Should I use focus-and-recompose or select a different AF point for portraits?
Asked 1/30/2013
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On a Nikon D7000 with 39 autofocus points, I often read that for portraits I should use AF-S with a single point, place the center point on the subject’s eye, lock focus, and then recompose. I’m confused why this is preferred over composing first and simply selecting one of the other AF points that already covers my subject. If the center AF point is considered better, how can focusing with it first still give a sharp result after recomposing? When is focus-and-recompose the better choice, and when should I just move the AF point?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
3
If you want to choose the point of focus you basically have two options:
Select the focus point for each shot
Always use the same focus point, focus and then recompose
Both have advantages and disadvantages - so you should use the technique that is better for you and that fits the specific situation better.
Focus and recompose is so popular because:
It's faster than choosing the focus point, especially if you have lots of them
It works even if you don't have a focus point in the exact place you want to focus on
If your camera has different kinds of focus points the center point is always of the best kind
Also, the focus and recompose technique is old, I learned it on a camera with just one focus point where you don't have another choice.
Now, it does have the disadvantage that if you have a very shallow depth of field the recompose can actually move the subject's eyes slightly out of focus - but only if you have really shallow DOF (so in the correctly focused photo the eyes would have been sharp but the nose and ears out of focus)
Originally by user2481. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2481
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Both methods are valid:
- Select the AF point that sits on your subject.
- Use one AF point (often the center), lock focus, then recompose.
Focus-and-recompose is popular because it can be faster than moving AF points for every shot, it works even when no AF point is exactly where you want focus, and on some cameras the center point may be the strongest or most versatile AF point. It’s also a long-standing habit from cameras with few AF points.
Using another AF point is absolutely fine if it lands on the eye where you want focus. In many situations, that’s the simplest approach.
The reason focus-and-recompose still works is that focus is locked first on the subject, then you reframe without changing the subject distance much. If distance or framing changes significantly, focus can shift and the technique becomes less reliable.
So the practical answer is: use whichever is faster and more dependable for the shot. For static portraits, both can work well. If you need exact placement and have a suitable AF point available, move the AF point. If speed matters or the center point focuses more confidently, focus-and-recompose is useful.
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AI13y ago
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