XTi AF point selection while changing ISO, metering, etc.

i've found something annoying about my XTi and i'm wondering if anyone's found a way around it...

I use the custom function to manually be able to change my AF points, but when that is enabled it becomes difficult to change ISO, metering, white balance, etc. because the controls that change those features and also used to change the AF point. The camera just moves the selected AF point when I attempt to change white balance, which becomes very annoying.

aany way around this?

Yes. Be a little more patient.

When you press the button to enable AF point selection, the up/down/left right buttons work in AF selection mode for six seconds. (See page 57 of the manual.) So what you need to do is select the AF point, then wait 6 seconds for the buttons to revert to their normal functions.

ok thanks.

just curious... how is this handled in the 30d? (i'm thinking about upgrading for other reasons atm)

The 30D has a very convenient layout with two seperate controls - a wheel dial and a joystick control - so it's much easier and faster to dial in your settings.

I use this all the time on my XTi to get back to the menu with out waiting, press the shutter button half way after you have the point selected you want, then it pops you back to the menu and saves the AF point as well.

Hope that helps

I use the half-shutter press too, when I want to get the menu back to the main. For me, the middle button is flash-exposure compensation, so once I set it, half-shutter press, then set the ISO or whatever.