does my camera do bbf?

[paigew]

I have the rebel t3i and I have been trying to figure out if it has back button focus. I didn't see anything in the manual about it. Does anyone know if it can do it?

 

[KmH]

You should be able configure your T31 for back button focus. The information would be in the user's manual.

It's usually related to the AE/AF lock button on the back of the camera.

http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...rceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=T3i+back+button+focus

 

[sovietdoc]

oh that's what bbf means. I was thinking of something completely different.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

My cam does BFF's too

 

[o hey tyler]

Paige. Look in the custom functions... I would tell you what the custom function is, and what it needs to be set to, but I don't have my camera in front of me.

 

[Big Mike]

On my older Canons, it was Custom Function #4, but I'd think the T3i has a newer menu system than that. Just check the manual under Custom Functions and/or the AEL (*) button.

 

[pixmedic22 1]

OMG...i read the title too fast and thought you asked if your camera did BBW!
Whoops.

 

[paigew]

Paige. Look in the custom functions... I would tell you what the custom function is, and what it needs to be set to, but I don't have my camera in front of me.

Okay I found it!! Thanks!

So now another question. When I use bbf my subject needs to stay in the same plane of focus right? They can't be moving towards or away from me because my focus will be locked right? I am a little confused as to when I would use this. It was suggested to me to use because when I shoot (al servo) the focus point light doesn't stay on (as it does with one shot) so sometimes I miss focus (because I can't tell where the dot is if it is really bright outside).

 

[paigew]

okay sorry to be posting so much but am I understanding this right. I have been re reading the manual but it is so confusing and I am not good at deciphering all this technical stuff

af/af lock; no ae lock: From what I understand, basically it is useful on a stationary subject so my af doesn't catch things. Example, yesterday I was taking pics of my kid playing in the water and the af kept catching on the water drops instead of him. So I could use bbf in a situation like this.

AE/AF, no ae lock: useful for subjects moving and stopping repeatedly. Isn't this the same as using al servo without bbf?


Not really sure why it was recommended to me for the reason I listed above (keeping light on) because my light doesn't stay on when I am using it.

 

[MTVision]

okay sorry to be posting so much but am I understanding this right. I have been re reading the manual but it is so confusing and I am not good at deciphering all this technical stuff

af/af lock; no ae lock: From what I understand, basically it is useful on a stationary subject so my af doesn't catch things. Example, yesterday I was taking pics of my kid playing in the water and the af kept catching on the water drops instead of him. So I could use bbf in a situation like this.

AE/AF, no ae lock: useful for subjects moving and stopping repeatedly. Isn't this the same as using al servo without bbf?

Not really sure why it was recommended to me for the reason I listed above (keeping light on) because my light doesn't stay on when I am using it.

Honestly BBF isn't all that much different then regular focusing. You would just use that button to focus instead of the shutter button.

If you use one shot focus mode then it locks focus when you hit the button. If its a stationary subject you can take multiple shots without having to refocus.

I'm not sure if it's accurate but I've heard that in continuous (al servo) if you hold the back button down - you can track and it will keep focusing but when you let go of the button the focus is locked and you can recompose.

 

[o hey tyler]

My 5DMK1 is set up to be AE/AF, No AE Lock. It's under Custom function 04 on this camera.

My 5DMKII is set up to be AE Lock/Metering + AF Start. It's under C. Fn IV: Operation/Others.

I also use ONLY the center point on both cameras and recompose my shots. I have AI-Servo as my focus mode 100% of the time. It's not as finicky as Nikon cameras where you seem to need to hold down the back button until the shutter actuates, basically constraining you to AF-S. Meaning you can't use a servo mode, or at least that's been my experience.

If you are having difficulties, you can always reach me on FB or Skype. But I'm sure you knew that.

 

[paigew]

yes you can hold it down and hear/see it focusing as the subject moves. It is what I use almost all the time. Thanks for clarifying I was thinking it (bbf) was some awesome technique the way I hear people talking about it. At least I know how to set it now

 

[o hey tyler]

BBF is an awesome feature, and I recommend that everyone use it.

 

[paigew]

thanks tyler for help. So, I'm a visual learner can you post a pic where you used the AE Lock/Metering + AF Start mode? I am not really understand what is different about bbf and al servo. They both keep the subject in focus until you press shutter

sorry my brain is kind of fried :blushing:

 

[o hey tyler]

All BBF does is replace half pressing the shutter to focus with the AE Lock button on the back of the camera. That's the major difference. You can use AI Servo mode with BBF. It would be more helpful to post a video, or if you can skype I can show you over video chat.