I have found that with the increasing configuration options and functionality of the cameras below the EOS-1D series I’m really missing one feature that is found on the EOS-1D models…
“I want to be able to backup and restore my complete camera configuration”
It takes a long time set up two cameras exactly the same as a result of the current levels of configuration options.
I teach camera workshops, and help individual photographers learn to make full use of EOS cameras for their kind of photography. Invariably this necessitates an in-depth tour through an ever increasing set of menus with several sub levels and sometimes easy-to-miss specific options.
What this means for me is that it is getting much harder to reset my own cameras back to “my configuration” each time I do a training session. It also means that if I were to loan or rent a camera for a specific project it is also hard to have the rental camera completely and quickly match my own optimised setup. I could miss pictures as a result.
The feature I want already exists in EOS-1D series cameras

Save / Load camera settings in EOS-1D X
This is really helpful for working pros who might need to pick up a camera and just shoot with it at an event or while their cameras are in service. They can keep a small memory card with their existing camera configuration on and simply restore it on the loan camera. They might even have different configuration files for cameras used as remotes.
As this feature exists for the very configurable EOS-1D series cameras I know it can be done. Whether it can be done with a firmware update to the EOS 7D Mark II, EOS 5D Mark III, EOS 5DS/5DS R; I don’t know, but I still want it.
A solution I could live with…

How backup / restore of camera settings might look in EOS Utility
You may think I’m just complaining, but…
I love the features and functionality of the latest cameras, they really do help to optimise a camera for a specific task or photographers way or operating.
However, when I pickup a camera here’s 20 of the typical things I do to each one
- Switch off the beeping tones
- Switch off the ability to take pictures without a card in the camera
- Set the camera to shoot RAW
- Switch off ALO
- Optimise the Picture Style
- Choose or customise the AF case
- Select the AF point / area selection modes to limit to just those I use
- Activate orientation linked AF points
- Change the AF selection to allow it to wrap around
- Turn on the highlight alert
- Optimise the auto rotate in playback
- Setup the filenames used in camera
- Set the LCD to manual brightness level
- Configure the copyright info
- Change the rate button to only allow 1-star and 5-star selections
- Change the default erase option
- Optimise the custom controls, including back button AF
- Configure the My Menu
- Connect EOS Utility to set the camera owners name
- Configure C3 on the mode dial to be optimised for video shooting
That last point about C3 is way bigger than the others since I do a lot of camera optimisation to make it more comfortable to shoot movies.
I like this. I’d really like to be able to do it the card way, since I run Linux and hence can’t use the Canon software.
Hi,
Just found your website – very very interesting. Good to see a pro who also has an interest in Motorsport photos – I’ve had mine “poo pooed” by camera club judges as ” just cars!” Many times in the past. I’m interested in some courses to learn more about my Canon cameras – do you just do 1-1 training or are there class type events as well. I was also very interested in you mentioning having the “c” setting configured specifically for video – something I’ve been considering but I’m not sure how to do it. I’ve also been to rally Finland on a number of occasions and from your photos at the harpin at Lydden we must have been standing at more or less the same place!
Looking forward to hearing from you
Regards
Keith Taylor
Hi Keith, I sent you an email with some details…
Brian / p4pictures
You’ll be glad to know that I have suggested much the same EOS Utility option, together with complete control of preference settings, to Canon on the last few days too. I’d also like in-camera custom file names to be universal across the range and the return of the old wifi utility.
Thanks Neil.
I hope you don’t want the return of the old WFT-E1 too!!! 🙂
Brian / p4pictures