5 Simple Tips for Using Touch & Drag (Canon R6)

A common complaint we've heard from students who recently switched to the Canon R6 (or any other Canon mirrorless camera), is that they can't get used to the touch and drag AF. While this does take some getting used to, I believe that mastering this tool unlocks the true potential of the Canon R6. So in today's video I'm sharing 5 tips that will help you master Touch and Drag so you can get the most out of your mirrorless camera!
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Пікірлер: 64

  • @jfrw
    @jfrw9 ай бұрын

    Thank you Katelyn for an excellent explanation on how to use Touch and Drag. I have been struggling with the complexities of the multiple combinations of possible settings on the R6. Your explanation has made it absolutely clear where I was going wrong with my misunderstanding of the menu regarding Touch and Drag. Also, you pointed out the brilliant Tap/Focus and Shoot I was completely unaware of, which works as a fantastic override alternative to selecting a focus point before using Back Button focus. At last it makes sense! Thank you.

  • @lindabonskowski7165
    @lindabonskowski71659 ай бұрын

    Thank you Katelyn !! I didn't even know my R6 would do that!! Can't wait to try it!! I have trouble getting the camera to focus on where I want it to, even when I move the toggle around.

  • @DavidDavis-FA-photog
    @DavidDavis-FA-photog6 ай бұрын

    Just got a R6 MkII and I can tell the T&D will take some getting used to.

  • @michaeloconnor3580
    @michaeloconnor35808 ай бұрын

    Excellent explanation of subtle yet important technique. Thanks!

  • @XHItube
    @XHItube8 ай бұрын

    Thank you for compiling these tips! I do people wearing glasses or who are left-eye dominant might struggle with the touch and drag a bit more.

  • @cll2409
    @cll24099 ай бұрын

    Thank you! I have had my R6 for 2.5 years now but never got used to the touch and drag! I will make a point to really try it again! Haha! Thank you!

  • @suerichardson1289
    @suerichardson12893 ай бұрын

    Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This info is so helpful!!❤️

  • @annettehurd9391
    @annettehurd93919 ай бұрын

    Getting ready to buy this camera…great tips. Thanks

  • @KevKevAllen
    @KevKevAllenАй бұрын

    For me, the touch and drag is the second best feature of the mirrorless systems - the best feature has to be, hands down, without a doubt, the electronic view finder and being able to see what the final photo will look like before I even hit the shutter button. 😍🤩 I'm just an amateur photographer, and using a DSLR would take me so long to figure out the manual settings that I'd get frustrated and give up or by the time I finally figured out the settings the moment would have passed. Having the electronic view finder (combined with the Control Ring on the R system lenses) means I have all three points of the exposure triangle on physical adjustment mechanisms and can adjust on the fly, seeing the change in real time as I turn the dials, and it now takes me seconds to set up a shot instead of literal minutes. Before my Canon RP, I only ever owned point-and-shoot cameras and occasionally borrowed a DSLR from a family member or friend - as soon as Canon announced they were going to launch a mirrorless camera with the electronic view finder that showed the final image in real time, I started saving my pennies. Haven't touched a point-and-shoot since, I'm loving every moment with my Canon RP. 🥰

  • @burnetthale8938
    @burnetthale89388 ай бұрын

    Don't often comment on KZread videos. But I had to take the time to say. You did an amazing job, I'm considering picking up this camera the actually the R6 mk2 used to be a wedding Photographer in the past and have retired. I'm getting the itch again. This would make my life so much easier. You did such a beautiful job of explaining it? Keep up the great work. I am really enjoying your channel.

  • @ishanagarwalphotography
    @ishanagarwalphotography9 ай бұрын

    This was really helpful got my first mirrorless R5C esrlier using 60D 5Dmarkiii

  • @BryantDevon
    @BryantDevon2 ай бұрын

    Oh wow! I didn't realize I innately do that tilt when I put my camera up to my eye. I have a protruding eye bridge so I naturally do it. I swapped my camera to touch and drag watching this and I am in loveeee! I can't wait to use it for my next shoot!

  • @lightcreativeart
    @lightcreativeart9 ай бұрын

    I've been using my R6 for about a year & had no idea this touch & drag feature exists. About to go try it out in a session I have in 2 hours! THANK YOU!

  • @bolanos171

    @bolanos171

    8 ай бұрын

    We need an update. How did it work out for you?

  • @lightcreativeart

    @lightcreativeart

    8 ай бұрын

    @@bolanos171 Honestly, I forgot about it for most of the session! It was helpful when I remembered, but just felt a little clunky since I'm not used to using the feature yet and I'm trying to figure out which thumb I want to use for the touch & drag. I use the eye auto focus a lot for portraits, so that works most of the time, but I can see this being helpful as I try it out more.

  • @bkpeary
    @bkpeary9 ай бұрын

    Thank you for this!

  • @maggiecollinsphotography195
    @maggiecollinsphotography1957 ай бұрын

    Love all these tips I can't wait to try them. So do you not use eye detection at all?

  • @jenniferhoneycutt8549
    @jenniferhoneycutt85499 ай бұрын

    That last tip is SOOOOO helpful! My nose always messes up my focus point!!!!! LOL!

  • @gabrielleelisha4719
    @gabrielleelisha47199 ай бұрын

    I never even knew about this and have been shooting on the r6 for TWO years!!! This is going to be a game changer for weddings! Thanks Katelyn!

  • @thats_mr_b_

    @thats_mr_b_

    9 ай бұрын

    Dang 2 years!! I feel it's been a thing since 2018. Used it on my Canon M50

  • @lindabonskowski7165

    @lindabonskowski7165

    9 ай бұрын

    I've had mine almost that long and didn't know about it either! LOL

  • @PetrS

    @PetrS

    6 күн бұрын

    Thats why IT guys say RTFM! (Read the fucking manual) 😂

  • @lynntennillephotography1873
    @lynntennillephotography18738 ай бұрын

    This is amazing!!! Thank you!! I can't wait to try it! My R6 is very new and I have ALOT to learn!!! Having the hardest time with color/white balance... So different than the Mark IV. How do I become a member of the FB group?? I like your page, but didn't know about the community/group??

  • @largefamilyruralliving7434
    @largefamilyruralliving74346 ай бұрын

    Sounds like something i could really benefit from, thanks.

  • @rickfarber4243
    @rickfarber42439 ай бұрын

    Thanks for another helpful video. With Canon's sophisticated eye-tracking and face-tracking AF capabilities, do you find that simply using one of those features can make it unnecessary to set the focus point manually?

  • @gsanchez922
    @gsanchez9229 ай бұрын

    After I found touch & drag my life is so much easier. I used left side of the screen on permanent position since I always use the grip

  • @slydon75
    @slydon758 ай бұрын

    Thank you!!!

  • @jennab.7421
    @jennab.74216 ай бұрын

    Katelyn, I just bought the R6 MII and I'm in love!!!! I do want to know if you turn on the Whole Area Tracking Servo AF setting or if you leave it off and just have your focus point stay in the same position while constantly refocusing if you or your subject move. I'm not sure if the original R6 has this feature. But I've been playing around with it and I feel like it's pretty nifty, but I want to know your thoughts/ pros/ cons if you have any. Also, if anyone else would like to chime in, feel free. Thanks!

  • @AdamQuinnPhoto
    @AdamQuinnPhoto9 ай бұрын

    I see what you're getting at Katelyn but something I've picked up from sports shooting is back-button focusing so if I want to spot-focus on some part of a frame for a portrait I center up on that spot, focus using the back button AF ON button, let go, recompose, and shoot. I also love that I can set the AF ON button to center spot focus and set the * button to Eye AF so I can select the AF mode I want with different but adjacent back buttons while the shutter release button only releases the shutter (or activates exposure calculations if I'm shooting in shutter or aperture priority). Oh -- and I ALWAYS have the back screen flipped in toward the camera so that it's protected and not drawing down the battery. 🙂

  • @dayeah765caoni3

    @dayeah765caoni3

    9 ай бұрын

    Focus -recompose is a no-go for mirrorless. My ef 85mm f1.2 nails the eye focus EVERY time on my R6. 6D? No way

  • @AdamQuinnPhoto

    @AdamQuinnPhoto

    9 ай бұрын

    @@dayeah765caoni3 Focus and recompose is easy when you separate the buttons responsible for AF -- center spot or Eye AF -- from the shutter release. I use this technique all the time on my R6 and not just for sports. Yes, Eye AF is great -- except when it locks onto the wrong person's eyes. Adjust, get focus on the right target and then as long as they aren't moving recompose and shoot. Easy peasy... and your creative options are multiplied a thousandfold.

  • @stephaniehopkins8228
    @stephaniehopkins82289 ай бұрын

    I really need to give the touch and drag another try! My main issue with focus is usually during wedding ceremonies when the couple is facing each other and the officiant is facing forward, and the camera focus wants to stay/divert back to the officiant. How do you combat this issue? Thanks for these tips!

  • @joncothranphotography9375
    @joncothranphotography93759 ай бұрын

    R6 is my next camera. I had planed on the 5D iv, but you have changed my mind...

  • @kailawhited3469
    @kailawhited34698 ай бұрын

    Can you switch between touch and drag and the eye focus setting? Or can they both be enabled at the same time?

  • @sstokoe2301
    @sstokoe23019 ай бұрын

    You are AWESOME!

  • @TimFurman123
    @TimFurman1238 ай бұрын

    I've come to love touch and drag but it wasn't easy. Resting my nose on the back of my thumb with some pressure seemed to be a help, and then getting into the habit of refreshing the touch (releasing my thumb, retouching the screen) seemed to make the system gel for me. Now I rely on way more than auto-eye detect, which I do keep as an option on a button just in case. I hated touch and drag for the longest time but I hung in there with it and now I'm addicted. Btw, people are saying you can't do this with the left eye, but I do--- I think it's the resting of my nose on my thumb. I push into it a little. This just seems to firm it all up for me for some reason. And my nose is nothing to sneeze at. I mean, honk!

  • @katpis9121
    @katpis91217 ай бұрын

    I could be a newb, but when using the dual pixel auto focus and it catches the eye when would u want to move the point from the eye

  • @robdtoys
    @robdtoys9 ай бұрын

    I shoot with my left eye to the viewfinder and my nose is always in the way. I use the multi controller. I might have to give this a try.

  • @AdamQuinnPhoto

    @AdamQuinnPhoto

    9 ай бұрын

    I realize this isn't a channel for sports photography but the only time I ever move the focus point is when I'm doing spot AF, continual focus and want to have the focus point somewhere besides the dead center of the frame. (And I presume you know that if you are manually repositioning the focus point that pressing the "SET" button in the middle of the scroll wheel on the back will put the focus point back in the dead center.)

  • @CarolineSpiz
    @CarolineSpiz7 ай бұрын

    Regarding the "head tilt" thing, another issue is which eye is your dominant eye. I have an issue where I'm right handed but left eye dominant so my nose is almost always in the way of my thumb when I'm trying to touch and drag my AF point. I haven't found a great solution to this other than using my touch screen as my viewfinder a bit more often. I don't care for that solution since it feels really unnatural to me coming from a dSLR/film background, not to mention the contrast issues on a sunnier day. I found that I started using face tracking as kind of a hybrid approach. I leave my AF point in a spot that's close enough, half press to focus and grab a face, recompose if I need to (keeping the shutter half pressed), then take the shot. Feels a little clunky, but less clunky than my thumb always crashing into my nose.

  • @betterpixs
    @betterpixs7 ай бұрын

    I love my Canon R6 and R6 ii. Plenty of camera for most professionals too.

  • @derekp9528
    @derekp9528Ай бұрын

    I’m using touch and drag but the auto focus is still grabbing different subjects other than the one I am picking. Any advice on this?

  • @jlawr4427
    @jlawr44278 ай бұрын

    I'm left-eyed. My focus point is always set to the center. If I use eye tracking, I lock on the eye I want and re-compose. The blue square stays on that eye, even if that eye winds up near the edge of the frame. I use back button focus for one shot. I focus on the object I want and re-compose. Even though the green box has now moved, I've locked focus on my subject, and it stays in focus. Works for me. Such is the life of a left-eyed shooter.

  • @klmigut
    @klmigut9 ай бұрын

    How do I get into on joining your Facebook groups?

  • @speakingconstitution
    @speakingconstitution9 ай бұрын

    Oh-My-Goodness, if you haven’t utilized this you are missing out! It was a total game changer for me also. I have fairly small hands so I have mine set for the right side. And if you’re also into photographing multicolor or really dark haired pets, we have a dalmation & the eye detect for the most part is useless & so having the convenience of touch & drag has revolutionized how I get sharp eyed photos of pets whose eyes are hard for the auto eye detect to lock on to.

  • @carpemomentumfoto
    @carpemomentumfoto9 ай бұрын

    These tips are great Katelyn, unless you use your left eye to look through the viewfinder like me. If you try looking through with your left eye and try to use this you'll quickly realize that even a modest nose (smaller than mine) will render this function pretty much useless. ;)

  • @robigerovasilisphotography

    @robigerovasilisphotography

    9 ай бұрын

    Totally agree..I use my left eye also so the joystick is my best friend. I find the joystick so easy and I bump up the ease it moves too which makes it even easier.

  • @carpemomentumfoto

    @carpemomentumfoto

    9 ай бұрын

    @robigerovasilisphotography absolutely! Love that joystick!

  • @marionmeakem9823

    @marionmeakem9823

    9 ай бұрын

    Omg, is THIS why I can't figure out touch and drag? I'm a left-eyed photog as well. Joystick for the win.

  • @dark3nough
    @dark3nough9 ай бұрын

    You are the bees knees KJ. 1st. The explanation is excellent except for that left hander person. one of the best things about your channel is you're a real human photographer. What I mean to say is you don't change cameras at a whim. I enjoy that you are faithful as you learn to use your r6. Thank you so much for sharing with me. .. us.

  • @latuss8312
    @latuss83129 ай бұрын

    This camera lens is 28 70?

  • @SusanneGeert
    @SusanneGeert9 ай бұрын

    Thanks for sharing these lovely tips 🙌QUESTION: I *cannot* understand tip number 4. I have watched it several times now and still don't understand it...😶😂 And I really want to because there is no way I can use the top part of my screen simply due to the size of my hands. So, if I shoot with my right hand, do you mean that I should hold the lens (= the weight of the camera) in my left hand? Even if I do that I can't reach to the left side of the top of the screen. Sure, I can just assign the right side of the screen to touch and drag - instead of top part of screen. But I wan't to make sure I understand this correctly and not missing something key. Because I have a very "normal hand size" 😂 so I figure I should be able to do the same that you do. Can yo maybe try to put a few more words to this? Thanks in advance ☺

  • @derbagger22
    @derbagger229 ай бұрын

    You should see my eye cup from taking my R6 to Hawai'i and going a little heavy on the sunscreen...

  • @jeffsellenrick6635
    @jeffsellenrick66359 ай бұрын

    No, those of us who dislike this feature do not “misunderstand” the focus system. And it’s not because we “haven’t found” the best settings. It’s because if you shoot with your left eye your nose touches the screen. Focus point jumps into a random spot every time, and it’s also hard to get the thumb under the face to get to the screen. I’m glad the feature works for you, but don’t assume everyone else just don’t know what they are doing.

  • @derbagger22

    @derbagger22

    9 ай бұрын

    She assumed? You just did the same thing.

  • @loganz
    @loganz9 ай бұрын

    Your description of absolute vs relative is slightly inaccurate. Absolute means wherever you touch the screen your focus point will jump to that spot. So if you touch the center it’ll jump there, if you touch the bottom left it’ll go there. Relative means, whichever way you move your finger your focus point will move that same direction relative to its starting point, the same as how the joy stick moves the point around. I got a big nose and shoot with my left eye so I prefer the joy stick with my R6, but I use T&D with my R since there’s no joystick.

  • @DaveKnowlesFilmmaker
    @DaveKnowlesFilmmaker9 ай бұрын

    What would be great if you could touch and drag the back panel when you have a monitor attached. That would be so useful but I know as with the stupid custom white balance procedure Canon just do not listen to these ideas, so I will have to just wish.

  • @wastedtalentusa
    @wastedtalentusa9 ай бұрын

    What is touch and drag?

  • @remyvaartjes
    @remyvaartjes9 ай бұрын

    This only works for right eye shooters. I wear glasses and shoot with my left eye. My nose is in the way of my thumb so have to I use the joystick. I see you shoot with your right eye, so it works for you.

  • @kenkelm
    @kenkelm9 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the video. I always appreciate your enthusiasm. However, your explanation for the Positioning method setting is incorrect. The Positioning method setting doesn't have anything to do with where the Active Touch Area is located. This setting determines how the AF changes as a point on the screen is dragged. If this setting is set to 'Absolute', the AF point moves to the tapped or dragged position on the screen. If this setting is set to 'Relative', the AF point moves relative to the current point, in the direction you drag, by an amount corresponding to the amount you drag, no matter where you tap the screen. Rate Article

  • @hollyhockphotography9496
    @hollyhockphotography94969 ай бұрын

    First like & Comment !!?

  • @betterpixs

    @betterpixs

    7 ай бұрын

    Congrats! I somehow missed this video in its early stages.

  • @simonryan6850
    @simonryan68509 ай бұрын

    Ooooo yawn boring

  • @cheryldecgmail
    @cheryldecgmail9 ай бұрын

    I am definitely going to try the head tilt. What you described is exactly what happens to me. Thanks for the great video. Also, I would encourage anyone for whom a tip “doesn’t work” to not take it personally. KJ is talented, but no one can possibly address every nuance of the human body.