Rebel EOS T1i/500D camera question about FOCUS MODES
Mar 7, 2013 15:37:28 #
ballsafire
Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana
I am confused about these instructions in the manual concerning Live View Shooting - FOCUS MODES I.E. (1)-Live mode, (2)-Live mode (face detection-- I understand but why use this mode?), (3)-Quick mode. There is also MANUAL MODE and AUTO FOCUS MODES located on the lens. I don't understand what is being communicated -- Could someone who understands this PLEASE explain this to me? I read someplace where a guy wrote a TIP: "I prefer shooting with just the middle zone selected. I center what I want to focus on, press and hold the shutter release half way down to focus, recompose (move camera), and shoot." I understand this statement but all these modes mentioned above just does not make it clear to me.
Mar 7, 2013 16:45:23 #
In most cameras face detection focuses in each face in the group and tries to get everyone in focus rather than one spot in the middle. most point and shoots do this and canon is just adding it to the list of features.
Manual mode means that you can turn the outside ring of the lens to get focus. (do not try this with the camera on and in autofocus mode!!!!) This is often used when the auto focus gets confused by what it is focusing on - think of branches on a tree - you want to focus on the middle branch but the camera wants to focus on a closer leaf or twig that is between you and the branch. Auto focus does what it says if you have a lens which has auto focus - some older lenses will fit your camera but won't have AF. When you half press the shutter button it will automatically focus on one or more spots. (Red flashes in the view finder tells you where it is focusing on).
Both lens and camera have an auto and manual focus mode some also have a macro mode - to zoom in close to an object rather than zoom in distant objects.
When using live view mode you can let the camera focus as you press the shutter half way - not always successful especially with 70 - 300mm lens or you can manually focus using the + - buttons found on the back top right of the camera.
On your menu you will find a choice of auto metering - one gives you 9 points for average metering ( light over the whole scene) one gives closer central average (the middle of the scene ) and one gives a single point metering - focus points work exactly the same. some people prefer different choices for different scenes - portrait or animal shot is focused on an eye - landscape is a broader focus.
My camera is canon eos 450D so some buttons are different and your camera is a couple of generations newer. Hope this answer's your question.
if not I'm sure someone will point you in the right direction of a focus group (sorry baaad taste)
Manual mode means that you can turn the outside ring of the lens to get focus. (do not try this with the camera on and in autofocus mode!!!!) This is often used when the auto focus gets confused by what it is focusing on - think of branches on a tree - you want to focus on the middle branch but the camera wants to focus on a closer leaf or twig that is between you and the branch. Auto focus does what it says if you have a lens which has auto focus - some older lenses will fit your camera but won't have AF. When you half press the shutter button it will automatically focus on one or more spots. (Red flashes in the view finder tells you where it is focusing on).
Both lens and camera have an auto and manual focus mode some also have a macro mode - to zoom in close to an object rather than zoom in distant objects.
When using live view mode you can let the camera focus as you press the shutter half way - not always successful especially with 70 - 300mm lens or you can manually focus using the + - buttons found on the back top right of the camera.
On your menu you will find a choice of auto metering - one gives you 9 points for average metering ( light over the whole scene) one gives closer central average (the middle of the scene ) and one gives a single point metering - focus points work exactly the same. some people prefer different choices for different scenes - portrait or animal shot is focused on an eye - landscape is a broader focus.
My camera is canon eos 450D so some buttons are different and your camera is a couple of generations newer. Hope this answer's your question.
if not I'm sure someone will point you in the right direction of a focus group (sorry baaad taste)
Mar 7, 2013 17:42:31 #
ballsafire
Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana
G. Brown in Westergate West Sussex, UK-myoh my I like this forum already!
On Live mode--
"On your menu you will find a choice of auto metering - one gives you 9 points for average metering ( light over the whole scene) one gives closer central average (the middle of the scene ) and one gives a single point metering - focus points work exactly the same. some people prefer different choices for different scenes - portrait or animal shot is focused on an eye - landscape is a broader focus."
This paragraph has helped me the most. As usual the nomenclature of these ideas tend to confuse me -- now I must pair each mode with (1)-Live mode, (2)-Live mode (face detection-- I understand but why use this mode?), (3)-Quick mode (as written in the manual). I guess that's why I liked this guy's TIP because it was faster. AND now I like your explanation - THANK YOU! Any other Ideas out there?
On Live mode--
"On your menu you will find a choice of auto metering - one gives you 9 points for average metering ( light over the whole scene) one gives closer central average (the middle of the scene ) and one gives a single point metering - focus points work exactly the same. some people prefer different choices for different scenes - portrait or animal shot is focused on an eye - landscape is a broader focus."
This paragraph has helped me the most. As usual the nomenclature of these ideas tend to confuse me -- now I must pair each mode with (1)-Live mode, (2)-Live mode (face detection-- I understand but why use this mode?), (3)-Quick mode (as written in the manual). I guess that's why I liked this guy's TIP because it was faster. AND now I like your explanation - THANK YOU! Any other Ideas out there?
Mar 8, 2013 07:46:45 #
ballsafire wrote:
I am confused about these instructions in the manual concerning Live View Shooting - FOCUS MODES I.E. (1)-Live mode, (2)-Live mode (face detection-- I understand but why use this mode?), (3)-Quick mode.
Someone already answered your question about face detection mode.
(1)-Live mode- focuses while viewing the image on the LCD but is slow and not as accurate as (3)-Quick mode.
(3)-Quick mode- flips mirror up and turns off the LCD for a fast and accurate focus.
Manual is best because you can hit the zoom button and get a very accurate focus with the lens ring. I prefer this method because you can't really shoot in movie mode and use any of the auto focus modes since it screws up your shot. I usually only use live view mode for sunrise and sunsets.
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