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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> How to focus?? any tips?
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 03/09/2007 12:53:43 AM · #1
Okay, maybe this is a stupid question an even more stupid asking this after so much time of using the camera ;)

But, how do you focus precisely where you want/need to when using a tripod and a remote? I find it very difficult without having the subject too centered. Do you use manual focus??

The more I can do now is to change the focus point to the one closer to the area I want in focus but still not too happy with the composition in many cases.

Oops this came out quite long, thanks in advance just for reading this ;)

Ivan
 03/09/2007 12:55:03 AM · #2
Use manual focus.
 03/09/2007 01:01:36 AM · #3
surely the Canon 400D has a Focus-Lock button???
 03/09/2007 01:09:53 AM · #4
Originally posted by crayon:
surely the Canon 400D has a Focus-Lock button???


Aaahhh! that's when you use that button!! no seriously, for other Canon (or canon savvy) users a second question regarding this button: when in shutter/aperture priority modes I click this button and an asterisk appears in the viewfinder (that's how I know the focus is locked) but when in manual mode it doesn't works in the same way. The question right? how do you use this button correctly? the manual gives it like three lines :)

BTW thanks Crayon for the comment.
 03/09/2007 01:16:55 AM · #5
Originally posted by Valdo:
when in shutter/aperture priority modes I click this button and an asterisk appears in the viewfinder (that's how I know the focus is locked) but when in manual mode it doesn't works in the same way. The question right? how do you use this button correctly? the manual gives it like three lines :)


when in Manual Focus, that button wont/shouldnt work because the focus is locked anytime you stopped manual focusing. In Aperture/Shutter priority, you dont control the focus (its auto-focus) so the focus-lock is useful.
 03/09/2007 11:31:46 AM · #6
Originally posted by crayon:
Originally posted by Valdo:
when in shutter/aperture priority modes I click this button and an asterisk appears in the viewfinder (that's how I know the focus is locked) but when in manual mode it doesn't works in the same way. The question right? how do you use this button correctly? the manual gives it like three lines :)


when in Manual Focus, that button wont/shouldnt work because the focus is locked anytime you stopped manual focusing. In Aperture/Shutter priority, you dont control the focus (its auto-focus) so the focus-lock is useful.


Thanks,

Oh sorry I didn't explain myself clearly I meant the manual mode in the camera not the manual focus. My question was considering the use of AF with any of the modes in the camera.

Again thank you and a bump at the same time ;)
 03/09/2007 11:38:49 AM · #7
Put a subject at the desired distance, AF or manually focus on the subject, then switch to MF mode on the lens. That will lock focus at that distance. Now move your subjects in the frame as desired, and shoot.
 03/09/2007 11:48:19 AM · #8
this is what i do, as well as using the selectable focus points

Originally posted by kirbic:
Put a subject at the desired distance, AF or manually focus on the subject, then switch to MF mode on the lens. That will lock focus at that distance. Now move your subjects in the frame as desired, and shoot.
03/09/2007 12:10:15 PM · #9
Originally posted by kirbic:
Put a subject at the desired distance, AF or manually focus on the subject, then switch to MF mode on the lens. That will lock focus at that distance. Now move your subjects in the frame as desired, and shoot.


OH! That easy LOL thanks a lot for the help both Fritz and Kris

Message edited by author 2007-03-09 12:11:41.
 03/09/2007 12:14:40 PM · #10
what if YOU are the subject, you have no remote (only self timer), and no one to press the button.

how do you maintain focus in THAT situation?

i just like posing these questions. . .i've never had this problem myself. . . i'm so totally pro.

:o)
 03/09/2007 12:36:06 PM · #11
Originally posted by Valdo:
Okay, maybe this is a stupid question an even more stupid asking this after so much time of using the camera ;)

But, how do you focus precisely where you want/need to when using a tripod and a remote? I find it very difficult without having the subject too centered. Do you use manual focus??

GREAT QUESTION!

There are few things more significant than appropriate focus of an image. You have touched on a very important issue affected greatly by today's modern autofocus mentality.

It is easy to just say 'manual focus' as if that is easy. However, unlike cameras of the past that had both rangefinder and pentaprism focusing aides, today's 'modern' dSLR cameras have none of that for manual focus. That makes it much more difficult, especially if you are trying to capture fast action.

Here is a suggestion...
During setup autofocus where you want it, then immediately shut off autofocus and set to manual focus. Your lens is not refocus when you click the shutter. Then go wherever you need to go for the shot and trip the remote shutter.

An irritating aside:
One of the focus issues that is more difficult in today's photography world is depth of field (DOF).

We are almost always dependant on autofocus. That becomes problematic when you want to focus between major elements within a composition so that DOF will keep BOTH elements in focus. The problem is that autofocus requires something to focus on. If the place you need to focus is between places that autofocus wants to focus on then you are out of luck because you lack a rangefinder and/or pentaprism focusing aide that made that possible with maual focus.

To use a technical photography term... that SUCKS! LOL!!!

Message edited by author 2007-03-09 12:51:16.
 03/09/2007 01:38:44 PM · #12
Thanks Steve for the advice and explanation.

And yes it sucks hahaha
 03/09/2007 01:52:35 PM · #13
Originally posted by Valdo:
a second question regarding this button: when in shutter/aperture priority modes I click this button and an asterisk appears in the viewfinder (that's how I know the focus is locked) but when in manual mode it doesn't works in the same way.


Valdo: I have a Canon point-and-shoot, but it sounds like you're describing exposure lock, not focus lock. On my camera, in either shutter speed or aperture priority mode, pressing that button locks the thing I'm not setting so that I can then recompose as I like without it changing the setting. It lets me know the exposure is locked by showing an asterisk.

For example, I want to take a shot of a landscape. I go into aperture priority mode and set it to F/8.0. I point the camera at the sky to get it metering that brightness level and it chooses, say, 1/1000s. I then press the exposure lock to keep it at 1/1000s and point the camera wherever I want. it shows an asterisk in the LCD. When I then press the shutter, it won't change the shutter speed to whatever would be appropriate for what's showing in the frame.

In manual mode, I'm controlling everything, so there's nothing to lock, so pressing the button doesn't do anything.
 03/09/2007 02:05:44 PM · #14
Originally posted by nadiaC:
what if YOU are the subject, you have no remote (only self timer), and no one to press the button.

how do you maintain focus in THAT situation?

i just like posing these questions. . .i've never had this problem myself. . . i'm so totally pro.

:o)


Put something in your place, focus on it, and then switch to manual focus, get in the shot, take off you clothes* and start the timer.

*Optional
 03/09/2007 02:08:38 PM · #15
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Originally posted by nadiaC:
what if YOU are the subject, you have no remote (only self timer), and no one to press the button.

how do you maintain focus in THAT situation?

i just like posing these questions. . .i've never had this problem myself. . . i'm so totally pro.

:o)


Put something in your place, focus on it, and then switch to manual focus, get in the shot, take off you clothes* and start the timer.

*Optional


HAHA!

seriously,though, my concern is always that whatever i put in my place won't have the same focal length as my face, or my position will be just a hair off and i'll be out of focus. . .but unless i'm working with super shallow DOF it shouldn't be a problem.

i think.

:o)
 03/09/2007 02:25:02 PM · #16
Another way is to focus directly on the object you want in focus by depressing the shutter release half way. Keep holding the button half way down, move your camera to get the composition you want, and then depress the shutter release the rest of the way to take your photo. The auto focus won't refocus unless you let up on the shutter release, and re-press it.
 03/09/2007 02:46:28 PM · #17
Thank Thomas, only problem with that is when you are using a very slow shutter speed the camera is still moving a bit after you press completely the shutter and leave it in the tripod. Although you can always use mirror lock-up and timer :)
 03/09/2007 02:48:27 PM · #18
Originally posted by nadiaC:
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Originally posted by nadiaC:
what if YOU are the subject, you have no remote (only self timer), and no one to press the button.

how do you maintain focus in THAT situation?

i just like posing these questions. . .i've never had this problem myself. . . i'm so totally pro.

:o)


Put something in your place, focus on it, and then switch to manual focus, get in the shot, take off you clothes* and start the timer.

*Optional


HAHA!

seriously,though, my concern is always that whatever i put in my place won't have the same focal length as my face, or my position will be just a hair off and i'll be out of focus. . .but unless i'm working with super shallow DOF it shouldn't be a problem.

i think.

:o)


Then you could use another human to focus in ;) little sister or boyfriend for example. The problem is to get the eyes really sharp in SPs.
 03/09/2007 03:01:52 PM · #19
Originally posted by Valdo:
Thank Thomas, only problem with that is when you are using a very slow shutter speed the camera is still moving a bit after you press completely the shutter and leave it in the tripod. Although you can always use mirror lock-up and timer :)


Yup, you're right...it doesn't work well for slow shutter speeds.

Tom
 03/09/2007 03:17:54 PM · #20
Don't forget that 1/3 of your depth of field will fall in front of you focal point, the remaining 2/3 will fall behind it. Keep this in mind when deciding what exactly to place the focal point on, as well as choosing depth of field (controled by aperature, ISO, focal length(mm), and distance between camera and subject).
 03/09/2007 03:43:59 PM · #21
I found this very good depth of field calculator on-line. Check it out...I've found it very helpful. You enter your camera model, lens focal length, and distance to subject, and it will calculate everything you ever wanted to know about your depth of field.

//www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

Tom
 03/09/2007 03:57:32 PM · #22
Originally posted by Valdo:
Thank Thomas, only problem with that is when you are using a very slow shutter speed the camera is still moving a bit after you press completely the shutter and leave it in the tripod. Although you can always use mirror lock-up and timer :)


I use the timer on almost every tripod shot I take. Even 1s is enough to let the camera settle back down.
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