Focusing points. Do you use one or all 200 or so?
Jul 3, 2022 13:27:25 #
Jul 3, 2022 13:34:08 #
The majority of the time I use the center point and recompose with focus set using back button focusing. If my subject is static and i am on a tripod, I may switch the focus point so I place it exactly where I want it. If I am using a mirrorless camera with animal eye detect, I use that feature to select the focus point used.
Jul 3, 2022 13:40:43 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
You can reduce the selectable points to lower the ... (show quote)
Like most of his (serious posts) CHG_CANON has favored us UHHers with very detailed "How To" instructions, on just about everything photographic that you may encounter, in a wide variety of situations.
The link he has posted above is no exception, so please read it. I have learned a lot from the UHH community, yet for specific answers and examples I always look to Pauls's posts for my "knotty questions".
If nothing else Pauls's responses always make me . . . .
Smile,
JimmyT Sends
Bravo Zulu
Jul 3, 2022 14:03:43 #
ELNikkor wrote:
My camera boasts 11, but why so many? I only use 1...
Same here.
Jul 3, 2022 15:06:18 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
You can reduce the selectable points to lower the ... (show quote)
While the second paragraph is understandable, it isn't intuitive. Can you please explain?
Jul 3, 2022 15:32:23 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
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
Exactly.
Jul 3, 2022 21:16:35 #
Jersey guy
Loc: New Joisey
This has been a conundrum for me since I got my first Canon DSLR with 9 focus points and before I understood what was happening. My very first series of photos, taken at public event where there was a Speaker's Lectern, turned out to have very sharp focus on the front edge of the lectern and not the speaker. I have since used the center point only as some on here have also said. Those who advocate changing the number of points depending on the situation are obviously not addressing rapidly changing scenarios where the luxury of taking precious seconds to fiddle with the controls is just not practical.
Jul 3, 2022 21:24:37 #
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.
Uh huh. Less complicated, more definite. For dim light and dim lenses it helps if I make that single point a bit bigger.
Jul 4, 2022 07:05:49 #
Jersey guy wrote:
This has been a conundrum for me since I got my fi... (show quote)
Because you're unfamiliar with the external controls and /or haven't developed the finger dexterity to actively control your camera in challenging situations does not mean others can't or shouldn't.
The newest mirrorless releases, and most every camera with a touch screen, let you easily reposition the AF point with the touch of a finger (or a 'nibble' movement with this new feature).
Jul 4, 2022 07:35:03 #
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.
Which camera? My Sony has 315 focus points - and while I use just center focus for acquisition, I keep all 315 active for tracking subject movement. My Nikons have something similar but the Sony includes facial recognition in addition to acquiring and tracking just the nearest object in the focusing target.
If you turn off all but one of the focus points you risk losing focus when the subject moves off the focus point.
Each camera is different, and each subject is different. Single point focus is great when you are dealing with a static or mostly static subject (landscapes, portraits etc), so a good understanding of your camera's focus modes and which is best for your subject will help inform your choices.
Jul 4, 2022 08:00:29 #
I use one. Having lots of focusing points would not persuade me to buy a camera. Can it really focus on fifty points at once? I like using one point in the center with back button focus.
Jul 4, 2022 08:28:51 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I use one. Having lots of focusing points would not persuade me to buy a camera. Can it really focus on fifty points at once? I like using one point in the center with back button focus.
Same here Jerry. And always in focus unless there is user error.
Jul 4, 2022 10:12:05 #
ronpier wrote:
Same here Jerry. And always in focus unless there is user error.
"...user error"? Is that a thing?
Jul 4, 2022 11:53:56 #
I focus on the main point of interest in the scene. So, I'm in the one-point crowd.
--Bob
--Bob
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.
Jul 4, 2022 11:59:44 #
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