When I set up my R5 about 1.5 years ago, I followed Jan Wegener's excellent R5 setup video that included how to set up the R5 for dual back button focus (https://youtu.be/-nnRqgXu7QI?t=457). It switched me from shutter button to back button focusing.I searched the forum and found the concept of triple back button focusing mentioned only a few times and only explained once (https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/66074892)But Jan's video didn't mention two things:Since I didn't know about them, and humanly next to impossible to dig everything out of the manual, I didn't know about them. I discovered them through a video that popped up on my YouTube suggestions (https://youtu.be/ilVOoUkghz0)The eye detection on other buttons is described in the manual (going at least as far back as firmware 1.2 and probably to the beginning). I just missed it after following Jan's directions when I was a newbie to the R5.As far as I could find, using the INFO button to lock the AF functions when setting AF to the AF-On and * buttons are not documented in the manual (at least I could not find it with a search). Note you can also set the Focus point select, DoF, and LENS to do AF, but they do NOT give the INFO=Lock Modes options.This video shows the function of the INFO button with the AF option with the AF-On and * buttons (only):https://youtu.be/ilVOoUkghz0It my limited experience in setting this feature, it appears that you can set it "globally" for all M, AV, and TV modes and then you have to set it up individually for the three (1 - 3) custom modes settings (there may be a better way, but that is what I had to do).The person in the video set the buttons differently than I did. I set the first button to force AI Servo with tracking mode 1, but I left the focusing type to be "-" (whatever it is set to). I then set the * button to be spot and the AF-spot button to Eye detection. In this way, I can pick the focus mode I want via the Q menu and then have spot and eye detection always available.For reference, below is the table in the manual

I just wanted to add that you donothave to set up the camera in back-button-focus for this work.Many of the the videos on setting up the R5 make it sound as if you have to remove autofocus from the shutter button to be able to use the AF-On and * buttons to change autofocus.I have the shutter, AF-On and * buttons all set to metering and AF start and set to face/subject tracking, spot and wide-zone respectively.

I'm not sure I understand what you wrote.VisuallyOriented wrote:I just wanted to add that you donothave to set up the camera in back-button-focus for this work.It is true that if you hold a button down with an AF function assigned to it, it will override the currently set focus mode on the half-press.An advantage of disabling the shutter button from controlling focus is that you can "focus and recompose" with multiple focus options.A lot of action shooters use the back button to "warm up" the focusing and then hit the shutter when the subject is in focus.Many of the the videos on setting up the R5 make it sound as if you have to remove autofocus from the shutter button to be able to use the AF-On and * buttons to change autofocus.True. You can get close to the same options without disabling the shutter button.I have the shutter, AF-On and * buttons all set to metering and AF start and set to face/subject tracking, spot and wide-zone respectively.This is the part I don't understand. AF-ON is the AF start button. Its not clear what is set to what.

Karl_Guttag wrote:I'm not sure I understand what you wrote.VisuallyOriented wrote:I just wanted to add that you donothave to set up the camera in back-button-focus for this work.It is true that if you hold a button down with an AF function assigned to it, it will override the currently set focus mode on the half-press.An advantage of disabling the shutter button from controlling focus is that you can "focus and recompose" with multiple focus options.A lot of action shooters use the back button to "warm up" the focusing and then hit the shutter when the subject is in focus.Many of the the videos on setting up the R5 make it sound as if you have to remove autofocus from the shutter button to be able to use the AF-On and * buttons to change autofocus.True. You can get close to the same options without disabling the shutter button.I have the shutter, AF-On and * buttons all set to metering and AF start and set to face/subject tracking, spot and wide-zone respectively.This is the part I don't understand. AF-ON is the AF start button. Its not clear what is set to what.Sorry to be pedantic, but there is no AF Start button. It is a function that can be activated via the Shutter button or by assigning it to a back button e.g. AF-On or *.On my R3 I have the Shutter button set to activate both AF Start and metering functions with the drive mode set to One Shot in the menu. I then have the AF-On button set to activate AF Start, metering, Subject Detection and Servo. When I press AF-On it overrides the Shutter button AF settings.Additionally, I have the * button set up the same as AF-On but without Subject Detection. There are lots of options depending on your needs.

I use the Triple BB focus, but with a different configuration.1st step: In AF-4 / Limit AF Methods: Deselect any AF methods you don't normally use.2nd step: Ctrl Fn 3/ Customize Buttons: Scroll down to AF Point Button (the far right of the "triple" set) and select: " Direct AF Method Selection".Now each time you press the AF Point Selection Button it will toggle instantly through your chosen AF methods as per Step-1, and you won't have to access any menu to change them.3rd step: Set the * button to Eye Detection (Note that Eye Detection only functions in the Face+tacking Mode, so no further Mode selection is necessary).With this configuration, pressing the AF On button, you'll be in whatever AF mode/method selected with the AF Point button, which you can instantly toggle to a different mode if desired.If/when the subject comes close you can press the * button an get Face+Tracking with Eye Detection.  Press the AF On button and your instantly back to the selected AF Mode.

cfieldgate wrote:Karl_Guttag wrote:I'm not sure I understand what you wrote.VisuallyOriented wrote:I just wanted to add that you donothave to set up the camera in back-button-focus for this work.It is true that if you hold a button down with an AF function assigned to it, it will override the currently set focus mode on the half-press.An advantage of disabling the shutter button from controlling focus is that you can "focus and recompose" with multiple focus options.A lot of action shooters use the back button to "warm up" the focusing and then hit the shutter when the subject is in focus.Many of the the videos on setting up the R5 make it sound as if you have to remove autofocus from the shutter button to be able to use the AF-On and * buttons to change autofocus.True. You can get close to the same options without disabling the shutter button.I have the shutter, AF-On and * buttons all set to metering and AF start and set to face/subject tracking, spot and wide-zone respectively.This is the part I don't understand. AF-ON is the AF start button. Its not clear what is set to what.Sorry to be pedantic, but there is no AF Start button. It is a function that can be activated via the Shutter button or by assigning it to a back button e.g. AF-On or *.Tell it to Canon. The button with the labelAF-Onis called theAF Start Buttonin 4 places.  From page 83 of the latest R5 Manual (AF Start Button is highlighted).On my R3 I have the Shutter button set to activate both AF Start and metering functions with the drive mode set to One Shot in the menu. I then have the AF-On button set to activate AF Start, metering, Subject Detection and Servo. When I press AF-On it overrides the Shutter button AF settings.Additionally, I have the * button set up the same as AF-On but without Subject Detection. There are lots of options depending on your needs.It comes down to what works for you with your style of shooting. Many people, including pros think that AI Servo has become so good that one-shot AF is unnecessary. They use the back button when necessary to do the focus and compose that traditionally was done with the half-press.

Thanks. I also appreciate the complete explanation.I have heard variations of this before (I think people suggest putting the focus mode selection on the M-fn button.Thinking about it, the triple-back button approach may work better for me. It lets one instantly switch modes without toggling through a critical moment. Sometimes when I am having trouble with a tricky subject, I will try a couple of modes back and forth. I never used zone focusing in the last year. I also always want a spot, subject tracking, or eye tracking.Leigh A. Wax wrote:I use the Triple BB focus, but with a different configuration.1st step: In AF-4 / Limit AF Methods: Deselect any AF methods you don't normally use.2nd step: Ctrl Fn 3/ Customize Buttons: Scroll down to AF Point Button (the far right of the "triple" set) and select: " Direct AF Method Selection".Now each time you press the AF Point Selection Button it will toggle instantly through your chosen AF methods as per Step-1, and you won't have to access any menu to change them.3rd step: Set the * button to Eye Detection (Note that Eye Detection only functions in the Face+tacking Mode, so no further Mode selection is necessary).With this configuration, pressing the AF On button, you'll be in whatever AF mode/method selected with the AF Point button, which you can instantly toggle to a different mode if desired.If/when the subject comes close you can press the * button an get Face+Tracking with Eye Detection. Press the AF On button and your instantly back to the selected AF Mode.

Indeed, you are correct - even Canon have muddled this up. However, it’s crazy to name the same button twice. What they are trying to say is that the AF-On button can activate the AF Start function. They list AF Start as a function in several places. But I grant you they do use the name AF Start button in the manual.

Karl_Guttag wrote:I have heard variations of this before (I think people suggest putting the focus mode selection on the M-fn button.Yep, everybody has their favorite custom configuration.In fact, I program the lens’ Control Ring for Focus Method (just spin right through them).  Fast and easy.  I always shoot in full manual, so the other threee dials are used for exposure settings (SS, Aperture, and ISO).  No need to take up a dial for Exposure Compensation.That leaves the M-Fn button for switching through the C modes.  Love this on my R5.  Miss it on my R6ii.Thinking about it, the triple-back button approach may work better for me. It lets one instantly switch modes without toggling through a critical moment. Sometimes when I am having trouble with a tricky subject, I will try a couple of modes back and forth.Me too.  I’m always going back and forth between the two.  The R5’s button setup is nice in that you can just lean your thumb over to hit the * button, without having to actually reposition it (like you have to do with for instance the R7).I never used zone focusing in the last year. I also always want a spot, subject tracking, or eye tracking.I just wish Canon had made that third BBAF button on the far right more configurable (with the Info button) like the other 2 are.  Would have been more useful to me for BBAF.It’ll be interesting to see what the new R5 firmware update does.  I don’t think it’ll be a full revamp like the R6ii’s firmware, but some AF enhancements would be nice.R2

R2D2 wrote:Karl_Guttag wrote:I have heard variations of this before (I think people suggest putting the focus mode selection on the M-fn button.Yep, everybody has their favorite custom configuration.In fact, I program the lens’ Control Ring for Focus Method (just spin right through them). Fast and easy. I always shoot in full manual, so the other threee dials are used for exposure settings (SS, Aperture, and ISO). No need to take up a dial for Exposure Compensation.Yikes😁, I would be scared to do that with the control ring in different places on different lenses. I would be afraid of accidentally switching the focus mode. I have put ISO on the control ring, and it still gets messed up by accidental turning of the ring.That leaves the M-Fn button for switching through the C modes. Love this on my R5. Miss it on my R6ii.Thinking about it, the triple-back button approach may work better for me. It lets one instantly switch modes without toggling through a critical moment. Sometimes when I am having trouble with a tricky subject, I will try a couple of modes back and forth.Me too. I’m always going back and forth between the two. The R5’s button setup is nice in that you can just lean your thumb over to hit the * button, without having to actually reposition it (like you have to do with for instance the R7).I never used zone focusing in the last year. I also always want a spot, subject tracking, or eye tracking.I just wish Canon had made that third BBAF button on the far right more configurable (with the Info button) like the other 2 are. Would have been more useful to me for BBAF.Agreed. It would also be simpler from a user perspective if the three back buttons could be programmed the same way.It’ll be interesting to see what the new R5 firmware update does. I don’t think it’ll be a full revamp like the R6ii’s firmware, but some AF enhancements would be nice.R2Looking forward to it too.

Karl_Guttag wrote:I have heard variations of this before (I think people suggest putting the focus mode selection on the M-fn button..The M-fn button is the only one that can toggle shooting modes, M-C1-C2-C3 for me, so that wouldn't be a choice for me.