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Reset Af button to focus
Jun 15, 2012 07:46:21 #
Hi All. Have read a couple of articles about setting the AF-On button on the back of the camera to focus so that when you capture an image you use this button to focus and then totally separately you use the shutter button to trip the shutter. On Canon, in cases of a moving target, if you are on AI servo you can depress the AF - on button and hold it down while you are tripping the shutter and the camera will track and focus on a moving subject.
Has anyone been doing this? And, what has your experience been with this approach?
Steve
Has anyone been doing this? And, what has your experience been with this approach?
Steve
Jun 15, 2012 07:55:51 #
I have my Nikon set up like this. I have to admit, it takes a little getting use to, but now it is second nature to use the AF button to focus. I find it easier to focus, recompose and meter using this method. You need to remember to still depress the shutter release button half way for a moment to activate VR (Nikon) when it is available.
Jun 15, 2012 10:28:23 #
I have my newer Canons set like this. Once you get used to it, its advantages become obvious. I like it. But it is strictly a personal preference.
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Jun 15, 2012 15:22:08 #
Jun 15, 2012 16:04:41 #
I back button focus, I think it helped me gain a better over all focus.
Jun 15, 2012 18:08:27 #
Thanks MWAC... I have played around with it only for one day and it seems that the images are sharper. Not sure if I am seeing what I want to see or not.. Will be adding mirror lock up as much as possible as well.
Steve
Steve
Jun 16, 2012 07:16:45 #
I have not as yet acquired either the sophistication or skill that leads me to desire to program any of the buttions.
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Jun 16, 2012 08:31:11 #
Spent a frustrating morning trying to figure it out....going to take a nap now. LoL
Jun 16, 2012 09:08:43 #
TidesOut wrote:
Spent a frustrating morning trying to figure it out....going to take a nap now. LoL
Dont' know what type of camera you have, but this video for Nikon cameras may help.
http://youtu.be/WyPv1bLkwqA
Jun 16, 2012 10:48:42 #
If you set up Canons for back button AF,do you still need to hold shutter button halfway to start IS?
Jun 16, 2012 11:05:45 #
sirlensalot
Loc: Arizona
Great timing for this question. After reading and having a bit of a hard time understanding the functions on my Canon, I decided to try it. Will be using for the first time this weekend. My limited research indicates BBF may produce a higher rate of keepers, so for me it is worth the effort to learn. I have a wedding to do in as few months. BBF may be the answer for those down the aisle shots that are critical. I would be very interested in learning how many use this method, and what their opinion is of the results of using BBF vs point, recompose, shoot.
I have my Canon set to custom function IV-3. It would seem #2 and #3 are the most useful. Any thoughts or advice?
I have my Canon set to custom function IV-3. It would seem #2 and #3 are the most useful. Any thoughts or advice?
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Jun 16, 2012 11:37:48 #
Glad this subject is of interest to a few of the members. Would like to know from those that have been using it if they have had more keepers or sharper images when using this technique.
For the member who has had trouble setting up her camera. I call Canon tech support all the time. They are beyond fabulous. You may want to call your camera mnf. tech support line.
Steve
For the member who has had trouble setting up her camera. I call Canon tech support all the time. They are beyond fabulous. You may want to call your camera mnf. tech support line.
Steve
Jun 16, 2012 11:58:18 #
sirlensalot wrote:
My limited research indicates BBF may produce a higher rate of keepers, so for me it is worth the effort to learn.
Hello sirlensalot, could you , or anyone else, help me to understand why focussing with the AF button should produce sharper photos please as I'm struggling to grasp this (and a lot of other things to do with photography!). Thanks
Jun 16, 2012 12:37:45 #
sirlensalot
Loc: Arizona
I am a beginning student on this particular topic, so do not take my opinion as gospel. As I posted earlier, my biggest interest was to get a higher percentage of keepers with down the aisle shots at weddings. It is my understanding when you choose the CF IV-lll (canon 40D) once you use the back button to lock in focus, the camera will continue to track and refocus between shots on moving subjects.
That said, Canon provides a great explanation of using BBF . Highly recommend reading it as a first step. I agree with Stevieboy, Canon provides very good technical advice if you choose to call them, but I would encourage anyone interested in BBF to read Canons explanation first.
quote=Tylerd]
Hello sirlensalot, could you , or anyone else, help me to understand why focussing with the AF button should produce sharper photos please as I'm struggling to grasp this (and a lot of other things to do with photography!). Thanks[/quote]
That said, Canon provides a great explanation of using BBF . Highly recommend reading it as a first step. I agree with Stevieboy, Canon provides very good technical advice if you choose to call them, but I would encourage anyone interested in BBF to read Canons explanation first.
quote=Tylerd]
sirlensalot wrote:
My limited research indicates BBF may produce a higher rate of keepers, so for me it is worth the effort to learn.
Hello sirlensalot, could you , or anyone else, help me to understand why focussing with the AF button should produce sharper photos please as I'm struggling to grasp this (and a lot of other things to do with photography!). Thanks[/quote]
Jun 16, 2012 13:07:38 #
I use BBF (back button focus) exclusively.
But I don't use the AF On button, I have the * button designated for focusing.
And I have the shutter button set to control metering and taking the picture only, no focusing.
But I don't use the AF On button, I have the * button designated for focusing.
And I have the shutter button set to control metering and taking the picture only, no focusing.
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