Changing the AF Mode to Use the Live View Function to Shoot Still Photos and Movies (EOS REBEL T4i/EOS 650D)

Article ID: ART135033 | Date published: 05/13/2015 | Date last updated: 09/29/2015
 

Description

Changing the AF Mode to Use the Live View Function to Shoot Still Photos and Movies (EOS REBEL T4i/EOS 650D)

Solution

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. Turn the Mode Dial to set the shooting mode.

To use AF to focus, please proceed to Part II. To focus manually, please proceed to Part III.
Part II, and III describe common procedures for still photos and movies.
You can shoot also using the shutter button in all shooting modes. For details, see the instruction manual supplied with the camera.

Part II. Selecting the AF Mode

3. Set the lens focus mode switch to <AF>.

4. Make sure that the camera is ready to take shots, and then press the <MENU> button.

5. Press the <Cross Keys> to select tabs on the MENU screen.
  • To shoot still photos, select the [ ] tab, and then select [Enable] in the [Live View shoot.] option.
  • To shoot movies, select the [ ] tub.

6. Select the [AF method], and then press the <SET> button.

7. Select the AF mode, and then press the <SET> button.

NOTE
While the image is displayed on the LCD monitor, pressing the < > button will enable you to set the AF mode etc. on the Quick Control Screen
For more information, please refer to the instruction manuals that came with your camera.

8. Select the image-recording quality for still images or the movie-recording size for movies.
  • For still images, select [Image 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.

9. To shoot still photos, press the < > (Live View shooting/Movie shooting) button, or to shoot movies, press the <MENU> button, and then close the menu window. An image will appear on the LCD monitor.

Please proceed to Part II 1 to 3 depending on the AF mode setting.

Part II-1 Using AF (Face+Tracking) to Focus

When [ (face)+Tracking ] is set:
Human faces are detected and focused. If a face moves, the AF point <> also moves to track the face.

10. The subject's face is focused.
  • When a face is detected, the [ ] AF point will appear over the face to be focused.
  • If multiple faces are detected, [ ] will be displayed. Press the <Cross Keys> to move the [ ] frame over the desired target face.
  • You can also tap the LCD monitor screen to select the face or subject. If the subject is not a face, [ ] will be displayed.
  • If the face is not detected or the face or subject is not selected when you touch the screen, the camera switches to 31-point auto selection for Flexi-Zone Multi.

11. Press the shutter button halfway to focus the [ ] face.

  • When focus is achieved, the AF point will turn green and the beeper will sound.
  • If focus is not achieved, the AF point will turn orange.

CAUTION
  • If the focus is far off, face detection will not be possible. If you set
[Continuous AF] to [Enable], you can prevent the image from becoming greatly out of focus.
  • An object other than a human face may be detected as a face.
  • Face detection will not work if the face is very small or large in the picture, too bright or too dark, or partially hidden.
  • The [ ] may cover only part of the face.
NOTE
Since AF is not possible with a face detected near the edge of the picture, the [ ] will be grayed out. Press the shutter button halfway in this state to focus a subject that is basically in the near distance.

Please proceed to Part IV.

Part II-2. AF Using AF (FlexiZone - Multi) to Focus

[FlexiZone - Multi] is an AF method that makes it easy to focus a moving subject. Up to 31 AF points (automatically selected) covering a wide area can be used to focus (31-point auto selection). This wide area can also be divided into 9 zones for focusing (zone selection).

10. Select the AF zone.
  • When you press the <> or <> button, you switch between 31-point automatic selection and zone selection. In Basic Zone modes, automatic selection is set automatically.
  • In zone selection, select the zone with the <Cross Keys>. To return to the center zone, press < > or the < > button again.
  • You can also tap the LCD monitor screen to select a zone. When a zone is selected, tap [ ] on the screen to switch to automatic selection.

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

  • When focus is achieved, the AF point will turn green and the beeper will sound.
  • If focus is not achieved, the area frame will turn orange.

CAUTION
Notes on Shooting in [FlexiZone - Multi]
  • For movie shooting, there will be 21 AF points (or 25 AF points if [640x480] is set) and three zones (or 9 zones if [640x480] is set).

Please proceed to Part IV.

Part II-3. Using AF (FlexiZone - Single) to Focus

When [FlexiZone - Single] is set:
Since only one AF point is used to focus, you can focus the target subject.

10. Move the AF point.
  • Press the <Cross key> to move the AF point to where you want to focus. (It cannot go to the edges of the picture.)
  • To return the AF point to the center, press < > or the < > button.
  • You can also tap the LCD monitor screen to move the AF point.

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

  • When focus is achieved, the AF point will turn green and the beeper will sound.
  • If focus is not achieved, the AF point will turn orange.

Please proceed to Part IV.

Part II-4. Using AF (Quick Mode) to Focus

When [Quick Mode] is set:
The dedicated AF sensor is used to focus in One-Shot AF operation, using the same AF method as with viewfinder shooting. You can use nine AF points to focus (9-point automatic selection). You can also select one AF point to focus and focus only the area covered by that AF point (manually selected).
Although you can focus the target subject quickly, the Live View image will be interrupted momentarily during the AF operation.

10. The small frames inside the screen are the AF points.

11. Select the AF point.
  • Pressing < > or the < > button will toggle between automatic selection and manual selection. In Basic Zone modes, automatic selection is set automatically.
  • Set the desired selection state and press the <Cross Keys> to set the focus to the selected AF point. To return the AF point to the center, press < > or the < > button.
  • You can also tap the LCD monitor screen to select the AF point. During
manual selection, tap [ ] on the screen to switch to automatic selection.

13. Aim the AF point over the subject and press the shutter button halfway. (Hold the button.)

14. The Live View image will turn off, the reflex mirror will go back down, and AF will be executed. (No picture is taken.)
  • When focus is achieved, the AF point that achieved focus will turn green and the Live View image will reappear.
  • If focus is not achieved, the AF point will turn orange and blink.

NOTE
  • When [Quick mode] is set, [Continuous AF] cannot be set.
  • The [Quick mode] cannot be set for movie shooting.
  • You cannot take a picture during autofocusing. Take the picture while the Live View image is displayed.

Please proceed to Part IV.

Part III. Focusing Manually

You can magnify the image and focus precisely manually.

3. Once you have proceeded up to Step 2 of Part I, set the lens focus mode switch to <MF>.

4. To shoot still photos, make sure that the camera is ready to take shots, and then press the < >(Live View shooting) button.

5. The Live View image will appear on the LCD monitor.
Turn the lens focusing ring to focus roughly.

6. Press <> to display the magnifying frame.

7. Press the <Cross Keys> to move the magnifying frame to the position where you want to focus.
To return the magnifying frame to the center, press < > or the < > button.

8. Press the < > button to magnify the area within the frame.

Each time you press the <> button, the magnification within the frame will change as follows:
Normal view -> Approx. 5x -> Approx. 10x -> Normal view

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

9. After achieving focus, press the < > button to check the image composition in normal view.

Part IV. Shooting

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

To shoot still photos, press the shutter button completely.
  • The picture will be taken and the captured image is displayed on the LCD monitor.
  • After the image review ends, the camera will return to Live View shooting automatically.

To shoot movies, press < >.
  • To stop shooting the movie, press < > again.
  • While the movie is being shot, the " " mark will be displayed on the upper right of the screen.


General Note for Live View Shooting

Please be aware of the following notes for Live View shooting.
CAUTION
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 [ ] Temperature Warning Icons
  • If the camera's 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 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 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.
Notes About [ +Tracking], [FlexiZone - Multi], and [FlexiZone - Single]
  • Focusing will take longer than with [Quick mode].
  • 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 may flicker and focusing may be difficult. If this happens, exit Live View shooting and autofocus under the actual light source.
  • When [FlexiZone - Multi] is set and you press the <
    > button (or tap [ ] on the screen), the center of the selected zone (or image center with automatic selection) will be magnified. If you press the shutter button halfway, the display will return to normal and the camera will focus.
  • When [FlexiZone - Single] is set and you press the < > button (or tap [ ] on the screen), the area covered by the AF point will be magnified. Press the shutter button halfway to focus while in the magnified view. This is effective when the camera is attached to a tripod and you need to attain very precise focus. If focusing is difficult in the magnified view, return to the normal display and use AF. Note that the AF speed may differ between the normal and magnified views.
  • If you magnify the view after focusing with [FlexiZone - Multi] or [FlexiZone - Single] in the normal view, it may not look focused.
  • If [ + Tracking] is set, magnified view is not possible.

NOTE
When shooting with the camera connected to a TV
If you shoot in Live View with the camera connected to a TV, you can use the TV screen as the LCD monitor. This is convenient when you want to enlarge what you want to shoot to check the details. However, when connecting the camera to the TV with an HDMI cable, please be aware of the following points.
  • When the camera is connected to a TV set via HDMI cable, the camera will read the information on the TV set's compatible video input signals. The camera then selects the optimum video output signal (1080/60i, 1080/50i, 480/60p, or 576/50p) and the video is displayed.
  • When you are not shooting, the camera outputs the video at the ratio displayed on the LCD monitor as is, so it is not possible to use the whole screen for a 16:9 display.
  • When movie shooting starts, the video signal will automatically switch to 480/60p or 576/50p due to the imaging engine's compatible limits, resulting in a smaller image size (the size will vary according to the size of the TV screen). However, many HD TV sets will automatically try and fit the image to 16:9, so it will look unnatural with the image stretched horizontally.
  • If you connect the camera to a TV set and shoot a movie, the TV will not output any sound during the shooting. However, the sound will be properly recorded.
For more information on how to connect a camera to a TV, please refer to the instruction manuals that came with your camera.


Live View Shooting (Photos) with the Default Settings (EOS REBEL T4i/EOS 650D) Shooting movies with the default settings(EOS REBEL T4i/EOS 650D)

SIMS Doc Id

8201509600

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