We receive comments on how we seem to move our cameras around quickly for shots (focus and recompose), yet maintain crisp, vibrant photos.
A few tips you may find beneficial…
Tip #1 Remove shutter button auto focus
Remove auto focus from your camera shutter button and use the AF-ON button (newer model Canon/Nikon cameras) or the * (AE lock) button (older model Canon/Nikon’s) as your auto focus lock, freeing your shutter button up to be used purely to take the photo. Lock the focus with the AF-ON or * button and then use your shutter button to take the photo.
As part of this process, you also need to change your shutter button from auto focusing when half-pressed down, to the AF-ON or * button.
This allows me to quickly lock in the focus by holding down the AF-ON button, then recomposing the shot and taking it with the shutter button, all the time maintaining focus on what I wish to be sharp.
.jpg "Focus/Recompose Tips")
How do you do this? Whilst different for camera models this is what we use on the Canon 5D Mark II, which should provide some guidance.
Menu -> FnIV: Operation/Others -> Option 2: AF-ON/AE Lock button switch -> 1: Enable (if you want to use * key) or 0: Disable (if you want to use the AF-ON key)
Menu -> FnIV: Operation/Others -> Option 1: Shutter Button/AF-ON -> 3: AE lock/Metering + AF Start.
Tip #2 Study Depth of Field and learn your lenses inside/out.
Understand what results from a particular aperture, under what conditions and at what distance with each of your lenses at what focal length. Learn about the hyper focal, far and near limit distances and depth of field ranges of each of your lenses under these scenarios. For iPhone users grab a free app called iDoF Calc which lets you specific your camera, lens and what focal length and aperture you are using and provides you guidance on optimal distance/etc.
Tip #3 Use the center-point focus point
With our style mostly based on focus/recomposing, it requires us to be quick with focusing. As part of keeping it quick, but also maintaining sharpness, we mostly use the AF center-point.
by Josh
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Caroline Lima Benusa - Thanks for the post! I’m going to try the AF-ON button on my Nikon. I still have some issues focusing.
Carol
Melissa - Ya that’s what I thought.
Most of my shots are in pretty close range (10 feet or less)- shooting young children/babies. So wide open … gives you lots of room for error with focus & recompose!!!
I was looking into micro-adjusting the lenses as well to see if maybe that might help.
Thanks for your help
Josh - Melissa – Spot on. There is less room for error with wider apertures. We do shoot a lot between f1.4-2 with this method, though it is probably also subject to lens and depth of field that may be causing you focus issues. Check out a DoF calculator such as the one we posted and review a few scenarios of how far you are from the subject and see if potentially you are so close that you have pretty much no room for error in your shot. Also, it could be worth calibrating your lens with Canon and/or micro-adjusting them.
Melissa - Hey Josh,
Great photos. Just came across this post about focus & recomposing.
I almost always use focus & recompose method … the only problem I am finding is with wide open apertures – F 1.4 or so. I find if you focus & recompose at this wide aperture, you generally move the point of focus (i.e. away from the eyes or something). I tried using the outter shutter points ( to minimize movement) but they just don’t get as crisp of an image as when I use the middle. Any suggestions when dealing with wide open apertures?
I also have a Canon 5D mark ii
Thanks
katie - yeah nice info
Josh - Joe – Depends on what I am shooting and/or wanting to achieve from the image. For example a fairly stationery subject I use one shot. If it’s a series of movement I use AI Servo. Both with back button focus and also lock focus and shoot in most instances.
joe - Thanks for the tips!
Do you use one shot or AI servo? Or does it matter? Alos, once you lock focus, do you keep the AF-ON button pressed when recomposing or do you let go?
Josh - Happy shooting SURU
SURU - Wonderful info thank u
Josh - Hey Kate. Probably 95% of the time. For the other 5% I scroll between the focus points needed to select them
Kate - Thanks Josh. I love this info and have found it really useful for my new 50D.
About the AF Centre-point focusing – do you always use centre point or just mostly? Do you toggle between the points?
Thanks again!
k8