Cross-Type AF points?

Hi guys, hopefully this is a quick one.

Looking at possible picking up a Canon DSLR (again) in place of my NEX-6.

Within my price range i'm looking at second hand 550D's, maybe 60D kind of cameras.

Now all these cameras feature a centre point Cross-Type AF (f2.8), but the 60D for example has all 9 Cross-Type AF points (albeit at f5.6, with centre being f2.8).

But i, like many others, am a centre point AF user then i recompose. I very very rarely change my actual AF point. So in my situation, would more Cross-Type points benefit me speed wise?

If you shoot wide open, and like placing your subject off centre, then just having a central Crosstype point isnt enough. At certain distances, focussing and recomposing will shift your focal plane out of focus enough just to have a "soft" eye in focus.

It really does depend on your shooting style.

Personally, I use my off centre focus points more often than my centre ones.

Both of my old Canon DSLRs are Center cross-type only. However, they also have a limited range of AF points, and you can switch points as you wish.

I have always switched points when I want to "refocus" but keeping the elements of the scene, just changing the focal point, so not "recomposing" so much, although you can surely recompose. It's your choice.

The benefit of having more cross-type points is the greater accuracy of those points when you do want the focus point to be off-center. For example, if you have a scene that is appealing composition-wise but you want your focal point to be off-center (think of the face/eyes in the best focus although the center is focusing on the belly) then sure, having more accurate cross-type points allow you to switch over with more confidence.

Again, it's up to you and what you want to invest in!

I use a 6D, which has only one f/2.8 cross-type points. I am a confirmed center-point shooter. I use slow zooms and fast(er) primes. I've never had recompose cost me a shot, even wide open with the 28 1.8, 35 IS, 50 1.4, or 85 1.8. I just got my 135L and haven't had chance to test this premise with that lens, yet.

EDIT:
Just shot about 10 frames with the 135L. Focus and recompose has no detrimental effects at f/2, and at indoor distances. If it doesn't affect short distance shots, the deeper DOF of adding more distance makes focus and recompose a non-issue, for me anyway.

GeoKras1989 wrote in post #17664267
I use a 6D, which has only one f/2.8 cross-type points. I am a confirmed center-point shooter. I use slow zooms and fast(er) primes. I've never had recompose cost me a shot, even wide open with the 28 1.8, 35 IS, 50 1.4, or 85 1.8. I just got my 135L and haven't had chance to test this premise with that lens, yet.

EDIT:
Just shot about 10 frames with the 135L. Focus and recompose has no detrimental effects at f/2, and at indoor distances. If it doesn't affect short distance shots, the deeper DOF of adding more distance makes focus and recompose a non-issue, for me anyway.

focus and recompose is only a concern when you try to focus close, as the disparity in a recomposed focal length become more apparent combined with the shrinking DOFs. the 135L in particular is more an issue to watch the shutter speeds in less than optimal light due to lack of stabilization in the lens than focus and recomposing with it.

i dont focus and recompose with an 85 or 135 because you get more subject isolation and background compression with better composition not because i concerned with missed focus. wider lenses i try to capture more background and compose it in post by cropping, so i will focus and recompose with them.