So I’m planning to get a DSLR next week, and I was wondering if it makes a difference if a DSLR has only 3 AF points [you probably know which camera I'm talking about].
If I’m using Manual Focus, do the Auto-Focus points matter? I know of other entry-level DSLRs that have at least 7 to 9 AF points,…Thanks.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
| Bundle Monster 4pc. Padded Neoprene Compact DSLR Camera Lens / Lense Protector Pouch Bag Kit For Canon, Nikon, Etc |
 |
| List Price: Varies based on product options |
| Amazon Price: $15.50 |
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras |
 |
| List Price: $299.99 |
| Amazon Price: Too low to display |
| Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens |
 |
| List Price: $200.00 |
| Amazon Price: Too low to display |
| Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Standard Zoom Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras |
 |
| List Price: $1,100.00 |
| Amazon Price: Too low to display |
| Microscope Adapter for Canon D-SLR with 2X Lens |
 |
| List Price: $146.00 |
| Amazon Price: $79.95 |
Posted in 
Tags: 
If you are focusing manually then of course the AF points don’t matter except as confirmation.
Do lots of focus points matter with auto focus? Bet your bottom dollar they do.
Well yes, focus points always matter because the camera sees focus better than your eyes do, and will give you an “in-focus” indication in the viewfinder, while focusing manually, when the camera thinks you’re in focus. You’ll be relying on the cameras focus finder anyway as you need a special matte focusing screen to gauge focus best by eye, and most DSLR’s with 3 focus points aren’t going to have a good screen to focus manually with.
So the more focus points the camera has, the better it can measure the focus. For example, my D80 has 11 focus points. When the AF mode is set to dynamic AF, the camera uses all 11 points and determines the best one to lock onto depending on distance. While focusing manually, THAT is what you want because the ONLY way you will get focus right is with a precision matte screen with split image rangefinder (like the older manual focus camera had).
For your specific purpose, 3 points is plenty if what you want in focus is in the center of the frame. Look for the green “in-focus” dot and you be closer than if you ignore it — believe me.
As above, Manual focus will not depend on any focus points.
Also, in my opinion the amount of focus points the camera has is not important. Mine has 9 and I very rarely use anything other than the centre point. If I wish to change any focus point in the image I half press the shutter over the point I want focusing, recompose, and then fully press the shutter. Much easier than changing the point in camera.
.
Always plan ahead. Just because you don’t plan on using auto focus doesn’t mean you won’t. Get the best camera for your situation,,,,actually get a BETTER camera for your situation so you can grow into it. Auto focus might not be number one on your agenda right now but you WILL regret buying a lesser camera a few years down the road. Save your money and get the camera YOU want, NEVER, I REPEAT, NEVER SETTLE, you will only be out of more money later when you buy the camera you wanted the first time.
The points are irrelevant if you do not plan to use them as “rangefinder” help.
One more thing, be sure to get a FF dSLR. I have found that it is all but impossible to accurately manual focus looking through the viewfinder of an APS-C dSLR.
Auto-focus points shouldn’t matter if you opt to manually focus.