Ergonomics: A little underrated feature on the Canon 1D series

The Canon 1D Mark IV reviewed here.

The Canon 1D Mark IV reviewed here.

A little underrated feature

I sold most of my Nikon gear, after a decade of usage over 5 continents. I decided to switch to spice things up!

So I am getting comfortable with my new to me Canon 1D Mark IV. I have discovered one of the best feature ever: the ability to focus using the center focusing point while pressing on the rear function button. It meanst that I have two possibilities to focus: the rear AF-ON, which will activate the AF point selected and the Function button (see photo below) to go back instantly at the center point, without deleting my active focus point selected. Just for this reason, I would pick a Canon 1D over a Nikon D3/D4.


I never saw a reviewer or a blogger talking about this point, but it is a big deal for wildlife photographer using long telephoto lens. To be able to track a bird or take a lion using the left AF point and switching immediately to the center focus point is so great!

It’s a mystery to me how nobody ever mentioned this while debating the Nikon vs Canon stand-off.

Having two focusing areas linked to two physical buttons is by far the greatest feature of the Canon 1D series. I wish someone would have told me this before… Once you tried it, there’s no going back!

  • AF-ON is for whatever I selected using the joystick:

  • F (the magnifying glass with the minus sign) is set to central focus point.

Cheers,

JP

Back button focusing with two options.

Back button focusing with two options.

ReviewJean PascalCanon 1D Mark IV review in 2019, canon 1d review, canon 1d vs nikon d4