Questions tagged [focus-point-selection]
The focus-point-selection tag has no usage guidance.
67 questions
32
votes
9
answers
6k
views
Why would I want to select an autofocus point?
I'm trying to understand why I would ever want to select an auto focus point other then the center point. I have a Canon XTI Rebel DSLR which has 9 auto-focus points, but I'm also looking into getting ...
- 1,411
20
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Why don't cameras have autofocus points in the edges and corners?
On all the DSLRs I've used, there are never any autofocus points near the edges and corners. Why is that?
- 2,571
17
votes
3
answers
7k
views
How are the red focus point indicators displayed on a DSLR's focusing screen?
The question Why do the focus points leds in my viewfinder appear shadowed? raises another question for me. How are these indicator lights implemented in typical DSLRs? Are they actually small LEDs ...
- 144k
13
votes
4
answers
2k
views
How do you use the different autofocus points on your DSLR?
My Nikon D300 has quite a few autofocus points. There's a button I can operate with my thumb to change the autofocus point but I find that quite difficult to use. So I almost exclusively use the ...
- 1,233
12
votes
4
answers
15k
views
Can more than one focus point be selected?
Nowadays days, almost every DSLR camera comes with many focal points — 9, 11, 22 etc. Many of them provide us with settings to manually chose a focus point while shooting images, apart from the auto-...
- 1,330
10
votes
3
answers
9k
views
How do I determine focus points in Adobe Lightroom?
Not sure if this is possible or not in Adobe Lightroom. I would like to see the focus points chosen by my Canon DSLR. I am guessing this is stored somewhere in the EXIF, but I'm not certain. I find ...
- 46.6k
10
votes
5
answers
944
views
How do I take a sharp picture of a large crowd of faces?
I've been asked to take a picture of my church (the people, not the building we meet in). They're renting a lift I can use to get adequate height to fit all ~250 people into the frame, but I'm kind of ...
- 205
9
votes
6
answers
7k
views
If I'm using only one focus point, am I doing it wrong?
Unless I have to shot a person or an object which moves, I set my camera to use only one focus point at the middle.
It feels just more natural and so easy: when I need to focus on something which is ...
- 4,390
8
votes
2
answers
733
views
Seeing behind objects
I was doing some testing to see how smooth the bokeh would be with my lens and subjects at different distances when I noticed something weird (to me). Basically by only changing the focus point in the ...
- 314
6
votes
2
answers
580
views
What is the reason to use fewer points than the maximum available for the autofocus?
According to the manual, Nikon D7000 has three options for the number of autofocus points: 9, 21 and 39 points.
The manual explains that less points may be used when the subject is moving predictably....
- 4,390
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How to avoid switching "modes" of 4-way controller on Pentax K-5?
I quite enjoy ergonomics and user interface of Pentax K-5, except this one thing that drives me nuts.
I shoot almost exclusively using a selected focus point, and the arrow buttons have two "modes" -...
- 32k
5
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Focus point causing unsharp images?
It seems that some pictures I’m taking just aren’t tack sharp, I’ve been shooting in Aperture Priority and I’ve made sure to avoid camera shake and such. Based off the picture below what would be a ...
- 325
5
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Nikon D3300 - Trouble Focusing on Birds both Stationary & Moving
I would like to know how to correct for the problem of capturing moving (or even stationary) birds amid foliage.
Too often I end up with a blur even when I use a fast shutter under bright sunlight.
...
- 51
5
votes
2
answers
6k
views
How to use focus points in manual focus mode on Canon EOS 6D?
I just got my first DSLR, a Canon EOS 6D with 50mm f1.8 lens.
I'm tring to learn by watching YouTube, but have some questions.
When I use the lens on MF and the body on MF, I can't focus using the ...
- 53
5
votes
4
answers
5k
views
What are the pros and cons of using macro rail vs lens focus?
I am interested in doing focus stacking for macro shots and from what I understand there are two techniques for doing this.
One is to use a macro rail that adjusts the length to the subject (e.g ...
- 366
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Which focus mode should I use for a portrait shoot?
I have to do a portrait shoot for a friend. My camera (Pentax K-30) allows me to focus in the following modes:
1 focus point (center)
11 auto focus points
5 auto focus points
I haven't yet ...
- 471
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the meaning of having 9 focus points and how to see where they are?
Canon PowerShot SX210 IS is said to have 9 focus points. I haven't seen any setting which shows all those points on the screen or anywhere.
How and what are those remaining 8 focus points used for?
...
- 5,622
4
votes
1
answer
580
views
What autofocus zone selection mode should I use for action/event shooting?
I have a Canon 7D, and typically shoot everything I do in its single-point autofocus zone select mode, because I usually want fine control over exactly what the camera is focusing on and I often find ...
- 948
4
votes
3
answers
322
views
Does an offset split-focus screen exist?
I shoot a Nikon F3 SLR with a split-focus screen, and I do a lot of portraits with very shallow depth of fields (e.g. 50mm f2.8 at 0.5m).
When I shoot a portrait I focus on the eye first, then ...
- 315
4
votes
1
answer
355
views
Is evaluative metering linked to multiple focus points?
This question is about some slight confusion about evaluative metering on a Canon EOS-1V (and possibly early 1D bodies as well).
In the manual, the picture for evaluative metering looks like this:
...
user74600
3
votes
4
answers
4k
views
How do Canon 600D and 650D compare with respect to focus points types?
My photographic style is action, and according to a website that I read I need at least 9 focus points to get better photos.
I'm considering getting a Canon EOS 650D, but it turns out that it has ...
3
votes
4
answers
819
views
Is recomposing ideal rather than changing focus point?
As a beginner in photography I’ve stumbled across several videos stating that the center point is the sharpest and most accurate point as apposed to the others.
I’ve seen many photographers take ...
- 325
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How do I make the focus point indicators stay long enough to select on the Canon 60D?
I have just switched from the Canon 500D to a 60D. Most of my work is property based, and this is therefore 90% internal flash shots where I often wish to pick out a particular spot for best focus.
...
3
votes
1
answer
24k
views
Why isn't my Canon 70D autofocus accurate in manual zone AF mode with a 50mm f/1.8 lens?
I recently purchased a Canon 70D for its dual pixel autofocusing system and ISO performance. I am in love with this feature rich-camera; however I found the camera's autofocus fails to function ...
3
votes
3
answers
434
views
Distant objects not in focus
This is almost certainly my fault, not the camera. I mostly shoot landscapes with myself in the foreground via a small tripod:
My former camera was a Sony A5000 and for these kinds of shots (see ...
- 145
3
votes
1
answer
453
views
How to get tack sharp portraits with shallow DOF when lacking an AF point where I want to focus?
What is the best way to get tack sharp portraits with shallow depth of field when lacking an auto focus point where I want to focus. I don't want to crop and "focus and recompose" is not an option ...
- 8,298
2
votes
2
answers
591
views
How can I effectively use the focus points (of Canon DSLR), to get accurate focus on a small subject?
I'm shooting birds with my Canon 1200D and 55-250mm lens.
I know this is not ideal lens and focal length for bird photography. But I am new to this field and before investing on expensive equipment, ...
- 123
2
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What's the advantage of many autofocus points rather than fewer spread wider across the field? [duplicate]
I have a D3200 with 11 focusing points:
The newer and more expensive bodies have even more focus points like e.g. the D610:
I mostly work in Single-point AF mode, which means I choose one of the 11 ...
- 595
2
votes
5
answers
527
views
Aperture priority mode in high speed lens while photographing more than one person
I use 50mm f/1.8 lens(with Canon T3i) for portraiture. It's quite easy when only one subject is involved :Open the aperture wide, focus on the eyes(most of the times) and you get a nice portrait.
How ...
- 325
2
votes
3
answers
557
views
How to identify main subject of the photo and set focus?
I am using Nikon D5600.
While on street photo shoot, I clicked a couple of photos and submitted on one of the stock photo website. Few photos got approved whereas few were rejected with a comment.
...
- 319
2
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How can I focus when my camera is on a tripod and none of the focus points line up?
Today I was shooting two persons with my camera (Canon 7D) on a tripod.
One person, the one I wanted to be in focus, was composed so far out of the center that
I don't have any focus point close to ...
- 257
2
votes
3
answers
8k
views
How to shoot/capture the droplets of water being sprayed through a spray bottle
I am trying to capture the droplets of water while being sprayed on a subject through a spray bottle. What I mean here is - when I am spraying the water on my subject, I want to capture the droplets ...
- 25
2
votes
3
answers
3k
views
How does autofocus point selection relate to manual focus?
Every lens I have comes with an auto-focus / manual focus switch. How should it be used if I am shooting on AV mode? If I were to select one of the focus points, do I need to have the lens on auto-...
- 121
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is there a secret way to make the Fujifilm X-Pro 1's autofocus point selection faster?
I think the answer to this is "no", but it may actually be available and I'm just not figuring out how to toggle the setting.
The X-Pro 1 has a wealth of AF points — 49 in EVF mode and 25 in OVF mode....
- 144k
2
votes
1
answer
604
views
Why is the focus indicator light always on in single point focus mode on my D7000?
I switched my settings on my Nikon D7100 to single point focus but now as soon as I turn my camera on, I have a square focus icon in my viewfinder, not just when I press on back button focus. This can'...
- 21
2
votes
1
answer
10k
views
How do I select a focus point on the Nikon D5000?
My Nikon D5000 has 11 selectable focus points but shamefully I don't know how to choose another point other than the center point.
How can I do this?
Am I misunderstanding concepts?
- 1,628
2
votes
1
answer
568
views
How do you even see the focus area rectangle when in dark?
I was reading the manual for my camera and well they have a rectangular kind of area that they show in viewfinder and those little squares as focus point and how to change those focus points.
But the ...
- 2,460
2
votes
1
answer
475
views
Can the focus point for a Nikon D7500 be positioned while tethering to a PC using Lightroom?
While tethering my Nikon D7500 to my laptop using Windows 10 Adobe LightRoom I noticed I can't see the focus point like I can while in my camera's LiveView.
I often move the focus point on my Nikon ...
- 215
2
votes
1
answer
193
views
Why are OVF and Liveview focus dots in different locations in my Nikon D800?
I put my camera (D800) on a tripod to check for any focusing issues ,and if I switch from OVF to Liveview the focus dot is in a different location.I tried two different lenses and they both give the ...
- 21
2
votes
1
answer
911
views
Why does the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 have fewer AF points in optical viewfinder mode?
From the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 manual:
When AREA is selected for AF MODE in the shooting menu and S is selected for focus mode, the electronic viewfinder
and LCD monitor offer a choice of 49 focus ...
- 144k
1
vote
2
answers
936
views
Is there a way to use phase detection AF with live view on a Canon EOS camera?
On any of the EOS xx(x)D model that has the live view function, can the camera make focus using the AF collimators (instead of using contrast detection), as it's possible on the old Nikon D300 ?
If ...
- 902
1
vote
2
answers
739
views
Focussing area is different in live view than when viewed in viewfinder
When I use the AF-S mode or any other mode through the view finder, I can see an area in which the focus point can be moved. It is relatively small. What if I want to focus out of that area or focus ...
- 125
1
vote
3
answers
241
views
How to focus on more objects at the same time while maintaining shallow DOF?
How can I focus on more objects, say three dogs sitting in front of you, while maintaining a nice background blur/shallow DOF? I have a kit lens ranging from 18-55mm with a variable aperture of f/3.5-...
- 243
1
vote
2
answers
223
views
Is it necessary to use focus point selection if I use back button focusing?
I'm a beginner in photography who just started using back button focusing.
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
277
views
What could cause the focus to be off in some images and not others?
I took a number of photos like the one here. Each was at the same settings but each time I asked the camera to focus (with a single focus point) and the focus point right on the girls face. The ...
- 355
1
vote
1
answer
448
views
Best technique for taking sharp photos with only a few auto focus points? [duplicate]
I have some Canon APS-C cameras which only have 9 or 11 AF points and I find the focus points are mostly in the center of the view finder. I work around it by finding the closest point, half-pressing ...
- 793
1
vote
2
answers
3k
views
How to focus on multiple object of interest [duplicate]
I have a Nikon D5300.
Mode: Manual
ISO: 100 (Bright Daylight)
Aperture: f/5.3
Shutter:1/80
Lens: 70-300mm
I am trying to find a way to focus on multiple objects, in my case, a bouquet of flowers. ...
- 173
1
vote
2
answers
779
views
What is a good focus point for street photography when using zone focusing?
For example, I am using Fuji X100T (35mm), and according to this video [1], Doug McKinlay suggested that turn to f8, and to focus at 10 feet distance, and so from 5 feet to infinity will be in focus, ...
- 313
1
vote
1
answer
215
views
Where do we focus when shooting cars in a street?
f I just want to put the camera at night at the corner of a street to get long exposure effect of the cars that are moving for their car lights, What is the focus settings I should use? Should I also ...
- 2,460
1
vote
2
answers
3k
views
How Autofocus with Single Focus Point works after Re composing
I own a Nikon D7000 which of course has 39 focus points. I was going through some articles on internet on focusing techniques. One article I came across was say shooting people (portraits) I should ...
- 1,786
Hot Network Questions
- How to explain why I don't have a reference letter from my supervisor
- How to right-align a line in align environment?
- What is the origin of "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells?"
- Are integers conservatively embedded in the field of complex numbers?
- How bright is the sun now, as seen from Voyager?
- What does “going off” mean in the following conversation?
- Why does Knuckles say "This place looks familiar"?
- Is it appropriate to reach out to executives and/or engineers at a company to express interest in a position?
- A website asks you to enter a Microsoft/Google/Facebook password. How do you know it is safe?
- Linux: How to find CPU socket type via CLI?
- How does the first stanza of Robert Burns's "For a' that and a' that" translate into modern English?
- Romans 11:26 reads “In this way all of Israel will be saved;” but in which way?
- How does innovation deal with the problem of different connections in NEAT?
- Least unsafe (?) way to improve upon an existing (!) network cable running next to AC power in underground PVC conduit?
- Find all unique quintuplets in an array that sum to a given target
- How do mathematical realists explain the applicability and effectiveness of mathematics in physics?
- I want to apply my Canadian passport urgent service to pickup in 3 to 9 days
- Why are dependent sums and products called sums and products?
- How to produce steel in space?
- Are pigs effective intermediate hosts of new viruses, due to being susceptible to human and avian influenza viruses?
- Implement any rotation-invariant function on colored dodecahedrons
- How do I fix a MODULE_NOT_FOUND error for a module that I don't manually import?
- Can you identify this theme music?
- White perpetual check, where Black manages a check too?