Focus mode for events

[Matt0]

Hi, What focus modes does everyone use when shooting events?

I have a Nikon D7100 and can't get on with focus and recompose and find selecting the individual focus point can be a little slow and I often miss the shot. So I generally stick to AF-S Auto so it selects itself which focus points to use and then if I have the time on a shot I select the focus point manually, overall this method is OK and I am only shooting family and friends parties but it feels very inaccurate at times.

Hearing other peoples methods would be good.

 

[Phil V]

Hi, What focus modes does everyone use when shooting events? .

At the risk of sounding facetious, the appropriate one

But seriously; Never this

... So I generally stick to AF-S Auto so it selects itself which focus points to use and then if I have the time on a shot I select the focus point manually...

As a photographer it is never appropriate to leave your camera to decide what your subject is. How on earth would it know?

 

[Matt0]

As a photographer it is never appropriate to leave your camera to decide what your subject is. How on earth would it know?

Exactly Phil it doesn't, Its frustrating as I have no problems with using manual exposure and get good results using bounced flash. I suspect practise maybe the answer, can I assume then that you would either use focus and recompose or select the individual focus point?

 

[Deleted sulking member 63079]

AF-C, BBF, single focus point. For anything I do tbh.

 

[Phil V]

Exactly Phil it doesn't, Its frustrating as I have no problems with using manual exposure and get good results using bounced flash. I suspect practise maybe the answer, can I assume then that you would either use focus and recompose or select the individual focus point?

Assume away, whichever is most appropriate, depending on camera, lens, conditions.

As above though, I've always used BBF, I simply can't cope having the focus activated by the shutter button.

 

[UaeExile]

AF-C, BBF, single focus point. For anything I do tbh.

This!

 

[Matt0]

Thanks for the input. I've had a play around with the camera this evening and I'm going to start with single point focus and then give bbf a try.

I've turned the image review off as I found after taking a shot and then wanting to change focus point I was actually scrolling through the images. This has probably been a lot of the problem all along.

 

[Jayst84]

As Phil said, whatever's appropriate.

My standard set up is to have centre point and top right (or top left) set to switch between. No idea how Nikons work, but with Canon you can click the joystick to switch between the centre point and the last used AF point. This means it's quick to flick between centre and off-centre compositions.

Besides that, usually have the long lens set to continuous/tracking AF, and the wide/standard lens set to one-shot. This is because I will be more likely to be using flash away from the stage with the short lens (group shots at tables, etc), and one-shot AF means the AF assist beam will fire.

 

[Matt0]

Thanks James, on the D7100 you can choose all 51 or just 11 focus points so i've switched to 11 and its nice and quick to move around the focus points so hopefully that and practise and I should be on my way. That feature on Canons sounds quite useful.

 

[Pookeyhead]

Assume away, whichever is most appropriate, depending on camera, lens, conditions.

As above though, I've always used BBF, I simply can't cope having the focus activated by the shutter button.

I tend not to use back button focusing lately... I've gone back to shutter button, as it leaves my thumb free to move AF points.

 

[Phil V]

I tend not to use back button focusing lately... I've gone back to shutter button, as it leaves my thumb free to move AF points.

I use my thumb to switch AF points too, I don't need to be able to focus and switch AF points at the same time.

 

[grove39]

I actually cant use BBF due to having a D3200 and having to use my left eye. Turns out my face and thumb cant be in the same place at the same time.

 

[DL Photography]

Depends what I'm using the canon 5dmkii I keep on center point one shot as it's crap at any kind of tracking period, any of my 1's always bbf center point ai servo as they're pretty good.




Whatever works for you though is good.

 

[Vanu]

Don't know about the Nikon but once you have autofocused, with the shutter half-pressed, you can do additional adjustments with the manual focus ring on Fujis. So for me - Manual focus, AF-L button for a single point focus and make the additional focus changes with the ring. Alternatively, you can never go wrong with AF-S and single point and then recompositioning your photo.