Best way to focus

[bombfrog]

Well, I seem to have started quite a discussion about aperture in my other thread so while I'm on a roll I have a newbie question about focusing.

So far, I have found the best way to auto-focus is to set the focus point to the center, point at my subject, focus, then recompose the shot.

Is this the best way to do it? Or should I learn to use the 9-point focus system properly?

Also, I know that when you press the button half way down it it takes a light reading as well as focusing. Does it do them at the same point? What if I wanted to take the light reading from a different point than I wanted in focus?

Basically, I think I'm asking what the more seasoned amateurs and pros do?

 

[gnom]

Well, I seem to have started quite a discussion about aperture in my other thread so while I'm on a roll I have a newbie question about focusing.

So far, I have found the best way to auto-focus is to set the focus point to the center, point at my subject, focus, then recompose the shot.

Is this the best way to do it? Or should I learn to use the 9-point focus system properly?

Also, I know that when you press the button half way down it it takes a light reading as well as focusing. Does it do them at the same point? What if I wanted to take the light reading from a different point than I wanted in focus?

Basically, I think I'm asking what the more seasoned amateurs and pros do?

The center focus and recompose is a good method, and used quite a lot. Different circumstances might require different focus techniques, for when starting out this works well for most things. There's other methods, such as; individually setting the other focus points, pre-focus, hyperfocal focusing, zone focus, focus lock, etc etc.

If you want to do a reading from a different area than what you focus on; do the reading and press the exposure lock button, then move to focus where you want and take the picture.

 

[Kaouthia]

"Best" is situational. Sometimes focus and recompose is best, sometimes it isn't, that's why bodies offer several different ways to do it.

 

[swag72]

Have a look in this thread, it was done to death not so long back.

 

[bombfrog]

such as; individually setting the other focus points, pre-focus, hyperfocal focusing, zone focus, focus lock, etc etc.
.

Looks like I;ve got some reading to do.

If you want to do a reading from a different area than what you focus on; do the reading and press the exposure lock button, then move to focus where you want and take the picture.

That's interesting. Anyone know where this is on a 50D?

 

[gnom]

Looks like I;ve got some reading to do.

[...]

That's interesting. Anyone know where this is on a 50D?

I wouldn't worry too much about the different focusing techniques just yet. Do what works for you, and when you're comfortable start exploring the other ways. Often they are for very specific circumstances, but they are definitely useful to have in your "toolbox".

The exposure lock on Canon is the button indicated by the star icon.

 

[Donki]

Different methods for different things, I like using individual focus points but do try focus and recomposing if the FPs aren't near where I want to focus on. I find if using very large apertures focus and recomposing can be difficult but i guess it all comes with practice.

As for your question:

Also, I know that when you press the button half way down it it takes a light reading as well as focusing. Does it do them at the same point? What if I wanted to take the light reading from a different point than I wanted in focus?

The light reading you are taking about is metering and this isn't controlled by the focus points but depends on what metering mode (spot, partial etc.) you have selected of if you are in manual mode.

 

[bombfrog]

The light reading you are taking about is metering and this isn't controlled by the focus points but depends on what metering mode (spot, partial etc.) you have selected of if you are in manual mode.

So if I have it on spot metering, will it meter from the centre point, or the AF point you are using?

I'm trying to think about a having a very bright sky and wanting to meter from the ground, but focus on a bird or something in a tree in the middle of the frame and I think my head is exploding

 

[Donki]

Spot metering meters frm the centre spot, the little circle around it.

Bright skys are always a problem when the forground is darker or in shade, always best to try and keep the sunbehind you as it will keep everything brighter.

 

[dubcat]

Exposure lock on the 50d is the button on the back next to af-on which is labelled *. You might also want to read about back button focus, it's written about on this site or you can click on my blog and find my post on it there.

By the way, in my experience focus and recompose is a bad idea at large apertures which you like to shoot at since the depth of field is so shallow you can end up moving the distance of the sensor from the subject enough to cause some blurring when you recompose. Fortunately for you the 50d has a nice feature whereby you can use the joystick on the back to very quickly choose a focus point. Might be worth trying.

 

[bombfrog]

Exposure lock on the 50d is the button on the back next to af-on which is labelled *. You might also want to read about back button focus, it's written about on this site or you can click on my blog and find my post on it there.

By the way, in my experience focus and recompose is a bad idea at large apertures which you like to shoot at since the depth of field is so shallow you can end up moving the distance of the sensor from the subject enough to cause some blurring when you recompose. Fortunately for you the 50d has a nice feature whereby you can use the joystick on the back to very quickly choose a focus point. Might be worth trying.

Thanks. I'll give it a go.