Back Button Focus: Can using back button focus improve sharpness in your photos.

will47 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

Can using back button focus improve sharpness in your photos.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

will47 wrote:

Can using back button focus improve sharpness in your photos.

It can aid in keeping the camera steady, that’s about it.

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

When you take your thumb off the button, the focus is locked, so you can easily recompose without losing focus. So, yes it can. Your autofocus won't focus any better, but you have more control, because the focus point won't inadvertently shift if you recompose after focusing..

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

maxlieberman wrote:

When you take your thumb off the button, the focus is locked, so you can easily recompose without losing focus. So, yes it can. Your autofocus won't focus any better, but you have more control, because the focus point won't inadvertently shift if you recompose after focusing..

Yes, and once you try it you'll never go back.

Silverrails

I myself have used BBF although I have read comments from ones that feel it is a distraction to their Photography. Is their any logic to this personal thinking on BBF?

garrickw Loc: Wyoming Mn.

no move the focus point will get you the sharpest photos with the new mirrorless cameras using tracking focus is also better for sharper photos

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

BBF allows the photographer to be faster in that you can shift from AF-S (single focus) to AF-C (continuous focus) instantly without having to push the AF mode button and rotate the Main Command Dial. It has nothing to do with making the camera focus better or faster.

To me there are 5 parts to sharper images: 1) camera mp and quality of the glass; 2) lens and camera tuning; 3) Technique (probably the hardest to understand and master); 4) settings (shutter speed, Aperture / DOF; ISO, ...); 5) bringing out the inherent detail in your image in PP.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

maxlieberman wrote:

When you take your thumb off the button, the focus is locked, so you can easily recompose without losing focus. So, yes it can. Your autofocus won't focus any better, but you have more control, because the focus point won't inadvertently shift if you recompose after focusing..

This is true. I primarily shoot birds, so my thoughts are about this type of photography. When I primarily used DSLR cameras, I always used BBF, with different forms of AF assigned to two different buttons on the camera, one assigned to spot focus and one assigned to zone focus. That way I could use spot focus or zone focus with just a slight movement of my thumb. Big advantage for birds that might be flying one moment and perching the next. You can also lock focus in for recomposing. Takes practice but can work well, assuming bird does not move in between focus lock and pushing the shutter button. Much quicker than trying to move focus point.
Now, however, I shoot mirrorless. Much less of an advantage for me, primarily because focus tracking by the camera covers virtually the entire frame in the viewfinder. Once the camera's AF locks on the eye of the bird I can keep button pushed and establish any composition I want the the AF point will follow the eye automatically. Now I use a back button only to shift back and forth between AF Eye Priority and Zone AF.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

maxlieberman wrote:

When you take your thumb off the button, the focus is locked, so you can easily recompose without losing focus. So, yes it can. Your autofocus won't focus any better, but you have more control, because the focus point won't inadvertently shift if you recompose after focusing..

The actual focus (process) is no different, just a different button to initiate the focus.

Now if you hold your camera differently because of using BBF, that's a different story.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Silverrails wrote:

I myself have used BBF although I have read comments from ones that feel it is a distraction to their Photography. Is their any logic to this personal thinking on BBF?

A distraction in the fact that they haven't gotten used to using it yet and still have to think "Oh yea, back button..." when they want to focus.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I have a hitch when I use a camera without back button focus. It's just second nature to me and if my shutter speed is slow and I am handholding it doesn't dip when I shoot.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

In a word, no. But check out Steve Perry on YouTube for how to set it up and use on a Nikon. It lets you switch between Continuous focus and single shot focus seamlessly. Great for moving subjects and for reframing after focusing.

bleirer

Assigning another button to activate autofocus accesses exactly the same camera system as the shutter half press, so no difference in sharpness.

Which camera? If mirrorless there is an alternative.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

nimbushopper wrote:

Yes, and once you try it you'll never go back.

bleirer

If you focus exactly on an eagle's eye, then lift your thumb to recompose left right or up down, you put the plane of focus behind the eagle's eye. In that case it does impact sharpness negatively. Of course if you are using it right you will keep the servo focus active and move the af point or turn on tracking in situations that call for it.