mulit focus point or single focus point

[snipershooter]

do you use multi focus point or center focus points as it seems the pros use the center focus point which i understand why they do.its because you have a more reliable focus system.

 

[Swissy]

for me, i use the centre focus point most of the time because i like to be in control of just that, where i want the focus to be, multi point often focuses on things i don't want it to focus on.

 

[vizzair]

for me, i use the centre focus point most of the time because i like to be in control of just that, where i want the focus to be, multi point often focuses on things i don't want it to focus on.

for that, It annoys me when the focus won't sit still.

 

[seriousrikk]

I use single point focus for most stuff, but I do not limit myself to the center point.

I use the single focus point that covers what I wish to focus on in the frame.

However when the situation suits it, I use one of the various multi point/zone modes. Mainly when I am shooting stuff that is likely to move about in the frame. (Wildlife, dogs motorsport and the likes).

 

[Nod]

Single point, centre point, keep button 1/2 pressed and recompose if necessary

 

[Gazamonk]

Better still use back button focussing then you can use centre point to lock focus off centre wherever the subject is, if necessary and then use the shutter button half press to set exposure (meter), independently of the focus, anywhere on the scene. Very flexible.

 

[jockwav]

centre focus point

 

[mikebeecham]

I'm learning the joys of single focal point, and it's really starting to change the way that I take shots. Not sure why I didnt use single-point before.

 

[dinners]

I tend to use centre point but with some of the focus points immediately surrounding it - switched on as AF assist points in case I miss.

Quite of oten with landscape shots where the camera is mounted onto the tripod - I'll select a focus point lower down in the frame.

 

[GHP]

Single point, although not necessarily the centre one. I choose whichever point is necessary. Also I use back button focussing. Easy to focus/recompose too.

 

[mikebeecham]

Single point, although not necessarily the centre one. I choose whichever point is necessary. Also I use back button focussing. Easy to focus/recompose too.

Yeah, I've started doing this myself, although I have a nasty habit of pressing one of the buttons on the back of the camera body with my nose! Need to address that, I guess

 

[tdodd]

I use whichever AF point or points are most suited to the task in hand. I seldom focus/recompose unless forced to by the AF point arrangement. I will generally aim to use the fewest points possible which allow me to successfully track my subject. My default is one normal AF point, but I will switch to spot AF mode or increase the active point spread as necessary.

I use back button focusing almost exclusively, but while once upon a time I was nearly always in AI Servo mode I do tend to switch back and forth between AI Servo and One Shot more often these days, depending on subject movement, focus precision required and difficulty in obtaining focus.

 

[didgit]

Better still use back button focussing then you can use centre point to lock focus off centre wherever the subject is, if necessary and then use the shutter button half press to set exposure (meter), independently of the focus, anywhere on the scene. Very flexible.

Could you explain a little bit more how this is done , not sure i can with my 350d but worth a try i guess

As for my focus , mainly centre spot

 

[GlenDavid]

I'm no expert but I use single point focus, but that would not necessarily be the centre one but any one of the numerous ones available to me.

 

[Gazamonk]

Could you explain a little bit more how this is done , not sure i can with my 350d but worth a try i guess

As for my focus , mainly centre spot

From the manual................

C.Fn-4 Shutter button/AE lock button
0: AF/AE lock
1: AE lock/AF - convenient when you want to focus and meter separately. Press the button to autofocus and press shutter button halfway to attain AE lock.
2: AF/AF lock, no AE lock - in AI Servo AF mode, press button to stop AF operation momentarily. This prevents AF from being thrown off by obstacle passing between camera and subject. Exposure is set moment picture is taken.
3: AE/AF, no AE lock - useful for subjects which keep moving/stopping repeatedly. In AI Servo AF mode, you press button to start or stop AI Servo AF operation. Exposure is set the moment the picture is taken.

Also have a read through this.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=46965

you can just cherry pick from the long winded bits.

 

[Steve Smith]

Just the centre (and never center).


Steve.

 

[Gazamonk]

Her is another article from Canon themselves which explains it rather better.

http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2011/backbutton_af_article.shtml



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[orangeframestudio]

Use what is right for the job. Your camera probably has several ways to find focus, use the right tool for the job.
51 point 3d tracking doesn't help studio portraits any more than manual focus on a blue tit infront of a hedge row. Rtm and learn to use the tools you have bought to help you.
Back focussing is a good thing to get used to, but the more you understand how your cam focuses and meters, the more you can experiment to make it work for you. It's not one or the other, it's what's right at the time.