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08/19/2011 01:52:09 PM · #1 |
Sounds like a silly question, but I'm wondering what others do...
I only use one focus method on my camera. I use single shot focus on the center of the image, and then while still holding the shutter, I recompose. On tripod I may move the focus point off center, or more typically, just manualy focus.
I've never found any of the other focus modes on any of my Nikon cameras to work for me. I've tried the new tracking focus on my D7000, but the problem I have with it, is that all the auto modes want to pick the subject, and they are often wrong. If it does pick the right subject, it's kind of cool that it sort of follows, but it's not 100%.
Obviously, my method isn't very good for tracking birds, etc., or fast moving subjects.
But I wonder what you all use for focus modes. Maybe I'm missing something on my Nikon. |
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08/19/2011 02:03:52 PM · #2 |
center point and recompose mainly unless my lens is really open , then i pick the closest point with the wheel since my DOF is really shallow.
Message edited by author 2011-08-19 14:04:33. |
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08/19/2011 02:08:53 PM · #3 |
90% of the time, this is also what I do. I almost never use anything but the center point. I do sometimes switch to AI Servo focus when shooting action, but I still use the center point.
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08/19/2011 02:12:11 PM · #4 |
I set my focus manually, to some random distance. Then run toward or away from my subjects. I need the exercise.
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08/19/2011 02:12:14 PM · #5 |
+1 on the center point and recompose method. If using a tripod, or twisted into an awkward position, I may use one of the other focus points, but I never let the camera decide what the subject is.
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08/19/2011 02:19:48 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
I set my focus manually, to some random distance. Then run toward or away from my subjects. I need the exercise. |
This might explain your other health issues. |
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08/19/2011 02:19:57 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by mike_311:
center point and recompose mainly unless my lens is really open , then i pick the closest point with the wheel since my DOF is really shallow. |
Pretty much my method also, since I do tend to work with subjects that stand still. I also like dynamic area focus mode if the subject is moving a bit.
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08/19/2011 02:31:08 PM · #8 |
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08/19/2011 02:42:04 PM · #9 |
Most of the time, I have the focus separated from the shutter button to the button on the camera back. So I focus with my thumb, and expose-and-shoot with the shutter button: halfway sets exposure, then I recompose and press all the way to capture. This is a much more accurate variation on the focus/recompose paradigm. I find that when I have exposure and focus both linked to the shutter button a lot of the time the exposure is not what I'd want it to be.
I'll change the custom function back to full focus/expose/shutter in one-click mode if I'm shooting action, though.
R. |
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08/19/2011 02:58:24 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Most of the time, I have the focus separated from the shutter button to the button on the camera back. So I focus with my thumb, and expose-and-shoot with the shutter button: halfway sets exposure, then I recompose and press all the way to capture. This is a much more accurate variation on the focus/recompose paradigm. I find that when I have exposure and focus both linked to the shutter button a lot of the time the exposure is not what I'd want it to be.
I'll change the custom function back to full focus/expose/shutter in one-click mode if I'm shooting action, though.
R. |
Definitely food for thought. I will have to dig out my manual and give this a try. |
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08/19/2011 03:10:09 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by SaraR:
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Most of the time, I have the focus separated from the shutter button to the button on the camera back. So I focus with my thumb, and expose-and-shoot with the shutter button: halfway sets exposure, then I recompose and press all the way to capture. This is a much more accurate variation on the focus/recompose paradigm. I find that when I have exposure and focus both linked to the shutter button a lot of the time the exposure is not what I'd want it to be.
I'll change the custom function back to full focus/expose/shutter in one-click mode if I'm shooting action, though.
R. |
Definitely food for thought. I will have to dig out my manual and give this a try. |
I've been doing this for a couple of weeks now. It takes getting used to, but worth it. Go to Menu> Custom Function IV> Shutter button/AF-ON button> AElock/ Metering + AF start
Message edited by author 2011-08-19 15:10:48. |
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08/19/2011 03:40:16 PM · #12 |
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08/19/2011 03:59:08 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Most of the time, I have the focus separated from the shutter button to the button on the camera back. So I focus with my thumb, and expose-and-shoot with the shutter button: halfway sets exposure, then I recompose and press all the way to capture. This is a much more accurate variation on the focus/recompose paradigm. I find that when I have exposure and focus both linked to the shutter button a lot of the time the exposure is not what I'd want it to be.
I'll change the custom function back to full focus/expose/shutter in one-click mode if I'm shooting action, though.
R. |
This is pretty much what I do. Uncoupling focus from the shutter release button has a number of advantages:
Focus and recompose, don't have to hold down the shutter release
Instant manual focus, it won't refocus when you hit the shutter
Far easier to focus on areas on the edge of the frame where moving the camera to refocus actually throws your focus out, this is particularly important with close subjects or long tele shots.
Message edited by author 2011-08-19 16:00:54. |
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08/19/2011 04:21:54 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
I set my focus manually, to some random distance. Then run toward or away from my subjects. I need the exercise. |
Next time try this:
1) Focus on infinity
2) Keep backing up until you get there
:) |
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08/19/2011 04:22:15 PM · #15 |
I have problems with focus, but it's probably because of my ADD. :)
Seriously, though....
I used to do the center focus and recompose, but I'd run into problems if my subject moved a bit, or if I moved while recomposing. When dealing with wildlfe, I don't trust the recomposing, so I change my focus point frequently depending on where I want the subject in the frame. This has worked quite well for me.
Also, the zone focusing on the 7D is quite sweet. When I'm shooting flying subjects, you can't focus and recompose, and sometimes the single focus point is too small and it tries to focus on the sky. If I set it to the zone focusing (4 points on left, right, etc) it finds the focus much more easily.
I don't use the AI servo focus tracking, even though that's recommended with wildlife. I find I can keep us faster than the camera can.
Message edited by author 2011-08-19 16:23:19. |
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08/19/2011 04:30:08 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by Neil:
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
I set my focus manually, to some random distance. Then run toward or away from my subjects. I need the exercise. |
Next time try this:
1) Focus on infinity
2) Keep backing up until you get there
:) |
Haha! |
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08/19/2011 04:33:53 PM · #17 |
| sometimes red bull, on the rare occasion Ritalin... |
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08/19/2011 06:42:50 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Most of the time, I have the focus separated from the shutter button to the button on the camera back. So I focus with my thumb, and expose-and-shoot with the shutter button: halfway sets exposure, then I recompose and press all the way to capture. This is a much more accurate variation on the focus/recompose paradigm. I find that when I have exposure and focus both linked to the shutter button a lot of the time the exposure is not what I'd want it to be.
I'll change the custom function back to full focus/expose/shutter in one-click mode if I'm shooting action, though.
R. |
I'm the opposite of Puppy Bear. I hold the exposure with the little thumb button and focus / shoot with the shutter button. I find it valuable to separate the two just as explained above otherwise the exposure frustrates me. For action photos, I tend to use use the left or right side focal points depending upon the direction of the motion. For the bigger zoom lens, I tend to use the limit button and sometimes manual focus. On the rare occasion that I shoot a macro image, I tend to focus manually because that gets kind of tricky for me anyways.
Message edited by author 2011-08-19 18:46:15. |
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08/19/2011 07:58:03 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by Neil:
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
I set my focus manually, to some random distance. Then run toward or away from my subjects. I need the exercise. |
Next time try this:
1) Focus on infinity
2) Keep backing up until you get there
:) |
Heeeheee
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08/19/2011 08:00:19 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
I set my focus manually, to some random distance. Then run toward or away from my subjects. I need the exercise. |
Hahahahahahaha! |
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08/19/2011 08:12:13 PM · #21 |
It depends on the camera and lens I'm using in addition to what I'm shooting. As Wendy mentioned...the 7D focus system is pretty sweet and has extensive options.
The 19 focus points on the 7D are ALL cross type so I freely move the focus point around using the joystick as I shoot. I always have my focus set to manually and won't let the camera choose. Most of the type I am in single point manual where I move it around, but again, as Wendy mentioned there are types where I use the manual zone groups which I can also move around on the fly with my thumb.
I will use AI Servo mode if I am panning a shot because it works very effective for shots like that when the subject such as a speeding car or motocross bike is moving across the frame. It's also pretty effective is you are using a fast lens that is also USM. Non USM lens and those that are slower are a big clunky and don't track as well which quite frankly is to be expected.
As for the exposure metering and focus, 99 percent of the time I have my camera set up as Robert described. I found out a long time ago...that for border line hand held exposures it created less movement in my hands and sharper images when I set it up that way.
For cameras like my XSi where the center focus point is better than the other points I shot as Neil and others mentioned...center focus, recompose. I also focus manually for macro shots.
Dave |
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08/19/2011 08:34:15 PM · #22 |
| Poorly. And using two buttons to do three things is way too complicated for me. So I'll just keep doing what I'm doing poorly. Stubborn old git, I am.... |
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08/19/2011 08:35:05 PM · #23 |
Press the button halfway down, and wait for the beep.
Is there another way? |
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08/19/2011 08:57:09 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by Melethia:
Poorly. And using two buttons to do three things is way too complicated for me. So I'll just keep doing what I'm doing poorly. Stubborn old git, I am.... |
You've got a dedicated button on the back of your 7D, right where your thumb will reach easily, for focusing. If you use your custom functions to separate out the focusing from the shutter, moving it to this button, it means, in street photography, that you can pre-focus your scenes and then never worry that when you press the shutter button your focusing mark is going to be on something other than what you want it to be on. It's a Godsend. Instead of focusing every time you push the shutter button halfway, the camera only focuses when you tap the thumb button and tell it to.
Give it a try, you stubborn old git. Once you get used to it, you'll wonder how you managed without it. It's like a halfway house between full autofocus and full manual focus.
R. |
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08/19/2011 08:59:46 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by Melethia:
Poorly. And using two buttons to do three things is way too complicated for me. So I'll just keep doing what I'm doing poorly. Stubborn old git, I am.... |
You've got a dedicated button on the back of your 7D, right where your thumb will reach easily, for focusing. If you use your custom functions to separate out the focusing from the shutter, moving it to this button, it means, in street photography, that you can pre-focus your scenes and then never worry that when you press the shutter button your focusing mark is going to be on something other than what you want it to be on. It's a Godsend. Instead of focusing every time you push the shutter button halfway, the camera only focuses when you tap the thumb button and tell it to.
Give it a try, you stubborn old git. Once you get used to it, you'll wonder how you managed without it. It's like a halfway house between full autofocus and full manual focus.
R. |
I did that for a while on my Canon...but it's tougher for a quick action grab shot....sometimes I forgot to focus! But I did like it in general...maybe I'll try it again on my Nikon. |
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