Multi point focus OR just centre focus

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Keith
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Multi point focus OR just centre focus


What do most people use, seems a lot easier to use the centre point and then you know you have focus on the area you want. I find it easier any way. Any thoughts? , using a 550D if that makes any difference.
 
I only use centre point focus - you can move it if you want to - but others will probably disagree. FWIW, I use back button focus too, so that the exposure and focus work independently of each other. That's another controversy!
 
Thread lacks poll ^_^ I use the point focus and move it around as needed, multi-point can be somewhat of an irritation a lot of the time.
 
Tend to use center point most of the time, and also back button focus.
 
Center point all of the time for me too but will move around if needed.
 
Back button focus seems quite popular from replies so far.

Must be an advantage with the multi point in some circumstances? Think there are only 9 focus points on the 550D but higher spec cameras have 50+
 
I always use Centre Point - But I do shoot mostly Macro :thumbs:

Les ;)
 
Centre point most of the time but I'll shift it if needed. I can't remember the last time I used multi-point.

I've got back button focus set up on one of my custom modes too :)
 
My 1D has the option of two selectable focus points, one off shutter release the other off back button, I use centre off the shutter release and a sideways one off the back button.

Matt
 
lensflair said:
Centre point focus recompose unless I'm close to my subject and shooting large apertures in which case I move the single focus point where needed.
Click to expand...

^^^ Yes :thumbs: Back-button AF.

Problem with auto/multi point select is that it will almost always go to the nearest point of the subject. Which is better than locking on to the background, but not much!

Auto/multi-point select is useful for some things, but not many that I can think of. Birds in flight - subject is often small and hard to track with a single point, and there's usually nothing else between the camera and subject to distract the system. I think some sports photographers use it for things like football, and high-end systems can be set to ignore other players running briefly in front of the camera.
 
Another vote for back button AF. I rarely use the multipoint AF as I prefer to select the focus point myself, rather than risking the camera choosing the wrong one. I don't always use the centre one though, it depends on the framing.
 
I always use a single focus point and I use whichever is over the subject, but then I've got the quick controller stick thing to pick AF points with so it's quite quick. When I had a 450D that lacked the quick controller I just did focus-recompose.
 
Single point focus placed where I need it, and back-button focus.
 
Single point + back button mostly. I change the focus point quite a bit, especially when shooting moving subjects in portrait mode (ie camera at 90 degrees). Getting used to altering the focus point without moving the camera away from your eye is a useful exercise. You can compose faster and hold the subject where you need it in the viewfinder.

Never used multi-point as far as I can remember.
 
centre point most of the time, left or right when needed, back button focus.
 
Centre point focus and recompose or if I'm using a large aperture then select closest point to the part I want in focus.
 
I'm new to this and have found using the single point focus best. In my mind it's keeping it simple for just now!
 
Single point focus for me too, usually move it to where I want it as shooting portraits. I will however sometimes leave it centred and then focus and re compose my shot. Works well if shooting a variety of subjects.
 
Single point the majority of time so can focus it where I want rather then let the camera guess at what I want in focus.
 
david357 said:
Single point focus placed where I need it, and back-button focus.
Click to expand...

Is there another way ? :lol:

I have on occasion, used the centre zone on my 7D.

Steve
 
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Another nod for the centre focus. There's so many good shots I've missed because the camera has focused on someones cheek or chin instead of their eyes. When I figured it out, I kicked myself for not changing sooner.
 
I use Center focus but sometimes use cursor key on xxD body for quick switching point switching.
 
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