OK, so that is my response to a forum on the subject I read. Now, I have to disclose I am sleep deprived and sick, so my mental focus isn't all there.
However, I've read different things on AI Servo, One Shot, AI Focus. Now, what is best to shoot in? I have a Canon 7D, and I am not sure if the above 'language' is universal, or just for Canon shooters. Why is it best, what do they mean and any other info you can give will that will help me would be greatly appreciated!
@sxyrhoose Huh? What do mean "what is best to shoot in?" Color space? jpeg or RAW? Auto modes or manual? WB setting? Focus settings? Flash or not? It would be nice if you could define your question a little more. Thank you.
Hello Eydie, never be afraid to ask questions. i understand exactly what your asking because you are very clear in your question.I have attached the below link for you to read. this should answer your question. What's the best? depends on what your shooting. this article should help. I will follow your project and if you ever have any questions, just ask. hope this helps. http://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/10591/what-is-the-difference-between-al-focus-and-al-servo-autofocus-modes
@photodude Thank you so much! This was a lot more my level of understanding. I've been playing with it, but had no idea what the hell I was doing. :) I'd love to follow you as well. So, just to get this right in AI servo, I do not have to move my camera to the movement, my camera is already adjusting for me correct and does the movement have to be coming AT me or can it be going anywhere?
Wow, I just looked this up in my canon manual today! One Shot is for a still subject, after you press your shutter button halfway the camera only focuses once. Al Servo is for moving subjects, as you hold the shutter button halfway the subject will be focused continuously. Al Focus is kind of a combination of the two, it automatically decides whether to shoot One Shot or Al Servo. I had the same question and I think I will keep mine on Al Servo, but I guess it really depends on what you are shooting.
Oh and I also thought your question was very clear, I think someone else must have been the sleep deprived one!
I agree it is confusing. I keep mine on one shot unless I am trying to shoot something moving or I am moving myself. AI servo and AI focus can lose your focus just when you want it to stay on your subject.
if your subject is moving towards you or directly away from you your lens in "theory" adjust the focus to move with your subject. if it's moving side to side you will still of course have to move your camera to follow your subject. Whats so nice about digital you can see your results right away. I wish that would have been the case back in the film days. i spent alot of money on film and developing to see results.
Good question...I will look at the link. I mostly shoot one shot but have been playing more with AI Servo as I like to shoot birds. Thanks for asking it!
The terms are not universal. Let me try to be non technical and non-jargon...
Nikon uses the term AF-S (Auto Focus, Single Servo) for grabbing the focus once only when you half depress the shutter. I guess this is "Single Shot" if I understand what peope said about Cannon.
AF-C (Auto Focus Continuous Servo) for Canon's AI-Servo, where focus will lock on to your subject and then follow it as it might move, reevaluting AND resetting focus continuously even if the subject didn't move and didn't require resetting.
AF-A (Auto Focus-All) for theCanon's AI-Focus, where it will lock on to a stationary subject and continuously reevaluates for motion, but only resets the focus if it detects motion.
You do see that AF-C (AI-Servo), and to lesser extent AF-A, is very battery and processor intensive?
Personally, I shoot 99% of the time with AF-S (Canon One Shot), and I think so should you, only shifting to AF-C (AI Servo) if I am shooting something moving AND/OR I am panning AND/OR the subject is moving towards or away from me, or might do at any moment. Birds in Flight, Athletes dodging and weaving on the field. If the subject is moving, but consistently on the same or predictable focal plane (planes in flight) it is usually not necessary.
Does that help? I tried not to use any jargon in the explanation.
Always assuming the Canon descriptions others provided above are correct terms.
There is a related setting that I shoulld mention, but won't go into detail,that answers the question "So exactly where in the viewfinder is the focus locked on?" Nikon calls it AF Area Mode. No idea what Canon calls it. Look up you manual for details. The simple everyday mode is "single point" which picks a fixed point (you can set which of the focus points in the viewfinder is active) that you work with. For motion, I can only suggest to read the manual or a good "how to" book for your camera for the whole story of the "motion" modes. Manuals are not easy reading unless you understand ahead of time.
So the simple scenario is point the active single point at your subject, half depress the shutter to lock the focus, move the camera to reframe the shot keeping the focus, and when ready, press the shutter all the way, with this simple AF-S with "Single Point."
Seemed to work as we all suggested it would. You were panning on the littel girl in the swing, right? Well done! You must have been quite close to need to need it.
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http://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/10591/what-is-the-difference-between-al-focus-and-al-servo-autofocus-modes
Oh and I also thought your question was very clear, I think someone else must have been the sleep deprived one!
Nikon uses the term AF-S (Auto Focus, Single Servo) for grabbing the focus once only when you half depress the shutter. I guess this is "Single Shot" if I understand what peope said about Cannon.
AF-C (Auto Focus Continuous Servo) for Canon's AI-Servo, where focus will lock on to your subject and then follow it as it might move, reevaluting AND resetting focus continuously even if the subject didn't move and didn't require resetting.
AF-A (Auto Focus-All) for theCanon's AI-Focus, where it will lock on to a stationary subject and continuously reevaluates for motion, but only resets the focus if it detects motion.
You do see that AF-C (AI-Servo), and to lesser extent AF-A, is very battery and processor intensive?
Personally, I shoot 99% of the time with AF-S (Canon One Shot), and I think so should you, only shifting to AF-C (AI Servo) if I am shooting something moving AND/OR I am panning AND/OR the subject is moving towards or away from me, or might do at any moment. Birds in Flight, Athletes dodging and weaving on the field. If the subject is moving, but consistently on the same or predictable focal plane (planes in flight) it is usually not necessary.
Does that help? I tried not to use any jargon in the explanation.
Always assuming the Canon descriptions others provided above are correct terms.
There is a related setting that I shoulld mention, but won't go into detail,that answers the question "So exactly where in the viewfinder is the focus locked on?" Nikon calls it AF Area Mode. No idea what Canon calls it. Look up you manual for details. The simple everyday mode is "single point" which picks a fixed point (you can set which of the focus points in the viewfinder is active) that you work with. For motion, I can only suggest to read the manual or a good "how to" book for your camera for the whole story of the "motion" modes. Manuals are not easy reading unless you understand ahead of time.
So the simple scenario is point the active single point at your subject, half depress the shutter to lock the focus, move the camera to reframe the shot keeping the focus, and when ready, press the shutter all the way, with this simple AF-S with "Single Point."
Good Luck!