45-point focus question

Currently I have a 5D. I rarely ever use any other focus points but the center. Focus and then frame. This has caused issues with fast lenses. I shoot weddings and other events and it's not convenient for me to switch focus points while I'm working. So here's my question: With a 45-point focus, is it possible to frame and then focus?

yes. I too have the 5D and a idsmkII - it's much easier on the 1ds to choose an af point, but the peripheral ones are not cross either. On the newer 1 series, I think they are.

Even easier with Canon's original Eye-Controlled focusing system. Just looking at a particular point and half-pressing the shutter release was all it took.

No sure on the 5D but the 40D/50D/5DII 1D series have a C.fn setting that allows you to use the joystick to change focus points.. its so aswsome to change points this way and super fast. takes miliseconds to do it. should see if you can set it up to do that also. the second i get a body i set it up this way. works great. the stock settings of hitting the button to the right of the * then turning the dial to select the focus point is an awful way to change AF points. not a very fast or conveinient option.

shutterfiend wrote in post #9072800
Currently I have a 5D. I rarely ever use any other focus points but the center. Focus and then frame. This has caused issues with fast lenses. I shoot weddings and other events and it's not convenient for me to switch focus points while I'm working. So here's my question: With a 45-point focus, is it possible to frame and then focus?

Yes. The 1D III allows selection of a 'favorite' AF point and you can toggle back and forth between the center and the favorite with a press of the joystick. That alone makes multi point a lot faster.

Yes.. I have 1DmkIII and the peripheral AF points are cross type and extremely accurate. I joystick to the one I want and a press of the joystick takes me back to center.

You can either first press the AF point selection button, then use the dials and/or the joystick, or set the cameras to use the rear dial or the joystick directly. If you use the rear dial for this, you have to give up something else, otherwise associated with the rear dial. The joystick is available without giving something else up.

The 7D also allows wrap-around, i.e. when you reach the left side of the AF area, it will continue from the right.

Note that on full frame cameras, the AF area covers less of the total frame, since the total frame has more field of view than on crop cameras, but the AF system is the same (for technical reasons).

Great, I have get one now. The financer might diagree. Thanks everyone.

Especially if you still want to use a full frame sensor, with 45 focus points, it's going to be expensive to buy Canon. The only model supporting that is the 1D Mark III right now.

If you can consider going down to APS-H, you have the 1D Mark III or 1D Mark IV with 45 AF points.

The 5D Mark II isn't any better than the 5D you already have.

RichLPhotography wrote in post #9076674
Yes.. I have 1DmkIII and the peripheral AF points are cross type and extremely accurate. I joystick to the one I want and a press of the joystick takes me back to center.

Agree! i do that for most of the time & it's very usable to have more focus point.

I see you have several f/2.8 lenses, so then you are right. Otherwise, one limitation of the 1D Mark III is that at smaller apertures, all non-center points are linear only.
On the 7D, they are all cross type.

Oh, sorry, now I mixed up the camera in the quote and the gear signature in the reply. Oh well, the technical part of my post still stands.

With the mkII/IIN you can save a favorite focus point then switch instantly to it using the AF-on button and start focus at the same time. It should be the same with the other 1-series