Auto focusing, re-compose, re-meter...

[boycee]

Hey all...

So I was playing around the other day with shallow DOF's and was wondering what you guys do when you want to focus on one area but to meter in (AV or TV mode) another.

Currently, I'm focusing on the subject, switching off auto focus, re-composing, check focus (manually), auto exposure (based on TV/AV option) then take pic.

Is this how you guys do it?

 

[rpstewart]

Does the 400D have the Custom Function to move AF to the * button?

If so that's the easiest way of separating metering and focussing.

 

[Inquisitor]

Depending on my D80's button configuration, either focus and meter, AE-lock, recompose and refocus, or focus using AF-on (AF on a separate button), then recompose and meter.

Or just use manual.

 

[boycee]

Does the 400D have the Custom Function to move AF to the * button?

If so that's the easiest way of separating metering and focussing.

Ohh, so essentially the shutter would only do the auto metering.

This would also mean for every shot that I'd need to...

autofocus(*) -> meter(half press) -> take pic.

That's ok though, in fact would actually be handy to have them separate.. Let me check my manual...

 

[boycee]

Just go to custom function 4, and select option 3. Took me a minute to figure out which one it was, because there are four, not three, options in the menu, so 1/3 didn't make any sense. Good to know.

Apparently you can do this on the 400D... At work atm, so will test later...

 

[Messiah Khan]

Press and hold the spotmeter button (Button by my right index finger), press and hold the AE lock button (Button by my right middle finger) and finally press the AF lock button (At the end of the lens)

 

[boycee]

Press and hold the spotmeter button (Button by my right index finger), press and hold the AE lock button (Button by my right middle finger) and finally press the AF lock button (At the end of the lens)

I don't think my lens/camera is good enough to have those buttons? I'm pretty sure that my lenses only have AF/MF and if applicable macro ON/OFF

 

[Mr Jones]

I was told on POTN by a fellow Taekwondo photographer to separate the focus to the * button on my canon 20D - makes it easier to focus and stay on the spot, snapping away and not worry about the lens focusing the background instead.

Took a while to get use to it and now, I'm loving it.
Except for the fact that I give my brother the camera and he can't for the love of god, focus before taking the picture. Oh and when you make the switch, turn on Al Servo, so when you're pressing the * button, the camera will keep focusing till you let go.

 

[33L]

I use fuction 4 option 3 and its great as you can still focus normally and manual focus with the * button if need to correct it!
However It works better with permanant manual overide on the lens though. as there is no flickingh between manual and auto focus.