Hi everyone.

So this may come off as a newbie question, but I just need a little clarification.

Looking at the Canon Rebel XS's specs, it said that there are 7 AF points, but then there is manual point selection. So, here's my understanding of what this means:
-these AF points are what the camera focuses on. So if I had one at the top left of the screen, the camera would focus there.
-manual point selection is where I can move the AF points around.

So, am I understanding it correctly? If not, please correct me.

Here's the link to the specs:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...elTechSpecsAct

Thanks.

Originally Posted by helloyo53 ... -these AF points are what the camera focuses on. So if I had one at the top left of the screen, the camera would focus there. -manual point selection is where I can move the AF points around. ...

The focus points are really more nebulous "regions", represented by points on the viewfinder screen. The points may be selected by the camera in an automated fashion or they may be individually selected in manual mode. You don't move them around, but you can make the manual choice of a single dot using the joystick* control.

Only the center dot is a cross type AF sensor and sensitive to both vertical and horizontal edges.

At the site you linked, click the Features tab and look under "High-speed, wide-area 7-point AF with center cross-type sensors."

*Edit: The Rebel line lacks a joystick. You use the control wheel or directional controls to make the selection, as "colourbox" correctly describes below.

Originally Posted by ziggy53 You don't move them around, but you can make the manual choice of a single dot using the joystick control.

The Rebels don't have a joystick, so you select the AF point with the finger wheel. But it can take some time to roll to the point you want, so I turned on the custom function that lets me use the button ring (the "cross keys") for more direct access to focus points, including pressing the center Set button to return home to center focus point.

I either leave it on center or pick one, I never let the camera pick the focus point because it's wrong too often.

Originally Posted by colourbox The Rebels don't have a joystick, so you select the AF point with the finger wheel. But it can take some time to roll to the point you want, so I turned on the custom function that lets me use the button ring (the "cross keys") for more direct access to focus points, including pressing the center Set button to return home to center focus point. I either leave it on center or pick one, I never let the camera pick the focus point because it's wrong too often.

You're right and I should know that the Rebel line lacks a joystick. My bad.

Originally Posted by ziggy53 You're right and I should know that the Rebel line lacks a joystick. My bad.

Ziggy is slippin. Now we can't rely on him for anything. Geez.

Originally Posted by Wachel Ziggy is slippin. Now we can't rely on him for anything. Geez.

Originally Posted by colourbox The Rebels don't have a joystick, so you select the AF point with the finger wheel. .

??

with the 450D/XSi you don't turn any wheels for the AF points!
you use the "cross keys" to move the AF point, it's like a toggle joystick!

You can use either.