Hi all,

I wanted to just ask some opinions on focusing.

Currently, I am using the centre point to focus, Canon 5D, but that means a lot of recomposing. I find this to be a little more tricky when using a 50mm 1.4.

I am curious as to what the general view is on this.

Thanks,

Hugh

anyone???

We use the back button focus and the joystick to move around to different focus points.

Manual.



Actually, when I auto focus, I do exactly what Chad said above. But I'm using manual more and more lately. I'm not shooting weddings yet, though.

This is the way we do it as well. It is awkward at first, but then you will wonder how you ever did without it...

Frank

Cool. Thanks for the input, I will play around with this.

Thanks again,

Hugh

By the way, if you're not already aware - back button focus is a custom function - #4, I think. Try it and you'll probably never go back to focusing with the shutter button.

what's the benefit of back button focusing?

For me, it's a lot faster. With shutter button focusing, you have to re-focus each time you let go of the button. With back button focusing, you can set your focus where you want it, shoot away, and only re-focus when you need to. It's kind of like manual focusing, but doing it automatically.

Practically, I can set my focus where I need it, then press the shutter when I see the moment I want, without worrying about setting focus first.

Try it, you'll like it!

Aaron, you rock! Thanks for filling me in... That is the best explanation I've heard yet. I'll try it for tomorrow.

there was a huge thread about this about a year ago.

oh. thanks

and you think bobbi's shot kick a$$ now!?!?! you're gonna luuuuuv the back button focus my friend!!

i have been searching for it, but i can't find it anywhere!

Is this the thread?

Other advantages are the ability to separate focusing from metering and ability of camera to shoot immediately when you press shutter release (as opposed to focus, then shoot).

Alright team... I tried and I really loved it.

HOWEVER... when B&G phtoo time came... my stress level was too high that I kept screwing it up... so, I got a few REALLY funky photos that we're going to call "an artistic choice" !!!! I quickly switched back to the old way... maybe I'll try it again tonight

you guys rock! Thanks for all of your help

You will totally LOVE it when you are used to it. It takes a little bit but now whenever I go back to the old way it's SO awkward. It is totally faster after you don't have to think about it anymore...

This will probably sound silly, but the one thing I REALLY miss about my old film camera (Canon Elan 7E) was the eye control focus. I know some people had issues with it, but it always worked flawlessly for me. I wish Canon had continued using that technology in their digital line. It worked whether I had glasses on or contacts. That camera read my mind and I loved it!

I went from shooting film with an all manual camera to stepping up to the 7E, which honestly I wasn't sure I would like, because I enjoyed manual focusing. Going from manual, to eye-controlled, and then to a "regular" dSLR was rough for me. I have to admit, the first month I had my 40D, I focused the way Hugh described. When I was told I actually had to use the joystick to select focusing points I thought it was a joke. It seems so antiquated compared to the 7E's focusing. I still find the joystick not as responsive as I'd like, and at times, if I'm going to lose the shot, I'll just recompose instead.

yah, a wedding probably isnt the best time to try it out - but i guaranteee you will love it when you do get used to it. soon, it will just become second nature...

Hmm I just keep mine on center focus....I focus, take my finger off the * and then recompose---super fast