Focus with Shutter or * [AF ON] button? -READ ME-

No lag that I've noticed on my 10D.
What camera?

Oops - 20D usually with the 70-200 2.8 IS with or without the 1.4 Canon Ex II.

Thanks!

Andy

I really cant understand what "isnt" easy about holding the shutter release down halfway to hold focus, rather than pressing the * buttton.

If spot metering for example I would rather use the* button for that and use the shutter release for focusing, seems to make more sense to me.

Anyway what happened to the art of manual focus, that is far faster and selective when shooting moving subjects and no recomposing needed either. What would be better is an improvement of the focusing screen like we used to see on past film slr camera's, cant say I had a problem focusing then, that was before auto focus was invented.

We read threads about "NOT" recomposing after focusing, and now this thread sort of goes against that with many people, wanting to focus with the * button then recompose to get an exposure reading/fix. Remember the camera meter, whatever method you use (even the brilliant evaluative method) is not always fool proof.

Each to their own, there is no right or wrong way, at the end of the day its what suits the individual, best thing is try out these things.

You are right it is easy to hold the shutter down half way. But I like separating metering and exposure. I can lock exposure recompose and focus using the * button very easily. It's also great when using AI Servo and a moving subject. Easier to keep your thumb pressed on the focus button.

Horses for courses as they say. No right answer just personal preference.

I once switced to * for focus. In quick situation I forgot about it and shots were OOF (not even) focus. LOL

I still prefer shutter to lock focus and * for AE lock....the old way.

I just played around w/ my 20D and it looks i'll enjoy this function specially in ai servo mode.

if handing off your camera and you dont want to explain... simply shift to full auto mode and let the camera do all the work, it will revert to auto settings in "auto" modes... no need to change internal settings, and back again.

Whew! made it through this posting... based on what I read, gonna give it a whirl...

even my girlfriend likes it! she's not that into photography (uses my old 300d) and wishes she could get this custom function on her 300D.

if she can like it and get the hang of it....so can any of you dorks reading this forum can
(dork meant only in a loving way....I spend too much time on this forum myself and certainly fall into the dork category)

20D C.Fn-04 - explain ?

I have been reading the manual about C.Fn-04 setting, but just dont 'get it'. Can someone please explain in stooopid people terms for me ?

in a nutshell.. you can set the * button to use for autofocus instead of halfpressing the shutter release

steveathome wrote in post #1797143
Anyway what happened to the art of manual focus, that is far faster and selective when shooting moving subjects and no recomposing needed either. What would be better is an improvement of the focusing screen like we used to see on past film slr camera's, cant say I had a problem focusing then, that was before auto focus was invented.
.[/q

I would love to be able to focus manually but I find the view finder in the 350d a bit too small unless it is a really clear day. And then have you ever tried to man focus the 18-55 kit lens?
On the old lens my dad had there was that really good middle half circle thing that really helped. No idea what it was called. grippy with good action focus ring with a good view finder and an optical assist on the lens would do me.

steveathome wrote in post #1797143
We read threads about "NOT" recomposing after focusing, and now this thread sort of goes against that with many people, wanting to focus with the * button then recompose to get an exposure reading/fix. Remember the camera meter, whatever method you use (even the brilliant evaluative method) is not always fool proof.

Exactly why CF 4-1 is so valuable.. you do NOT recompose after focus!


The reasons "NOT" to focus and then re-compose are because doing so may mean an out of focus image.

With 4-1, you don't focus recompose, you meter, then recompose and focus and shoot,

It's the other way around.

this is one reason why 4-1 is so helpful. (I won't reiterate many of the other reasons listed in this thread, one can either read it or not at there own convenience )

The rest of your post seems to suggest we not use AF or AE metering..
Sure going 100% manual is an option, but why not get the best use of the options available to us rather than shoot with pinholes etc..

I think that the star button method of focusing is something that takes a while to get used to, but i find it anything but instinctive. i'm happy with my old focus/ recompose method, but as my abilities and demands increase, would be prepared to revisit this concept. right now, it doesn't offer me anything special.

Just saw this thread, and i'm just wondering if this will also work in manual? or is it only used for program modes? I realise that the question is probably answered in this thread, but 23 pages is just so long

Not sure about the above questions.

I tried this out a few times now, and I'm pretty sure I will leave it set up this way. My first shot always has me asking "what the %&$( is wrong here", but I remember pretty quickly and can stick with it the rest of the day. I suppose it eventually will truly become second nature. I already know that I like the extra control.