General Canon T3i question or maybe two

[NorBro]

I like my new T3i. I eventually read every manual I get for a new piece of equipment from the first to the last page, but just some quick thoughts...

(1) Is there a way to turn off the autoexposure while focusing. I've tried the various modes, but the exposure always is affected. I'm assuming the sensor just does this automatically and needs the auto adjustment to be able to focus. I want just autofocus..no light changes...

(2) Is Class 6 enough??

(3) I've read a few threads about this and tried the recommendations but still nothing. I'm trying to turn off the picture taking when holding down the shutter. No matter what mode I'm in, it eventually still takes a snapshot after autofocusing...

Thank you!!

 

[c3hammer]

No, no and no from what I have tried. Auto focus while in live view works effitiently in precious few intances IMHO. Load up Magic lantern and use focus peaking. It is immeasurably faster than the auto focus when in live view (the only option when in video mode).

Cheers,
Pete

 

[Samuel H]

I've had no problems with class6, but maybe class10 would be better

 

[NorBro]

Did some reading today...yea, class 6 and higher is okay according to manual, but I will use 10 just to be safe. As far as the snapshot, if I'm in the mode where I focus with the other button, it solves the problem as I can't take a picture with that one..

I am going to install magic lantern soon.

Is there anyway to check the firmware you have currently installed on the camera?

And not being able to use the EVF while shooting video is weak!

 

[deltoidjohn]

Class 6 is generally ok as long as you have a good brand, and you regularly format your cards. Failure to regularly fomat can lead to poor card performance and increases the likelihood of failure or corruption. Always buy your cards from a reputable dealer to ensure they are not counterfiet products.

What do you mean about the EVF not being available when shooting video? The t3i does not have an EVF. It has an optical viewfinder and an LCD screen. The Optical viewfinder works by placing a mirror in front of the sensor to redirect the image to the eyepiece, hence blocking any light from reaching the sensor. It is not possible to have both video and the OVF working at the same time using a DSLR design. However you can turn the LCD into an EVF by using a viewfinder attachment such as the Zacuto Z-finder or LCDVF, or you can at an external EVF.

To see your current firmware, go to the menu, choose the 3rd set-up tab (yellow square with spanner icon) and scroll down. You might need to put the camera in stills mode first, otherwise the 3rd set-up tab might be unavailable.

 

[NorBro]

Thanks for that!

About the VF, understood.

Firmware...I think I had the newest one, but I just ran the latest just in case.

Class 6 is generally ok as long as you have a good brand, and you regularly format your cards. Failure to regularly fomat can lead to poor card performance and increases the likelihood of failure or corruption. Always buy your cards from a reputable dealer to ensure they are not counterfiet products.

What do you mean about the EVF not being available when shooting video? The t3i does not have an EVF. It has an optical viewfinder and an LCD screen. The Optical viewfinder works by placing a mirror in front of the sensor to redirect the image to the eyepiece, hence blocking any light from reaching the sensor. It is not possible to have both video and the OVF working at the same time using a DSLR design. However you can turn the LCD into an EVF by using a viewfinder attachment such as the Zacuto Z-finder or LCDVF, or you can at an external EVF.

To see your current firmware, go to the menu, choose the 3rd set-up tab (yellow square with spanner icon) and scroll down. You might need to put the camera in stills mode first, otherwise the 3rd set-up tab might be unavailable.

 

[Bruce Foreman]

I like my new T3i. I eventually read every manual I get for a new piece of equipment from the first to the last page, but just some quick thoughts...

(1) Is there a way to turn off the autoexposure while focusing. I've tried the various modes, but the exposure always is affected. I'm assuming the sensor just does this automatically and needs the auto adjustment to be able to focus. I want just autofocus..no light changes...

The contrast detection autofocus requires lots of light to work so the camera will automatically do this. There is no way to turn it off. Best way to get around it is to focus manually. The T3i gives you 5x and 10x magnification by pressing one of the buttons at the top right of the back of the camera. Focusing manually is an acquired skill (meaning if you don't practice it you don't acquire it). This was something we had to learn in the long past days before autofocus.

(2) Is Class 6 enough??

Yes, but I advise SanDisk brand as that seems to be one of the two brands I've seen very few problems reported. I've been following brand performance and problem reports for the last 2 and a half years. B&H has fairly low prices on SanDisk Extreme Class (10) cards (I just got 2 16GB at $29.95 each).

"Bargain brand" cards can let you down when you least expect it. Avoid Patriot, A-Data, Dane-Elec, and any "house brands" you've never heard of. The most counterfeited brand media on the market is SanDisk so that should tell you something. As someone else pointed out, buy only from reputable dealers (B&H is my choice) and avoid ebay vendors like the plague.

(3) I've read a few threads about this and tried the recommendations but still nothing. I'm trying to turn off the picture taking when holding down the shutter. No matter what mode I'm in, it eventually still takes a snapshot after autofocusing...

Thank you!!

That's because you're pressing down just a tad too hard on the shutter button. You've already shifted autofocus to a back button but when you use the shutter button to autofocus press very lightly so the button only goes halfway. Just the same work on mastering manual focus, that will not let you down.