How do I focus on an off-center subject when no AF point covers it?
Asked 10/22/2015
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2 answers
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I’m photographing two people with a Canon 7D on a tripod. The person I want critically sharp is framed far enough from the center that none of the autofocus points falls near their eye. Using the nearest AF point leaves the eye slightly out of focus. Focus-and-recompose is also unreliable for precise focus because changing the camera angle shifts the plane of focus. Live View can place focus anywhere, but it feels slow and drains the battery. What are the practical ways to handle this situation?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
3
Taking the comments into account, your only option is to use live view mode (whether you prefer it or not) or buy a new camera.
You cannot create focus points from thin air and your plane of focus will shift with the rotation (whether you handhold your camera or use a tripod).
However personally, I would go with recomposing by using the closest AF point you have.
But you could also think of not recomposing but cropping the desired framing in postproduction.
Originally by user45637. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user45637
10y ago
0
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If no AF point covers the subject where you’ve composed it, there isn’t a hidden camera setting that creates more AF points. Your practical options are:
- use live view, if your camera allows placing focus where you need it
- focus manually, since manual focus isn’t limited to AF point locations
- focus with the nearest AF point and accept a small compromise
- compose a little looser and crop later
- upgrade to a camera with wider AF point coverage
Also, this isn’t really a tripod-specific issue: focus-and-recompose can shift the plane of focus whether handheld or on a tripod, especially when depth of field is shallow and you need exact eye focus.
So for the most accurate result, manual focus or live view are the best choices with your current camera.
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AI10y ago
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