Beginner's question about focusing on T2i

I recently heard two conflicting pieces of advice and was hoping to get it straightened out.

I was told, to get the best AF, only use the center auto focus point on "manual selection".  Something about that "dot" having a unique focusing engine behind it.  And I have noticed sharper shots on that dot.  For example, focusing that dot on a subject's eyes.

If this is true, and I want to shoot something framed in the right quadrant, and I shouldn't use the appropriate manual selection dot, what's my best option?  That was the question I couldn't get answered.

Thanks in advance.

1) Move the focusing point

2) Focus with the center one, then recompose (move the camera and frame the picture the way you want)

With option #1 you "give up" the best focusing point, with #2 you run the risk of the plane of focusing shifting a bit when recomposing. There's no real solution that is overall better, it depends on the situation and people's preference.

Exactly. You just need to setup the camera in a way that it will not keep focusing while you try to take a shot. This is usually done by having the focus button separate from the shutter button. Doing so has many benefits, one of which is having an easy time recomposing pictures after focusing on a specific subject.

billthemountain wrote:

I recently heard two conflicting pieces of advice and was hoping to get it straightened out.

I was told, to get the best AF, only use the center auto focus point on "manual selection". Something about that "dot" having a unique focusing engine behind it.

Usually the centre point can be more accurate with lenses wider than f/5.6, or more able to deliver accurate focus in low light, but that doesn't mean only using the centre point is always the "best" thing to do. If another point makes it easier or more convenient to frame the shot, I will definitely use it.

If this is true, ...

It is, but it shouldn't lock you into something that restricts what you what to do or how you want to do it.

... and I want to shoot something framed in the right quadrant, and I shouldn't use the appropriate manual selection dot, what's my best option? That was the question I couldn't get answered.

Sounds like you've worked that out from previous answers, but it's a complicated question of when should you focus with the centre point and recompose, and when you should use the closest AF point. How about do some direct comparisons of the two methods, see what works best for you, and let us know?