20D focus

I've been shooting with a 20D for nearly a year now and LOVE it but I'm finding auto focus can still be hit and miss. I rarely set it for all nine points now and generally go for the centre focus. I find it limiting, composition wise. Anyone have any advice/tips/tricks on how to set the focus settings.
Thanks

chuckvanhalen wrote in post #4174087
I've been shooting with a 20D for nearly a year now and LOVE it but I'm finding auto focus can still be hit and miss. I rarely set it for all nine points now and generally go for the centre focus. I find it limiting, composition wise. Anyone have any advice/tips/tricks on how to set the focus settings.
Thanks

As to the limitations composition wise... I had been avoiding all but the center also until I looked at the CF function for AF selection method. Have you toyed with the different options for that? I have mine set to CF 13-1. It allows me to basically point at the proper AF point using the joystick aimed at that spot. It's still not perfect, but it's faster than the default way I think. As to the hunting at AF, it is what it is unfortunately. I'm trying to learn by experience what kinds of things the perimeter sensors like to focus on so I can try to focus lock on those things and shift back to subject when I can. I've been doing that with center AF point too, but I'd rather use the sides as you've said and not lose focus just by shifting to and from the subject.

The 40d has improved the reception for 2.8 and faster lenses of the middle sensor and has added cross-type sensors in all the rest. The 20d has cross type in the middle and horizontal only in the surrounding ones I believe. This means your perimeter AF points want something easy to lock onto. I think probably a high contrast point or something with a defined edge. My 20d is way better than my 10d for achieving accurate focus, but I'll be anxious to put my hands on a 40d when I can afford it. With the 20d I'm probably getting 40% of the usably sharp non-fixed subjects that are not tack sharp due to focus.