Focus points issue

Question

hi, just wandering why I the focus points are not shown even the focus points view option is selected. Even, the focus points are not shown on the metadata screen, which just shows the camera model, WB, type of file (in this case RAW), the lens and the pattern. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Tim,
You must have a Nikon or Olympus. The behavior you describe is consistent with these to makes based on images I have in my library. If autofocus is on, then the matrix icon does not appear. If a different focus matrix is chosen, then it does appear, and a focus point is chosen as you describe.
However, I own several Canon cameras, and the behavior is quite different. On my G-series point-and-shoot cameras, the icon is always present, and it shows one big focus spot in the center. I rarely, if ever, use manual focus, so I can't compare shots done without autofocus.
On my DSLRs, I get two types of behavior. On my 20D, I ALWAYS get a white matrix. The entire matrix always shows as thin white, and the actual focus point shows as thick white. I can only do autofocus (closest point), or spot focus (only one point).
On my 7D, the focusing is much more sophisticated. I can select one of several focus modes and groupings, like the Nikon cameras to which I'm comparing. Again, the entire matrix shows as thin white, but the focus points in the grouping I choose show as thin red, and the chosen focus spot(s) (by the camera) in that grouping, shows as thick red. If I have it turned on autofocus, I still see the entire matrix as thin red, but it shows me one or more of the focus spots. If I switch to Manual, I see one big thin red box in the center.
Based on both our observations, it appears the behavior is primarily dependent on the camera, and there is a fair amount of inconsistency within Aperture.