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The technique I use is to focus on the eyes, half-press, recompose along the rule of thirds and then press the shutter full way.
The sharpest part of the lens is the center. By reposition to a third, it will not be as sharp as being positioned in the center. Is that correct?
Also if using Flash, either on-camera, or off-camera, is it advisable to use FV (Flash Value Lock) as putting on a third will not get the correct flash exposure?
Michael ! Here is a tip for a fellow D200 user, And it goes hand in hand with Adrians comment.
First switch to single focus area, Then use your pad to move the focus point to one nearest the eye's....Then press the shutter button, There is no real need to focus on the centre one & recompose, That's a left over from the old day's....!
Quote: can't really agree
What a suprise.....
Quote: The technique I use is to focus on the eyes, half-press, recompose along the rule of thirds and then press the shutter full way.
If you are using an aperture like f1.4 or 1.8 don't use this method. The point you wish to be sharp could well become out of focus (depending on how far away you are from your subject)...as has been said you are best using the nearest AF point.
Quote: Rule of Thirds never heard of it.
horsesh*t 
Quote: Not really much use on a portrait.....
Nope, Cole is right it can be useful generally. 
A simplification yes, nonsense, not so much. It's a good guide to getting your composition on the right track...but yes, as always you should rely on what is looking good through your viewfinder.
Sorry, I was being a bit brutal. It's a pet dislike of mine! I think it's main use is for people who have a problem always putting the subject in the middle. It's a good way to remind them to put it somewhere else occasionally.
Quote: Generally i use the focus point nearest the eye which ever that may be then recompose.
Oh good, my dad does it the other (old fashioned?!) way, but I figured the focal point had to move for a reason, and I've been moving it about for all sorts of shots! Reassuring to know I hadn't completely got the wrong end of the stick!
Quote: Cole is right it can be useful generally.
Totally agree. For some people who have compositional problems, using the 'RoT' as a guide is an immense help.
Agreed - it is not a panacea - but it is a good starting point in any situation where there is a subject/focal point to the finished image.
No doubt about it Mike.
If you were to get a load of photographs which were taken by casual snappers and draw a simple cross, two lines that intersect at the centre of the picture, usually that's where you'd find a person's eyes, an animal, building, horizon or whatever.
I'm not scared to admit, that in situations where I'm snapping away (say on holiday) I still sometimes catch myself about to press the shutter button with the bloomin subject dead centre.
Rule of thirds is at the least a great starting point when you first look through the viewfinder and begin to frame the shot.
Quote: Also if using Flash, either on-camera, or off-camera, is it advisable to use FV (Flash Value Lock) as putting on a third will not get the correct flash exposure?
If you're using matrix metering then no point - it will balance the exposure for the whole scene. If you're using spot metering then it will meter from the selected focus point, so if you've recomposed you may be as well to take a fv measurement at the time of focussing just to be sure. If you're using the closest focus point and not recomposing then you'll be OK without the fv.
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