Changing the AF Mode to Use the Live View Function to Shoot Still Photos and Movies (EOS-1D X)

With your camera, you can shoot photos while viewing the image on the camera's LCD monitor. This is called "Live View shooting."

This page describes how to change the focus mode for Live View shooting. For details on how to perform easy Live View shooting in default settings, please refer to the related information.

Please note that some shooting procedures differ between still photos and movies. To shoot still photos, please refer to the instructions for still photos, and to shoot movies, please refer to the instructions for movies.

Part I. Preparing for Live View Shooting

1. Turn the camera's power switch to ⋖ON⋗.

2. Press the ⋖MENU⋗ button to dispaly the menu screen.

3. Press the ⋖ ⋗ button to select [ ] tab.

4. Turn the ⋖Main Dial⋗ to select [ ] tab.

You can also use ⋖ ⋗(Multi-controller).

5. Turn the ⋖Quick Control Dial⋗ to select [LV set.], then press the ⋖SET⋗ button.

6. Turn the ⋖Quick Control Dial⋗ to select [Stills] or [Movies], and then press the ⋖SET⋗ button.

7. Select [AF mode], the press the ⋖SET⋗ button.

8. Tuen the ⋖Quick Control Dial⋗ to select the desired AF mode, then press the ⋖SET⋗ button.

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9. Select the image-recording quality for still images or the movie-recording size for movies.

For still images, select [Quality] from the [ ] tab, press the ⋖SET⋗ button, and then select the image quality from the screen that appears.

For movies, select [Movie rec. size] from the [ ] tab, press the ⋖SET⋗ button, and then select the recording size from the screen that appears.

For more information about the image quality of still images and the recording size of movies, please refer to the instruction manuals that came with your camera.

10. Press the ⋖MENU⋗ button or press the shutter button halfway to turn off the menu screen.

11. When you press the ⋖ ⋗(Live View shooting) button, the Live View image will appear on the LCD monitor.

Part II Selecting the shooting mode

12. Press the ⋖MODE⋗ button, then turn the ⋖Main Dial⋗ or ⋖Quick Control Dial⋗ to select the shooting mode.

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To use AF to focus, please proceed to Part III 1-3. To focus manually, please proceed to Part III 4.

Part III describe common procedures for still photos and movies.

Part III-1. Using AF (Live Mode) to Focus

When [Live mode] ( ) is set:

The image sensor is used to focus. Although AF is possible with the Live View image displayed, the AF operation will take longer than with Quick mode. Also, achieving focus may be more difficult than with Quick mode.

[Live mode] is set by default.

13. The Live View image will appear on the LCD monitor with AF point.

You can use ⋖ ⋗(Multi-controller) to move the AF point to where you want to focus (it cannot go to the edges of the picture).

If you press ⋖ ⋗ straight down, the AF point will return to the image center.

12. Aim the AF point over the subject and press the shutter button halfway.

Please proceed to Part IV.

Part III-2. Using AF (Face detection Live Mode) to Focus

When [ (Face Detection) Live mode] is set:

With the same AF method as the Live mode, human faces are detected and focused. Have the target person face the camera.

13. The Live View image will appear on the LCD monitor.

When a face is detected, the [ ] frame will appear over the face to be focused.

If multiple faces are detected, [ ] will be displayed. Use the ⋖Multi-controller⋗ to move the ⋖ [ ] ⋗ frame over the target face.

14. Press the shutter button halfway and the camera will focus the face covered by the [ ] frame.

If a face cannot be detected, the AF point [ ] will be displayed and AF will be executed at the center.

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Notes when shooting in [ (Face detection) Live Mode]

If the focus is way off, face detection will not be possible. If the lens enables manual focusing even while the lens focus switch is set to ⋖AF⋗, turn the focusing ring to attain rough focus. The face will then be detected and [ [ ] ] will be displayed.

Face detection will not work if the face is very small or large in the picture, too bright or too dark, titled horizontally or diagonally, or partially hidden.

Please proceed to Part IV.

Part III-3. Using AF (Quick Mode) to Focus

When [Quick mode]( ) is set:

The dedicated AF sensor is used to focus in the same way as with viewfinder shooting. Although you can focus the desired area quickly, the Live View image will be interrupted momentarily during the AF operation.

13. Press the ⋖ ⋗(AF point selection) button to display [AF area selection mode] window.

Each time you press the ⋖M-fn⋗ button, the AF area selection mode changes.

14. Select the AF point.

The AF point selection will change in the direction you tilt the ⋖ ⋗(Multi-controller). If you press ⋖ ⋗ straight down, the center AF point (or center Zone) will be selected.

15. Aim the AF point over the subject and press the shutter button halfway.(Keep the shutter pressed.)

16. The Live View image will turn off, the reflex mirror will go back down, and AF will be executed. (No picture is taken.)

Please proceed to Part IV.

Part III. Focusing Manually

You can magnify the image and focus precisely manually.

9. Once you have proceeded up to Step 8 of Part I, set the lens focus mode switch to ⋖MF⋗.

10. Turn the lens focusing ring to focus roughly.

11. Use ⋖ ⋗(Multi-controller) to move the magnifying frame to the position where you want to focus.

If you press ⋖ ⋗ straight down, the AF point will return to the image center.

12. Press the ⋖ ⋗ (Magnifying) button to magnify the area within the frame.

Each time you press the ⋖ ⋗ button, the display format will change as follows:

Normal view -⋗ Approx. 5x -⋗ Approx. 10x -⋗ Normal view

13. While looking at the Live View image on the LCD monitor, turn the focusing ring to focus manually.

14. After achieving focus, press the ⋖ ⋗ (Magnifying) button to check the image composition in normal view.

Please proceed to Part IV.

Part IV. Shooting

After focus is achieved by following the instructions in Part III, start shooting.

To shoot still photos, press the shutter button completely.

Press ⋖ ⋗ button to end the Live View shooting.

To shoot movies, press the ⋖M-fn⋗ button.

While the movie is being shot, the " " mark will be displayed on the upper right of the screen.

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General Note for Live View Shooting

Please be aware of the following notes for Live View shooting.

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Notes About the Live View Image

Under low or bright light conditions, the Live View image might not reflect the brightness of the captured image.

If the light source within the image changes, the screen might flicker. If this happens, stop and resume the Live View shooting under the actual light source to be used.

If you point the camera in a different direction, it might throw off the Live View image's correct brightness momentarily. Wait until the brightness level stabilizes before shooting.

White [ ] and Red [ ] Internal Temperature Warning Icons

If the camera’s internal temperature increases due to prolonged Live View shooting or a high ambient temperature, a white [ ] icon will appear. If you continue shooting while this icon is displayed, the image quality of still photos may deteriorate. You should stop the Live View shooting and allow the camera to cool down before shooting again.

If the camera’s internal temperature further increases while the white [ ] icon is displayed, a red [ ] icon will start blinking. This blinking icon is a warning that the Live View shooting will soon be terminated automatically. If this happens, you will not be able to shoot again until the camera’s internal temperature decreases. Turn off the power and let the camera rest for a while.

Shooting with the Live View function at a high temperature for a prolonged period will cause the [ ] and [ ] icons to appear earlier. When not shooting, turn off the camera.

Live Mode and (Face Detection) Live Mode Notes

Focusing will take slightly longer.

Even when focus has been achieved, pressing the shutter button halfway will focus again.

The image brightness may change during and after the AF operation.

If the light source changes while the Live View image is displayed, the screen might flicker and focusing can be difficult. If this happens, stop the Live View shooting and autofocus under the actual light source first.

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