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

I realy like the CF4-1 for shooting sand sports with fast moving buggys doing jumps and what not with pretty consistant lighting. Yesterday I tried it for our local air show with the blue angles and it wasnt as benifitial. I was shooting in AV mode, AI Servo and continous burst. I would track the plains moving toward me then start a long burst as they passed by making a long fast sweep from east to west or visa-versa. The problem was that it locks the meter starting at the first shot, so if they are moving toward the sun and the sky is getting brighter my shots would quickly get overexposed or underexposed if moving away from the sun. I got some realy great shots but lost more than I got due to this operator error and not compleatly understanding the fact that it locks the metering during burst mode.

mR_CaESaR wrote in post #2000153
wondering if this will also work in manual? or is it only used for program modes?

It works in any of the creative modes(P, Tv, Av, M, A-DEP), not the basic modes.

Try CF4-3 then.
The same as 4-1 but meters each shot seperatly even in burst.

When I had the XT, I couldn't figure out the whole thing where you roll the dial to select an AF point. I'de do that, and then what? You just push the shutter button completely down or? (it was not being pressed halfway down like you'de usually focus when I was using the dial to select an af point.)

I remember when I would not push all the way down after selecting an AF point manually, it would just use the shutter button to autofocus to any point from what I remember.

With option 1, it sounds like this is kind of like an "automated" manual focus; click once to focus, click again tofocus if you need to. Then, hold down if you want servo focus.

I like that and will give it a serious shot. I shoot a lot of youth soccer and am always missing shots because the focus latches onto some other spot than what I want if I let go of the shutter button for a second. Cool!

If you are shooting any movig subject the AI Servo will help and when using AI servo the * button for focus is great! Don't get me wrong it's hard at first and you need to persevere for a week or two but it becomes second nature. Try it shooting at a football match or at an Airshow. Changing lghting means exposures can be very different.
CFn4-1 all the way for me.It's now my standard setup.

Just got a 30D.

QUick question.. Can you select more then 1 AF point using the * button? Sometimes when you autofocus with the shutter button it will select multiple points.

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2009018
Just got a 30D... Can you select more then 1 AF point using the * button.

You can select one, or you can leave all AF points active and let the camera select. The manual explains how.

My setup is as follows............

Personal function 1 is saved using the default camera settings, for when the better half uses the camera, it sets up focus and exposure in 'easy' mode for her. She is used to a 'normal' camera operation.

Personal function 2 has been saved using the * button for AI Servo focus tracking using whatever focus point I have selected (Normally left on centre point) and the sutter button for exosure with exposure lock. The WB button is used for the same as above but using multiple focus points for better focus prediction/tracking.

Personal function 3 is saved exactly the same as above but with no exposure lock when depressing the shutter button. Useful for tracking subjects through changing lighting conditions - such as motorsport when you pick up the vehicle early and track it to the desired framing or decisive moment.

I am happy to use Pfn 2 for most of my shots, I like being able to either follow focus or just tap on the * button for instant focus and then recompose or select a different exposure with the shutter button.

I accept that this is not for everyone, but it suits me being able to select focus and exposure operation to suit the shot without having to go through the menus to change focus mode etc.

Using the Pfn's allows me to quickly swap between 3 different sets of custom functions.

I am keen to try C.Fn 4 when my new 20D arrivs. Just wondering though, what happens when using a remote shutter release ? I assume the focussing will still need to be done with the * button (or manually) ? If so, it would likely be a case of turning back to 'normal' for tripod work....

gingerneil -

I am struggling with that right now - I use a tripod with release for 60+% of my shooting. I am trying to get used to keeping * activated, and using it to focus. After all, when using the tripod I still need to look through the viewfinder to frame. It shouldn't be difficult to press * at that time. (Note I said "Shouldn't" - old habits die hard and I am still pressing the shutter release halfway before I remember)

-Ryan

rdricks wrote in post #2009744
gingerneil -

I am struggling with that right now - I use a tripod with release for 60+% of my shooting. I am trying to get used to keeping * activated, and using it to focus. After all, when using the tripod I still need to look through the viewfinder to frame. It shouldn't be difficult to press * at that time. (Note I said "Shouldn't" - old habits die hard and I am still pressing the shutter release halfway before I remember)

-Ryan

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Curtis N wrote in post #2009069
You can select one, or you can leave all AF points active and let the camera select. The manual explains how.

All active, you mean put it to highlight all AF points?

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2010348
All active, you mean put it to highlight all AF points?

Yes. For most situations I select the focus point. Incidently there is a custom function (13) which gives you options on which buttons do what to select a focus point, but that's another matter.

Some situations work best with all focus points selected, like when you're trying to track a flying bird or plane.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #301059
Yep...

An article on the subject by famed Bird Photographer Arthur Morris
http://www.birdsasart.​com/

With autofocus set to AI Servo mode (for moving subjects), I simply activated autofocus with my right thumb to track a running or a foraging bird, or tapped the button once to focus on the eye of a stationary bird. In the latter instance, I would quickly recompose and make the image by fully depressing the shutter button. I was able to enjoy the benefits of both AI Servo AF and One-Shot AF without having to toggle back and forth (by pressing the AF button and turning the main dial).

How do you do this "With autofocus set to AI Servo mode"? Where can I find help replying to a post and using quotes?