7D Airshow Focusing Settings

[JuSlaughter]

Hey Guys

Hope everyone is OK.

I've done a search and can't find the answer I'm looking for ;)

Since purchasing my 7D a couple of months back, I haven't really played around with the miriad of focusing options, its been in single point mode all the time.

I think its about time I started to experiment, but what I wanted to know was, for those that have 7D's and airshows going on at the moment, what focusing mode do you use, single point, multi-zone, whatever?

Over here in the UK, was have the F-22 Raptor appearing at the Royal International Air Tattoo in July for the first time (2008 got cancelled) and I do not want to mess up because I could have been in a better mode for shooting planes other than single point. All the other settings I'm OK with (although could do with more practice with props and panning:oops:)

Cheers

[PhotosGuy]

I do not want to mess up Go out & practice shooting traffic!
20D, but I don't see where it would make much difference: What I do find extremely useful is to use Custom Function C.Fn-13 (1) to put the focus points on my joystick (multi controller) which makes it easy to switch when things are moving fast. It works well for these Radio Controlled Boats (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=101101) which were much harder to shoot than A/C.
Also see the links in: Shooting airshows in Manual (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=766329)

[FlyingPhotog]

The AF on the 7D is similar to that of the 1-Series (I have a MkIII) and at the distances involved, with things moving in a pretty linear fashion, I'd go with single point AF and be done with it.

Practicing with other objects (as Frank points out) will help you with keeping your shots "center mass"

[snyderman]

Give both single-point and single-point expanded a try. I've had good luck with single-point expanded even shooting something like basketball.

dave

[Slimsphotos]

Agree with those above. I use both the 5D and 7D at airshows, and always keep it on single centre point. Especially with fast jets, no time for choosing a different focus point when they come through at speed. Enjoy the season :-) I'll be at Old Warden and Duxford weekend of 15/16 May, weather better be good :-)

Chris