Canon EOS-1 User Manual

C

J

C

GETTING THE MOST
FROM YOUR EOS-1
CLASS DIGITAL SLR

TIPS AND TECHNIQUES:

CAMERA HANDLING
& MAXIMUM IMAGE
QUALITY

OVERVIEW

Canon’s EOS-1 class digital SLRs (EOS-1D, EOS-1Ds, EOS-1D Mark II and EOS-1Ds Mark
II) are clearly the company’s highest quality and most powerful digital SLRs to date.
Thanks to their key attributes of EF Lens compatibility, Canon CMOS sensor technology
and DIGIC/DIGIC II Image Processors, EOS-1 class digital SLRs produce images with
exceptionally low noise, excellent detail and superb color.

As with any professional camera system, there are numerous variables in camera
operation, lens selection and image quality optimization that must be clearly
understood and mastered by the user in order to achieve the best possible results.
The purpose of this document is to identify the factors that affect the autofocus (AF)
performance and image quality aspects of EOS-1 class digital SLRs, and provide tips
and techniques on getting the most out of this powerful camera and lens system.

We have intentionally provided detailed explanations to clarify the reasoning behind our
recommendations, but at the beginning of the document there is also a brief summary
of the main points for your convenience. Thank you for using Canon products! We want
you to know that we sincerely appreciate your patronage.

OVERVIEW 2

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

Camera Operation Tips Select focusing points manually:

Selecting the focusing point manually speeds up the autofocus system because the
camera does not have to decide which focus point or points to use. Manual focusing point
selection also allows you to control exactly where the camera is focusing. If you would like
to select two focusing points at once, you can shift the focusing point up or down one row.

Use Custom Functions to improve AF control and speed up camera operation:

• C.Fn 4 operates AF and shutter release separately for greater control.

• C.Fn 13 speeds up focusing point selection by reducing the number of manually
selectable focusing points.

• C.Fn 17 expands the active area around manually selected focusing points.
(For maximum control, use C.Fn 17-0 to disable focusing point expansion.)

• C.Fn 19 adds AF control features to compatible EF lenses.

• C.Fn 20 provides more control over AI Servo focusing sensitivity.

• C.Fn 21 controls the priority of framing rate over predictive AF.

Custom Functions can be combined to optimize camera operation according to various
applications such as Action Photography and Event Imaging. Groups of Custom
Functions can be saved in the camera and selected quickly when needed.

to find a point on

Try

A contrasty subject is easier to focus on. This is particularly important in low light. If
your subject is low in contrast, try focusing on its edge rather than in the middle.

Avoid recomposing after focus lock during portraiture or close-up photography:

Thi

s technique can cause focusing errors when shooting subjects within 15 feet of the
camera, especially when using large apertures to reduce depth of field. Instead, select
an off-center focusing point or focus manually.

For maximum AF Speed, use current USM lenses and avoid Extenders:

Current USM lenses such as the IS super-telephoto series are optimized for maximum AF
speed when used with EOS-1 class digital SLRs. In exchange for increasing focal length,
EF Extenders reduce lens drive speed and maximum apertures.

Practice your shutter release technique:

Pressing the shutter button halfway prior to shutter release improves AF tracking
accuracy and shutter button response, especially in AI Servo AF with moving subjects.
It can also reduce the potential of camera shake.

your sub

ject with a high degree of contrast:

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE 3

void unintentional motion blur:

A

suming an accurately focused subject, you can maximize image quality by eliminating

As

nwanted motion blur. To reduce the effects of camera shake, use a tripod when possible.

u

se an Image Stabilizer lens for handheld photography. To eliminate unwanted blur

U

aused by subject movement, use faster shutter speeds or electronic flash.

c

Avoid inadvertent camera or subject movement after focus lock:

If you are using One-Shot AF, do not move the camera towards or away from the subject
after locking focus, especially for subjects within 15 feet of the camera.

Avoid the use of small apertures with wide-angle or wide zoom lenses:

Small apertures can cause sharpness-degrading diffraction when using wide-angle or
wide zoom lenses.

Image Quality

Optimization Tips

Consider the use of in-camera sharpening:

If you shoot JPEGs and you wish to reduce or eliminate the need for post-processing in
order to speed up your workflow, you may find that increasing the level of in-camera
sharpening is effective.

Apply post-process sharpening effectively:

Canon EOS digital cameras have an anti-aliasing filter installed on the image sensor.
This filter improves color rendition and practically eliminates moiré. The liability is a
slight reduction of sharpness. To reduce the softening effect of the anti-aliasing filter we

®

recommend applying an unsharp mask to the image in Adobe

Photoshop®. Although
there is no such thing as a “best” setting for all applications, we suggest the following
as a starting point:

Amount: 300%
Radius: 0.3 pixels
Threshold: 0 pixels

Under

stand that image magnification affects perceived sharpness:

When viewing images at 100% magnification, the actual image size can be as large as
4 x 6 FEET depending on the resolution of the camera. If your images are regularly
printed at 8.5" x 11" or less, the equivalent magnification with EOS-1D Mark II would be
approximately 33%, or 25% with an EOS-1Ds. Try printing your images to evaluate
sharpness.

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE 4

CONTENTS

I CAMERA FEATURES AND OPERATION 6

The 45-point AREA AF Sensor 6
The Evolution of AF Speed & Predictive AF Control 7
AF Modes 8
AF Point Selection Methods 8
AF Performance According to Subject Contrast & Detail 9
AF Performance According to Light Levels 9
Shutter Release Techniques: Half-Press vs. Mash 10
Autofocusing Techniques: Off-Center Focusing Points vs. 11
“Focus Lock and Recompose”
Fine-Tuning Your Camera With Custom and Personal Functions 11
Combining Custom Functions: Advanced Operations 16

II LENS ISSUES 23

AF Speed According to EF Lens Vintage 23
EF

Extender Is

sues 23

III IMAGE QUALITY SETTINGS 24

RAW vs. JPEG 24

G Quality 24

JPE

Sharpnes

amera

In-C

IV SHARPNESS EVALUATION 28

Reviewing Images on the Camera’s LCD Monitor 28
Monitor Evaluation vs. Printed Output 28
Motion Blur
Camera or Subject Movement After Focus Lock 29
Diffraction 29

V SHARPENING METHODS IN POST PROCESSING 30

Adobe Photoshop’s Unsharp Mask Filter 30
3rd Party Sharpening Software 31
RAW Converters 32

VI EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION ISSUES 33

AF System Calibration 33
Lens Calibration 33
Testing Your Own Cameras & Lenses 33

s, Contra

st, Saturation & Color Tone Control 25

29

CONTENTS 5

I. CAMERA FEATURES

EOS 1Ds Mark II EOS 1D Mark II

Black: Horizontal line detection
sensors operational with

f/5.6 or faster lens.

Red: Vertical line detection sensors
operational with f/2.8 or
faster lens.

AF F

rame

AND OPERATION

45-point Area AF Sensor

EOS-1 class digital SLRs use an improved version of the 45-point Area AF CMOS sensor
unit that was originally introduced in 1998 with the EOS-3. The pixel density and layout
of sensor elements together with the patented design of the camera’s sub-mirror and
separator lenses gave rise to the name “Area AF” and resulted in a coverage area of 8 x
15mm with 45 selectable focusing points. (Previous EOS AF designs had 5 points or
fewer, all in a single line.) When the camera is oriented horizontally, all 45 points are
sensitive to horizontal or diagonal subject contrast with lenses featuring maximum
apertures as small as f/5.6. Six of the central-area focusing points become high­precision cross-type sensors when the lens has a maximum aperture of f/2.8 or larger.
The central focusing point is high-precision cross-type with f/4 or faster lenses, and can
maintain single-line autofocus with maximum apertures as small as f/8. These factors
can come into play when choosing lenses and extenders for maximum AF performance.

The focusing area is 8 x 15mm regardless of the camera’s imaging format.
Consequently, AF coverage is proportionately larger with the EOS-1D and EOS-1D Mark II
with their 19.1 x 28.7mm imaging format than it is with the EOS-1Ds Mark II, EOS-1Ds,
E

OS-1v or EOS-3 which feature 24 x 36mm coverage.

I. CAMERA FEATURES AND OPERATION 6

10 feet

6 feet

250mph 185 12562 303mph

6

20 feet

33 feet

66 feet

98 feet

400km/h30020010050105km/h

1m

2m

3m

6m

10m

20m

30m

Predictive AI Servo AF Performance

How close can the camera track a moving subject with an EF300mm f/2.8L IS Lens

Subject Speed

EOS-1: 5 fps (with Power Drive Booster E1) EOS-1D Mark II: 8.5 fps

Subject Distance

volution of AF Speed

The E

edictive AF Control

& Pr

OS-1D and EOS-1Ds had the fastest AF systems available among EOS SLRs when

The E

were introduced, but the EOS-1D Mark II now has the most powerful AF system of

they

y EOS camera released to date (2004). The EOS-1D Mark II was the first Canon camera

an

o feature two dedicated CPUs for AF: one for detection and calculation, and another to

t

ontrol lens drive. EOS-1 class cameras prior to the 1D Mark II used a single dedicated

c

or all AF operations.

CPU f

All EOS-1 class digital SLRs feature RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing)
processors so that multiple operations can be performed simultaneously. The extra
speed created through this method has made it possible to increase the power and
sophistication of the algorithms employed for predictive AF. Using an EF 300mm f/2.8L
IS USM lens and a fully charged battery pack, the original EOS-1 with Power Drive
Booster PB-E1 could track a subject moving at 300 kph/186 mph as close as 26
meters/85 ft. Using an EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM lens and a fully charged battery pack,
an EOS-1D Mark II or EOS-1Ds Mark II can track a subject moving at 300 kph/186 mph
as close as 20 meters/66 ft.

I. CAMERA FEATURES AND OPERATION 7

AF

Modes

Shot AF:

One-

ompletion of lens drive, allowing the photographer to recompose if desired. One-Shot

c

is also recommended for maximum performance in extreme low-light situations.

AF

s mode is intended for use with stationary subjects. It locks focus upon

Thi

AF Point Selection

Methods

Servo AF:

AI

ontinuously up to the instant of exposure, and it also operates between exposures in

c

urst mode shooting.

b

s mode is intended for use with moving subjects. It operates

Thi

In AI Servo AF, you can tell whether the AF system is tracking the subject by observing
the focus indicator in the viewfinder below the picture area. If the focus indicator does
not light, the system is tracking. If it is blinking rapidly, the system is not tracking.
Please note that this is slightly different from the camera's behavior in One-Shot AF. In
One-Shot, the focus indicator still blinks when the subject can't be focused, but it lights
up continuously when focus has locked.

Canon provides two AF point selection methods: Automatic and Manual. The details of
each method are described below.

Automatic Focusing Point Selection (AFPS): The camera selects a focusing point for
you, choosing from all 45 points. AFPS behavior varies according to your choice of
focusing modes:

• When

One-Shot AF is combined with AFPS, the camera typically selects the closest

subject with readable contrast. Since the subject may be large enough to cover several
focusing points simultaneously, the viewfinder’s focusing point display may illuminate
as many as 13 points simultaneously. If focus cannot be achieved, the in-focus
indicator below the picture area blinks.

• When

AI Servo AF is combined with AFPS, the camera shuts off all focusing points

except the central one until the subject has been identified. Once the camera has
started to track the subject with the center point, all 45 points are activated and the
c

amera is able to track movement not only towards or away from the camera, but

anywhere the subject moves within the 45-point coverage area.

Manual Focusing Point Selection (MFPS): The photographer selects the desired
focusing point. When the camera is set to its defaults, only one or two focusing points
are used. (To select 2 focusing points at once manually, use the Quick Control Dial to
scroll up or down from the currently selected manual focusing point. When 2 focusing
points are active, the camera evaluates both and selects the one with the most
reliable subject data. This can come in handy when photographing moving subjects.)
The active area around a manually selected focusing point can also be expanded in two
stages via Custom Function 17. See Custom Functions for details.

I. CAMERA FEATURES AND OPERATION 8

When the c

viewfinder display when the shutter button is pressed halfway. This occurs in both

the
One-

ustom Function 10.

C

amera is set for MFPS, the manually selected focusing point illuminates in

Shot AF and AI Servo AF. The illumination can be turned off or made brighter with

AF Performance According

to Subject Contrast &

Detail

The AF
th

system tends to work slightly faster when the focusing point is manually selected

an during AFPS, but there is a trade-off between the wider coverage area of AFPS and
the comparatively narrow coverage area of MFPS. Choosing between the two is largely
based on subject matter, lens selection and personal preference.

The 45-point AF sensor used in current EOS-1 class cameras has been engineered to
perform as well as possible with low-contrast subjects. However, the sensor is part of a
passive AF system that requires certain levels of light and subject contrast or detail in
order to function at all. For example, the camera will not focus in complete darkness or
on a blank wall or sheet of paper unless it has the benefit of an AF-Assist beam to
project a striped pattern on the subject. (When you’re using Speedlite Transmitter
ST-E2 or an EX Speedlite, be sure to set the camera to One-Shot AF to activate the
AF-Assist beam.)

Low-contrast subjects are not limited to blank walls and sheets of paper. Typically, you
will find subject matter such as human skin and various types of single-color clothing to
be low in contrast as well. Additionally, the veiling glare sometimes encountered when
photographing backlit subjects can degrade subject contrast when it is being evaluated
by the camera’s AF sensor. In such cases, we suggest that you try to focus on the edge
of the subject rather than in the middle of it.

AF Performance According

to Light Levels

As a photographer you will not always have complete control over your shooting
position, lighting direction or the detail and contrast in your subject matter.
Nevertheless, you need to be aware that AF performance is affected by the contrast
levels presented to the focusing sensor.

Assuming adequate subject contrast, autofocusing speed in the EOS System is largely
dependent on the following factors:

Light Levels: The darker it gets, the longer it takes for the AF system to lock on to the

•

subject, regardless of the lens in use.

• Maximum Aperture: In low light conditions, the faster the lens, the faster the AF,

generally speaking. For instance, in low light, an EF 35mm f/1.4L USM will autofocus
faster than an EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens.

• Focal Length: Longer focal length lenses like the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM have a

much greater range of defocus than standard or wide-angle lenses. In other words,
when an image goes out of focus on a fast telephoto lens, it really goes out of focus.
This can cause delays or sometimes even failures in low-light AF. As a workaround,

I. CAMERA FEATURES AND OPERATION 9

ocus manually until you are “in the ballpark,” then try using AF for fine-tuning.

f

ditionally, this is an instance where the distance range selector switch on “white”

Ad

enses like the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM can reduce the length of time the AF system

l

pends hunting for focus, if your subject distance happens to be beyond the range

s

tated on the lens switchboard.

s

In One-

Shot AF

can take as long as a full second or more for the camera to achieve

, it
focus completion in extremely low light without a focusing aid. Even with a Speedlite
featuring an AF-Assist beam, low-light AF will be slower than bright-light AF. This is not a
design flaw or manufacturing defect; it’s related to the sensitivity of the AF sensor.
Remember that the AF system is always passive, even when using an AF-Assist beam;
AF search in low light can be faster with an AF Assist beam than without one, but bright
light AF speed will always be faster with a readable subject.

In AI Servo AF, the camera samples the AF detection data at varying rates of frequency
depending on the light level. The brighter it gets, the higher the sampling rate and
therefore AF performance improves. But as light levels drop off, the sampling rate
decreases and a point is reached where the tracking ability of the AF system is
diminished. In other words, it’s unrealistic to expect AI Servo AF to track fast-moving
subjects as well in low light as it does in bright light.

Again, you may not always have control over lighting conditions, but it is important to
understand that there are limitations to AF performance according to the level of
available light.

Shutter Release

Techniques:

Half-Press vs. Mash

Another factor that has a lot to do with AF performance is shutter release technique. In
order to achieve the greatest possible performance from your EOS camera, it is essential
to press the shutter button halfway and hold it there until the instant you are ready to
shoot, especially in AI Servo AF with moving subjects. No other way is nearly as effective
in terms of maximizing AF performance.

Ther

e are two issues at stake here: the first is focus tracking and the second is a
phenomenon known as “release-time lag” or “shutter lag.” In One-Shot AF, pressing the
shutter button halfway locks the focus. When the camera is set for AI Servo AF and the
shutter button is pressed halfway, the AF system begins tracking the subject. If you
simply press the shutter button down without waiting for the AF to function, the shutter
release might lock up or be delayed in One-Shot AF. Under the same conditions, the
shutter will release without focusing in AI Servo AF. This is true with or without the use
of an AF-Assist beam. Conversely, pressing the shutter button halfway and holding it
there until you are ready to shoot allows the focusing system to lock focus in One-Shot
AF or start tracking the subject in AI Servo AF. Pressing the shutter button down all the
way once focusing has been established will release the shutter in the shortest possible
time, thereby increasing the odds of capturing “the decisive moment.”

I. CAMERA FEATURES AND OPERATION 10

Some might
time, b

een power consumption and AF performance is to anticipate picture-taking

betw

portunities and do not press the shutter button halfway until just a second or two

op

ore pressing all the way for the shot.

bef

think that it’s a good idea to keep the shutter button half-pressed all the

ut battery life will be shortened significantly by that technique. The best balance

Autofocusing Techniques:

Off-Center Focusing Points vs.

“Focus Lock and

Recompose”

Fine-Tuning Your Camera

with Custom and

Personal Functions

The 45-point Area AF sensor covers a significant portion of the picture area, especially
with the original EOS-1D and EOS-1D Mark II. However, many photographers never use
the off-center focusing points, preferring the old-fashioned method of locking focus with
the center point and then recomposing for the actual image. Before multi-point AF
cameras were available, “Focus Lock and Recompose” (FLR) or manual focus were the
only choices available. That’s no longer the case.

FLR is sufficiently accurate for photographing distant subjects, but it can cause focusing
errors, especially backfocus, when photographing subjects within about 15 feet of the
camera. This is often the case during portraiture. For optimum focusing performance
with close subjects, we recommend avoiding the FLR technique. Instead, use an off­center focusing point or focus manually.

EOS-1 class digital SLRs are equipped with an extensive variety of Custom Functions
(C.Fn) and Personal Functions (P.Fn) that allow photographers to tailor many aspects of
camera operation according to personal preferences. Although there are minor
differences in the quantity and variety of C.Fns and P.Fns according to individual camera
models, most of them are consistent across the product line. For the purposes of this
document, we will concentrate on C.Fns and P.Fns that affect AF performance with EOS-1
class digital SLRs.

Custom Function 4 allows the photographer to control which button on the camera is
used to start or stop AF. It also ties in with AE Lock when the camera is set to an AE
mode.

• C.Fn 4-0 (the default setting) starts AF and AE when the shutter button is pressed

halfway. AE Locks automatically upon focus completion when the camera is set for the
combination of One-Shot AF and Evaluative Metering. With other AF modes or metering
patterns, AE Lock can be initiated manually by pressing the AE Lock button on the
back of the camera.

• C.Fn 4-1 switches AF start to the AE Lock button, and starts AE Lock in AE modes with

any metering pattern when the shutter button is pressed halfway. This mode is
popular with sports photographers and some photojournalists, especially those who
originally learned photography with manual focus SLRs. It works particularly well with
USM lenses that have distance scales, because such lenses feature full-time manual
focusing even when the lens is set for AF. With C.Fn 4-1, the photographer can
manually focus such a lens at any time, and then start or stop AF independently from

I. CAMERA FEATURES AND OPERATION 11