"M" mode advice

ok as i really appreciate any information that will help me grow in photography and give me GREAT insight in the DSLR world, this thread has gotten off in way different direction...ALthough great info is provided, NONE of it has actually addressed ANY of the 5 questions that i originally posted, except by the 1st person who joined the thread.

Please don't take ANY offense to this AT ALL, as i appreciate all info that can make me better, but my questions are not even being addressed anymore...thanks all..

izzy35 wrote in post #5998720
ok as i really appreciate any information that will help me grow in photography and give me GREAT insight in the DSLR world, this thread has gotten off in way different direction...ALthough great info is provided, NONE of it has actually addressed ANY of the 5 questions that i originally posted, except by the 1st person who joined the thread.

And that first person answered all of your questions and answered them correctly.

1)Don't know, I have the 40D which has the rear control wheel
2)Manual focus has nothing to do with manual exposure
3)Again, focus and exposure are not related. In AI Servo, there will be NO "beeping" to indicate focus is achieved as the system is constantly focusing as it tracks the subject. In Single Shot, it will beep and the currently selected focus point will light up once it locks. AFAIK, in Single Shot, it will not take a shot until it locks focus. In AI Servo, it will take the picture whenever you fully release the shutter. It is recommended you disable AF from the shutter button in AI Servo, and instead use the AF-On (I'm assuming the Rebels have this, again I have the 40D) to enable the Servo focusing, so you can keep it active once you use the shutter to take a shot (assuming your thumb is still on the AF-On button
4)If you're in Manual Focus, I believe you can still select an Autofocus point which will light up and beep once YOU achieve focus (see my answer above). Again, Manual EXPOSURE has nothing to do with Manual FOCUS
5)On my 40D, the center point works MUCH better in dim light then the outer points. I'm not sure of the details, but at least on the 40D, the center point is a special sensor which is designed to work well with f/2.8 or faster lenses, whereas the outer sensors aren't as "sensitive" (or something like that)

Did that answer your questions?

izzy35 wrote in post #5994026
I am shooting with an Xti and have began venturing into the "M" mode...I love that there are less restrictions as to when I can and cannot take a shot...However, i would love some advice on a few things...

1) On the xti, when in "M", you adjust the shutter by the Main dial ring, and adjust the aperture by holding the Av +/- button AND then turning the ring...Is there an easier way to set this up???

2) When in "m", do you HAVE to set the lens to "MF" ALL THE TIME, or can it be left in AF, while the camera is in "M"??

3) WHen in "M" but the lens in "AF", sometimes the focus points, will beep, showing that focus is locked, but other times it will not..Will this always give me an out of focus shot or not??

4) When lens AND camera both in "M", are the AF points still supposed to be utilized and light up, showing what is being focused on??

5) lastly, how come if i use one of the side AF points, it is harder to lock focus then if i use the center???

Well thanks for any help...

egordon99 wrote in post #5998783
1)Don't know, I have the 40D which has the rear control wheel
2)Manual focus has nothing to do with manual exposure
3)Again, focus and exposure are not related. In AI Servo, there will be NO "beeping" to indicate focus is achieved as the system is constantly focusing as it tracks the subject. In Single Shot, it will beep and the currently selected focus point will light up once it locks. AFAIK, in Single Shot, it will not take a shot until it locks focus. In AI Servo, it will take the picture whenever you fully release the shutter. It is recommended you disable AF from the shutter button in AI Servo, and instead use the AF-On (I'm assuming the Rebels have this, again I have the 40D) to enable the Servo focusing, so you can keep it active once you use the shutter to take a shot (assuming your thumb is still on the AF-On button
4)If you're in Manual Focus, I believe you can still select an Autofocus point which will light up and beep once YOU achieve focus (see my answer above). Again, Manual EXPOSURE has nothing to do with Manual FOCUS
5)On my 40D, the center point works MUCH better in dim light then the outer points. I'm not sure of the details, but at least on the 40D, the center point is a special sensor which is designed to work well with f/2.8 or faster lenses, whereas the outer sensors aren't as "sensitive" (or something like that)

Did that answer your questions?

Ok egordon!! THANKS A BUNCH!!! you have indeed answered ALL OF MY QUESTIONS!!! And btw, i am VERY VERY new at DSLR so i appear to be using the terms, "Manual focus and manual exposure" as though they are the same...Which i do know that they are not, so sorry about that:p..Thanks for setting me straight here and in my other post!! LOL!!!

You're welcome! Glad I could straighten you out

Now go out there and take some pictures! (a duck or a rabbit would be great!)