Centre focus point or not??!!

[John Mac]

Just wondering is there any set criteria for either using the centre focus point or going on all 9..? I tend to use the centre one for a single portrait and them all for anything more.. Does this sound o.k.? Thanks in advance

20d & 300d
580 ex & 2 x 420 ex
17-40L
17-85 efs
75-300 is
50 1.8

[primoz]

Does this sound o.k.?
Not for me :) Camera has option to select each of 7/9/45 af points with reason ;) So personally I very rarely shoot with all 45 af points selected, I (almost) never shoot with center af point selected, but I mostly shoot with selected one or two af points, which fits to current composition best.
If I have chance to select any of 45 af points, I really don't see reason why I would limit myself to center point only, and then having problems recomposing.

[adam1093]

45 af points??
u mean the red dots u see in the view finder
i have about 10 at best??
did i miss sumthing in the manual :D

[picturecrazy]

1 series have a lot more focus points than your 400D, adam.

When the light is low (which is where I usually am) I use centre point as it receives the most light and has the best chance of focusing. Also, it becomes extra precise if you are using a f/2.8 lens or faster... on certain bodies. The OP's 20D qualifies, but the 300D does not... I believe.

So centre only for low light. Outdoors... I manually select the focus point when in bright light.

[grego]

Using all 9 generally results in missing focus from time to time.

If you are going to use other than center, make sure you select it. Don't rely on the all points because you likely will get a soft photo.