Choosing AF points? (Rebel XT)

Can I ask a really dumb Q?

How do I choose which of teh 7 points I want to have as my focus point on the Rebel XT? I've heard and read about the "*" button on the back - can someone explain that to me?

Thanks for humouring my humble Q.....

Krista,. I have edited the title of your thread to refelct the actual nature of the question. You'll find this helps get the responses your looking for better than a generic "I have a question" title.

As for the question.. I'd love to help but I'm not familiar with the Rebel XT controls

The only dumb question is the one that is never asked. You are in friendly company. I will have a similar question for my new 5D - I've just cracked the 179 page manual and there are only so many hours in the day .

pg 73 of the manual
thats got the real detail of doing it. hope that helps!

Do you mean "Which focussing point should I use?" or "how do I select a focussing point?" The latter is explained in your manual; the former depends on what you're shooting. Most folks here usually use the center focussing point. If you're shooting something that you know will have the main area of interest off-center, choose the focussing point closest to the main point of interest.

I guess I'm wondering if I can choose one specific point of the seven point focus. i.e. say, I want to use the left focus point - is there a way to select it?

IIRC (not having a 350D, but having gone over the manual),there's a button marked sorta like this [---]. Push it and use the arrows on the camera back to select the point you want (either while looking through the finder or via the LCD data display. But this will be in the manual, try p. 73 as Andy suggests.

I haven't used my Xt in a while but I believe you want to hold down the button next to the * button on the back of the camera. If you are looking at the back, the button is on the top right hand side I believe. While holding this down rotate the black wheel that is directly behind the shutter button to change your focus point. Again, this is going from memory so consulting your manual can confirm or prove I'm getting old.

Assuming you understood how to actually physically select which one of those points you want to use, it is down to the photo you wish to take. If you select a narrow depth of field, and you chose a specific point in your subject, then it is possible to use that location in the frame to be your chosen sharp point whilst allowing other areas to be less sharp according to their distance in front or behind the depth of field chosen.

So instead of taking a general hit or miss aproach with focal points flashing and bleeping like a disco show, you can rely on just the one. Which does not have to be the centre one. So if you are taking repeat shots at the same location you do not have to select the one in the centre, half hold down the shutter and then pan to your chosen framing of the image.

Just like computers, there are usually several ways to achieve the same objective. Which ever one feels most comfortable to use to you is the way to go.

(I think I got that right).....criticisms humbly accepted.

you wont be able to change the focus point if you are not in a creative shooting mode. use all the modes to the left of the green square on the dial (P,Tv,Av,M...) and you will be able to change the focus point by pressing the button thats top right on the back of your camera (cross shaped symbol) and twiddling the scroll wheel by the shutter button. if you look through the camera viewfinder you will see the focus point change, same goes for looking at the screen on the back.

stu

I think I've figured it out! I keep hearing press the "*" and select your focal point- but couldn't figure out HOW! And one book I have is for the rebel (not XT) and so it says to press that then turn the dial - but I don't have a dial on teh back. ANyhow here's what I learned in case anyone else is interested...
-press * button
-press button beside it (this is the step I was missing!) - above the button there is a diagram of all seven focus points
-then they'll all go red in the viewfinder, and then I can scroll through with the dial on the front I use to change shutter speeds.

Wait - I just reread stupot's post and he never mentioned the "*" button so I tried doing it without that button and it works. What is the point of the * button?

Also... How long does this stay as my focal point - just for the one pic or is there a way to lock it?

Thanks everyone - you are sooo helpful!

The posts you're reading about the '*' button are referring to setting Custom Function 4 to 1, which puts focus lock (not focus point selection) on the '*' button. Basically it swaps the focus lock and exposure lock functions.

Once you've selected any focus point via the [---] button, it'll stay there until you select another one (deliberately or accidentally).

you have to be in P, Tv, Av or M mode to use the selective focussing points. You press [---] and then you can either spin the dial or use the 4 up/down/left/right keys to change it. after about a second, it will lock in that position. it won't change. you have to change it again if you want to pick another focussing point.

it's very useful and one of the things i love about DSLRs that have this feature. you can selective focus on something in the foreground and cause the background to blur if you have the right settings.

if you have your popup flash open, the * can be used to pre-flash a scene so that it can help with AF or metering. try it.

OK, Krista, now you have me (a beginner) confused. I have the Rebel (300) not the XT (350) but I think they are similar.

I thought the ----- button is for changing the Focus point, and the * button, right next to it on the back of the 300D, is for locking the exposure.

I guess you need some extra thumbs and index fingers if you want to do both.