I tried the star button focus :(

AH! - I think I see what you're saying - even though I'm in manual and setting the exposure settings (sutter and appeture), I'm making those settings based on the light meter bar in the VF. So, even though I don't have the camera set up to set the exposure for me, I would still benefit because the information for metering bar is continuing to be updated. This is what I was trying to dig down to. I could only see the benefit of focusing with (*) if the Camera was involved with the exposure setting (Av or Tv) modes before.

I shoot with the half shutter for focus most of the time... but I don't shoot sports or high action.
Plus I often use my flash for indoor portraits where I find I want/need the * button pre-flash. Just my preference.

Now, I have played with CF4-1 where it'll meter when you shoot and you can just hold down the * button in AI servo... and it is nice!
If you shoot sports, CF4-1 must be the way to go as many will recommend. For around the house type stuff, I stick with CF4-0 so I can specifically set the metering with the * button on what I want and when I want.

Really, there is no RIGHT/WRONG way. It depends on the situation you're in... and what equipment you're using.

I wish there was an easy way to save profiles like this in the camera (one for my wife, one for normal flash portraits, and one for sports). Is that what the personal functions of a 1-series does?

Try it and if you don't like it I'd advise keep trying

I tried it and set it back to default then decided to try again as I started to understand the benefits of separating focus and exposure.

Now I almost always shoot 4-1.

Just remember, with CF4-0, focus and exposure are still technically separated... just most people don't use the * button to set the exposure in that mode.
If you don't set it, the exposure is determined when you take the shot... just like in CF4-1.

It depends on what you need. Do you want to set the exposure on something and then worry about focussing and composing your shot... or do you want to control focus on a separate button so you can take a shot at any point in time and let the camera meter when you take the shot.
2 different worlds... both of equal value. You can't discount either one.

I agree... you have to keep trying... one mode or the other. CF4-1 doesn't work best in all situations... and neither does CF4-0.

EOS_JD wrote:
Try it and if you don't like it I'd advise keep trying

I tried it and set it back to default then decided to try again as I started to understand the benefits of separating focus and exposure.

Now I almost always shoot 4-1.

That was my experience too. I decided to persevere due to the experience behind the advice and have been rewarded by more control.

Anything else seems down right wrong now.

Graham