My Upgrade!
The Temptation
I have had several emails in the past week offering discounts, cashback, and enhanced trade-in values to tempt me into upgrading my camera to a later model. As ever, I was tempted—particularly as I watch the value of my current camera slowly decline despite those “generous” trade-in offers.
Having recently invested in a 45mm lens, and with my eye still on an 85mm prime, I managed to resist. But the temptation did serve a useful purpose—it reminded me that there are still many features of my existing camera that I have yet to fully understand.
So, rather than upgrading the hardware, I decided to upgrade the operator.
A Dive into Autofocus
I turned my attention to autofocus.
Like many of us, I tend to leave autofocus settings largely untouched, only occasionally switching to manual focus for close-up work. Beyond that, I have relied on the camera to “just get on with it.” But modern cameras—particularly mirrorless ones—are doing far more than we might realise.
Lost in the Manual
My first stop was the official Canon handbook (online). That, I have to say, was a mistake. It seemed to introduce an entirely new language and focused heavily on what the camera can do, rather than why I might want to use those features.
An internet search proved more helpful, though it revealed a familiar mix of excellent advice and questionable guidance.
What’s Changed?
Mirrorless cameras differ significantly from the digital SLRs they have replaced, and nowhere is this more evident than in autofocus.
Features such as eye detection, subject tracking, and intelligent scene recognition mean the camera is no longer simply focusing—it is making decisions about what matters in the frame. This is particularly useful when photographing moving subjects—something that used to require a fair amount of skill and luck.
How Complicated Can It Be?
In the course of my reading, I discovered a 184-page book dedicated solely to the autofocus system of my specific camera model (due for publication in April). I had no idea the subject ran that deep.
Lessons Learned
So, what should we take from this?
Before rushing out to upgrade our cameras, it is worth asking whether we are truly getting the best out of the equipment we already own.
Autofocus is no longer a “set and forget” feature. Understanding when to use different modes—single point, zone, tracking, eye detection (that language again!)—can make a significant difference to your images.
A Thought for Mobile Users
Of course, our mobile phone photographers can sit back and smile—they tap the screen, the camera does the rest, and somehow it usually works.
Perhaps they are the lucky ones… or perhaps they are simply being spared the joy (and occasional frustration) of discovering just how complicated autofocus can be!
Who knows, this may be the first of several articles as I work my way through those 184 pages…