JohninRockville Loc: Rockville, Indiana

I've been shooting for about 8 years, been through a half dozen cameras and with each newer model it seems as if there are more and more focus points along with numerous bells & whistles as an excuse to raise the prices. Why does one need 12 or 24 or 36 focus points? Seriously - all I want is for the bloody camera to focus on a center point. If I want the focused object to the side I press the button to focus center, then hold down, move the camera and shoot.
I can appreciate the modes for portrait, action, landscape,etc when you're hurried but how many people actually make use of multiple points of focus?

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Need one.
Every camera in auto uses several and averages them out.

klaus Loc: Guatemala City, Guatemala

Ditto!

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

One: small central spot.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

After my first nine fingers of 18 year old Single Malt, I can't focus on anything.

Cameoblue Loc: British Columbia Canada

For the way I take pictures I need one more than I ever have.

:wink:

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

I'm a displaced Hoosier! Rockville area is pretty nice!

zneb240 Loc: New South Wales - Australia

John, I for one do make use of multiple focus points - very often. You make an interesting point, however the type of photography can influence the number of focus points used. I agree that fairly static images really only need a single focus point and I select this option if required. However multiple points really come into their own when photographing fast moving subjects... BIF is an example. In this case there may not be time to centre focus, hold the button down, re-compose then shoot. The intelligence of modern cameras enables the subject to move quickly within the frame and still be covered by one or more of the points.... up to a point of course.

I appreciate that in the old days our cameras had only a single focus point and there exists some sensational images from those days. In fact I occasionally use my 36 year old single focus point Minolta SRT 101 to help keep me grounded.

From a personal perspective, I'm somewhat incapacitated and have lost much dexterity when it comes to handling my cameras and lenses. I appreciate I'm only one individual however due to my condition, multiple focus points are a Godsend for me personally.

I get a kick out of using my old Minolta, however when I drop a truck load of money on an overseas photographic trip, my Minolta stays home and I take my D800 with it's 51 focusing points.

Thanks for your thoughtful post.

Warren

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

John, I shoot with a 5Dmkll. A camera that many consider an almost optimal camera. While its a very good camera, a camera is just a tool to get the job done. I've been complaining and struggling with it's focus system for four years.
I shoot a lot of action and I could not believe that the focus points could make that much difference. Well they do!
From the day the lll came out I've wanted/needed one. My action keeper rate is SO low, it's frustrating.
The ll has only ONE cross-type point, the center one. A cross point will lock onto a vertical or a horizontal detail and are more light sensitive. They are crucial for fast action.
I'll say a single point is a little like using a shotgun, but the shell only has one little pellet in it. Sure, you can hit things, but you have to be both good and lucky. Your target has to be still or big like a car.
The new 6D also has only one cross-point. Surely good for landscape.
The new 5Dmklll has by contrast about 30 cross points(60+ total) and they are more low light sensitive than previous cameras. That means you can use slow lenses for action, or focus action when it's getting dark. The lll is almost a full bore pro camera. It's focus system is it's heart.
Focus systems are different for different kinds of shooters.
Try shooting a BIF with just a center point and then recomposing, or getting the eye sharp on a big shore bird that fills your frame but is walking!?
Different strokes(points) for different folks.
But John, I do see your point !! SS

zneb240 Loc: New South Wales - Australia

Rongnongno, when you say 'averages them out' when set to auto, are you referring to focus or metering?

Warren

zneb240 Loc: New South Wales - Australia

SS

100% in agreement.

Warren

Cameoblue Loc: British Columbia Canada

Exactly!

:thumbup: :thumbup:

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I've read the 26 pages on focusing once in the book Mastering the Nikon D800. It helped me to understand the 51 focus points more, but I def. need to go back and read it again. Believe me, the manual doesn't say anything.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I have yet to determine what skills it takes to fill a 250 pages of a 300 page camera manual with things you already know or with exactly ⅓ of the information you need to perform a particular task. The remaining 50 pages are full of information and warnings against taking pictures while holding onto a grounded 64Kv cable, interfering with the TV set of your neighbor (the one three blocks away), deep-sea diving with the camera, putting it in the oven with the Christmas goose or using it in place of a 32 ounce Stanley framing hammer.

alawry Loc: Timaru New Zealand

:thumbup: