Canon EOS 50 - User Manual

QuickGuide to

EOS Custom Functions

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The Custom Functions included in Canon EOS DSLRs

allow you to customize your camera to suit your individual

style and preferences. They also allow you adjust

your camera to be more suitable for specific types of

photography, such as sports, macro, or low-light interiors.

EOS DSLRs with Camera User Settings also allow you

to save and recall up to three groups of Custom Function

Settings. This QuickGuide will explain how to access

Custom Functions, list the most commonly used functions,

and explain their value.

How to Access Custom Functions

All recent Canon EOS DSLRs have a Custom Function

(C.Fn) menu similar to the one above. The functions are

divided into four groups, each indicated by a Roman

numeral. Within each group are a set of numbered

functions. The number of available functions will vary by

camera model; however, we have listed some of the most

commonly available functions. To access C.Fns:
1. Press the Menu Button on back of camera.

2. EOS Rebel models:

Select the third Set-Up Menu

tab, using the Main Dial (Press SET, highlight Custom

Functions (C.Fn) with up/down keys, and press SET.)

Other EOS models:

Highlight the orange-colored tab

with camera icon

3. EOS Rebel models:

Use left/right control keys to

select the desired C.Fn.

Other EOS models:

Use the

Quick Control Dial (or Multi-controller Button) to select

one of the four groups.

4. Press the Set Button to display the list of C.Fns

available within a group.

5. Turn the Quick Control Dial (or Multi-controller Button)

to select a C.Fn.

6. Press the Set Button to display the options available

for the C.Fn you selected.

7. Highlight the C.Fn option you want (up/down keys

with Rebel models; Quick Control Dial or Multi-

controller with other models)

8. Press the Set Button to set the option you have

selected.

Press the Menu Button if you wish to return to the C.Fn

menu to change other C.Fns.

ISO Expansion (most EOS models)

All digital SLRs have a basic ISO range such as ISO

100~6400. Turning ISO Expansion ON will extend the

upper-end of the range by one or two stops. With cameras

that have a normal maximum of 6400, a one-stop increase

(H1) would equal ISO 12,800. H2 is possible on some

models and would double the ISO again, in this example

to ISO 25,600. Any time you expand the ISO you also

increase the amount of noise in your images.

EOS-1D, 1Ds, and 5D models also have an option for

an ISO 50-equivalent “L” setting. ISO 50 is useful for studio

flash photography when you want to use a wider aperture.

Note, however, that there will be approximately one less

stop of dynamic range in the highlights at ISO 50, which is

why this setting is normally locked-out. ISO 50 is also not

available during video recording.

Flash Sync Speed in Av Mode

0: Auto

—

In default Av mode all EOS SLRs set shutter

speeds that blend ambient light with flash. Shutter speeds

can range from 1/250 second (the maximum flash sync

speed) in bright light to 30 seconds (the longest available

shutter speed) in a dimly lit area. The result of slow-shutter

sync is natural-looking backgrounds, but with an increased

risk of image blur caused by camera or subject motion.

1

—

To reduce the risk of image blur the camera will choose

only shutter speeds between 1/250 - 1/60 second when set

to Av mode and a flash is connected.

2

—

To minimize risk of blurring, the camera will lock the

shutter speed at 1/250 (or 1/200) second when set to Av

mode and a flash is connected.

Note

: High-speed sync and slow-shutter sync are not

possible when this C.Fn is set to Option 1 or 2.

Long-Exposure Noise Reduction

Noise can build-up in images taken at long shutter speeds.

This C.Fn controls how the camera performs noise reduction

during long exposures.

0: Off

— This is the default option.

1: Auto

—

This will perform noise reduction on exposures

over 1 second if the camera detects a high pixel-to-pixel

variation in tones (i.e., noise). The “card busy” light will

remain active for the same length of time as the original

exposure. For example,

a shutter speed of 10 minutes

would require an additional 10 minutes for noise reduction—

however, you will be able to continue shooting as long as

the burst indicator in the viewfinder shows “1” or higher.

2: On

—

This will perform noise reduction on all exposures

of 1 second or longer.

Unlike Setting 1, however, you won’t

be able to continue shooting until the “card busy” light is off.

High ISO Noise Reduction

This C.Fn sets how much noise reduction the camera

performs on images shot at

all

ISO settings. The options are

Standard (0), Low (1), Strong (2) and Disable (3). Although

noise reduction is especially useful at high ISO speeds,

it also helps minimize shadow noise at low ISO speeds.

Because noise reduction smooths digital grain, it may also

reduce fine detail. In general, the less fine detail present

in an image, the higher the noise reduction setting can be.