AF points?

[Coppatop85]

99% of the time, I only use the center AF point, but I am finding this does not work best in concert photography. I often have to shoot wide open to get enough light, so when I focus (on the face), then recompose, it seems the angle/focus plane has shifted enough while recomposing that the face is out of focus.

Anyone else have this problem? Think I might try auto AF point selection, or use the side ones.

[yuriyo923]

I think you'd be better off using the side AF poits than using auto selection!!

[sandpiper]

I think you'd be better off using the side AF poits than using auto selection!!

Agreed. Using all-points is very hit and miss. Essentially you are telling the camera to take a stab at guessing what you want to be in focus and focusing on it. It doesn't know what the subject is, so isn't going to automatically pick the face of the person you would choose (particularly as the 40D doesn't have face recognition, which at least tends to make the camera try and focus on a person).

With no other way to decide what is the subject, the camera will generally default to focusing on the nearest object that falls under an AF point. So you could get a nicely in focus microphone stand, but the singer would be OOF.

Also worth bearing in mind that, even with all-points AF, you still have to put a point on the subject anyway, or it won't even be an option for the camera to choose. Why not manually select that single point and be sure, rather than taking the 9:1 gamble that the camera picks it for itself.

[londonblue007]

I use the center point, focus, recompose quickly and shoot. works out for me 95% of the time... that's just rock'n'roll for ya.

[René Damkot]

I use whatever AF point is closest to the part I want in focus (face usually).
When using AiServo, that usually means framing loosely, and cropping in post, because the AF points aren't where they should be IMO. (1D2 here)

If lighting is too low, I use the centerpoint and recompose, or use centerpoint and crop later, depending on AF mode, aperture and lens used ;)

[90c4]

I always select the focus points manually too. You should also consider the precision focus screen - it's the best $40 I've spent. It makes manual focus simple at wide apertures and you can easily see if the camera's autofocus is accurate. I think it's called the Ef-S for your body

[Coppatop85]

I've heard good things about that actually -- I'll look into it some more, thanks!

[Riff Raff]

99% of the time, I only use the center AF point, but I am finding this does not work best in concert photography. I often have to shoot wide open

You have a 40D... what the heck are you doing using center AF point only at large apertures? All of the 40D's AF points are perfectly capable of focusing on things in low light. You need to manually select the AF point that's closest to your subject's eyes, and possibly reframe slightly to line it up more exactly. Using the joystick on the back of the 40D to select your AF point becomes second nature after awhile.

If lighting is too low, I use the centerpoint and recompose

I had to do that a lot with the Rebel XTi, but with the 40D it has not generally been necessary. The few times that I have been forced to use the center point only were at conditions like ISO 1600 f/1.4 1/100 (so REALLY low light).

[Coppatop85]

I JUST got my 40D literally 2 days ago -- I had an XTi. I wasn't aware of that. I didn't even know that joystick could select AF points. Thanks for the info :)

[blur07]

I JUST got my 40D literally 2 days ago -- I had an XTi. I wasn't aware of that. I didn't even know that joystick could select AF points. Thanks for the info :)
I didn't knew that either :)

Which focus mode are you using for concert phots? One Shot, AI Focus or AI Servo?

And what exactly means recompose?

[Coppatop85]

I use one shot for concerts. Recompose = Reframe -- Focus on the subjects eyes, then move the camera around for composition.

[narlus]

AI Servo, use which AF point makes the best composition (unless focus lock is really tough, then i will use center and recompose, or manual if i have enough time).

[Riff Raff]

I use AI Servo, unless I'm either shooting landscapes or using a flash.

[blackshadow]

With my 1D Mark III I go for AI Servo but I select focus point - usually on the subjects face.

With my 20D I usually shoot in One Shot AF mode and use the centre point and recompose.