54 Steps to the Ultimate Canon EOS R1 Setup

I have a fresh-from-the-factory Canon EOS R1 in my hands, and it is time to set it up. I use the following steps to prepare a new (or reset to factory settings) R1 for use. While the number of steps in this setup guide may seem daunting, the process is not difficult. You've got this.

1. Open the box, find the battery, place it in the charger, and plug it in.
2. record the serial number, and add the camera to your insurance policy (you're covered, right?)
3. While the battery is charging, unpack the other needed items from the box.
4. Consider downloading and installing the latest Canon imaging software, Canon Digital Photo Pro (DPP) and EOS Utility, to ensure support for your camera model.
5. Insert a memory card (we'll format the card in a later step), insert a charged battery, and power the camera on.
6. The language, and then date, time, and zone setup prompts will appear during the first startup. Use the rear control dial and set button to update this information.
7. Scroll through all of the menu tabs to configure the camera as follows:
8. Shooting Menu, Tab 1: Img type/size: Use the top control dial to set RAW to "RAW", and use the rear control dial to set JPEG/HEIF to "-" (RAW image files provide the highest quality, making them especially valuable for post-processing)
9. Shooting Menu, Tab 3: Picture Style: Neutral with Sharpness = 1 (the low contrast "Neutral" picture style provides a histogram that best shows the available dynamic range. I change the Picture Style to "Standard" when processing in DPP. Most other software will ignore this setting.)
10. Shooting Menu, Tab 4: White balance: AWB W (White) (I seldom use another white balance setting while shooting (it doesn't change the RAW-captured image), though I often adjust white balance modestly during post-processing)
11. Shooting Menu, Tab 4: Lens Aberration Correction: All options "OFF" (Includes Peripheral illumination correction, Distortion correction, Digital Lens Optimizer, Chromatic aberration correction, and Diffraction correction. I suggest that most photographers enable Chromatic aberration correction. Expect non-Canon software to ignore these settings.)
12. Shooting Menu, Tab 4: High ISO speed NR: Low (or Off) (noise reduction is destructive to image details — I prefer to add noise reduction sparingly during post-processing. Expect non-Canon software to ignore this setting.)
13. Shooting Menu, Tab 6: Release shutter without card: OFF (only in a retail store would you want to press the shutter release without saving the image file)
14. Shooting Menu, Tab 7: Customize Quick Controls: AF, One Shot - Servo, Drive mode, Anti-flicker shoot, Subject to detect, Focus bracketing, Pre-continuous Shooting, IS Mode, AF-MF, Switch focus/control ring, Eye control (pressing the "Q" button provides direct access to these settings)
15. Shooting Menu, Tab 8: Image review: Review duration: 4 sec. (the Viewfinder review option is disabled by default, avoiding interference with the shooting process)
16. Shooting Menu, Tab 8: Blackout-free display: ON
17. Shooting Menu, Tab 9: Shooting info. disp.: Screen info. settings: Enable 1, 2, and 3; edit screen 2 to show only: Basic shooting info and Electronic level; edit screen 3 to show only: Basic shooting info, Histogram, and Electronic level
18. Shooting Menu, Tab 9: Shooting info. disp.: VF info/toggle setting: Enable 1, 2, and 3 (default); edit screen 2 to show only: Electronic level; edit screen 3 to show only: Histogram and Electronic level
19. Shooting Menu, Tab 9: Shooting info. disp.: Grid display: 3x3 (sometimes the 3x3 grid is helpful for alignment checking while not complicating the view)
20. Shooting Menu, Tab 9: Shooting info. disp.: Histogram disp: RGB, Small (show the brightness levels of each channel separately and do not let the graph to take up much space in the display as it can affect the perceived composition)
21. Shooting Menu, Tab 9: Electronic level size: Small (great new feature)
22. Shooting Menu, Tab 9: Shooting info. disp.: Vertical exp level: Off
23. Shooting Menu, Tab 9: Display frame rate set: Smooth (ideal for fast action and when battery life is not a concern)
24. AF Menu, Tab 2: Subject to detect: Select Auto, People, Animals, Vehicles, or None per your current shooting scenario
25. AF Menu, Tab 4: Servo 1st image priority: Focus priority (accurate focus is more critical to me than the timing)
26. AF Menu, Tab 5: Limit AF Areas: Enable Spot AF, 1-point AF, Flexible Zone AF 1, Whole area AF, Spot AF Tracking Off, 1-point AF Tracking Off (limit the options to those you expect to use, note the tracking off options)
27. AF Menu, Tab 5: Orientation linked AF point: Separate AF pts: Pt only (instructs the camera to individually save the selected AF points for vertical and horizontal orientation)
28. AF Menu, Tab 6: MF peaking settings: Peaking: On, Level: Low
29. Playback Menu, Tab 3: Magnification: Magnificatn (apx) 10x (allows one button press during playback to zoom deeply into the image); Maintain position: Enable (maintains the position within the image when changing images)
30. Playback Menu, Tab 4: Playback information display: 1 and 2 only; change view 2 histogram to RGB
31. Playback Menu, Tab 4: Highlight Alert: Enable (overexposed and nearly overexposed pixels will blink during image review)
32. Playback Menu, Tab 4: Playback grid: 3x3
33. Networking Menu, Tab 1: Airplane mode: On (if not using wireless functions)
34. Tools Menu, Tab 1: Format card (always format a memory card in-camera before using it — all data on the card will be lost)
35. Tools Menu, Tab 1: Auto Rotate: On computer (images are properly rotated when viewed on a computer but are always oriented to fill the LCD when viewed on the camera)
36. Tools Menu, Tab 2: Beep: Disable (probably no one wants to hear your camera's beep)
37. Tools Menu, Tab 4: Power saving: Screen dimmer: Disable (resolves an annoyance — the LCD is as useful off as dimmed)
38. Tools Menu, Tab 5: Custom shooting mode (C1, C2, C3): Auto update set: Enable; Program modes as desired
39. Tools Menu, Tab 6: Copyright information: enter as desired, your name and company name are logical choices
40. Customized controls Menu, Tab 1: Customize buttons: Multi-function button: Dial function and press info to set details: Top row: Drive mode, AF area, Exposure compensation; Second row: One shot - Servo, ISO, Flash exposure compensation; LCD panel illumination button: Eye control
41. Customized controls Menu, Tab 1: Multi function lock: All unchecked (Disables the lock feature in case I inadvertently select it by not turning the power switch far enough)
42. Customized controls Menu, Tab 3: RF lens MF focus ring sensitivity: Linked to rotation degree (turns off the variable manual focus ring adjustment rate)
43. Customized controls Menu, Tab 5: Eye control: Eye control: On; Pointer display settings: Color: White, Display size: Small
44. Customized controls Menu, Tab 5: Eye control: Calibration (CAL): (follow the guided instructions to set up this feature, performing numerous calibration attempts improves this feature's accuracy)
45. Custom Functions Menu, Tab 1: Restrict shooting modes: On; I deselect Fv and select C2 and C3.
46. Custom Functions Menu, Tab 1: Bracketing auto cancel: OFF (I want to control when AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing) is enabled and disabled)
47. Custom Functions Menu, Tab 1: Bracketing sequence: -0+ (if images are captured in brightness sequence, they are easier to work with during post-processing. Capturing the darkest image first means quickly securing the first frame)
48. Custom Functions Menu, Tab 3: Continuous shooting speed: 40, 20, and 10
49. Custom Functions Menu, Tab 4: Default erase option: [Erase] selected (less safe to inadvertent deletion, but one less step press is required to delete an image)
50. Custom Functions Menu, Tab 4: Av setting without lens (permits camera setup without mounting the intended lens)
51. Custom Functions Menu, Tab 5: Retract lens on power off: OFF (prevents a carefully selected focus distance from resetting when the camera auto powers off)
52. My Menu: Add My Menu 1; Register the following options: Focus bracketing, Pre-cont. shooting, Shutter mode, IS (Image Stabilizer) mode, Format card, Number of bracketed shots; reorder menu items as desired
53. My Menu: Add My Menu 2; Register the following options: Blackout free display, Display (exposure) simulation (the "Off" setting is helpful when using flash), Date/Time/Zone (primarily for checking the time); reorder menu items as desired
54. While looking at the menu through the EVF, adjust the diopter until the scene is sharp for your eye

I make additional menu and other setting changes based on current shooting scenarios, but this list covers my initial camera setup process.

To copy this configuration means you intend to shoot as I do, including in RAW-only format. While this setup works optimally for me, you should adjust the camera setup to your needs.

If you can't remember your menu setup parameters, keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a great idea. Anytime the camera is set to the factory state, such as when serviced or when acquiring an additional camera, the list will ensure all settings are quickly re-established. Consider saving the camera settings to a card (Tools menu, tab 5, Save/load cam settings on card) for an easy restore or replication. The setup file can be copied to a computer drive for long-term storage.

More Information

Canon EOS R1

Support this site by ordering the Canon EOS R1 from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX

Rent the Canon EOS R1 from Lensrentals.

Please share!