Shifting focus to *

     When you buy a Canon digital SLR, your camera will likely be configured to focus by half-pressing the shutter release button.  This is the way most cameras are configured and this is the way most people accustomed to point and shoot cameras focus their cameras.

     There is another way to shoot pictures with your DSLR.  And in my humble opinion (again, I do have to qualify, I am an amateur and still learning.  Always learning :) ), a better way to shoot.  By better, I meant that I have more success at getting more photos in focus as well as properly exposed.  Whether it is shooting a static subject using single shot or shooting a moving subject, like a bird in flight or athletes in motion, using AF Servo and multiple frames.  How you do this is by reassigning the focus function to your * button, if you're using a 450D like mine.  You can find this setting in the Custom Functions menu, under C.Fn 10.

     To learn more about this setting, and why you should use it, have a read here.  It is very well explained and provides illustrations and pictures to make it easier to understand.

     Happy reading!