focus/spot meter question!

[tasmo2]

Ok, so I have set my camera to spot meter center focus point, and that is my focal point chosen. So when I am getting ready to take a shot I have been told to focus where I want on the middle focal point, half press to focus and meter, then reposition the camera where I want the composition I want and take my shot. That way it focuses and meters then I can move my camera.

For example, for a "rule of thirds" type shot, I would put my sons face into the center bracket of the frame, half press to focus and meter... then scoot the down and over a bit so he is in the top/left third of the grid then take the shot...

My question is, is this the correct way to do it? Am I still going to get the sharp focus on the eyes that I would had I chosen the upper bracket and placed his eyes in there to take the shot? The problem is when I do it that way, I am not metering his face, since the middle bracket is on his shirt or other spots.

OR am I totally misunderstanding the whole thing? LOL!

[SusanH1970]

What I do is use the center point to meter, set my aperture, ISO and shutter speed to get the exposure I want, then I focus (press shutter halfway), recompose and shoot.

You can also toggle your focus points if you don't want to focus and recompose. I've tried it but have found it difficult with quickly moving kids, so I'm afraid I'm a chronic focus-and-recomposer.

[tasmo2]

Ok so that sounds like what I am being told to do...

I have always been a toggler but was told that with my meter mode on center I am not metering right when I do it that way.

[RLucas]

Are you shooting in manual mode, Aperture priority, or shutter? I ask, because A, ans S will affect your exposure to where you aim, unless you hit that little exposure lock button on the back. In manual, it will stay where you put it.
Lenses do soften up somewhat as you get closer to the edge of the lens, but IMO, that is the advantage of having a crop body, as it uses the sharpest part of the image circle. As long as the eyes are still in the focus plane of where you originally focussed, it should be as sharp.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by RLucas

Are you shooting in manual mode, Aperture priority, or shutter? I ask, because A, ans S will affect your exposure to where you aim, unless you hit that little exposure lock button on the back. In manual, it will stay where you put it.

That too... Thanks for pointing that out, Luke. I just always shoot in manual so I forget about the semi-auto modes, lol!

[tasmo2]

ooohh.... I mostly shoot in Aperture priority... *sigh* now you got me confused luke! LOL!

[SusanH1970]

Seriously, give manual a try. You'll love the total control - and you're smarter than your camera.

[Swisstony10]

I was doing it using the centre focus point and recomposing, but I found I was missing shots because of the time to recompose, and also sometimes throwing the focus out a tiny bit so I started practising toggling the focus point until I could do it without thinking or taking my eye from the viewfinder.

Nowadays I use the nearest focus point to what I want in focus, so I only have to move the camera a tiny bit to recompose, and that's after I've used the centre of the frame to meter from the bit I wanted to meter for. I shoot manual, so once I've set the exposure, the settings stay set until I set them to something else.

I've found it really helpful to practise changing various settings without looking at what I'm doing, so I know I can do it without breaking my concentration on the picture. It's a lot like learning to drive without having to look every time you change gear, or the way the special forces learn to strip and reassemble their guns with blindfolds on.

Russ.

[tasmo2]

Well I *can* shoot in manuel.. I think im just lazy. LOL!

seriously, I just forget to change for changing settings. Like I am shooting and the sun goes behind a cloud, I forget to change for that. Then when the sun comes back out, I forget to change for that.. kwim? So I end up with a lot of under and over exposed images!

I know, practice makes perfect.. ha! I just seem to be stuck on A for people!

[SusanH1970]

When I first started I shot on aperture priority for a really long time. There's nothing wrong with doing so, either. When I started shooting in manual, it did take me some time to have to get used to constantly changing settings. But like Russ, after a while you just get the feel of it. Russ - speaking of which, I'm going to give toggling another chance. Time to round up the kids (sure as hell don't want to practice something I'm unfamiliar with on a client!).

Heck, maybe I'll go full-throttle and give back-button focusing a try while I'm at it.