donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

Hi all,

I want to switch FROM back button focus TO regular shutter button focusing on my Nikon D5100. I've googled and tried to recommendation to press the info and menu buttons down at the same time for 2 secs but that does not work. Does anyone know how to do this?

Thanks, Donna

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Donna, is that for a reset? If not, try a reset and your camera will be back to its native settings! Good luck. ;-)
SS

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Menu-Custom Settings Menu-a1 AF-C Priority Selector-Focus - this prevents shutter from firing when image is out of focus in AF-C mode

Menu-Custom Settings Menu-f Controls-f2 Assign AE-l/AF-L Button-AE/AF Lock default) - half press to focus will start working again

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

Just cut the power off... It automatically resets itself back to normal shutter.

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

That worked, Gene. Even though it didn't say AE/AF lock default I played around and finally got it to work. You got me to the right part of the menu!! I've had this one set to back button focus for months now but wasn't always happy with the results. It could be because I've started having inconsistent results with this 5+ year old camera OR I'm not doing BBF correctly. I have a fashion show to shoot tonight for one of the high schools and just want both of my D5100's focusing the same. Thanks so much for the quick help!

And thanks to you, too, Lighthouse. Just using re-set several times did not do the trick.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

If it's like my D5200, shutting the power off will have no effect. The AE-L/AF-L button just needs to be set back to its default and the shutter autofocus will start working...

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

No problem -

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

If you want to give BBF another try, watch this Tony Northrup video. He uses a Canon, but it applies to all DSLRs with this feature. It'll be clear why it's better for animals, sports, kids and other fast moving subjects.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PN9R0D3pF0

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

No, it doesn't, Don. I've turned my camera off hundreds of times since switching to back button focus.

It's all re-set now though.

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

I researched quite a bit before switching to BBF to begin with but mine does not work quite right. I've used it quite a bit for basketball and I ALWAYS get better results from the camera I've kept set with normal shutter release. Now for those shots that are shot from the bleachers at the same distance repeatedly it's fine but I can get equally good results from regular shutter release focus. For shots where the action is coming toward me (like the fashion show I'm shooting tonight) BBF has not worked for me. But thanks. I may watch this video if I consider doing it again.

Thanks to everyone for your input. Gotta get ready for the show!

MtnMan Loc: ID

You can use the AE/AF-L button for the same purpose without fooling around with your menus.

The more important issue is which AF mode to set. I always use AF-S single point focus...and always get good results.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

You obviously never shoot moving subjects (or, if you do, you have a very high percentage of missed focus shots).

There are several techniques that you cannot use so long as the shutter release button still activates AF (and Nikon AF-L button does pretty much the same thing as AF-C activated with the shutter release button).

Probably the single most important reason to use BBF is that it allows leaving the camera in a continuous focusing mode (Canon AI Servo, Nikon AF-C, etc.) as your default mode. You normally would not want to do that, because there are situations where it would cause focus errors. But once AF functionality is separate from the shutter release, those problems go away.

Donna, I recommend memorizing the second part of Gene's answer, so you know how to switch back and forth between BBF. That way you have the choice.

But, frankly, my Canons are in BBF mode almost all the time... have been for over ten years. I only ever take them out of BBF mode when loaning to someone who doesn't know how to use it... or for occasional macro shots where I'm using a "focus trapping" technique. Once learned, there is almost no situation I've been able to find where BBF doesn't work well.

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

I actually shoot about 90% moving objects, Amfoto, and have a very high percentage of good shots. That's why I immediately knew that BBF was not working correctly on my camera. I'll try BBF again once I either get my D5100 refurbished or I get a D7100 or the D750. I'll probably have both by the end of the year since I typically use two bodies with different lenses or one with flash and one without for the work I do for Lifetouch for the schools. I may get a 7100 by next week because this is crazy time with the schools and I don't have time to have camera issues. Thanks for your advice.

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

Not sure about that MtnMan. Unless I change my menus it doesn't do anything.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Actually I often shoot moving subjects (BIF) and I never have missed focus shots...although sometimes get part birds. The reason is that I set the release mode to only fire when focus is achieved. I track the moving animals and use continuous release. It only fires when focus is achieved.

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