Rear AF-L lock with wireless remote shutter activator: I have my D7100 set to use the rear AE-L/AF-L button as many have suggested on this site. I noticed that when I connect my...

stadtmkw Loc: Burlington, MA

I have my D7100 set to use the rear AE-L/AF-L button as many have suggested on this site. I noticed that when I connect my wireless remote shutter release, the camera will not focus unless the rear button is pressed. Is there any setting that will keep the AF on the rear button but cause the camera to focus when the shutter is activated remotely? I'd rather not have to keep clearing the control setting to use the remote.
Thanks

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

If you're using a remote then I would assume you have it on tripod and the camera view is stationary such as a landscape. Hitting the BBF will focus on the scene and that focal point should not change. So why would you want to focus again?

If your subject is moving relatively quickly such as people walking or faster then why would you use a remote? Too much time is lost having to reset the tripod camera angle/focus/step back and shoot. Your subject is now half way down the block.

If your subject is moving slowly such as the moon, move the camera, BBF and step back to use the remote, repeat as necessary.

stadtmkw Loc: Burlington, MA

It's somewhat of an unusual scene. I'm trying to get a pic of my dog when he sits at the storm door and wants to come inside. He sits there framed in the doorway. If I appear in his field of view, such as to focus the camera and snap the picture, he sees me and starts to move around, wag his tail, do somewhat of a dance. By using the remote release and staying out of his sight, he sits still but he can be anywhere from right up to the door to several feet from the door so the camera needs to focus. I guess I'll have to shut off the back button focus to make this happen.

Thanks

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

For this scenario I would concur. But this would be a rare occurrence yes? Done once it would most likely not need to be repeated.

stadtmkw Loc: Burlington, MA

big-guy wrote:

For this scenario I would concur. But this would be a rare occurrence yes? Done once it would most likely not need to be repeated.

You're correct. This is a pretty rare scenario. Thanks for responding.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Auto focus, IMHO, will not work in this case. You'll have to manually focus on a particular spot for Spot ( :-) ) and shoot multiple images to get what you want.

David Kay Loc: Arlington Heights IL

stadtmkw wrote:

I have my D7100 set to use the rear AE-L/AF-L button as many have suggested on this site. I noticed that when I connect my wireless remote shutter release, the camera will not focus unless the rear button is pressed. Is there any setting that will keep the AF on the rear button but cause the camera to focus when the shutter is activated remotely? I'd rather not have to keep clearing the control setting to use the remote.
Thanks

What f-stop are you using. Do you have enough light to set it at say f-16 or f-22 and get the shot?

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

You have one, maybe two options.

The first is to switch back to shutter release AF when using the remote - it'll focus then.

The second is if you're using the WR-10T remote. You may be able to assign the Fn button on that remote to AF-On. Some cameras support it, some don't. If the D7100 does, you'll find an option for setting the Fn button in the custom functions menu under "Controls" - it should be called "Assign Remote (r10) Fn Button" or similar. I think the remote has to be attached for the option to show up.

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

It will convert back to shutter if you use the auto mode.

stadtmkw Loc: Burlington, MA

As [big-guy] pointed out, this is a rare scenario for me. I was able to get the shot after switching back to shutter-release AF. For future situations, I'm going to test to see if I can set one of the user-defined modes to keep all of my normal settings and shutter-release AF and then revert back to my usual 'A' mode to see if the focus moves back to the rear button. Thanks for all the replies and helpful suggestions.