Plz try and let me know:
Settings:
a3 -> 21 points ( BIF people use 9 points very often)
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 )
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. It's so easy to use that my wife, 11 y old son, girlfriend of my oldest, etc shoot now w/ AF-ON.
Notes on this technique:
a- You don't have to bother about changing camera focus settings for every condition (unless you're a pro w/ many chalenges/especial conditions to shoot)
b- The person you lend the camera will not shoot by mistake using half-press shutter (very easy and happens w/ every new person that grabs such a heavy DSRL)-> ask him/her just to press AF-ON untill he gives you back the camera!
c- You'll cut all focus delays and will get a pretty fast, almost instantaneous focus (w/ a HSM lens especially)
d- In action situations, like kids running or worse like BIF, is almost impossible to get the right moment using AF-S focus old techniques (let's say AF-S plus beep confirmation+focus lock to release shutter)
e- Pressing AF-ON just start the continuous focus procedures a bit before than using the half-press shutter and THAT is the secret together w/ using RELEASE mode, that gets things working flawless w/ NO delay using AF-ON button.
f- If you keep the half-press shutter focus activated too, you won't lock focus and recompose w/ the AF-ON button, because the moment you press the shutter the camera will acquire a new focus target different from the one you have choosen before w/ AF-ON only.
g- Please note that any lens VR is NOT activated by pressing AF-ON (a new firmware would be nice to correct this) and you'll need to half press shutter button way before to estabilize it.
Regards
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Ray Soares
See my pictures at
http://www.pbase.com/raysoares 
