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Photography Question 

Jennifer S
 

Focusing...


OK, I have a Canon XT and I'm very new to SLRs! I'm used to the easy point and shoots. I'm having a hard time focusing correctly. If I use AF, it seems like I need to push the shutter down halfway a million times before I get it to focus on what I want it to focus on! (most of the time, anyways) I could miss an opportunity for a good photo in the time I waste getting the lens to focus. If I use MF, its worse. Ill think its focused, but later find out its not. Is it me?! What can I do? I dont have the best lens, perhaps a better lens would help? Thanks!


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October 15, 2005

 
- Bob Cournoyer

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  If I knew the names of everything, this would be easy.
Push that little button on the top right on the back of the camera, should bring up all the focus points on your screen..roll the wheel to the focus point you want...I usually just pick the center point.....then when you want to shoot, push the button half way with that center focus spot on the part of the scene you want in focus, keep holding the button half way, recompose and shoot.....works for me...
Hope this made sense and helps
Bob


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October 15, 2005

 

Jennifer S
  Thanks Bob! I'll mess around with the camera and try that!


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October 16, 2005

 

Robyn Gwilt
  So Bob, you're saying JUST select the centre point - don't highlight all of them in the cross? I also have problems sometimes Jennifer, also read the manual on the AF MODE - 1 host, AI Focus and AI servo - its reasonable self explanatory. I keep the little booklet with me at all times & often after re-reading a section, the penny finally drops :)


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October 16, 2005

 
- Bob Cournoyer

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  Hi, Robyn....Yeah, if you don't change the distance between you and the subject you want in focus.
If you leave them all on, one might focus on a blade of grass or a branch that is not in the area you want focused.


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October 16, 2005

 

Robyn Gwilt
  Funny u shld mention that! Thanks Bob. So if you DO change the distance, then you just depress again, to re-focus. I must say though, its a great little camera! Tks for your tips


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October 17, 2005

 

anonymous
  Ditto for Bob

I just use the centre one - the others are just a pain and you end up focusing on things you don't want.

Just use the centre one, push the shutter half way down to focus, while your shutter is half way down, then recompose and take the shot. What you focused on will still be in focus.

It seems awkeward or fiddly, but once you do it a few times, it is so easy and quick and you won't go back to using all the AF points again!


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October 17, 2005

 
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