only using centerpoint for nature photography?

[waterjug]

I aim to photograph mainly smallish birds, so I've only been using the center focus point on my T2i, but I've been wondering recently what other people use for settings? I just found in the past that when I'd be using more than just center, I'd focus with the center on the bird's head or something, and then invariably a nearby stick or something would also get an active focus point on it....

 

[corkyg]

You can also adjust the size of the green focus frame. That works for me. Also, don't try and take the perfect picture. The old school advice of shoot many and pick few works for me as well. Much easier with digitsl thsn film.

 

[CuriousMike]

I use single-point ( typically center ) for ... 99% of my photos, including birding.

 

[Anteaus]

I use single-point ( typically center ) for ... 99% of my photos, including birding.

+1

 

[waterjug]

You can also adjust the size of the green focus frame. That works for me. Also, don't try and take the perfect picture. The old school advice of shoot many and pick few works for me as well. Much easier with digitsl thsn film.

you can adjust the green box? I'm using a T2i...didn't know that was possible with the live view

 

[corkyg]

Check your menu and see what settings are available for autofocus frame.

 

[pontifex]

You can also adjust the size of the green focus frame. That works for me. Also, don't try and take the perfect picture. The old school advice of shoot many and pick few works for me as well. Much easier with digitsl thsn film.

hahaha, this works well for me. I might take 100 photos and only keep or really like 10.

 

[jhansman]

I've never used anything but the center point. It's the first thing I set on any new body I've bought. Never have quite understood the need for so many focus points, or why that is a feature manufacturers like to tout. Then, most of my photos are landscape or still life, so I guess if shot sports or wildlife, I might learn something.

 

[corkyg]

you can adjust the green box? I'm using a T2i...didn't know that was possible with the live view

That begs the question - why Live View? When using Live View with subjects that may require rapid focus changes, you may be getting slightly inaccurate focus results. For action sports, wildlife, etc., try it with normal DSLR optical view.

 

[Rdmkr]

I've never used anything but the center point. It's the first thing I set on any new body I've bought. Never have quite understood the need for so many focus points, or why that is a feature manufacturers like to tout. Then, most of my photos are landscape or still life, so I guess if shot sports or wildlife, I might learn something.

I think it helps the auto settings decide on a suitable F-stop; higher if the focus depths required for different points in the field of view are farther apart.

Of course if you're attentive to your aperture setting yourself you won't need a crutch like that. Still, it can be convenient.

Under low light I sometimes find that center focus gives unreliable results; multiple focus points has a lower chance of failing completely because there is always another focus point to fall back on.