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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Focus points

Dieps
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Oct 14, 2006, 10:59 AM

Post #1 of 18 (1164 views)
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Focus points	Can't Post

There was a post a few days ago that discussed focus points during the processional. Forgot who's post is was but remember they said to use the left or right focus point when composing a virtical shot. It sounds like that might be sound advice verses using the center point.

Here is an article that I ran across that shows why center point focusing might give bad results. It is a bit extreme since subjects in processional photos will be farther away (than the example in the article) and f-stops will be more mid range but this a a helpful article anyway.

http://visual-vacations.com/...-recompose_sucks.htm

Jim

PD-170, VX-2000 (2), TRV-900
Sony Wireless, iRiver, Mini Discs, other stuff
Canon 20D with some lenses

Colvin ADTR
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Oct 14, 2006, 11:42 AM

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Re: [Dieps] Focus points [In reply to]	Can't Post

It's swings and roundabouts. The centre focus points are often the most accurate, so you could miss focus either way unless you go for a wider DOF with your aperture.

DarrenS
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Oct 15, 2006, 5:23 AM

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Re: [Dieps] Focus points [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think he has a good point, one I never thought of before. However, his therory doesn't apply with big apertures and long lenses. The math just doesn't hold-out with long lenses. It's simply really, really hard to achieve good focus with shallow dof, period. I'm shooting a 200mm f2 lens sometimes and it's really difficult to get proper focus with AF. Manual will always be better than automatic no matter what the case, as far as I'm concerned. Nikon makes manual easier than any other manu. AF to get in the ball park, then grab the ring and go manual. Tap the shutter release to go auto again. Not sure, but I don't think Canon or any other lens maker has this functionality. Everything in life should work this well.

edit: doesn't apply with long lenses at long distances, I meant to say. I guess it still applies at short distances.

(This post was edited by DarrenS on Oct 15, 2006, 6:02 PM)

Brackish
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Oct 15, 2006, 5:33 AM

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DarrenS
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Oct 15, 2006, 6:05 AM

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Re: [Brackish] Focus points [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think so. But that's just one person's opinion. I spent years shooting slow film and slow lenses; use sticks for everything unless it's impossible or inappropriate.

RustyB
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Oct 15, 2006, 7:01 AM

Post #6 of 18 (1120 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] Focus points [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

....AF to get in the ball park, then grab the ring and go manual. Tap the shutter release to go auto again. Not sure, but I don't think Canon or any other lens maker has this functionality. Everything in life should work this well.

My prosumer Olympus e-500 does this. It has a few different focusing manual+auto options/combinations. I figured it was pretty standard with pro DSLR cams. I really hate to sell it. Frown

But, it has a rather small viewfinder, and I can't stand wearing my glasses when shooting, so I have a tough time manual focusing with it. Not a problem with my 35mm cams, which all have nice big viewfinders....but none of them have autofocus anyways. Tongue

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DarrenS
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Oct 15, 2006, 2:55 PM

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Re: [RustyB] Focus points [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yea maybe they all do it today, I only follow Nikon for the most part. There's 3 modes right on the lens, M/A, M, and A. M/A is "autofocus with manual priority", so you can use both at the same time without burning out the motors and without setting any other switches, and it's incredibly smooth. Lets you touch-up focus at any time by simply grabbing the focus ring. I've got the half-shutter functionality moved to another button on the body (you can reprogram the d200 easily). This way nothing changes when you press the shutter. Most people like the half shutter to activate stuff, but I don't. Half shutter does nothing but light-up the viewfinder now.

I've read good things about the e-500. Supposed to be a very good unit.

DarrenS
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Oct 15, 2006, 6:13 PM

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Re: [RustyB] Focus points [In reply to]	Can't Post

Here's a shot I used the m/a to focus. Started with auto then fine-tuned quick before she got too scared of me and ran away. Still isn't perfect but better than full auto. DOF is only about half an inch. This is a crop of a much larger 10MP image.

Shadow
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Oct 15, 2006, 11:07 PM

Post #9 of 18 (1067 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] Focus points [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey Darren
The Canons have the switch on the lens which is very handy - just switch between the two, you don't even have to look at the camera to do it.

I've also noticed the metering system to be ticking me off lately as well. I guess they don't make lenses anymore with the manual focus with the circle split thing in the middle, do they?

RustyB
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Oct 15, 2006, 11:20 PM

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Re: [Shadow] Focus points [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

...I guess they don't make lenses anymore with the manual focus with the circle split thing in the middle, do they?

Colvin, don't you use old-school Canon film lenses with your DSLR? I thought I saw you mention something like that once.

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DarrenS
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Oct 15, 2006, 11:40 PM

Post #11 of 18 (1061 views)
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Re: [Shadow] Focus points [In reply to]	Can't Post

So is it true that you must flip a physical switch to change between auto and manual on Canons Heidi? I've heard the m/a feature of Nikkor lenses is an 'exclusive' feature, but don't know for sure. I sure like it tho. Like I said, all things in life should work this well :)

What don't you like about the metering? Do you have the option to spot-meter, or is it fixed to average the entire frame? I use spot meter almost exclusively, set at 8mm (the size of the spot area). I'd be unhappy stuck with a full-frame type of metering. In fact I'd find it useless. Only good for family snap shots.

Regarding that split-ring thing for focus, that's a function of the body not the lens. With better SLRs in the old days you used to be able to buy different 'screens' to match your personal preference and just swap them out. My Pentax and Minoltas could. I'm not sure about these new digital slrs however. I get by fine with the standard screen in my D200. But now that you mention it, it would be nice to have the split-screen one. I'm going to look that up! Maybe you can swap them out still.

Shadow
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Oct 15, 2006, 11:46 PM

Post #12 of 18 (1057 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] Focus points [In reply to]	Can't Post

I can change the metering points (I think there's 9). I just wish it read my eyeball or something so I wouldn't have to.

Yes it is a switch to go from manual to auto focus - it's handy though. I can't picture how your's works.
Taken any more horse photos lately? I registered a site horsephotography.ca - in the hopes to one day have enough pictures to make a site. Who knows.

Brackish
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Oct 16, 2006, 12:24 AM

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DarrenS
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Oct 16, 2006, 1:15 AM

Post #14 of 18 (1049 views)
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Re: [Shadow] Focus points [In reply to]	Can't Post

It's hard to picture because it's so incredibly easy. It's the same as what you're doing now only there's no switch to flip first. You just start focusing manually and the AF automatically disengages by turning the ring, and very smoothly. Press the shutter half way to start AF again (or in my case, another button on the back...my shutter button is programmed to do nothing except fire-up the lights in the viewfinder)

I haven't taken any pictures lately period Frown

I'm opening another studio in Port and am busy with that. I am however working on snagging a standardbred farm that Dave Landry shoots for. But it's a long shot (he's pretty established in that world, and very talented). Won't have a chance unless I try tho, right? One of their studs died suddenly on Friday...millions down the pipe. Getting an autopsey done to find out why he croaked.

Your horse site is a great idea and I will be checking it out. I love horses! Here's myself at 6. We had a hobby farm and learned to ride english and western early. Dad bought this one from the Stoufville sales barn auction for exactly $72.50...was going to the glue factory I think. We broke him (Toby) and trained him and sold it for $2000 a couple years later. Two grand was a big pile of dough back then. Went on a date with a girl from highschool last year and she freaked when I said 'ok' to her horseback riding date idea. She said no guys will ever do it. I had one of those bad-boy-get-completely-stoned-and-race-your-car-like-a-madman reputations in highschool and I guess riding horses wasn't something she expected I'd agree to years later Smile

One of the most romantic dates I've ever been on, actually. Too bad she grew up to be a whacko.

DarrenS
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Oct 16, 2006, 1:19 AM

Post #15 of 18 (1047 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Focus points [In reply to]	Can't Post

Oh yea I remember that gear. Crazy pro is right. I used to drool over that stuff but could never afford any of it. Not even close.

Colvin ADTR
Enthusiast

Oct 16, 2006, 4:01 AM

Post #16 of 18 (1029 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Focus points [In reply to]	Can't Post

Not me, I am Nikon apart from an old rangefinder. You can buy aftermarket viewfinders from Katz Eye that have that circle thing. Me, I just use AF unless I have all day to fiddle. It is easier to let the camera do it and make sure I am using a DOF and focus point that makes the most of the len's sharpness.

DarrenS
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Oct 16, 2006, 10:42 AM

Post #17 of 18 (1009 views)
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Re: [Shadow] Focus points [In reply to]	Can't Post

Heidi here's one my friend Kim made on the weekend. I think it's beautiful. Reminds me of a Norman Rockwell image...

(This post was edited by DarrenS on Oct 16, 2006, 2:34 PM)

Shadow
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Oct 16, 2006, 1:12 PM

Post #18 of 18 (998 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] Focus points [In reply to]	Can't Post

NICE!!!!