The Canon 6D Mark II is a remarkable camera, offering excellent image quality and performance. However, unlocking its full potential requires a solid understanding of its autofocus system. One of the most fundamental skills to master is changing the focus point, which allows you to precisely control where your camera focuses within the frame. This article provides a comprehensive guide to effectively changing the focus point on your Canon 6D Mark II, enabling you to capture sharper, more compelling images.
Understanding Your Canon 6D Mark II’s Autofocus System
Before diving into the specifics of changing focus points, it’s crucial to understand the underlying autofocus (AF) system of your Canon 6D Mark II. The camera boasts a 45-point all cross-type autofocus system, a significant upgrade from its predecessor. These 45 points are scattered across the viewfinder, offering considerable flexibility in selecting your desired focus area.
The “cross-type” designation means these AF points are sensitive to both horizontal and vertical lines, providing greater accuracy and speed compared to single-line sensitive points. This is particularly beneficial when photographing subjects with intricate patterns or in challenging lighting conditions. The effectiveness of the AF system depends on the lens you’re using.
The 6D Mark II also features Dual Pixel CMOS AF for Live View and video shooting. This technology provides significantly faster and smoother autofocus performance compared to the phase-detection AF used through the viewfinder. When using Live View, almost the entire sensor area can be used for autofocus.
Focus Modes: One Shot, AI Focus, And AI Servo
The Canon 6D Mark II offers three primary autofocus modes, each suited for different shooting scenarios:
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One Shot AF: This mode is designed for stationary subjects. When you press the shutter button halfway, the camera locks focus on the selected point. It’s ideal for portraits, landscapes, and still life photography.
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AI Focus AF: This mode intelligently switches between One Shot and AI Servo depending on whether the subject is moving. The camera analyzes the subject’s movement and automatically adjusts the focus mode accordingly.
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AI Servo AF: This mode is specifically designed for moving subjects. The camera continuously tracks the subject’s movement and adjusts the focus in real-time. It’s perfect for sports, wildlife, and action photography.
Choosing the correct focus mode is critical for achieving sharp focus. For static subjects, One Shot is generally the best option. For unpredictable movement, AI Focus can be helpful. For continuous, predictable movement, AI Servo is the most effective.
Methods For Changing The Focus Point
The Canon 6D Mark II offers several ways to change the focus point, catering to different shooting styles and preferences. Here are the most common and effective methods:
Using The Multi-Controller
The multi-controller, located on the back of the camera, is a small joystick that allows you to directly select the desired focus point. This is often the quickest and most intuitive method for many photographers.
To use the multi-controller, first ensure that the AF point selection is active. You can usually activate it by pressing the AF point selection button (often located near the top right of the camera’s back panel, or by customizing a button to perform this function). Once active, the selected focus point will be highlighted in the viewfinder or on the Live View screen.
Then, simply use the multi-controller to move the highlighted focus point to your desired location. The focus point will move in the direction you push the multi-controller. Once you have positioned the focus point over your subject, press the shutter button halfway to acquire focus.
The multi-controller method offers precise control and is particularly useful when you need to quickly adjust the focus point while keeping your eye on the viewfinder.
Using The Quick Control Dial
The Quick Control Dial (the large dial on the back of the camera) can also be used to change the focus point, although it’s slightly less direct than the multi-controller. The Quick Control Dial typically requires a button press to activate AF point selection, followed by rotating the dial. The focus point will cycle through the available points. This method is useful if you prefer using a dial over the joystick.
This method might require a bit more coordination than the multi-controller, but it can be convenient if you prefer using the dials on your camera.
Touchscreen (Live View)
When using Live View, the Canon 6D Mark II’s touchscreen offers a very intuitive way to select the focus point. Simply tap on the area of the screen where you want the camera to focus. The camera will immediately attempt to acquire focus on that area.
The touchscreen method is particularly useful for situations where you’re shooting from unusual angles or when using a tripod. It allows you to precisely select the focus point without having to contort yourself to look through the viewfinder.
You can also combine the touchscreen with focus modes like Face Detection and Tracking. In this mode, the camera will automatically detect faces in the scene and prioritize focusing on them. You can then tap on a specific face to select it as the primary focus point.
Automatic Focus Point Selection
In certain autofocus modes, the Canon 6D Mark II can automatically select the focus point based on its assessment of the scene. This is often referred to as “automatic AF point selection.” While convenient, it can sometimes lead to unpredictable results, as the camera might not always choose the focus point you intended.
In automatic AF point selection mode, the camera uses various algorithms to analyze the scene and determine the most important areas to focus on. This can include detecting faces, identifying high-contrast areas, or prioritizing subjects that are closest to the camera.
To activate automatic AF point selection, you typically need to select a specific AF area mode, such as “Zone AF” or “Large Zone AF.” These modes divide the viewfinder into larger zones, and the camera selects the best focus point within that zone.
While automatic AF point selection can be useful in certain situations, it’s generally recommended to use manual focus point selection for critical shots where precise focus is essential.
Customizing Your Autofocus Settings
The Canon 6D Mark II allows you to customize your autofocus settings to fine-tune the camera’s behavior to your specific shooting needs. This can significantly improve the performance of the AF system and help you capture sharper images more consistently.
AF Area Selection Mode
The AF Area Selection Mode determines how the camera selects the focus point. The 6D Mark II offers several options:
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Single-Point AF: This mode allows you to manually select a single focus point. It provides the most precise control over where the camera focuses.
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Zone AF: This mode divides the viewfinder into zones, and the camera selects the best focus point within the selected zone. It’s useful for subjects that are moving within a limited area.
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Large Zone AF: Similar to Zone AF, but the zones are larger, making it suitable for subjects that are moving more erratically.
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45-Point Automatic Selection AF: The camera automatically selects the focus point based on its analysis of the scene.
The best AF Area Selection Mode depends on the specific shooting scenario. For static subjects, Single-Point AF is often the best choice. For moving subjects, Zone AF or Large Zone AF can be more effective.
AF Configuration Tool
The AF Configuration Tool, accessible through the camera’s menu system, allows you to fine-tune the behavior of the AI Servo AF mode. This is particularly useful for sports and wildlife photography, where tracking moving subjects is critical.
The AF Configuration Tool offers several parameters that you can adjust, including:
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Tracking Sensitivity: This setting determines how quickly the camera reacts to changes in the subject’s position.
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Acceleration/Deceleration Tracking: This setting determines how well the camera tracks subjects that are accelerating or decelerating.
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AF Point Auto Switching: This setting determines how quickly the camera switches between different AF points when tracking a moving subject.
Experimenting with these settings can significantly improve the performance of the AI Servo AF mode and help you capture sharper images of moving subjects.
Back-Button Focus
Back-button focus is a technique where you separate the autofocus function from the shutter button. Instead of pressing the shutter button halfway to focus, you assign the autofocus function to a dedicated button on the back of the camera, typically the AF-ON button or the AE Lock button.
To enable back-button focus, you need to customize the camera’s settings. This usually involves going into the Custom Functions menu and reassigning the autofocus function from the shutter button to the back button.
The advantage of back-button focus is that it allows you to decouple the focusing and shooting processes. You can focus on the subject by pressing the back button, and then recompose the shot without losing focus. This is particularly useful for situations where you want to focus on a specific point and then recompose the image to improve the composition.
Practical Tips For Sharp Focus
Here are some practical tips to help you achieve sharp focus consistently with your Canon 6D Mark II:
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Choose the right lens: The quality of your lens significantly impacts the sharpness of your images. Invest in high-quality lenses with good autofocus performance.
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Use a stable tripod: When shooting stationary subjects, using a tripod can help eliminate camera shake and ensure sharp focus.
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Clean your lens: Dust and smudges on your lens can affect image quality and autofocus performance. Regularly clean your lens with a microfiber cloth.
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Focus carefully: Take your time to carefully select the focus point and ensure that it’s precisely on your subject.
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Use focus peaking (Live View): Focus peaking highlights the areas of the image that are in focus, making it easier to achieve precise focus when using manual focus.
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Practice regularly: The more you practice using the autofocus system of your Canon 6D Mark II, the better you’ll become at achieving sharp focus consistently.
Mastering the autofocus system of your Canon 6D Mark II takes time and practice. By understanding the different focus modes, learning how to change the focus point effectively, and customizing your autofocus settings, you can significantly improve the sharpness and overall quality of your images. Experiment with different techniques and settings to find what works best for your shooting style and the types of subjects you photograph. The Canon 6D Mark II is a capable camera, and with a little effort, you can unlock its full potential.
What Are The Different Autofocus (AF) Modes Available On The Canon 6D Mark II, And When Should I Use Each One?
The Canon 6D Mark II offers three main autofocus modes: One-Shot AF, AI Focus AF, and AI Servo AF. One-Shot AF is designed for stationary subjects. When you half-press the shutter button, the camera locks focus on the selected AF point, ideal for portraits or landscapes where the subject isn’t moving.
AI Focus AF is a hybrid mode where the camera automatically switches between One-Shot AF and AI Servo AF depending on whether the subject is moving or stationary. AI Servo AF is for moving subjects. The camera continuously tracks and adjusts focus as the subject moves, making it ideal for sports, wildlife, or photographing children in motion.
How Do I Select A Specific AF Point On My Canon 6D Mark II?
Selecting a specific AF point allows you to precisely control where the camera focuses within the frame. You can choose the desired AF point by pressing the AF point selection button (usually located near the top right of the camera body) and then using the multi-controller (the small joystick on the back) or the quick control dial to move the AF point around the screen.
Alternatively, you can enable touch AF on the LCD screen and simply tap the area where you want the camera to focus. This is particularly useful when shooting in Live View mode. Remember to disable touch AF if you find yourself accidentally changing the focus point.
What Is Back-button Focus, And How Can It Improve My Focusing Accuracy On The Canon 6D Mark II?
Back-button focus separates the focusing function from the shutter button. Instead of half-pressing the shutter to focus, you assign the focusing function to a button on the back of the camera, typically the AF-ON button. This allows you to lock focus and recompose your shot without the camera refocusing every time you press the shutter.
By decoupling focusing from the shutter, you gain more control, especially when shooting moving subjects. You can keep the back button pressed for continuous focus (AI Servo) or release it to lock focus and recompose. This also prevents accidental refocusing if you slightly release the shutter button.
How Does The Number Of AF Points On The Canon 6D Mark II Affect Focusing Performance?
The Canon 6D Mark II has 45 cross-type AF points, which offer more precise and reliable focusing compared to cameras with fewer AF points. These points are spread across a wider area of the frame, giving you more flexibility in selecting your focus point and tracking moving subjects.
A higher number of AF points generally translates to faster and more accurate autofocus, particularly in challenging lighting conditions or when shooting subjects with low contrast. While 45 points are ample, the concentration towards the center means edge composition requires focus-and-recompose techniques or selection of a closer point.
What Is Focus Peaking, And How Can I Use It With Manual Focus On The Canon 6D Mark II?
Focus peaking is a feature that highlights the in-focus areas of your image while using manual focus. The camera outlines the sharpest edges with a bright color, making it easier to determine when your subject is perfectly in focus. This is especially helpful when using lenses with a shallow depth of field or when shooting in low light.
Unfortunately, the Canon 6D Mark II does not natively support focus peaking. While it assists manual focusing through the focus confirmation light in the viewfinder, it lacks the visual aid of peaking displayed on the LCD screen during Live View.
How Do I Handle Focusing In Low-light Situations With My Canon 6D Mark II?
Low-light conditions can challenge any autofocus system. The Canon 6D Mark II has a decent low-light autofocus performance, but you can improve it by using the center AF point, which is typically more sensitive than the outer points. Consider using a wider aperture (lower f-number) to let in more light.
If autofocus struggles completely, switch to manual focus and use Live View to magnify the image and fine-tune the focus. Also, if possible, try using an external light source or increasing the ISO slightly to improve visibility and autofocus performance. Experiment with different AF modes to see which works best in the given conditions.
What Is Focus Bracketing, And Does The Canon 6D Mark II Support It?
Focus bracketing is a technique where the camera automatically takes a series of photos with slightly different focus points. This is particularly useful for macro photography or landscapes where achieving sharp focus throughout the entire image can be challenging due to a shallow depth of field. The resulting images can then be combined in post-processing software to create an image with extended depth of field.
The Canon 6D Mark II does not have a built-in focus bracketing function. This means that achieving similar results necessitates performing this function manually, which can be time consuming and less precise.