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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> 300D advice needed
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 07/07/2004 07:23:46 PM · #1
Today I spotted a heron (or maybe crane) behind some reeds and cattails by a duck pond. There was an opening in the reeds and I had a perfect shot of his head and neck. My camera was set on auto focus but I had a hard time getting the camera to focus on the bird. I was using a 75-300 IS lens. Is there a trick to focusing on something that has closer objects framing it?

Ive just had this camera a few weeks and so far havent tried to manual focus. Would that have helped?
 07/07/2004 07:35:34 PM · #2
I have this lens and I have the focus point set to the center box. Most of the time it can focus just fine. If you let the camera pick your focus point I believe that's where you'll find it not focusing on what you want.
 07/07/2004 07:36:23 PM · #3
There is a couple of thing to check. Firstly, manually set the focus point to one of the seven focussing points only. You can change this on the fly whenever you need to, that way you have full control over your focal point.
Secondly, autofocus will sometimes hunt if your subject is in low light or is low in contrast. If this is the case try working out a hyperfocal distance and focus on that, then recompose with the shutter release still half depressed or switch to manual focus once the hyperfocal distance is locked in. Obviously this won't work so well in situations where your subject is moving at anything but a snails pace.
Manual focus will certainly give you complete control but can be a pain in situations where you need to act quickly.
Hope this helps :)
 07/07/2004 07:58:37 PM · #4
Originally posted by gajmaj:
There is a couple of thing to check. Firstly, manually set the focus point to one of the seven focussing points only. You can change this on the fly whenever you need to, that way you have full control over your focal point.
Secondly, autofocus will sometimes hunt if your subject is in low light or is low in contrast. If this is the case try working out a hyperfocal distance and focus on that, then recompose with the shutter release still half depressed or switch to manual focus once the hyperfocal distance is locked in. Obviously this won't work so well in situations where your subject is moving at anything but a snails pace.
Manual focus will certainly give you complete control but can be a pain in situations where you need to act quickly.
Hope this helps :)

Set center weight for creative zone settings. I use Av for this kind of shot! Works well.One day I will get a fancy lens like you have Faye.
Have fun


Message edited by author 2004-07-07 20:02:07.
 07/07/2004 08:08:31 PM · #5
Yeah Neil, good straight forward settings. I generally shoot with Av or Manual at centre. Nice pic BTW.
One thing to watch (so I have read) is that the focus points in the viewfinder are not an accurate representation of the actual focus points used by the camera. The actual area extends vertically or horizontally beyond the viewfinder markings and the camera can sometimes focus on an object that falls within these actual boundaries instead of your subject. Just something to be aware of.
 07/07/2004 08:46:47 PM · #6
Originally posted by Dim7:
Set center weight for creative zone settings.


I do the same thing. With a center focus point, it's fairly easy to autofocus between trees or other foreground objects when you don't have the luxury of manual focus.

07/07/2004 08:51:21 PM · #7
Even though the 7 focus points can be handy, setting it to automatic centre focus is the way to go. You can focus then recompose the shot. As far as I know, the 300D is the only camera with the 7 point focus, I don't think any other [pro] canon's use it.
 07/07/2004 09:29:15 PM · #8
Originally posted by scalvert:
Originally posted by Dim7:
Set center weight for creative zone settings.


I do the same thing. With a center focus point, it's fairly easy to autofocus between trees or other foreground objects when you don't have the luxury of manual focus.


Thanks Geoff
Great picture Shannon!!
;-)

Message edited by author 2004-07-07 21:32:23.
 07/07/2004 10:00:25 PM · #9
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
As far as I know, the 300D is the only camera with the 7 point focus, I don't think any other [pro] canon's use it.

My 1D Mark II has 45 auto-focus points, and I use all of them when shooting anything that moves... I have the "Activate AF" set to be the * (star) key (instead of half-pressing the shutter button) and to use all 45 AF points. Just to the left of the * button is the "Assist" button, which I have configured (via a custom function) to be my alternate auto-focus activation button, and to use only the center AF point. That way I can quickly switch between 45 point, full-AF and center-AF-only just by moving my thumb. I used the exact same configuration on my 10D, since it has the same button layout. (I posted some good reasons for moving AF to the * button in this thread.)

One thing to remember is that the area that the auto-focus sensor looks for contrast in is not the same area as the little red square. Look at this picture (posted by Chuck Westfall, one of Canon USA's chief technical gurus). Notice that the center AF square is the only "cross-type" sensor, meaning it is sensitive to both horizontal and vertical patterns anywhere in the region indicated. All of the others are horizontal-only or vertical-only. (Just for reference, the AF sensor pattern used in all of Canon's 1-series bodies is here.)
 07/07/2004 11:26:54 PM · #10
Thanks for all the excellent advice. I'll certainly remember the next time I see a heron in the bushes :) I didnt even know you could set a focal point. I learn by reading a little, experimenting a lot and reading a little again. Time for reading again I think.

Thanks again

Faye
 07/08/2004 12:30:41 AM · #11
For anything technical, EddyG's posts should just automatically be in bold type. Pay attention to this guy- he knows his stuff.
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