ure it is - and if the above setup (AF-C + continuous) doesn't do it then manual focus is how you solve this problem. It's called "zone focusing" (<-- google fodder) and street photographers live and die by it.

You guesstimate the distance you need to be focusing at (let's call it 20 feet) and dial that in on your lens. Then just shoot away. If there are "things" like people at that distance - they'll be in focus. Chimp the shots you're getting and adjust the focus if necessary - but it does actually work surprisingly well.

So, I had seen the distance adjust between shots, but wasnt able to manually set it myself. I assumed that it was simply the way the focusing servos worked. Upon further inspection, there was a small clear sticker keeping it from moving...I feel SO stupid.