Is it still best to zoom in close on an object, focus, and zoom out to compose the picture. I.E. will my D7i retain that focus in auto or would manual focus be better?

Some lenses allow that, others do not. Most modern lenses don't (its cheaper to build it the other way.)

I do not know the D7i well enough (never seen one) to know if it works that way or not.

NHL probably knows, he owns one off the D7 family of cameras and knows all about verifocus lenses (I think that is the term.)

You could PM him to look at the thread?

Eric

Thanks, I discovered that in manual focus it doesn't seem to work.
Photo was terribly grainy so I reshot. (Product photo)
NHL is cool, I ike his advice.

Agreed.
You know you respect someone's advice when you're glad to see them posting in a thread that may, perhaps, be related to something you could possibly be purchasing sometime in the future..

See: Eric S, NHL.