Auto/Manual Focus Question

This may sound like a really basic question, but here goes: When shooting candid shots at a wedding, do you recommend keeping the auto-focus on or off? If left on, then the autofocus might focus on the wrong thing and I miss the moment - OR - if left off, then by the time I manually focus the shot, I may miss the moment also. Which is better? AF on or off? Thanks.

Tabby - right or wrong - I don't know but this is how I do it - Always auto- focus on. I am always on center af point.

AF 100%

Autofocus, 100%. Even when it's erratic in low light, it's better and faster than manual. And with most digital cameras now, there's no split image or microprism focusing screen so they're difficult to focus even in good light.

Do you use Cfn4 to prevent the camera re-focussing everry time you press the shutter? might help with your issues.

AF (and centre-point only) for both Ann and me - but there's no right way here, it's just a personal choice.

Rob

tnicol wrote in post #3993739
And with most digital cameras now, there's no split image or microprism focusing screen so they're difficult to focus even in good light.

We've got a Haoda split-image screen in one of our 20Ds and it makes it much easier to focus manually ...but to be honest I just use it as a quick check that AF has hit the mark I want it to. I wish Canon would fit split-image screens as standard, or at least make them available as options across the whole camera range.

Rob

AF single point 100% of the time, mainly centre point but I do tend to move the point around though when I have chance, e.g. if were shooting a lot of traditional groups (which is quite common at UK weddings) I swap to the middle top AF point and focus on the eyes of whoever is in the centre of the picture. Dont know if this is the best way of doing it but after spending 2 weddings using the centre point and recomposing I fugured its gotta be easier do it using the middle top point

Also single point AF 100% of the time,

Phil V wrote in post #3994746
Do you use Cfn4 to prevent the camera re-focussing everry time you press the shutter? might help with your issues.

Can you expand on this please?

I don't have the manual in front of me, but if you enable custom function 4, the * button becomes the button you use to focus. The camera doesn't autofocus every time you press the shutter button...something like that.

AF 100%; Center point 95% of the time. I also have my focusing set to the * on the back of the camera. I forget which custom function sets that up.

B-H-P wrote in post #3996402
AF 100%; Center point 95% of the time. I also have my focusing set to the * on the back of the camera. I forget which custom function sets that up.

cf4-1

tnicol wrote in post #3995857
I don't have the manual in front of me, but if you enable custom function 4, the * button becomes the button you use to focus. The camera doesn't autofocus every time you press the shutter button...something like that.

I use this too, can't remember which cfn either, but it takes about a week to get used to it and then it is so much easier IMO. It keeps you from either accidentally refocusing while pressing the shutter, or accidentally taking a picture while trying to focus. The half-press on the shutter becomes exposure lock, but I never use that, so it made more sense to have a dedicated button for focusing. If you're not sure about using it.. I really recommend you give it a try for a few days.

bcap wrote in post #3995617
Can you expand on this please?

notapro wrote in post #3996460
I use this too, can't remember which cfn either, but it takes about a week to get used to it and then it is so much easier IMO. It keeps you from either accidentally refocusing while pressing the shutter, or accidentally taking a picture while trying to focus. The half-press on the shutter becomes exposure lock, but I never use that, so it made more sense to have a dedicated button for focusing. If you're not sure about using it.. I really recommend you give it a try for a few days.

Sorry for the delay, but a few others pointed it out. Using the rear * button for AF means there's no chance of the camera refocussing when you don't want it to. Custom Function 4.1 (which uses the shutter half press as AE lock) or 4.3 (which has no AE lock). There's been great debate but lots of people use it. I personally get frustrated using cameras without the function, especially where they use AI focus too - it all gets a little too unpredictable.

Even on the (soon to get) 40d I'd use the * button, as there's no AF-on button on the grip, so the AF-on button wouldn't be available to me half the time.