Let's talk about back button focus.

[DaveAndHolly219]

I recently started using back button focus on my Nikon D7000. It's certainly going to take some getting used to if I decide to stick with it.

So, who uses it? Who doesn't? Why or why not?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JoeW]

I use it. I like it. I have both of the primary bodies that I shoot with set for back-button focus. I find only one instance where I don't like it--when I am having to shoot one-handed (such as holding my camera above my head to shoot above a crowd) and I can't use my off-hand to steady the camera.

 

[Derrel]

My thought is that setting the camera up to use BBF tends to (somewhat,at least) reduce the number of times focus is acquired. I prefer to keep the focusing on the shutter release button. My main bodies have good focus lock buttons on the back. I typically prefer a new focus acquisition for each shot, every shot,most of the time, so for me, the shutter release is where I keep the focusing command. If I NEED to focus and hold a focus point, I can just use the thumnb button to hold the point; as soon as I release the AF-L (AF-lock) button, the next press of the shutter will ensure that a new focus operation is performed.

Focusing is **critical**, and the higher the megapixel level the more critical focus becomes; I want my focusing to be done for EACH frame; keeping focus and the release tied together gives me that, a new focus acquisition for each shot. I almost never use S focus mode, so again, the emphasis on a new focus for each shot, since I do not set focus as "priority", I have release of the shutter as the priority in the camera set-up menu.

 

[tecboy]

It helps keep my dslr steady when I shooting.

 

[zombiesniper]

I'm right hand and left eye dominant. This makes BB focus an exercise in sticking my thumb in my eye so it's not for me. If I get into the less than normal situation while shooting wildlife where I need to re compose. I'll force myself to use my right eye and I use BB focus lock.

 

[480sparky]

I use it for most of my shooting, which is mostly static subjects. I still use shutter-release focus for shooting fast-moving things like sports and wildlife.

 

[andrewdoeshair]

I've got my shutter button set to focus on the center focus point and my back button set to engage the whole range of the 61 (or whatever) points (5Diii). But for 95% of my shots I don't use the back button. It's just there for when I'm too lazy or rushed to use the center point.

 

[480sparky]

I've got my shutter button set to focus on the center focus point and my back button set to engage the whole range of the 61 (or whatever) points (5Diii). But for 95% of my shots I don't use the back button. It's just there for when I'm too lazy or rushed to use the center point.

Selecting the number of focus points is not back-button focus.

 

[Vtec44]

I've always used back button focus. I don't have to worry about holding it half way down while moving or catch moving subjects.

 

[andrewdoeshair]

I've got my shutter button set to focus on the center focus point and my back button set to engage the whole range of the 61 (or whatever) points (5Diii). But for 95% of my shots I don't use the back button. It's just there for when I'm too lazy or rushed to use the center point.

Selecting the number of focus points is not back-button focus.

My apologies, I must have used incorrect terminology, you thought I meant something else. Let me grab my camera and see what the little screen says I'm doing. Please correct me if I'm still incorrect.

The "*" button and the "AF-ON" button located on the back of my camera (or the back buttons) are set to activate the camera's auto focus system when held. These two buttons on the back of my camera are set to use the "auto selection" mode (where the camera decides which of all points I probably want to use in each scenario) while the shutter button (which is not at the back of my camera) pressed half way also activates the camera's auto focus system, but this half pressed shutter button is set to use 1 point, in the center.

I mentioned my shutter button in my first post and again in this post to say "sometimes I use the back button to focus, sometimes I don't. I have the back button set up to focus differently than the shutter button. That is why I sometimes use the back button and sometimes I don't, it depends on the situation."

Incidentally, I also use a different button on the back of my camera to select different auto focus. I'm sorry for the sarcasm, I'm just trying to make a joke about my first post not coming out right, and I hope it's coming off that way in text.

 

[AceCo55]

I have set all my cameras to back button focusing - I resisted it for quite a few years as I couldn't grasp what advantages it would give me.

I have my focus set to AF-C because I shoot action sports.

Sometimes I would want to focus on a particular element in a scene (eg one player, goal post, cricket stumps) and quickly recompose to include other elements (eg other players). With back button focus I simply press the back button until it acquires focus, release, recompose, press shutter button.
I'm still then immediately able to follow a player with continuous focussing by holding down the back button.

So back button focussing allows me to do continuous focussing AND focus-recompose focussing AND single shot focussing without having to play around with other buttons/settings.

Did it feel awkward at first - it sure did!!!! ... and I missed a number of shots because of it. But I stuck with it because of all the options it provides me. After a month or so I felt comfortable with it. After six months or so it became second nature. I don't even think about it now.

 

[Overread]

Personally I use it all the time.

I think that it works best and comes into its own when you've got lenses with full-time manual focusing on them. This means that even when the lens is set to AF mode you can still use the focus wheel to change the focus. When used with back-button this means that you can shift from AF to manual focusing without doing any thing. You just don't press the back button and you're in manual focus. I find this useful at times as sometimes the focus won't lock onto what you want (esp if you're in zoos with cage wires or in the wild with reeds or long grass closer to the camera).

It does take some time to get used to, but it works really well for me. I can see it not being as good for people who are more apt to lift - point - shoot very fast.

 

[bluewanders]

When I was shooting Canon I used back button focus most of the time. Because it allowed me to separate the action of in camera metering from focus which was beneficial to me If I were doing portraits... I could meter for the background/sky then focus for another part of the image and use flash compensation to expose for my subject. I also liked it when shooting action shots because i could focus for a field of sharpness I knew the action would be passing through and then not have to worry hunting to focus and losing a precious shot.

I don't use it anymore though. I switched over to Sony a couple years back when a friend died and left me all his gear. Most of the Sony lenses have a focus hold button right on the barrel of the lens that is incredibly intuitive to use, encourages me to hold my camera "correctly" so I'm more stable. I've really come to love that little feature and use it constantly.

Also.. HI EVERYONE... I've been lurking the forum for a long long time... No idea what made me want to post today.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[Derrel]

Welcome to the world of TPF members who post, bluewanders! Three years is a long time to go without making yor first-ever post. I'm gonna' give you your first "Like" for that post!

 

[greybeard]

I set my d750 to back button-continuous single point. I save this as part of U1 and U2 settings. I leave the non-memory settings with focus on the shutter button for one handed use