Help w/ focusing and metering, please

[casey87]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and wonder if anyone can help, please. I'm photographing an important event for a friend, this weekend. I just switched from Nikon to a Canon 30D :grin: , and find that I am having back focusing issues :cry: . Also, when shooting a group, some of the group will be soft, while others are in focus. I'm hoping for some reccomended settings for this weekend. I will be doing group shots with a 28-80 2.8 L and the event - with 150 people and many children - with a 70-200 2.8 L.
Any advice anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[goforphoto]

It is kind of hard to tell you anything without knowing what you are setting your camera on when you have these problems. Give us your normal shooting setting and we'll go from there.

[casey87]

Oh! Sorry! I have had the Al Servo setting on and what I think is called evaluative metering. I shoot at 200 ISO ouside and 400 ISO inside. I'm shooting Raw and was shooting w/ a 35-80 4-5.6, but will use the new lenses this weekend. I usually shoot in AV mode, though I sometimes switch to P or M.

Does that help you to help me? :confused:

Thanks!

[goforphoto]

I think I would go with spot metering, when inside I would use Manual setting, if using flash AV might be ok I'm more comfortable using manual all of the time (control freak) Av mode may be setting shutter speeds too low causing OOF problem and keep an eye on which focus point lights up some times somthing in the background catches focus away from the forground causing back focus to occur, I always manually select my focus point, most of the time I use center focus. I'm not sure about the 35-80 lens don't have one so I cann't say that the lens may be the problem or not.

[JMW-Photo]

My first instinct is that you are using all your auto focus points and a large aperture.

Just like goforphoto kinda said, it is really hard to understand the problem without seeing some examples with EFIX attached.

If your using all your focus points, switch to the center one only. Point the center point on where you want the focus to be then re-compose your shot. When shooting a large group, it's probably not the best idea to use large aperture. Might want to jump up to like 5.6-8 depending on how many people deep the group shot is. THIS however may require the use of a some fill flash. Your on camera flash most likely won't have enough power to cover the group so hopefully you have either a 580EX or 430EX. If you shooting a large group the ultimate would probably be 2 580's set to the right and left of you forward about 5 feetish and have ST-E2 transmittler. (in all honesty, I could be way off on the need for the 2x flash thing...in my mind it seems good tho!)

Just curious why your shooting goup stuff in AI Servo.

[imhotep]

I'm more comfortable using manual all of the time (control freak)

So far I have shyed away from using manual mode at events, just because it saves me from having to adjust the ap. and shutter speed throughout the shoot.

Do you ever find that you're fingers aren't fast enough on the camera's controls to adjust for proper exposure manually?

I know I'm not fast enough. I usually stick with Av.

[goforphoto]

Once in a while I slow down but most of the time I can hit it pretty good. Thumb on one dial trigger finger on the other at all times:) Multi-tasking ya gotta love it LOL

[Scott_Quier]

Is there any chance your backfocusing issue could be caused by the combination of two factors: (1) the AI servo and (2) using all your focus points. It might be that the camera is getting confused.

Maybe try instead (1) one-shot focusing and (2) as has been suggested above only one focus point and focus on a point 1/3 the way into the group (or the first row if there are only two rows of people).

[Tish]

Unless you're shooting fast moving objects (and yes, kids CAN be :rolleyes: ), I'd move away from AI Servo for this event. I've found I have a much lower percentage of keepers on that setting (even for movement) then I do on One Shot.

Worth a practice run anyway--Good luck, and welcome to Canon & the forums!

[CyberPet]

I wouldn't use AI Servo unless you work those focus points hard, as if you use one focus point and recompose, the focus will end up somewhere else. AI Servo and recomposing doesn't match well.

[tim]

Centre focus point, one shot AF, camera in manual, flash in ETTL with flash exposure compensation set at -1. F8 for group shots if you have enough light.

[casey87]

I just have to say WOW! Thank you, thank you thank you! It's so nice to know that there are so many helpful people in the world, and I hope to be able to return the favor one day. Though, I'm still a bit nervous, I feel much more confidant with all your advice. I've been "practising" w/ my 6 year old daughter and friends and stuffed animals, and find all your advice to hold true, in different situations. What great teacher's you all are. I'll let you know how it goes, and maybe even get up the courage to post some of my images for your C&C, if you will.
Have a great weekend!