gmccaleb Loc: East KY / South AL

I'm trying to use back button focus and failing miserably. I'm sure I don't understand it and will have to watch some more videos and do more research to learn. I was told it would be a game changer for my focusing. I have twin three yr old granddaughters that I shoot most of the time. I also do birds , sunsets and landscapes. I'm curious to know if it's going to be worth the effort to learn or if I should stick with shutter button focus.

willdell Loc: Franklin, KY

My Canon 7d is set up with BBF for the birds and such I attempt to capture. Back button for focus and shutter set for exposure. When capturing a moving subject, exposure is metered at that time the shutter is depressed - not at the first time when the subject is focused upon.

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

I love BBF, but I'd be lying if I said I never had your misgivings. My biggest problem is--I'm embarrassed to admit this--I occasionally forget to focus. I'll get so tied up with composing my shot that I'll not focus. That being said, I encourage you to stick with it. The dynamic nature of BBF makes an "Oops" or two worth while.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

Steve Perry, a member here, has and excellent eBook that will explain this procedure to you very well plus a lot more. The name of the book is "The Nikon Autofocus System". You can find it at backcountrygallery.com

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Once I set up BBF I never went back.
It's great having the focus and shutter on two different buttons! You just have to use it enough so it becomes second nature.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

Thanks so much for the plug Wayne :)

I also have a video that has really helped a lot of people with BBAF:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzqQskGoURE

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

I use BBF with 1/2 shutter press off for 1 main reason. I learned on old film cameras to press the shutter slowly and frimly to avoid camera shake. I could just never get used to 1/2 press without fully pressing. BBF solved that problem

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

You're very welcome. Your book put everything into perspective for me better than any other book that I had read.

gmccaleb Loc: East KY / South AL

As always....you guys are great! Not only answer my question, but direct me to wonderful resources to educate myself. Thanks so much!!

Nature_Shooter Loc: Chesterfield Missouri

Actually went as far as to learn how to set up my camera for BBF but have not taken the plunge yet. Every time I shoot something, I am afraid I will mess up. Just need to go in the back yard or to a local park and practice on meaningless shots before trying it on something that counts.

BebuLamar

I never use it!

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Hi,

I mostly shoot BB. But, I also shoot shutter focus. BB is great if you want to compose an image and focus on one part but expose on the other part, i.e., a landscape (great for waterfall). It's also great for an image where you are shooting wide open, blurred background, and, again, you want to expose for one part, but focus on a specific part of the image to bring it forward. I've shot birds with it and done very well and have done the same with BB for birds. It is simply another tool in your photography tool kit to call upon when needed. It can be very good for moving grandkids as well once you get the hang of clicking on the button and then letting it go and clicking again if you need to refocus. The nice thing about it is that once you focus you can let go of the BB and if the subject stays within the focus parameter you do not need to refocus, you can just shoot. I'd say it's worth learning to see if you like it and then you can make a decision to use it or not. Be aware that a novice mistake is to forget that your camera is set to BB and then all of your photos are out of focus. As with all things, it's a learning process.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Using BBF is a matter of training yourself to use that back button. It takes a bit of concentration, and there will be some missed shots along the way because you forgot to focus first, but it is definitely worth it.

You did not say exactly what it is about BBF that is giving you so much trouble. Do you have your camera settings correct? Sometimes it is hard to figure out just what to change from reading the manual, but it is all in there. They just do not call it BBF! Once it is properly set up, it is a matter of remembering to push the back button to focus before using the shutter release to take the picture. It is definitely awkward in the beginning, but eventually you should be doing it automatically.

My suggestion, once you are sure your settings are correct, is to choose a stationary "practice" subject, and take pictures of it. This could help get used to how it feels to focus before you shoot. Then when you want to use it for taking pictures of your granddaughters, you won't be so likely to miss those important photos!

Graham Roberthall

I mentioned this on another thread before seeing this one which is more appropriate.

I am getting used to BBF and like it but I have discovered that with my Canon 6d if I am using live view the back button focus button also takes the picture. That only happens in live view and I cannot find any mention of it in the manual or the menus.
Anyone know the answer ?

Regards
Graham