Automatic AF point selection 20D

[Chico91]

If my camera is set on Automatic shouldn't all 9 AF points in the viewfinder be lighting up? My manual states that all 9 should light up but mine doesn't. Just a few light up here and there. Tried changing it manually but can't. Am I doing something wrong? I'm not getting a fully focused picture on automatic. :cry:

[tim]

The only ones that light up are the ones that are being used to focus on the current scene. IE if the closest object is near the bottom right focus point, that's the only one that'll light up.

Most people use single centre point focus, that way you decide what's in focus, not the camera.

[Chico91]

But in Auto the manual says all should light up and they are not. I would even change it to center but you can't change AF points in Auto.

[Merciez]

Chico,

I just checked the manual and could not find the text you were refering to. I did find on page 40 on item 3 for focusing the subject it states "The AF point which achieves focus flashes in red briefly."

When you say "I'm not getting a fully focused picture on automatic", are you refering to all the AF points are not turning red, or all your final puctures not focused? If your pictures are not in focus, that is indeed a problem which could be related to many things. Could you post some sample pictures?

[Chico91]

I was reading on page 67 in bold. Under Automatic AF point selection

[Chico91]

I'm refuring to all my final pictures are not completely in focus AND the 9 points do not light up. If I take a picture in Automatic I get a picture that (if 2 supjects) one is in focus and the other isn't. Kind of like Im in manual but not. Hope that helps

[Merciez]

Chico,

The manual does appear to be poorly worded for the section you are refering.

With pictures' of multiple subjects, you might consider using the A-DEP mode as discussed starting on page 82 of your manual. Using the A-DEP mode will help in getting all the subjects with in your depth of field.

[Chico91]

will check it out thanks:D

[Bob_A]

When you switch to automatic selection of AF point mode all of the AF points momentarily flash to indicate that automatic mode has been selected. However, once you are in this mode, only the AF points that have gained focus will temporarily light up when you half press the shutter release button. Also, the points that do light up will be covering portions of the subject which are exactly the same distance from the lens.

Unless you are taking a picture of a flat image that is perfectly square with the camera you will never see all of the AF points flash at the same time to indicate all have achieved focus. What you will most likely see is one, two or three of the AF points flash when in automatic mode.

IMO I would stay away from using the auto AF point selection mode. I believe that while it does work well at times, you will be much more successful if you simply stick to using the center focus point, at least until you learn to use the camera. Focus on the subject, then, without lifting your finger from the shutter release (keep it half pressed), recompose and finish taking the picture.

The only time focus-recompose doesn't work well is when the depth of field is quite narrow. For these cases I manually select a focus point, however for 95% of what I shoot focus recompose works fine.

[Chico91]

I think you are right Bob. The darn manual threw me off. I thought something was wrong with the camera. But I do have a question. If Im using Auto and I half press and the focus point lights up on the bottom right. Will it take a clear picture of my subject that is in the middle or do I have to refocus? Sorry, Im very new at this and just learning.

[Tom W]

All 9 points will light up during the AF point selection process. Once set, only the AF points that are being used will light up as you focus on a subject.

[Mark_Cohran]

I think you are right Bob. The darn manual threw me off. I thought something was wrong with the camera. But I do have a question. If Im using Auto and I half press and the focus point lights up on the bottom right. Will it take a clear picture of my subject that is in the middle or do I have to refocus? Sorry, Im very new at this and just learning.

The AF point that lights up indicated the focus is set on the highest point of contrast in that area. If the focus point that lights up is on the bottom right, it's unlikely that the subject in the middle of the framining area will be in focus. The only way this would be true would be if the subject in the middle was in the same plane of focus as the AF point that lit.

The best way to get accurate focus is, as someone previously described, manually set focus to the center point. Use that to establish focus, then recompose. I actually prefer setting my focus points manually to avoid recomposing, but I have been using Canon EOS AF cameras for about 15 years, so it's second nature to me. You may find it easier to use the center point focus and recompose method.

Mark

[Bob_A]

I think you are right Bob. The darn manual threw me off. I thought something was wrong with the camera. But I do have a question. If Im using Auto and I half press and the focus point lights up on the bottom right. Will it take a clear picture of my subject that is in the middle or do I have to refocus? Sorry, Im very new at this and just learning.

That means that it locked focus on whatever was in the bottom right and anything that is not the exact same distance away from the lens as whatever was in the bottom right will be out of focus. This is the problem using auto-selection of the AF points. To get what you actually want to be in focus you have to futs around moving the camera and pushing the shutter release over and over to finally get the right AF point to light ... a big waste of time. Just select the center AF point and take the dumb computer program out of the equation.

[Bob_A]

I actually prefer setting my focus points manually to avoid recomposing, but I have been using Canon EOS AF cameras for about 15 years, so it's second nature to me. You may find it easier to use the center point focus and recompose method.

Mark

I agree that manually selecting the AF point is sometimes the way to go. I take a lot of images of my kids running around though, so using the center AF point is way more convenient. However, when they actually stay still :lol: , I manually select a point so I don't focus recompose.

[Chico91]

"To get what you actually want to be in focus you have to futs around moving the camera and pushing the shutter release over and over to finally get the right AF point to light ... a big waste of time."

Exactly what has been driving me crazy! You hit it on the head Bob. I think I'll be using center focus from now on.:lol:

[Titus213]

"To get what you actually want to be in focus you have to futs around moving the camera and pushing the shutter release over and over to finally get the right AF point to light ... a big waste of time."

Exactly what has been driving me crazy! You hit it on the head Bob. I think I'll be using center focus from now on.:lol:

You could select the center focus point and then read about CFn 4 on page 142 of your manual. It moves the focus to the * on the back of the camera. There can be benefits to this.