Focus ONE spot or multiple?
Apr 16, 2019 07:48:15 #
tommclaughlin wrote:
Doing landscapes and using the rule of thirds makes one-point, centered focusing problematic.
I select a focus area I want and re-compose, no problem using BBF.
Apr 16, 2019 07:54:19 #
I almost always use single-point. I’ve tried multiple-point, but I get better results with single point.
Apr 16, 2019 08:11:16 #
Apr 16, 2019 08:18:44 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
I can't focus manually, with acceptable precision, through the viewfinder except with mirrorless models and focus peeking. To do it manually, I need the DSLR zoomed live view or the focus peek. Otherwise, I trust the AF of my cameras and lenses to do a great job if I can just get a point / group properly set on the subject. It's not like I need glasses yet, but I still can tell my eyesight is not what it used to be, especially for unassisted manual focus work.
Has very littl to do with eye sight.. With auto focus lenses the focus has very little "throw" tofocus accurately
Apr 16, 2019 08:32:49 #
elliott937 wrote:
For years, in using my Canon DSLRs, I've always turned off the gazillion focusing squares and elected for just one in the center. I suppose if photographing a moving subject, moving either toward or away from the camera would be a perfect time to have the gazillion squares turned on. For me, I prefer to have just one focusing square and have total control. Am I missing something? Or, do many of you turn off all but one of the focusing squares?
I always use only one Focus point. In a macro I have moved it around, otherwise I re-frame or re-compose after locking the focus I want. I also mainly use Spot Metering. But I suppose of I did shoot BIFs I might try something else.
Apr 16, 2019 08:35:41 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
I use single point with back button focus and AF-C. It’s great for moving subjects or stationary. The AF-C tracks a moving subject. The focus lock allows you to focus and recompose on a still subject.
Apr 16, 2019 08:38:26 #
gvarner wrote:
I use single point with back button focus and AF-C. It’s great for moving subjects or stationary. The AF-C tracks a moving subject. The focus lock allows you to focus and recompose on a still subject.
Apr 16, 2019 08:45:47 #
Whatever you think you’re doing, the camera is always focusing on a single point. What you want is the ability to select that spot yourself not have the camera select it for you.
Apr 16, 2019 09:01:13 #
I'm mostly keeping the camera in servo on 'all area with tracking.' The detection point starts centered but is easy to slide around and is easy to recenter. But it also moves to follow the subject when you hold the button. Some method of BBF and exposure lock is needed if you want to recompose since otherwise when the picture is taken it refocuses and resets exposure around the detection point. I've come to like checking with focus peaking since a small branch in the foreground can be the accidental target. To do that I need a button that temporarily disables autofocus, otherwise
I can't get focus peaking.
I can't get focus peaking.
Apr 16, 2019 09:08:27 #
DanCulleton wrote:
Whatever you think you’re doing, the camera is always focusing on a single point. What you want is the ability to select that spot yourself not have the camera select it for you.
I agree, but I'd add that it is a plane of sharp focus rather than just one point, so anything on that same plane with the one point is also in sharp focus.
And to put the finest not usually important point on it, one thing i notice with focus peaking is that recomposing by turning the camera changes the plane oh so slightly, putting it behind the subject, while moving the whole camera parallel to the plane doesn't. Only matters with closeups where one point has to be tack sharp, I would think.
Apr 16, 2019 09:13:43 #
bleirer wrote:
I agree, but I'd add that it is a plane of sharp focus rather than just one point, so anything on that same plane with the one point is also in sharp focus.
Which is why the focus and recompose approach is so detrimental to sharply focused images ....
Apr 16, 2019 09:15:22 #
bleirer wrote:
I agree, but I'd add that it is a plane of sharp focus rather than just one point, so anything on that same plane with the one point is also in sharp focus.
+/- the depth of field.
Apr 16, 2019 09:28:58 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Which is why the focus and recompose approach is so detrimental to sharply focused images ....
Sorry I added that last edit while you were typing.
Apr 16, 2019 09:41:18 #
Without getting too far off topic, I'll add the last idea that depth of field is still out of focus, just acceptably out of focus that it still looks sharp. CHG CANON's eagle pictures in the other thread look dead on plane, however you achieved that.
Apr 16, 2019 09:52:00 #
Tomfl101 wrote:
I use centered single point focus most often in single shot mode. For slow moving objects I use continuous mode and move the square to fit the composition. For fast moving sports I use multi-point continuous since it’s too hard to hold a single square on a moving face or body. It will miss focus maybe 20% of the time but still yields the best results for me.
This is the way I see it.
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