Focus with 45 points on the 1d

Hey guys, I have the 20D with 9 AF points and I always use the center one to focus on the eyes of my model.

If I have 45 points how do I know where does the camera focuses and how can I focus exactly where I want? Do I have to use 1 again? If yes, what is the purpose of having 45?

Tnx

Back to my 20D, I always use the center AF as well as my 1D MkII in One Shot mode.
The 45 AF points are very useful when you're in AI Servo and the subject's movement is unpredictable.
I don't know if 1D and 1Ds can do this or not but my 1D MkII can and I believe 1Ds MkII is able to do this as well. When I use a center AF point, I can expand the focus point to 7 points around the center AF, I can even expand them to 13. This will allow me to focus easily, I don't have to be exactly in focus. If I shoot a portrait and I try to focus at the eye but I accidentally focus at the nose, the expanded AF points will do the focus at the eye for me.
When I focus in the expanded AF, the center AF point and the AF points achieving focus will light.

This is great, isn't it? After I have upgraded to 1D MkII, I really love the 45 AF points.....

My EOS-3 has 45 AF points. Same functionality as lower-end EOS where you can have the camera select the point or choose it yourself.

Thanks guys! I understand now I am sure I will love my new 1Ds MII

I am starting to use the selective AF point on my 1D more and more; partly because with the 85L, the standard focus and recompose trick it a little more difficult with the extremely narrow DoF. That said, the expanded AF points as mentioned on the 1 series cameras really come in handy!!

Just for clarification, CFn. 17-1, tells the camera to look at the 6 AF points around a manually selected AF point, giving you 7 AF points instead of one as you said. CFn.17-2 leaves it to the camera as to whether to use 7 or 13 AF points. In addition, it has been my experience that using CFn. 17 in low light, with AF assist beam from a flash, markedly slows AF acquisition.

My rules are - keep it simple and stay in control. I don't let the camera think for itself as it isn't very good at it. Use single point and select the one to land on your subject. It is so easy to do and very intuitive after a while. 45 points simply gives you more options where to place the one you need.

the center af is more accurate... (or precise) for fast focusing....
i have a EOS 1V, and always set my point of focus, when the objects are in fast motion... i let the camera can decide for me... its always very very clever and focus the right place.


seeeya