Single point auto focus

[RustyTheGeek]

This is one of those topics that is purely a personal preference. Do whatever works for you.

Look at the images you've taken. Are they in focus? Are you satisfied and comfortable with your current technique?

Most important: Are you getting the shot(s)? If what you are doing now works for you, I definitely wouldn't try to make a change like this on the fly. Experiment when it doesn't matter, not tonight at a fast paced sports event!

 

[enice128]

I agree, its only my nephews game so i shoot for 2 reasons....one, to mostly practice for when it really will count one day hopefully & two, to give some nice shots of him & his teammates. it sort of will be on the fly tonite since this will be the very first time upgrading from my recently traded in 7D thus using my 1D Mark IV. I will most likely go back to my traditional way of shooting but ill have some time to play around with some other methods....thanks again! But i will tell u, i was so hesitant at first w back-button focusing & now its the ONLY way....even for one shot & portrait work!!!

 

[RustyTheGeek]

IME, the transition to back button focusing is/was very easy and produced big dividends when I decided to do it. Trying to peg a specific AF point to a moving subject on the fly just seems very difficult to me with marginal benefit. I have enough trouble simultaneously thinking about exposure, composition, shutter speed/aperture and how to get that cheerleader doing the splits in midair into the shot on a consistent basis.

Please report back and discuss how it goes for you!!

 

[enice128]

Thanks for your input! I'm gonna either stick with center point or setup orientation-linked for portrait & landscape which both are NOT center. I'll compare my images over the w/e. But i definitely agree with u regarding having enough to worry about, LOL! My prob lately (& not even sure if it is one) but i actually FORGET that my camera has any other mode than M....i used to always shoot on AV or TV & since M i NEVER switch! Maybe ill try this too?