Focusing points. Do you use one or all 200 or so?
Jul 2, 2022 11:08:51 #
kenArchi
Loc: Seal Beach, CA
If you use all focusing points then something other than your subject may be in focus?
Or the camera is able to focus on your subject.
I use the one center square focus point on the subject.
Or the camera is able to focus on your subject.
I use the one center square focus point on the subject.
Jul 2, 2022 11:11:11 #
Bigmike1
Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.
I have always focused on the subject. I don't really see focusing on any other object.
Jul 2, 2022 11:12:47 #
Bigmike1 wrote:
I have always focused on the subject. I don't really see focusing on any other object.
Jul 2, 2022 11:14:50 #
Ysarex
Loc: St. Louis
kenArchi wrote:
If you use all focusing points then something other than your subject may be in focus?
Or the camera is able to focus on your subject.
Or the camera is able to focus on your subject.
There can be only one. A lens focuses on a flat plane in front of the camera (box camera). Anything in front or behind that plane the focus drops off. As the lens aperture gets smaller depth of field will make increasing larger areas in front of and behind the focus plane appear acceptably sharp. Focus on the subject.
kenArchi wrote:
I use the one center square focus point on the subject.
Jul 2, 2022 11:15:28 #
kenArchi wrote:
If you use all focusing points then something other than your subject may be in focus?
Or the camera is able to focus on your subject.
I use the one center square focus point on the subject.
Or the camera is able to focus on your subject.
I use the one center square focus point on the subject.
You can reduce the selectable points to lower the number available to you. You can use zones that grab 9- to 12- at a time, usually giving you 3 to 6 main areas in the frame to move the group / box. Check your camera manual for the specific steps.
You'll get far sharper images, better focused on the subject of the composition, by moving the AF point(s), not focusing and recomposing with just the AF center point.
Other ideas on sharply focused images: How to obtain sharp images in digital photography
Jul 2, 2022 11:27:41 #
kenArchi wrote:
If you use all focusing points then something other than your subject may be in focus?
Or the camera is able to focus on your subject.
I use the one center square focus point on the subject.
Or the camera is able to focus on your subject.
I use the one center square focus point on the subject.
My older 7D I just use the center point.
It seems the new R series though this is becoming something of the past as the tech is now good enough to use 100% of the screen regardless of where the subject is and if it should move.
Jul 2, 2022 11:41:45 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
You can reduce the selectable points to lower the ... (show quote)
Paul, could you elaborate a little on why it is better to use a small group of focusing points or move the points to cover the point of focus rather that focus and recompose. I pretty much do this on a tripod but have a habit of focus and recompose when doing handhold.
Jul 2, 2022 12:05:22 #
kenArchi wrote:
If you use all focusing points then something other than your subject may be in focus?
Or the camera is able to focus on your subject.
I use the one center square focus point on the subject.
Or the camera is able to focus on your subject.
I use the one center square focus point on the subject.
It depends on what you are photographing. If you are photographing a landscape you may want to use all or most of the focusing points. If you are photographing a bird in a tree you will probably want to use one, or a small group of points. Let what you are photographing dictate how many you use.
Jul 2, 2022 13:07:46 #
kenArchi
Loc: Seal Beach, CA
I always use manual focus for landscape and interior work. This doesn't show what focusing points are being used.
I am learning to take pictures of birds. I use one focus point/square moving it around and use focus peaking to fine tune the focus.
I tried using the center 9 focus points but they don't consistently focus on the eye. It's kind of random.
So each square is a focus point? And some of these cameras which have 200 plus focus points, that's a lot of little squares you will see in the view finder.
I am learning to take pictures of birds. I use one focus point/square moving it around and use focus peaking to fine tune the focus.
I tried using the center 9 focus points but they don't consistently focus on the eye. It's kind of random.
So each square is a focus point? And some of these cameras which have 200 plus focus points, that's a lot of little squares you will see in the view finder.
Jul 2, 2022 13:30:38 #
kenArchi wrote:
I always use manual focus for landscape and interi... (show quote)
Actually over a thousand points for precise and instant eye focus and only the active point is visible.
Older cameras showed multiple points at a time but most of the current and faster ones show only the current point moving around.
Pretty amazing how it works looking at videos of all makes doing this.
But as I have an older one I use single center point and recompose as needed.
Jul 3, 2022 07:18:18 #
For still subjects I usually use the single point center method and recompose as needed. For moving subjects I position the focus point to anticipate the final composition. I use an R5 and love being able to move to any point on the screen. I pick up a 5D4 to other day and found 61 points too limiting to capture sharp focus on moving high school graduates composed on the left or right side of the frame. So depending on what you’re shooting, the more the better. Of course the eye focus feature on the R5 is the best new thing ever when you can isolate individuals. When photographing people, I use it most of the time. For field sports, 50% of the time.
Jul 3, 2022 09:41:55 #
Jeffcs
Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina
This isn’t a “all or one” answer it depends on what I’m shooting
Jul 3, 2022 11:06:28 #
kenArchi wrote:
If you use all focusing points then something other than your subject may be in focus?
Or the camera is able to focus on your subject.
I use the one center square focus point on the subject.
Or the camera is able to focus on your subject.
I use the one center square focus point on the subject.
I use single point AF continuous focus.
Jul 3, 2022 12:42:57 #
Jul 3, 2022 13:24:34 #
MrMophoto
Loc: Rhode Island "The biggest little"
Mac wrote:
It depends on what you are photographing. If you are photographing a landscape you may want to use all or most of the focusing points. If you are photographing a bird in a tree you will probably want to use one, or a small group of points. Let what you are photographing dictate how many you use.
Of course it depends on what you are photographing! If I'm doing head shots, one focus point is all I use. Landscapes require multiple points, and if I am shooting a still-life or studio flower portraits, I'll use a manual focus. It's like camera settings, depends on what you are photographing and what you want for a final image
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