Newbie frustration

On a number of bodies there is the little " * " (asterisk) button on the back of the camera. You can lock settings in with it, etc. and do other things too.

Nothing wrong with his suggestion, but personally I would just leave it on one-shot AF and "tap" the shutter button until the moment of preferred composition. That's how I achieved the shot in my image above. Just my opinion though .

chellyroo wrote in post #9008183
What is meant by assigning focus to the "back" button? You mean the AF point at the top?

sapearl wrote in post #9003267
Better yet Chell, following is an example of what I mean.

Some folks use AI-Servo; I like one-shot AF using the CENTER AF point. I get more keepers that way with my shooting style. With the camera on manual settings and the 580ex set to AUTO-ETTL, I will track the subject as he/she comes down the aisle, repeatedly lightly tapping the shutter button to "update" my focus point, until the moment when I actually depress it all the way to take the picture.

This following shot was done with direct flash pointing forward, in a not very bright church, ISO 800, 1/40 sec @ f/5.6. The flash pretty much froze the action, but there is a very slight blurring on the boy's hand due to the ambient light causing it at that slow shutter speed:

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Great example (and photo!), thanks so much for the advice.

You are very welcome Chell - any other questions just keep asking away.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #9001748
Does it really do that?
On my 20D, I tell it which focus point to use & choose it with the joystick. Look in the Custom Functions menu.

No. Clearly I mistyped there. AI Servo will KEEP the focus providing you keep the selected focus point (usually center) squarely on the subject.

Sorry. Didn't mean to confuse or mislead.

dave