D7100 Back Focusing
Mar 13, 2014 10:56:05 #
In the past couple of days I have read a lot and have seen several videos that often refer to "back focusing". I have a mental block and just don't get it. Will someone please explain in simple terms how to back focus on a D7100. The video was by Jeff Cable and he uses a Canon and I could not grasp how to do it on my D7100 or why I would want to back focus. It has to be a simple pushing of the AF button but it just won't go through the back 12" of the camera.
Mar 13, 2014 11:05:13 #
gjgallager
Loc: North Central CT & Space Coast Florida
Use the Search link above and search for Back Button Focus, you should find what you are looking for.
Mar 13, 2014 11:10:24 #
Go to the Menu on your camera. Scroll down to the Custom Settings Menu (the pencil icon) and choose Controls. Choose the 4th option - Assign AE-L/AF-L button. There are several options in that section, choose AF-ON and you are set.
Why do it? The reason I do it is I tend to press the shutter release button fast and hard not giving the focus mechanism time to work. I find my images are much sharper using the back focus.
The only issue is I had to train myself to use it. Many years of using only the shutter release is hard to break.
Why do it? The reason I do it is I tend to press the shutter release button fast and hard not giving the focus mechanism time to work. I find my images are much sharper using the back focus.
The only issue is I had to train myself to use it. Many years of using only the shutter release is hard to break.
Mar 13, 2014 11:21:32 #
Thank you. I suppose I wasn't clear but I think you helped. I think what I should have said was "back button focusing". It is still a little confusing but with your seeming to understand what I was referring to I am a bit closer. Thanks again.
jmlam wrote:
Go to the Menu on your camera. Scroll down to the... (show quote)
Mar 13, 2014 11:56:57 #
Once you get used to back button focusing, you will wonder just how you lived without it. It will come natural.
Mar 13, 2014 12:36:32 #
Thank you.
Acountry330 wrote:
Once you get used to back button focusing, you will wonder just how you lived without it. It will come natural.
Mar 13, 2014 12:55:11 #
Mar 13, 2014 13:09:18 #
Robert the Bruce wrote:
Thanks I have the d7000 I will try this out. :thumbup: :thumbup:
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Mar 13, 2014 13:45:51 #
Robert the Bruce wrote:
Thanks I have the d7000 I will try this out. :thumbup: :thumbup:
The D7000 might be slightly different. I share a camera with my wife and she has no desire to BB focus. So I set user position "U1" to be the only back button focus mode used on the D7000. If you want to try it, the procedure is:
1. Set mode dial to "M" (or A or S if desired).
2. Under "Setup" menu, save settings to U1. (Now you have a copy of "M" settings that can be altered to suit you without changing the defaults of the "M" mode).
3. Set mode dial to "U1". (You're now working with your copied settings.)
4. Under "Custom Settings" menu F5 on D7000 (F4 on D7100) assign AE-L/AF-L to "focus on".
5. For D7000 users... Under Custom settings menu A1 and A2 set priority to "release". Without this step the half-press of the shutter release will continue to focus no matter what the other button does. After reading the manual, I don't know if this step is required for the D7100.
6. Adjust any other settings to your personal preferences and repeat step 2.
Mar 13, 2014 14:58:17 #
Mar 14, 2014 07:32:56 #
Wow I just changed both cameras to back button focus. Can't for the life of figure out why I didn't do it sooner. It's so cool and easy.
Mar 14, 2014 07:45:27 #
Mar 14, 2014 08:06:57 #
Pine1 wrote:
Thank you. I suppose I wasn't clear but I think you helped. I think what I should have said was "back button focusing". It is still a little confusing but with your seeming to understand what I was referring to I am a bit closer. Thanks again.
Yes you were indeed referring to BBF (back button focus) and not "back focusing") Back focusing is something you never want (unless intentional for some reason).
An example of back focusing would be if you were taking a photo of a person standing in front of a tree and ended up with the tree in focus rather then the person. That photo is considered back focused.
I have used back button focus going back to the film days on a Canon EOS1n camera. I continue to use it today exclusively, and feel it is the only way to go especially for wildlife and other types of action photography.
Mar 14, 2014 08:58:17 #
I use it, but I shoot lots of macro & birds in brush & find myself focusing manually more than using AF. Plus I have & use a number of older manual focus lenses on my D7100...
Mar 14, 2014 09:20:40 #
jmlam wrote:
Go to the Menu on your camera. Scroll down to the... (show quote)
Ok,I am confused.Once this is set per your instructions don't I still press the shutter release button,why do I need to train myself to use it if I am just pressing the shutter release button?Am I having a blonde moment here??
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