Back Button Focus
Sep 19, 2016 09:57:22 #
It's absolutely essential for wildlife, sports, street photography and anything that entails multiple shots.
Sep 19, 2016 09:59:02 #
boomer826 wrote:
All this talk about Back Button Focus, what makes this better than using the shutter button ?
I loved BBF for my BIF's...I used it all the time on my 7D MKII
Sep 19, 2016 10:37:08 #
Revet wrote:
I have been using BB focus for about a year and a half and would never go back to the shutter release controlling focus. Having the focus on a separate button works for every type of photograph you would take better than having it on the exposure button. The only exception to this is when you hand the camera over to your spouse to take a picture. Then I switch to U1 on my Nikon which is set to focus with the shutter release
I was thinking the same thing, what if you hand it to someone else. You answered the question. Never thought about U1, U2. Too much to think about. Iv'e got to try it.
Sep 19, 2016 11:00:09 #
Warbird wrote:
Absolutely! You should give it a try!
But I know of two persons that have stopped using it, at least on moving targets. Myself and Arthur Morris... Art (according to his blog) don't use it on bif, and I never use it.
I use a Nikon D500, and have the AF-ON button configured to change Af-Mode. When I press and hold the button camera switches to Group Mode (at the present setting).
For me this is a much, much better use than BBF.
/Mats
But I know of two persons that have stopped using it, at least on moving targets. Myself and Arthur Morris... Art (according to his blog) don't use it on bif, and I never use it.
I use a Nikon D500, and have the AF-ON button configured to change Af-Mode. When I press and hold the button camera switches to Group Mode (at the present setting).
For me this is a much, much better use than BBF.
/Mats
Hi Warbird: When you hand your camera to your wife, just go to auto on the dial and that takes care of focus and exposure. No problem.
Sep 19, 2016 11:28:04 #
I've tried using the back button. But I end up with my thumb knuckle in my eye and I wear glasses, so that makes me either hold the camera in a really peculiar position or far away from my eye. That makes me lose the stability of pressing the camera to my face. So for me it simply doesn't work. Sometimes I envy people who are able to use it successfully.
Sep 19, 2016 11:35:59 #
Excellent question.
--Bob
--Bob
boomer826 wrote:
All this talk about Back Button Focus, what makes this better than using the shutter button ?
Sep 19, 2016 11:42:28 #
larryzplace wrote:
I tried to set my D7200 up for this but can't seem to do it. Help.
Sep 19, 2016 11:44:32 #
Sep 19, 2016 11:45:16 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
JohnKlingel wrote:
It's absolutely essential for wildlife, sports, street photography and anything that entails multiple shots.
That's merely an opinion, certainly not backed up by fact!
Sep 19, 2016 11:48:41 #
I don't use the camera as much as I used to but I found the BBF annoying. Especially if you had the camera over to someone to take photos when I want to be in the picture. Always out of focus. I switched back and seem to like to old way better. I agree BBF is good, but just not for me.
Sep 19, 2016 11:50:45 #
I tried BBF some time ago on my Nikon D90, having first heard about it here on the Hog. I was pleased with the results but unfortunately, having suffered a broken right wrist about 7 yrs ago, I just don't have the dexterity to manipulate the back button part of BBF. Also, there are several people in the household who use the camera but were not enthusiastic enough to persevere with it, so for me BBF is not going to work. Ah well!
Sep 19, 2016 12:11:21 #
Think of it this way. I look through the the view finder I'm waiting for say the lady to walk into the scene. I have my finger on the shutter button. Wait for it, just when I think I have it she moves. In between the time when my finger presses down & captures the image, the lens needs to focus again.
If I had been using BBF I would have already had my thumb pressing the button. I'm holding the image as she comes into view & that split second that I have to capture it is here & I got it.
I can focus & recompose my shot way easier & faster.
The lens doesn't have to search, focus then capture.
If I had been using BBF I would have already had my thumb pressing the button. I'm holding the image as she comes into view & that split second that I have to capture it is here & I got it.
I can focus & recompose my shot way easier & faster.
The lens doesn't have to search, focus then capture.
Sep 19, 2016 12:15:08 #
I use back button focus all the time. Most videos that I watched said the same thing that it is difficult to get used to but once mastered you will never turn back to your shutter release to focus. I expected to have some difficulty, however, it was much easier to get used to back button focus then the videos predicted.
Sep 19, 2016 12:22:49 #
orrie smith wrote:
it allows you to take multiple photos without need... (show quote)
Also you can put your camera on a tripod, prefocus using BBF, then trigger the shutter with a remote shutter button and the camera will not refocus. It will stay where you prefocused and take as many pictures as needed.
Sep 19, 2016 12:31:15 #
AzPicLady wrote:
I've tried using the back button. But I end up with my thumb knuckle in my eye and I wear glasses, so that makes me either hold the camera in a really peculiar position or far away from my eye. That makes me lose the stability of pressing the camera to my face. So for me it simply doesn't work. Sometimes I envy people who are able to use it successfully.
practice and patience. you can learn a technique that works for you, but you have to try new ways to hold the camera and use it often enough that it becomes first hand.
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