How do you focus?

24X36NOW · 11-01-2009, 11:15 AM

I twist the focusing ring.

Glen · 11-01-2009, 05:52 PM

After a year with the K20 I used the select point for the first time. It was useful for when I wanted to hand the camera to somebody else and have them take the picture. I didn't want to have to explain how to use the lock focus and recompose feature especially since none Pentaxians tend to press the shutter too hard and thereby actuate the shutter rather than just focus. Canon users are bad for this.

omega leader · 11-01-2009, 06:24 PM

I move the camera, often using a rail (I shoot alot of macros

)

**Lowell Goudge** · 11-01-2009, 06:54 PM

if I answer truthfully, I focus by turning the focus collar, or, I press the shutter half way and let the camera do it?

Both seem to work.
As for focus and recompose, I have tried this and find that it is never as sharp as using the selectable focus points.. I think re-composing when you are fairly close in causes too much movement and you upset subject distance.

LeDave · 11-01-2009, 07:14 PM

I always center point and recompose now. My first DSLR, the K2000 never allowed me to select AF points and I was so used to not using them, I tend to not use them on my K-7 also.

mysticcowboy · 11-02-2009, 10:05 AM

Center point, then recompose. Sometimes I use the center AF then switch to manual to recompose. K20D.

michael mckee
My Port Townsend – A City in Photographs

DanLoc78 · 11-04-2009, 01:34 PM

typically i've used the center focus point and recomposed. But that can alter your plane of focus so I've been trying to get used to selecting the autofocus point. But then maybe your focus isn't as accurate??

What I do know is...at both a wedding and a hockey game just this past weekend, I tried using continuous focus and failed miserably with the DA* 50-135. It couldn't even keep up with bridesmaids walking slowly towards me. Is it something I did wrong? Or just the slow speed of the K10D + DA*? I don't know...but I'm not happy about it. I was only the third shooter so not that big a deal, but man, it really bums me out that those pics aren't sharp.

**LeoTaylor** · 11-04-2009, 08:18 PM

This poll cries out for allowing more than one choice or specify percentage or an answer like, "it depends."

At the Dog Park where I have a second to aim and shoot I use Full Auto. Even then I get more dog butts than faces.

When shooting birds I use center spot focus and point at the bird to avoid focusing on foreground/background tree branches.

When shooting flowers with my Macro I'll take one auto shot to get me in the ballpark then switch to full manual for the rest of the shoot.

When doing astrophotography it is full manual all evening.

I can't just click one answer!

tdmsu · 11-11-2009, 06:58 AM

I usually center focus then recompose, but I am returning to manual focus more and more. I am finding that the auto focus is not always reliable, and is slow in low light. Using manual focus also gives me reason to use my Super Tak 50 more often!

choet · 11-19-2009, 03:56 PM

I use the centre point and then recompose. I have my camera set to single not continuous focus. Occasionally I use the points, however, that is probably only less than 5% of the time.

Cheryl

**Canada_Rockies** · 11-19-2009, 04:15 PM

I voted for centre point and recompose, but obviously, my M lenses don't offer AF, and I use them as much as anything else in my bag.

lurchlarson · 11-19-2009, 07:36 PM

I usually use centerpoint-recompose but I'll shoot manual as needed. I've also been known to pre-focus and wait for the subject to pass into the frame.

benjikan · 11-20-2009, 05:14 PM

Center point and re-frame can be very dangerous. If I were to do so all of my images would be focused on the wrong unintended point. It only works if perfectly perpendicular to the subject and at a considerable distance.

Plankton · 11-20-2009, 05:34 PM

I shoot all manual, and usually center point and recompose if needed.

Marc Sabatella · 11-21-2009, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by benjikan

Center point and re-frame can be very dangerous. If I were to do so all of my images would be focused on the wrong unintended point. It only works if perfectly perpendicular to the subject and at a considerable distance.

Well, it only works *perfectly* in those cases. But really, the amount by which the focus is off in practice is usually less than the DOF, *unless* you are shooting a scene with an extremely shallow DOF (as your example obviously is). It's an issue mostly at apertures of f/2 and below, and especially at very close focus distances. For me personally, that's an extremely rare combination. But for some, it will be more common, indeed.

View Poll Results: How do you focus?
Full Auto focus	30	6.32%
Center point and recompose	246	51.79%
Select the focus point	103	21.68%
Manually focus	96	20.21%
Voters: 475. You may not vote on this poll

11-01-2009, 06:24 PM	#33
omega leader Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Niagara Region, Ontario Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 417	Macros I move the camera, often using a rail (I shoot alot of macros)

11-02-2009, 10:05 AM	#36
mysticcowboy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: port townsend, wa Photos: Albums Posts: 968	I'm with the crowd Center point, then recompose. Sometimes I use the center AF then switch to manual to recompose. K20D. michael mckee My Port Townsend – A City in Photographs

11-04-2009, 08:18 PM	#38
LeoTaylor Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Connecticut Photos: Gallery Posts: 679	This poll cries out for allowing more than one choice or specify percentage or an answer like, "it depends." At the Dog Park where I have a second to aim and shoot I use Full Auto. Even then I get more dog butts than faces. When shooting birds I use center spot focus and point at the bird to avoid focusing on foreground/background tree branches. When shooting flowers with my Macro I'll take one auto shot to get me in the ballpark then switch to full manual for the rest of the shoot. When doing astrophotography it is full manual all evening. I can't just click one answer! Last edited by LeoTaylor; 11-04-2009 at 08:21 PM. Reason: added category

11-11-2009, 06:58 AM	#39
tdmsu Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 131	old becomes new again I usually center focus then recompose, but I am returning to manual focus more and more. I am finding that the auto focus is not always reliable, and is slow in low light. Using manual focus also gives me reason to use my Super Tak 50 more often!

11-01-2009, 11:15 AM	#31
24X36NOW Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: CT, USA Posts: 498	I twist the focusing ring.

11-01-2009, 05:52 PM	#32
Glen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 329	After a year with the K20 I used the select point for the first time. It was useful for when I wanted to hand the camera to somebody else and have them take the picture. I didn't want to have to explain how to use the lock focus and recompose feature especially since none Pentaxians tend to press the shutter too hard and thereby actuate the shutter rather than just focus. Canon users are bad for this.

11-01-2009, 06:54 PM	#34
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	if I answer truthfully, I focus by turning the focus collar, or, I press the shutter half way and let the camera do it? Both seem to work. As for focus and recompose, I have tried this and find that it is never as sharp as using the selectable focus points.. I think re-composing when you are fairly close in causes too much movement and you upset subject distance.

11-01-2009, 07:14 PM	#35
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	I always center point and recompose now. My first DSLR, the K2000 never allowed me to select AF points and I was so used to not using them, I tend to not use them on my K-7 also.

11-04-2009, 01:34 PM	#37
DanLoc78 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Philadelphia Photos: Gallery Posts: 915	typically i've used the center focus point and recomposed. But that can alter your plane of focus so I've been trying to get used to selecting the autofocus point. But then maybe your focus isn't as accurate?? What I do know is...at both a wedding and a hockey game just this past weekend, I tried using continuous focus and failed miserably with the DA* 50-135. It couldn't even keep up with bridesmaids walking slowly towards me. Is it something I did wrong? Or just the slow speed of the K10D + DA*? I don't know...but I'm not happy about it. I was only the third shooter so not that big a deal, but man, it really bums me out that those pics aren't sharp.

11-19-2009, 03:56 PM	#40
choet Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: South Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 12	focus I use the centre point and then recompose. I have my camera set to single not continuous focus. Occasionally I use the points, however, that is probably only less than 5% of the time. Cheryl

11-19-2009, 04:15 PM	#41
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Or manual focus I voted for centre point and recompose, but obviously, my M lenses don't offer AF, and I use them as much as anything else in my bag.

11-19-2009, 07:36 PM	#42
lurchlarson Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oregon, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 681	I usually use centerpoint-recompose but I'll shoot manual as needed. I've also been known to pre-focus and wait for the subject to pass into the frame.

11-20-2009, 05:14 PM	#43
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	Center point and re-frame can be very dangerous. If I were to do so all of my images would be focused on the wrong unintended point. It only works if perfectly perpendicular to the subject and at a considerable distance. Attached Images

11-20-2009, 05:34 PM	#44
Plankton Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Shelburne, MA Posts: 131	I shoot all manual, and usually center point and recompose if needed.

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11-21-2009, 10:38 AM	#45
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by benjikan Center point and re-frame can be very dangerous. If I were to do so all of my images would be focused on the wrong unintended point. It only works if perfectly perpendicular to the subject and at a considerable distance. Well, it only works perfectly in those cases. But really, the amount by which the focus is off in practice is usually less than the DOF, unless you are shooting a scene with an extremely shallow DOF (as your example obviously is). It's an issue mostly at apertures of f/2 and below, and especially at very close focus distances. For me personally, that's an extremely rare combination. But for some, it will be more common, indeed.