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02/21/2006 06:42:02 AM · #1 |
Do you keep all the AF points turned on? or do you just use the center?
I have all the AF points turned off except the center one. I find it so frustrating to try and auto-focus on something and have the focus point keep deciding to focus on the wrong thing... so i end up using just the center focus, pointing it at what I want to focus, then moving the camera to frame the subject how I want.
What way do you do it????
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02/21/2006 07:59:58 AM · #2 |
I've always only used the center...
except if you're in continuous AF mode with moving subjects, then you want dynamic -- because it will track subjects as they move from AF point to AF point.
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02/22/2006 01:29:50 AM · #3 |
I only use the center one as well, as it makes for faster focusing. If you use partial or spot metering, the metering is done from the center one as well, so using a non center point to focus with partial/spot metering may give you an incorrect metering.
If you need to focus on a near subject, it's better to lock AE and change the focal point as focusing and recomposing may lead to OOF subject as the subject to lens distance may be significantly altered.
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02/22/2006 01:31:35 AM · #4 |
| I always use Center not unless I want everything in focus ;) |
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02/22/2006 01:37:32 AM · #5 |
| I always use center unless I'm shooting something that's moving fast, and I'm in AI Servo. |
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02/22/2006 01:54:56 AM · #6 |
I tend to use the lower left, right, or middle AF points because they more closely correspond to 1/3 of the way into the image, matching the presumptive DOF. This is for landscape work, however, and on a tripod. If I am working close up I'll use whichever AF point is over the area I most care about, IF I use AF at all, but I tend to use manual focus for closeup work anyway.
Anyway, for any given amount of DOF, 1/3 is in front of the point of focus and 2/3 is behind, so when you are shooting landscapes and youw ant maximum DOF you do NOT want to be focused on a far object or on infinity, and the lower AF points are very useful.
R.
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02/22/2006 02:46:26 AM · #7 |
I have it set to centre-AF like 99% of the time.
It works best with focus-lock and the re-composition.
Howvere 1% of the time I may use other AF points due to the use of tripod. |
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02/22/2006 03:38:46 AM · #8 |
| You auto focusers crack me up! |
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02/22/2006 03:54:11 AM · #9 |
I use them all! I am always selecting certain AF points for my subjects. For sports, of course, I have them all turned on. One of my big hopes for the lates Canon was for it to have more AF points. It is something I tinker with quite often.
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02/22/2006 03:58:44 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by JRalston:
I use them all! I am always selecting certain AF points for my subjects. For sports, of course, I have them all turned on. One of my big hopes for the lates Canon was for it to have more AF points. It is something I tinker with quite often. |
imagine a full viewfinder full of AF points - freaky! :p |
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02/22/2006 04:27:17 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by crayon:
Originally posted by JRalston:
I use them all! I am always selecting certain AF points for my subjects. For sports, of course, I have them all turned on. One of my big hopes for the lates Canon was for it to have more AF points. It is something I tinker with quite often. |
imagine a full viewfinder full of AF points - freaky! :p |
I think the 1D Mark II has 45 AF Points!!! I'd be happy with 20 or so ;o) I am constantly having to lock the focus and compose the shot as I need it.
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02/22/2006 04:31:02 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by JRalston:
I think the 1D Mark II has 45 AF Points!!! I'd be happy with 20 or so ;o) I am constantly having to lock the focus and compose the shot as I need it. |
Really? wow!
But I find that I'm happy with only 1-single AF point as then I get to control which item should be in focus easier. But the pro on having 45 AF points would be on quick, moving subjects, I suppose. |
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02/22/2006 04:51:21 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by yido:
... If you use partial or spot metering, the metering is done from the center one as well, so using a non center point to focus with partial/spot metering may give you an incorrect metering. ... |
On my Nikon, the center-weighted metering is done with the center focus area only -- but spot metering follows the active focus point. Perhaps Canon is different.
---
I use mainly the center focus point, but will use any of them if it works better with the scene.
David
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02/22/2006 06:02:36 AM · #14 |
On the 20D, Center probably 75% of the time, the rest of the time auto or one of the 'corner' ones that matches up with 1/3rds quite well..
On the 10D, center 90% of the time, or auto.. Because it's focus point layout dosn't really work for 1/3rds I tend to use the center and recompose, or use manual focus after pre-focusing on the center point. (FTM lenses are cool :-) )
Cheers, Me.
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02/22/2006 07:27:35 AM · #15 |
I very rarely use anything but centre!
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02/22/2006 07:32:14 AM · #16 |
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02/22/2006 07:45:46 AM · #17 |
center focus only for me too(then i recompose the shot to follow 1/3 rule)
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02/22/2006 08:26:04 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by yanko:
You auto focusers crack me up! |
Because it's pretty easy to use manual focus on a small viewfinder such as a d70 or 20d when you're working with a quarter of an inch worth of acceptable sharpness, right?
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02/22/2006 09:49:04 AM · #19 |
| I use the two side-left and the bottom ones the most on my 7-point autofocus system depending upon shooting portrait or landscapes. I use the center point when they fail as the center point has better contrast matching than the other points. |
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02/22/2006 09:54:11 AM · #20 |
I compose my shot, then choose the AF point closest to the spot I want in focus, recompose if needed. I move the AF point for almost every new shot. That way, once I have it set, I can step away and shoot with the remote while I work with or talk to my model.
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02/22/2006 10:01:37 AM · #21 |
Generally I have the center point enabled, but occassionally I will use another single point. Rarely will I have all points enabled, I find that it usually doesn't track on the point I want to focus with.
But then again, I have been limiting myself to some closeup shots since I got the camera. Out in the field, and not closeup, I'd probably use all 9 points.
-CN |
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02/22/2006 10:26:15 AM · #22 |
It's very interesting how many people only use the centre point. I normally use all the points. I find that if it doesn't get it the first time, if I take my finger off the shutter and press it again quickly it will choose a differnt point. I normally only select the point myself when using a tripod or if, re-pressing the shutter button doesn't work.
Message edited by author 2006-02-22 10:26:53. |
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02/22/2006 10:47:45 AM · #23 |
I wonder when the companies will implement a technique which I have seen with analogue cameras: Focusing with you eye. The camera recognized what you're looking at and focuses on that spot.
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02/22/2006 10:52:58 AM · #24 |
I have the buttons under my right thumb programmed to change AF point as I am always changing the selection. It's been that way since day one and I am so used to simply pressing the button and spinning the wheel to select I really don't have to think about it any more.
Very rare that I will have all the AF points lit up.
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02/22/2006 11:03:14 AM · #25 |
I'm curious if I'm the only one who uses the custom feature to have the AF points selected by using the direction button. This makes selection of the AF point worlds faster.
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