Missed Focus, DOF and Dinara Safina

[dmckinny]

Canoli,


I too am a first year DSLR owner/shooter, keep this in mind, I am not an expert.


I have been primarily shooting my daughter playing soccer, so I have an understanding of what you are trying to do. The one thing I noticed in your post is that you are still using the shutter button to set focus. Most of the pros and semi-pros I have read or spoken with separate the focus from the shutter button, specifically to make it easier to track and focus on a target that is moving. I did this with my 30D (custom function 4 set to option 3 if I remember correctly, read your manual), and it took a little time to get used to it but once I did the results I got were much improved.


My set up is basically, move the "focus" button to the AE lock under my thumb, use AI Servo, center focus point only, High speed continuous shooting, and set the rest for appropriate exposure. I track my target with the center focus point, and AI servo adjusts the focus plane if the target is closer or further away. I found that I am much more comfortable "tracking" this way, and I feel more confident that I will get the shot when I pull the trigger.


Good luck and happy shooting,


David

[canoli]

Thanks David -


I've come across this suggestion before, but had totally forgotten it - thanks for the reminder, and your explanation. So a half-press on the shutter button doesn't activate focus but it still meters, right? You keep your thumb on the AF button (or the AE if you switched) and track the kids that way...interesting...I wish I'd asked for help before I went to the Open!


I read a post from a bird photog and he said the method you described really improved his keeper rate. I'm going to try it next time out.


So do you shoot this way all the time, or only for sports?


And do you always select the center point? What happens when the center point slips off your target, do the other AF points become active? I guess they wouldn't if you selected Center Point AF, but what if you didn't select any, and just let the cam decide? Do you ever work that way?


Thanks again for your response.

[dmckinny]

Sorry for the delayed response, it's been really crazy at work this week.


I pretty much leave the focus on the back button all the time now. However, that custom function has several options, option 3 is best when you are using AI Servo, but option 1 works a little better with one shot focus. I often leave the custom function on option 3 even when I'm not using AI Servo, it still seems to work. I am so used to "focusing" with my thumb that I don't even think about it anymore.


On the focus point, probably 95% of the time I use the center point. The other 5% I am trying to focus on something off-center and I don't want to recompose so I try to find a focus point that is close to the subject. I always use the center point for any type of action shots. I don't think the xxD series has the capability to automatically shift focus points, at least I have never seen my 30D do this. I know the 1 series has this and I think the new 7D will as well.


Give it a try, it will be a little frustrating the first time or two, but with a some patience and practice I think you will like it.





David

[canoli]

I've been working with this back button focus method and I'm starting to like it - it's becoming a habit. But I have noticed something in PP that I don't like - maybe you can correct me if I'm missing something.


The only image-editing program that shows the AF points for the 40D, including the activated AF point, is DPP. But with back button focus, although you can call up the grid of AF points, they're all in black. It doesn't show which one activated, like it will for images captured in shutter focus, by highlighting it in red. (unless I'm doing something wrong) It's a real bummer for me because that's all I ever really use DPP for, to remind me which AF point I used...


Any DPP users out there that also back button focus?