Focusing on off centre subjects?
Posted 16/11/2008 - 19:36
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You could always go to manual, like the old days.
On the K10D there were several ways, you could use SEL to select which of the focus points you want, or use AF button and recompose, or half press the shutter, centre focus, hold and recompose.
I'm sure some cleverer folk than me around here will tell you how to do it on the K20D
On the K10D there were several ways, you could use SEL to select which of the focus points you want, or use AF button and recompose, or half press the shutter, centre focus, hold and recompose.
I'm sure some cleverer folk than me around here will tell you how to do it on the K20D
"Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand"
William Blake
The Harem... "Mistress" Pentax-A 15mm F3.5, "Good Lady" Pentax-A 20mm F2.8, "Friendly Lady" Pentax-A 24mm F2.8, "Deviate Lady" Pentax 28mm F3.5 Shift, "Street Lady" Pentax-A 28mm F2.8, "Bohemian Lady" Pentax-A 35mm F2.0, "Retro Lady" SMC Pentax-M 40mm F2.8, "Special Lady" Pentax-A 50mm F1.2, "Femme Fatale" Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro, "Sweetheart" Pentax-A*85mm F1.4, "Lady Luck" Pentax-A*135mm F1.8, "Gorgeous Lady" Pentax-A*200mm F2.8 ED, "Duchess" Pentax-A*300mm F4.0, "HM The Queen" SMC Pentax 500mm F4.5
William Blake
The Harem... "Mistress" Pentax-A 15mm F3.5, "Good Lady" Pentax-A 20mm F2.8, "Friendly Lady" Pentax-A 24mm F2.8, "Deviate Lady" Pentax 28mm F3.5 Shift, "Street Lady" Pentax-A 28mm F2.8, "Bohemian Lady" Pentax-A 35mm F2.0, "Retro Lady" SMC Pentax-M 40mm F2.8, "Special Lady" Pentax-A 50mm F1.2, "Femme Fatale" Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro, "Sweetheart" Pentax-A*85mm F1.4, "Lady Luck" Pentax-A*135mm F1.8, "Gorgeous Lady" Pentax-A*200mm F2.8 ED, "Duchess" Pentax-A*300mm F4.0, "HM The Queen" SMC Pentax 500mm F4.5
Posted 16/11/2008 - 19:57
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The K20D is exactly the same as the K10D in focussing. You can select any of the individual focus points - use the large dial on the back
Personally I use centre-only focus and reframe before shooting (as long as the subject isn't too close)
Matt
Personally I use centre-only focus and reframe before shooting (as long as the subject isn't too close)
Matt
http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)
(For gallery, tips and links)
Posted 16/11/2008 - 20:00
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MattMatic wrote:
The K20D is exactly the same as the K10D in focussing. You can select any of the individual focus points - use the large dial on the back
Personally I use centre-only focus and reframe before shooting (as long as the subject isn't too close)
Matt
The K20D is exactly the same as the K10D in focussing. You can select any of the individual focus points - use the large dial on the back
Personally I use centre-only focus and reframe before shooting (as long as the subject isn't too close)
Matt
yoda wrote:
Does the 20D have some sort of facility allowing you to focus on off centre subjects or is there a technique that you can use?
Does the 20D have some sort of facility allowing you to focus on off centre subjects or is there a technique that you can use?
kerrowdown wrote:
You could always go to manual, like the old days.
On the K10D there were several ways, you could use SEL to select which of the focus points you want, or use AF button and recompose, or half press the shutter, centre focus, hold and recompose.
I'm sure some cleverer folk than me around here will tell you how to do it on the K20D
You could always go to manual, like the old days.
On the K10D there were several ways, you could use SEL to select which of the focus points you want, or use AF button and recompose, or half press the shutter, centre focus, hold and recompose.
I'm sure some cleverer folk than me around here will tell you how to do it on the K20D
I use off centre focus techniques as kerrowdown has mentioned with NO problems..
And Matt get's here first
Tel,
Posted 16/11/2008 - 20:07
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Same here!..........and just alter the F number to bring as much or as little of the rest of the shot into focus!...........Ken
K20D...ist DS ,DA18/55,DA16/45.DA* 50/135,"A"1.7 50MM..."A" 70/210..M 50mm f2...Tamron 90mm macro,28/300 Tamron,200/500 Tamron 6.9....A Pentax DA*300... Sigma10/20,FA31mm 1.8 Ltd*********,FA 77mm Ltd!
Posted 16/11/2008 - 20:23
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The only time that I (currently) use the SEL to pick a focus point is when I'm composing with the camera on a tripod - otherwise it's the same as above, i.e. centre point focus on the subject then re-compose.
El Dingo - K3-II and K10D
Posted 16/11/2008 - 22:35
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I always used to use the centre point and re-compose, but I've found I've had a much better in-focus hit rate since I started using the selected point instead. Now the camera's pretty much permanantly set to "SEL".
Joining the Q
Posted 16/11/2008 - 22:52
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hefty1 wrote:
I always used to use the centre point and re-compose, but I've found I've had a much better in-focus hit rate since I started using the selected point instead. Now the camera's pretty much permanantly set to "SEL".
I always used to use the centre point and re-compose, but I've found I've had a much better in-focus hit rate since I started using the selected point instead. Now the camera's pretty much permanantly set to "SEL".
Doesn't the "SEL" position just use the same 'user selected' focus point? If the middle one is selected, there's no difference between it and the centre spot setting.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
Posted 16/11/2008 - 22:58
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Mannesty wrote:
Doesn't the "SEL" position just use the same 'user selected' focus point? If the middle one is selected, there's no difference between it and the centre spot setting.
Doesn't the "SEL" position just use the same 'user selected' focus point? If the middle one is selected, there's no difference between it and the centre spot setting.
Absolutely! But as often as not my subject isn't in the centre of the frame, so rather than use the centre spot and re-composing I just compose first then switch to the focus point that's nearest my subject. Works much better for me and has now become second nature (with my right thumb always hovering over the directional pad) - your mileage may, as ever, vary...
Joining the Q
Posted 16/11/2008 - 23:53
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Interesting link that, now I know why I've stuck to manual focusing, too much technical stuff going on here
"Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand"
William Blake
The Harem... "Mistress" Pentax-A 15mm F3.5, "Good Lady" Pentax-A 20mm F2.8, "Friendly Lady" Pentax-A 24mm F2.8, "Deviate Lady" Pentax 28mm F3.5 Shift, "Street Lady" Pentax-A 28mm F2.8, "Bohemian Lady" Pentax-A 35mm F2.0, "Retro Lady" SMC Pentax-M 40mm F2.8, "Special Lady" Pentax-A 50mm F1.2, "Femme Fatale" Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro, "Sweetheart" Pentax-A*85mm F1.4, "Lady Luck" Pentax-A*135mm F1.8, "Gorgeous Lady" Pentax-A*200mm F2.8 ED, "Duchess" Pentax-A*300mm F4.0, "HM The Queen" SMC Pentax 500mm F4.5
William Blake
The Harem... "Mistress" Pentax-A 15mm F3.5, "Good Lady" Pentax-A 20mm F2.8, "Friendly Lady" Pentax-A 24mm F2.8, "Deviate Lady" Pentax 28mm F3.5 Shift, "Street Lady" Pentax-A 28mm F2.8, "Bohemian Lady" Pentax-A 35mm F2.0, "Retro Lady" SMC Pentax-M 40mm F2.8, "Special Lady" Pentax-A 50mm F1.2, "Femme Fatale" Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro, "Sweetheart" Pentax-A*85mm F1.4, "Lady Luck" Pentax-A*135mm F1.8, "Gorgeous Lady" Pentax-A*200mm F2.8 ED, "Duchess" Pentax-A*300mm F4.0, "HM The Queen" SMC Pentax 500mm F4.5
Posted 17/11/2008 - 10:04
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Quote:
and repent your evil ways! I usually use the selective point unless I'm in a hurry and I am confident it's more reliable.
and repent your evil ways! I usually use the selective point unless I'm in a hurry and I am confident it's more reliable.
Knew that already ... hence my comment:
Quote:
(as long as the subject isn't too close)
(as long as the subject isn't too close)
Personally I have a very, very high hit rate with centre point focussing - but then I'm probably slightly adjusting the camera position slightly (not using a tripod). Maybe I'm working out Pythagoras/SohCahToa in my subconscious?
Certainly for tripod studio work I'd use selective focus points always
Matt
http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)
(For gallery, tips and links)
Posted 17/11/2008 - 11:35
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Mike-P wrote:
And if you are using manual focus lenses?
And if you are using manual focus lenses?
Then you're stuck with just the centre point unfortunately
Joining the Q
Posted 17/11/2008 - 21:52
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Wow, that's all interesting stuff! I must try using SEL when hand-held now...
That's what is so good about this forum - very useful and very interesting!
That's what is so good about this forum - very useful and very interesting!
El Dingo - K3-II and K10D
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