Canon EOS 6D Instruction Manual

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Setting the AF andDrive Modes
The viewfinder has 11 AF points. 
By selecting the optimum AF point, 
you can compose the picture as 
desired while autofocusing.
You can also select the AF operation and drive mode 
that best match the shootin g conditions and subject.
 The  M icon at the upper right of the page title indicates that 
the function is available only in Creative Zone modes ( d/
s /f /a/F ).
  In Basic Zone modes, the AF operation and AF point are 
set automatically.
 stands for autofocus. < MF> stands for manual focus.
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You can select the AF operation characteristics to suit the shooting 
conditions or subject. In Basic Zo ne modes, the optimum AF operation 
is set automatically for the respective shooting mode.
1Set the lens focus mode switch to 
.
2Turn the Mode Dial to a Creative 
Zone mode.
3Press the  button. (9 )
4Select the AF operation.
 While looking at the LCD panel, turn 
the < 6> or < 5> dial.
X : One-Shot AF
9 : AI Focus AF
Z : AI Servo AF
Suited for still subjects. When you press the shutter button 
halfway, the camera will focus only once.
  When focus is achieved, the AF poin t(s) that achieved focus will light 
up in red, and the focus confirmation light < o> in the viewfinder will 
be displayed.
  With evaluative metering, the ex posure setting will be set at the 
same time focus is achieved.
  While you hold down the shutter button halfway, the focus will be 
locked. You can then recompose the shot if desired.
f : Selecting the AF Operation N
One-Shot AF for Still Subjects
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f: Selecting the AF Operation N
This AF operation is suited for moving subjects when the focusing 
distance keeps changing. While you hold down the shutter button 
halfway, the subject will be focused continuously.
 The exposure is set at the moment the picture is taken.
  When the AF point selection (p.94) is automatic, the camera first 
uses the center AF point to focus.  During autofocusing, if the subject 
moves away from the center AF  point, focus tracking continues as 
long as the subject is covered by another AF point.
AI Focus AF switches the AF opera tion from One-Shot AF to AI 
Servo AF automatically if a still subject starts moving.
 
After the subject is focused in One-S hot AF, if the subject starts moving, 
the camera will detect the move ment, change the AF operation 
automatically to AI Servo AF, and keep tracking the moving subject.
AI Servo AF for Moving Subjects
AI Focus AF for Switching the AF Operation Automatically
  If focus cannot be achieved, the focus confirmation light  in the 
viewfinder will blink. If th is occurs, the picture cann ot be taken even if the 
shutter button is pres sed completely. Recompos e the shot and try to 
focus again, or see “Whe n Autofocus Fails” (p.96).
  If [z 1: Beep ] is set to [ Disable], the beeper will not sound when focus 
is achieved.
 
After achieving focus with One-Shot AF , you can lock the focus on a subject 
and recompose the shot. This is called “focus lock”. This is conve\
nient when 
you want to focus a peripheral subj ect not covered by the AF points.
With AI Servo AF, the beeper will no t sound even when focus is achieved. 
Also, the focus confirmation light < o> in the viewfinder  will not light up.
When focus is achieved wi th AI Focus AF with the Servo operation active, 
the beeper will continue beeping soft ly. However, the focus confirmation 
light < o> in the viewfinder will not light  up. Note that focus will not be 
locked in this case.
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You can select an AF point for focusing from among eleven AF points. 
In Basic Zone modes, the AF point will be selected automatically and 
you cannot select the AF point.
1Press the  button. (9 )
XThe selected AF point will be 
displayed in the viewfinder and on the 
LCD panel.
  When all the AF points light up, 
automatic AF point selection will be 
set.
2Select an AF point.
 You can either use  or turn the 
< 6 > or < 5> dial to select an AF 
point.
  You can use  to select an AF 
point.
  If all the AF points light up, automatic 
AF point selection will be set.
  Press < 0> to toggle between the 
center AF point and automatic 
selection.
S  Selecting AF PointsN
Selecting with the Multi-controller
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S Selecting AF Points N
 Turn the < 6> dial to select an AF 
point on the left or right or turn the 
< 5 > dial to select an AF point above 
or below.
  If all the AF points light up, automatic 
AF point selection will be set.
Maximum lens aperture: f/3.2 - f/5.6
Cross-type focusing (vertical and horizontal lines detected 
simultaneously) is possible with the center AF point. The other AF 
points are either vertical- or horizontal-line sensitive.
Maximum lens aperture: f/1.0 - f/2.8
Besides cross-type focusing (vertical and horizontal lines detected 
simultaneously), the center AF point  can also perform high-precision, 
vertical-line sensitive AF.* The other AF points are either vertical- or 
horizontal-line sensitive.
* Except with the EF28-80mm f/2.8-4L US M, and EF50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro.
Selecting with the Dials
AF Operation and Maximum Lens Apertures
 When you press the  button, the LCD panel  displays the following:
• Automatic selection:   AF
• Manual selection:  SEL  (Center)/ SEL AF (Off center)
  When using an EOS-dedica ted external Speedlite, if focus cannot be 
achieved with the AF-assist beam , select the center AF point.
If you use an Extender (sold separate ly) together with the lens and the 
f/number becomes higher than f/5.6, AF shooting will not be possible 
(except in [ FlexiZoneAF
† (Single)] and [ u Live mode ] during Live View 
shooting). For details, refer to  the Extender’s instruction manual.
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Autofocus can fail to achieve focus (viewfinder’s focus confirmation light 
< o > blinks) with certain subjects such as the following:
Subjects difficult to focus
  Very low-contrast subjects
(Example: Blue sky, solid-color walls, etc.)
  Subjects in very low light
  Extremely backlit and  reflective subjects
(Example: Car with a highly reflective body, etc.)
  Near and far subjects covered by an AF point
(Example: Animal in a cage, etc.)
  Repetitive patterns
(Example: Skyscraper windows,  computer keyboards, etc.)
In such cases, do either of the following:
(1) With One-Shot AF, focus an object at the same distance as the  subject and lock the focus before recomposing the shot (p.69).
(2) Set the lens focus mode switch to < MF> and focus manually (p.97).
When Autofocus Fails
For conditions where AF can fa il to achieve focus with [FlexiZoneAF† 
(Single)]/[u  Live mode ] during Live View sh ooting, see page 196.
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When Autofocus Fails
1Set the lens focus mode switch to 
.
X will be displayed on the 
LCD panel.
2Focus the subject.
  Focus by turning the lens focusing 
ring until the subject looks sharp in 
the viewfinder.
MF: Manual Focusing
Focusing ring
If you press the shutter button halfway  during manual focusing, the AF point 
which achieved focus will  flash briefly in red and the focus confirmation light 
 will light up in the viewfinder.
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Single and continuous drive modes are provided.
1Press the  button. (9 )
2Select the drive mode.
 While looking at the LCD panel, turn 
the < 6> or < 5> dial.
u : Single shooting
When you press the shutter butto n completely, only one shot will 
be taken.
i :Continuous shooting (Max. approx. 4.5 shots/sec.)
While you hold down the shutter button completely, shots will be 
taken continuously.
B :Silent single shooting
Single shooting with less shooting sound than < u>.
M :Silent continuous shooting  (Max. approx. 3.0 shots/sec.)
Continuous shooting with less shooting sound than < i>.
Q :10-sec. self-timer/Remote control
k :2-sec. self-timer/Remote control
For self-timer shooting, see page 100. For remote control 
shooting, see page 167.
i  Selecting the Drive Mode
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i Selecting the Drive Mode
  If  or < M> is set, the time lag from  when you press the shutter 
button completely until the picture is shot will be longer than with normal 
single or continuous shooting.
  When the battery level  is low, the continuous shooting speed may 
become slightly slower.
  In AI Servo AF operation, the cont inuous shooting speed may become 
slightly slower depending on  the subject and the lens used.
  i: The maximum continuous shooting  speed of approx. 4.5 shots/sec. 
is attained under the foll owing conditions*: At 1/50 0 sec. or faster shutter 
speed, and at the maximum aperture (varies depending on  the lens). The 
continuous shooting  speed may decrease due  to shutter speed, 
aperture, subject conditions, br ightness, lens, flash use, etc.
* With the AF mode set to One-Shot AF and the Image Stabilizer turned off when using the 
following lenses: EF300mm f/4L IS USM,  EF28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, EF75-300mm f/
4-5.6 IS USM, EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM.
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Use the self-timer when you want to be in the picture.
1Press the  button. (9 )
2Select the self-timer.
 While looking at the LCD panel, turn 
the < 6> or < 5> dial to select the 
self-timer delay.
Q : 10-sec. self-timer
k : 2-sec. self-timer
3Take the picture.
 Look through the viewfinder, focus 
the subject, then press the shutter 
button completely.
XYou can check the self-timer 
operation with the self-timer lamp, 
beeper, and countdown display (in 
seconds) on the LCD panel.
XTwo seconds before the picture is 
taken, the self-timer lamp will light up 
and the beeper will sound faster.
j Using the Self-timer
  The < k> enables you to shoot whil e not touching the camera 
mounted on a tripod. This prevents  camera shake while you shoot still 
lifes or bulb exposures.
  After taking self-timer shots, play ing back the image (p.236) to check 
focus and exposure  is recommended.
  When using the self-timer to shoot only  yourself, use focus lock (p.69) on 
an object at about the same dist ance as where you will stand.
  To cancel the self-timer af ter it starts, press the  button.
If you do not look  through the viewfind er when you press the shutter button, 
attach the eyepiece cover (p.166). If  stray light enters the viewfinder when 
the picture is taken, it  may throw off the exposure.
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