[JMitchell]

Got this from another (good lord!) forum:

Originally Posted by Now that would be telling ;)

May I suggest you to use the following settings?

a3 -> 21 points
a4 -> off
Front button (focus mode selector) to C - continuous focus

Dynamic area - "middle option" in the AF-area mode selector in the back of camera
a1 -> release
Lock initial focus point to central point (w/ the focus lock selector )


May I also suggest to use the AF-ON button to focus instead of focus w/ the shutter button release (change custom function a5 to AF-ON only)

It's a night and day difference and you'll never need to change any of the above settings whatever condition you want:
1- Just press AF-ON to focus;
2- keep pressing while you want to continuous focus and shoot at will

3- If you want to recompose, just lift your thumb and the focus will lock -> then recompose and shoot.
4- For manual focus dont touch the AF-ON button

It takes minutes to get used to it and you will never go back.

Thought that was interesting. Tried it meself and have to say I think he might be right, but will leave it to a go in the field before I decide...

[VinnyP]

That was always the way I did it. However it only works if you keep to the same focusing point and recompose as necessary, this defeats the object of all those 51 focusing points. It took me a long time to adapt but now I have gone back to the half press to focus and use the thumb to move the focusing point instead.

[JMitchell]

I know what you mean...it kind of makes the fancy new technology obsolete. On the other hand, I did start to get frustrated having to constantly scroll through all 51 points, and recently found myself using AF11 anyway, because it's a touch faster.
I'll use 51 for macro and detail work, because it's good to have such a wide choice, and fast focus isn't that important, but like I said, I haven't tested the new method properly, so we shall see...

[LJR69]

I'll give this a try but I think I'd feel a bit lost without my thumb quickly selecting the focus point. It's almost become second nature. However, always worth trying something different.