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View Full Version : TO AUTO FOCUS OR NOT TO AUTO FOCUS...

Steve Parr
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 21:58
I'm wondering how many folks here utilize their auto focus.

I've been using mine when shooting bands, and I have this pesky little problem of focusing on the mic stand, leaving the singer slightly out of focus. Drives me up a wall.

Should I concentrate on manual focus, or are there some tips that some may be inclined to impart upon my melon?

Thanks...

Steve
FlipsidE
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 22:09
I say focus on the singer until one of your focus lights appears right on the singer, keep the button half pressed, recompose, and shoot. Singer should stay in focus.

FlipsidE
CyberDyneSystems
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 22:15
Steve,

You don't mention what camera you have,. but if it is anything other than the 300D/Rebel,. you might want to look into Custum Function 4.. which set to 1 or 3 will unlock your cameras full Autofocus pontential.
Monito
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 22:25
I say focus on the singer until one of your focus lights appears right on the singer, keep the button half pressed, recompose, and shoot. Singer should stay in focus.

This technique is good to know about, but has limitations and can lead to errors.

http://visual-vacations.com/Photography/focus-recompose_sucks.htm

Two other techniques can help. One is to set the focus lock to a separate control from the shutter button. This can be done on Canon 20D and better cameras.

The other is to set the autofocus point for the composition of the shot. If the singer is to be on the left side of the frame, the autofocus point could be set to one of the point in the left side of the viewfinder. Thus there would be no focus point on the microphone (presumably in the center or right).
Steve Parr
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 22:33
Methinks this would be a dandy time to break out the instruction manual...

Steve
mbze430
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 22:54
depends what I am shooting, but I definately use CF4
CyberDyneSystems
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 23:07
He's not going to tell us what camera he's using is he? :lol: ;)
PacAce
23rd of February 2005 (Wed), 06:46
He's not going to tell us what camera he's using is he? :lol: ;)
My crystal ball says 300D but it's been in need of some polishing so don't bet your life away on it. :D
Illegally_Alive
23rd of February 2005 (Wed), 23:35
Most of the time I use auto focus and if I don't like it I'll switch to manual- but like everything in photography there are plenty of times I do it the other way.
Sydor25
24th of February 2005 (Thu), 00:11
He's not going to tell us what camera he's using is he? :lol: ;)


According to this Thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58967), he has a 300D.

PacAce, how is your crystal ball with lottery numbers? :lol: