Are there any downsides to using the brightest AF point illumination setting on a Canon 1Ds?
Asked 4/24/2014
2 views
2 answers
0
My Canon 1Ds has a custom function to adjust autofocus point illumination brightness. I find the AF points much easier to see at the brightest setting. Aside from possibly using a bit more battery, are there any real drawbacks to leaving it there all the time? For example, could it reduce the life of the illumination, cause glare in the viewfinder, or create other issues?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
2
That's a new one on me.
But no, the battery life won't be noticeably shorter in standard use (via a quick search for "LED power drain") and LEDs like that will outlast the camera body (unless you start spending 100's on repairs to other parts of the body).
You personally could experience a slight loss of night vision if you're looking at the night sky or wildlife. And if you keep pressing the shutter down without your eye blocking that viewfinder then it would be a tiny bit more visible from elsewhere.
Other than that it's as Michael Clark 1 says in that it's to adjust to changing conditions.
Happy clicking!
Originally by user27617. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user27617
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
In practice, there’s little downside to using the brightest AF point illumination setting if it helps you see the points better.
Based on the community answers, the main trade-offs are:
- slightly more glare or light bleed in the viewfinder, depending on conditions
- a bit more impact on your night vision in very dark environments
- possibly making the viewfinder illumination a tiny bit more visible to others if your eye isn’t blocking it
Battery drain should be negligible in normal use, and the illumination source is unlikely to wear out in any meaningful way before the camera itself does. So this setting is mostly about visibility and personal preference rather than camera longevity or performance.
If the brightest setting helps you acquire AF points more easily, it’s reasonable to leave it there and only reduce it if you notice glare or you’re shooting in very dark situations where preserving night vision matters.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI12y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Why does the Canon 430EX III use flash pulses for AF assist by default instead of the infrared beam?
How can I see the autofocus points in a dark viewfinder on a Nikon D610?
Can the Canon EOS 50D autofocus with a half-press of the shutter in Live View?
Can you speed up AF point selection on the Fujifilm X-Pro1?
Why does my Canon 5DS only autofocus with the center AF point?