the best subject-tracking performance is to ensure that the camera identifies and locks on the subject (or part of the subject) that you want to track. The camera is smart, but it could do better if you give good directions! The AF area modes tell it where to look for a subject.

The ones on your camera can be divided into two categories:

	1: Auto-selection	2: User-defined
Subject acquisition	Automatically establishes focus on and tracks a subject that it detects within the designated AF area.	There is an initial AF point that you can use to select the object or part that you want the camera to focus on and track.
AF area modes	Whole area AF Flexible Zone AF	Spot AF 1-point AF Expand AF area

Here’s how you can use them.

 

Example 1: Precision focusing with a user-defined AF area

This train is very small in the image frame, so I used Spot AF to ensure precise focus on it. The initial AF point is a small white square that detects subjects that intersect with it.

Depending on the size of your subject and the way it moves, you could also use 1-point AF, Flexible Zone AF, or one of the Expand AF area modes. The latter uses the points immediately beside a designated AF point to detect and focus on moving subjects.

 

Example 2: Capture unpredictable, fast-moving subjects

With fast-moving subjects that move quickly across the frame, such as bullet trains, it’s less effective to start focusing and tracking them when they are still far away. While tracking performance has improved tremendously on the latest cameras, I find it more efficient to start tracking with Zone AF or Flexible Zone AF (depending on your camera model) right before you shoot. That leaves less room for possible distractions.

Note: On the EOS R6 Mark II and newer cameras, when “Whole area tracking Servo AF” is set to “On”, the focus may shift to subjects detected outside the Flexible Zone AF area. See point 3.)

Pro tip 1: Subject detection is easiest when the subject contrasts with the background

A subject that’s easier to detect is also easier to track. If your subject stands out against the background due to its colour or contrast, you can expect steadier tracking compared to low-contrast conditions.

Find out how Flexible Zone AF helped underwater photographer William Tan in:
Capturing Marine Wildlife with the EOS R3: A Review in Pictures

2. Check your subject detection settings

2. Check your subject detection settings

Without subject detection, the camera determines which object to focus on and track based on contextual information such as composition, colours, contrast, and distance from the camera. Subject detection (recognition) helps the camera to make a better decision about which object to prioritise. It also ensures steadier tracking of subjects with unpredictable or erratic movement, such as children or animals.

Know what your camera can detect, and set it up accordingly

Remember that:
- “People” prioritises people
- “Animals” prioritises animals but also detects people. 
- “Vehicles” prioritises motorsports vehicles, but also detects people.

 

Pro tip: Assign a shortcut to change the prioritised subject

This customisation is useful for scenes with multiple subjects, such as when you are taking portraits of people with their pets. Use it with the “Limit subject to detect” function in the pink menu so that you have fewer options to toggle through.

Also see:
3 Types of Dog Portraits to Capture with Animal Detection AF
Motorsports Photography Techniques (1): Panning Techniques

3. Turn off whole area subject tracking if necessary

3. Be aware of whole area subject tracking

This is important especially if you are using an AF area mode other than whole area AF.
After you’ve initially found a subject to focus on, and have started AF so the blue AF point appears over the subject, how do you want subject detection to behave if the subject moves outside the designated AF area?

There may be situations where disabling subject tracking helps you work better, such as when you want more control over where the AF operates. Depending on your shooting style and preferences, and your camera’s customisability, you might want to:
- Assign a button to toggle whole area subject tracking on and off.
- Assign a button to shift focus to the detected subject even if it is outside the AF area you set.

4. Configure Eye Detection AF

4. Enable Eye Detection AF for portraiture

Camera models equipped with EOS iTR AF X (EOS intelligent Tracking & Recognition AF), which supports deep learning-based AF, can detect eyes with greater precision than before, even when the subject’s face is in the shadows, or in profile. This is particularly effective for shooting portraits with a very shallow depth of field!

Original image shot on EOS R7 + RF85mm f/2 Macro IS STM @ f/2, 1/200 sec, ISO 100

The close-up crop from this shot where the model is facing the side shows that the eye is sharply in focus.

Pro tip: You can choose which eye to prioritise on some cameras

Know this: Eye Detection only works when subject detection is enabled

If you selected “None” in the “Subject to detect” menu, Eye Detection will not operate even if it is enabled in the AF menu.

5. Customise Servo AF characteristics

5. Use the Servo AF characteristics (AF2 menu) for finer control

The Servo AF characteristics (Servo AF case settings) let you configure how tracking behaves when another object crosses the AF point (“Tracking sensitivity”), or if the tracked subject suddenly changes speed (“Accel./ decel. tracking”).

There are 5 Servo AF cases on the newer camera.

- Case 1: A versatile multipurpose setting that should cater to most moving subjects.
- Case 2: For situations where obstacles are likely to appear, or when the subject tends to move away from the AF point (e.g., tennis, freestyle skiing).
- Case 3: For situations where you want to acquire focus immediately on subjects that suddenly appear in the frame (e.g., the start of cycling road races, Alpine skiing).
- Case 4: For subjects that tend to speed up or slow down unpredictably (e.g., soccer, motorsports, basketball, rhythmic gymnastics)
- Auto: The camera automatically adapts tracking to changes in the subject movement.

Changing the Servo AF cases can change tracking behaviour drastically. Most of the time, Case 1 or Auto should be sufficient. But for specific scenes, or if you simply want more control over tracking behaviour, you can try out the different cases or adjust the parameters. 

Also see:
Birds in Flight: Camera Settings to Increase Your Successful Shots

 

Bonus tip: Make full use of assignable buttons

If you find that you frequently switch between a couple of different AF modes or settings, refer to your camera’s manual or explore the “Customize Buttons” item in the orange menu. There’s probably something in there that allows you to toggle quickly between them at the push of a button. We have given a few examples in this article.

Have you assigned any shortcuts to your camera buttons? Share with us in the comments below!

 

Learn more about different camera features and settings in:
7 Photographers Share: AF & Drive Settings I Switch Based on the Scene
Unravelling the AF Features on the EOS R3
7 Often Neglected Camera Settings that Ensure a Smoother Shoot
5 Basic EOS R5/ EOS R6 Settings to Customise From the Start