Selecting AF point

g_robins · 27th of October 2006 (Fri)

I have a 350D and use it mostly for rallying. My question is this , is it better to have the AF point set to auto or would it be better to use the centre focus point. I do use it in AI SERVO mode as well.

Jon · 27th of October 2006 (Fri)

I prefer to set my AF point myself. Don't know if the 350D has it, but the 20D and 5D have a mini-joystick that I've set to let me shift active focus point on the fly.

Mark_Cohran · 27th of October 2006 (Fri)

Take control of your camera and manually select the focus point so that you control where the focus will be. That's my opinion. I don't exclusively use the center focus point, though it would be good for a beginner to start that way. I choose the AF point that is closest to where I want to focus for the given composition, then I recompose as required (which is usually much less of a recomposition) than if I used the center point.

Mark

g_robins · 27th of October 2006 (Fri)

Thanks guys for the input but let me explain. When I am takeing photos on a rally I track the car with the AI Servo and then when the car fills the frame or is at the point I want the photo I then fully press the shutter. So centre point AF would seem to be the correct setting or do you have any other views.

syntrix · 27th of October 2006 (Fri)

Quote:

Originally Posted by g_robins

Thanks guys for the input but let me explain. When I am takeing photos on a rally I track the car with the AI Servo and then when the car fills the frame or is at the point I want the photo I then fully press the shutter. So centre point AF would seem to be the correct setting or do you have any other views.

Seems right to me. If you are in auto, and start panning with the shutter button 1/2 pressed, are you committed to the camera's chosen af points?

I would rather have the control.

Kennymc · 27th of October 2006 (Fri)

If you track with the centre focus point in A1 servo with the shuter half pressed it will keep on refocusing until the button is pressed fully... As long as part of the subject is covered by this AF point all should be well...

peacock · 27th of October 2006 (Fri)

Hi Graham , i think most people preffer to select their AF points rather than leave it to the camera, KennyG wrote a piece with some info on using AF points .
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...af+motorsports

g_robins · 27th of October 2006 (Fri)

Hi John, thanks for that, I am of to Minehead in the morning (4am). Hope to get loads of lovely gravel rally photos.

peacock · 27th of October 2006 (Fri)

Quote:

Originally Posted by g_robins

Hi John, thanks for that, I am of to Minehead in the morning (4am). Hope to get loads of lovely gravel rally photos.

enjoy the trip , look forward to seeing what you get

27th of October 2006 (Fri)	#1
g_robins Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 262	Selecting AF point I have a 350D and use it mostly for rallying. My question is this , is it better to have the AF point set to auto or would it be better to use the centre focus point. I do use it in AI SERVO mode as well. __________________ Canon1D Mk.IIN Canon 1D MkIII, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, Sigma 24-70mm f2.8,Sigma 10-20mm, Canon 580 EX Flash,Yongnuo 565 Flash, Lowepro Magnum AW, Lowepro belt system. Have a look at www.grahamrobins.net

27th of October 2006 (Fri)	#2
Jon Moderator Cocker Spaniel Mod Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Kensington, MD USA Posts: 65,142	Re: Selecting AF point I prefer to set my AF point myself. Don't know if the 350D has it, but the 20D and 5D have a mini-joystick that I've set to let me shift active focus point on the fly. __________________ Jon ---------- EOS, Powershot and Domke - it doesn't get any better than this! T90 and stuff \| F-1n, New F-1, FTb and more stuff out on loan Cocker Spaniels Maryland and Virginia activities *DC Cherry Blossoms* Image Posting Rules and Image Posting FAQ Report SPAM, Don't Answer It! (link) PERSONAL MESSAGING REGARDING SELLING OR BUYING ITEMS WITH MEMBERS WHO HAVE NO POSTS IN FORUMS AND/OR WHO YOU DO NOT KNOW FROM FORUMS IS HEREBY DECLARED STRICTLY STUPID AND YOU WILL GET BURNED.

27th of October 2006 (Fri)	#3
Mark_Cohran Moderator Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 15,543	Re: Selecting AF point Take control of your camera and manually select the focus point so that you control where the focus will be. That's my opinion. I don't exclusively use the center focus point, though it would be good for a beginner to start that way. I choose the AF point that is closest to where I want to focus for the given composition, then I recompose as required (which is usually much less of a recomposition) than if I used the center point. Mark __________________ Mark ----- Some primes, some zooms, some Ls, some bodies and they all play nice together. Thirty-five years of shooting and still learning. My G&N Blog (NSFW)- My Complete Gear List - Mac-Photo Website - *My Tumblr Site* (NSFW) G&N FORUM EARLY ACCESS & IMAGE POSTING RULES

27th of October 2006 (Fri)	#4
g_robins Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 262	Re: Selecting AF point Thanks guys for the input but let me explain. When I am takeing photos on a rally I track the car with the AI Servo and then when the car fills the frame or is at the point I want the photo I then fully press the shutter. So centre point AF would seem to be the correct setting or do you have any other views. __________________ Canon1D Mk.IIN Canon 1D MkIII, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, Sigma 24-70mm f2.8,Sigma 10-20mm, Canon 580 EX Flash,Yongnuo 565 Flash, Lowepro Magnum AW, Lowepro belt system. Have a look at www.grahamrobins.net

27th of October 2006 (Fri)	#6
Kennymc Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: N.E coast of UK Posts: 1,501 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Selecting AF point If you track with the centre focus point in A1 servo with the shuter half pressed it will keep on refocusing until the button is pressed fully... As long as part of the subject is covered by this AF point all should be well... __________________ www.kennymc.com Equipment http://kennymc.com/Information/equipment.html

27th of October 2006 (Fri)	#7
peacock Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hampshire , South Coast UK Posts: 1,919	Re: Selecting AF point Hi Graham , i think most people preffer to select their AF points rather than leave it to the camera, KennyG wrote a piece with some info on using AF points . http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...af+motorsports __________________ Just started populating a site with snaps @ www.3cakes.co.uk

27th of October 2006 (Fri)	#8
g_robins Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 262	Re: Selecting AF point Hi John, thanks for that, I am of to Minehead in the morning (4am). Hope to get loads of lovely gravel rally photos. __________________ Canon1D Mk.IIN Canon 1D MkIII, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, Sigma 24-70mm f2.8,Sigma 10-20mm, Canon 580 EX Flash,Yongnuo 565 Flash, Lowepro Magnum AW, Lowepro belt system. Have a look at www.grahamrobins.net

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