What focusing technique do you use?

[bank5]

I use center point focusing the vast majority of the time. I'll focus on the nearest eye, lock the exposure, recompose and shoot.

I'm wondering how others tend to focus...center single point, manually select a single point, auto select, etc

[redskymedic]

I use the identical method- center focus and recompose as needed. I've heard that manually selecting a focal point is very accurate, but I haven't yet given it a try. I do know that auto select (for me) gives the worst results.

[RaZe42]

I turn the ring until the subject is in focus. SHOCKING! :D

[corey.b]

I got my focusing screen, split prism + matte. Focus and recompose, the matte works well so that I dont need to move all that much.

[gjl711]

Different techniques for different cameras. 5d is mostly center point focus and recompose unless that target is far off center or working with very narrow DOF. 7D is more area focus.

[pgcaldito]

Manually select focus point.

[funlovincamera]

Another vote for manually selecting focus point.

The center point and recompose method has major problems: depending on how you reframe, the distance between you and what you focused on could change with the implication that the focus will therefore be wrong and this will be particularly noticeable when shooting at large apertures. second problem: in automatic metering modes, your values are set when you halfway depress the shutter button. when you recompose, it will be using shutter/aperture from your previous composition which will be less than ideal.

[drew]

Focus-recompose or manually select a focus point. My 7D is sitting at home on the porch right now and I'm jonesing to try the AF point expansion.

@funlovincamera: That's only applicable if you use AF on the shutter button and not on the back button (you can turn your * on the Rebels into back button focusing) like the AF-ON button or similar.

[funlovincamera]

I suppose there are ways to avoid autoexposure lock at the half-press point, but there is still the very real issue of recomposing out of the focus plane. This article explains it pretty well: http://visual-vacations.com/Photography/focus-recompose_sucks.htm

[drew]

I can't imagine ever shooting in servo w/o backbutton AF...

[Dmab]

Manually selected focus point as well

[scroller52]

i almost never use anything but the AF point expansion

[Cpt.Vanquisher]

I use the centre point of my 5D and recompose. Exposure is no problem for me as I use an external meter (I always use flash) and set my aperture and shutter speed manually.

great link, funlovincamera. I believe it really matters when working with large apertures, but I wonder if the DOF at, say, f/4 wouldn't make up for the 'wrong' focussing?

[RDKirk]

Manual in Live View whenever possible.

[banpreso]

i've been shooting my zeiss with the S focus screen on my 5D. after a few weeks, i've gotta say it's not too bad! i shoot a lot of candid portraits and i'd say maybe i miss focus as often as i do with af.

with the S focus screen i can focus on any part of the frame, not just where the focus points are. with zeiss i also have the option of using af confirm, but i usually don't need to. the subject reall pops when it's in focus

[danielyamseng]

banpreso, what your max aperture, focal length,distance using this technique?

As far as understand, the manual focusing screen is located on the center, thus by using manual focus and recompose it's as good as using center AF and recompose?

bert, have you tried using off center focus point for the 5D?

I wonder is it by choice you're using the center or due to the inaccuracy of the off center point for 5D that's in a ways force you guys to use the center focus point?

[Cpt.Vanquisher]

I always used the center point, because I find it more convenient to use than changing the focus points every time. When shooting models I switch a lot between horizontal en vertical orientation and model on the left and right side of the frame. So that would mean I have to check my focus point every time. Now it's a simple move of aiming the center point at the eyes and recompose.

But I'll give it a try next time and see how it works for me.

[danielyamseng]

bert, then what's your largest aperture that's still work fine for you?

And the focal length?

[Cpt.Vanquisher]

When working with off-camera flash I never have problems, because I shoot at f/5.6-8. That's a DOF of nearly 10cm. But for portraits at f/2.8, it can be a bit tricky (DOF is about 3cm then). When shooting with large apertures, I always have a larger percentage of bad photos then when I work stopped down. But it could be subject movement aswell... . I mainly use my 70-200 f/2.8 IS.

[yorkiemom]

I manually select depending on my subject.

[danielyamseng]

Bert, with a DOF 10cm how far you focus and recompose? would it be from the left side to the farthest right point?

[Cpt.Vanquisher]

no, only from the center to the left or right side of the frame.

[StanleyK14]

I almost always manually select the focus point, there a C.Fn that makes it very quick and easy to select points with the joystick

[Halliday]

Manually pick an appropriate focusing point, use the thumb button to lock AF, then trip the shutter with my pointer finger.

[USER876]

I use the center and recompose, but once I find the exposure settings that work for a particular scene, I dial them in on manual so they don't change and recalculate for each shot.

[joebob23]

I typically use center point, and focus/recompose unless I'm shooting quick moving subjects (toddlers, etc.), in which case I select focus point that give me the best framing given my relative position (obviously not ideal, but I can crop it later..).

[KevinA]

Most of the time I use the central focus point. Occasionally when under pressure I'll select an outer edge point, so that I don't have to keep moving the camera.

But I always use the focus button on the back of the camera (to avoid the exposure being locked) during focussing - rather that half pressing the shutter button.

[silvernole12]

Manually selected focus point

[elithrar]

I suppose there are ways to avoid autoexposure lock at the half-press point, but there is still the very real issue of recomposing out of the focus plane. This article explains it pretty well: http://visual-vacations.com/Photography/focus-recompose_sucks.htm

Very true re: re-composing out of the plane. However, I find if you're aware of that little 'catch' then you can usually make sure you don't do it.

For me, I use the centre AF point & focus-recompose, or MF (with a matte screen) when it requires — typically when recomposing would require a big shift in the framing.

[brian00321]

A little bit of everything, tbh. If the shot'll be fine with a center-focus and recomposition, then I'll do that. If a shot is calling for precision, then I'll focus on the subject manually. If I'm shooting street and trying not to miss a moment, it's F8 with zone or hyperfocal focusing.

[polobreaka]

when you guys do the the focus and recomposing, are you using one shot or ai servo?

i have a 5d and a 1dm2n, so i do the focus and recompose with the 5d with center point, but i feel that im missing focus because of recomposing. on the 1dm2n, i manually select the points because its easier and the outer focus points are better than the 5d.