Back-Button Use and Continuos Focus: Started to learn the features of the A6000 and found out about back-button focusing and ability to configure multiple button on the Alpha. It is...

Bogin Bob Loc: Tampa Bay, Florida

Started to learn the features of the A6000 and found out about back-button focusing and ability to configure multiple button on the Alpha. It is set up using the AEL button and but would like input from the members on ...
1. do most use back-button option
2. it appears that it can help with battery use since camera is not always focusing as one is composing
3. is single shot AF the primary 'dafault' for members
4. I understand one can use it as continous AF but I am uncertain how I do this

Thanks, Bob

Ol' Frank Loc: Orlando,

I use Back Button Focusing all the time on my Nikon D7000. I have just started after learning from Steve at Back Country Gallery and hope I get my muscles trained to react to keep the button pushed instead of waiting for the lens to focus. It has worked great for me so far and I intend to use it from now on because of its ease. Try it for awhile.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Unless you are on a tripod or you're sure you have plenty DOF by stopping your aperture down, you should shoot in servo or continuous AF. So to answer your #3 question, no, single shot is rarely used. I'm not sure why you are uncertain about how to do this. Put the camera in continuous AF and when you BBF just keep the button pressed if the subject if moving. If the subject is stopped, compose while pressing the BBF, release BBF, and the shoot as long as you like unless the subject moves or you move.

Bogin Bob wrote:

Started to learn the features of the A6000 and fou... (show quote)

Bogin Bob Loc: Tampa Bay, Florida

Ol' Frank wrote:

I use Back Button Focusing all the time on my Nikon D7000. I have just started after learning from Steve at Back Country Gallery and hope I get my muscles trained to react to keep the button pushed instead of waiting for the lens to focus. It has worked great for me so far and I intend to use it from now on because of its ease. Try it for awhile.

Ha Ha - I 'hear' online that the one downside is someone using your camera may not know you have BB set and keep waiting for camera to focus.

It looks like I may be best to set Focus Mode to Auto or Continous versus Single Shot and then when I want to hold a focus and recompose and take a shot I hit the AEL button (that is where I set BB), and if I want to use Continuos AF I simply hold the AEL on (not set and let go). Is that correct?

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

Bogin Bob wrote:

Started to learn the features of the A6000 and fou... (show quote)

I use BBF and AF-Continuous on my cameras. It took a little time to get used to it, but I'm glad I did it. I prefer it to pressing the shutter button halfway.

lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

I'm just entering the conversation without any thoughts at this time. I recently bought a Sony a7ii and believe this conversation will be helpful to me.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

Many "hog" use BBF. I use it on my Nikon 610 and 7000. True it takes a little to get use to it. I will not change back. Try it, but give it a fair chance. If you don't like it, you can always change back.

Wanda Krack Loc: Tennessee, USA

I use BBF all of the time on two cameras. I selectively use continous focusing. Many times I want to focus, then move the camera just a hair to place the subject in the frame at a different spot.

baygolf Loc: DMV

The only issue I have with using BBF is that every once in a while you have to asked someone to take a picture for you. Try to explain how to use BBF and them getting the picture close to right - WOW.

Wanda Krack wrote:

I use BBF all of the time on two cameras. I selectively use continous focusing. Many times I want to focus, then move the camera just a hair to place the subject in the frame at a different spot.

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

baygolf wrote:

The only issue I have with using BBF is that every once in a while you have to asked someone to take a picture for you. Try to explain how to use BBF and them getting the picture close to right - WOW.

:lol: :thumbup: Yes.
Then you get that dazed "Huh" look.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

So the question is, for me, how do you set it (a6000) for BBF? And once you do this, is this the main means of focusing or do you set auto focusing for one way, i.e., AF-S and use BBF for another, like AF-C, or what. I'm fairly new to this stuff, and a bit confused at this point. My other question is, is using BBF the same as pressing the shutter button down halfway to get the camera to focus before taking the picture, then recomposing the scene to take the shot?

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Bogin Bob wrote:

Started to learn the features of the A6000 and fou... (show quote)

Bob, no one mode works best for everything. Use bbf when it presents an advantage, no differently than you would use Av, Tv or manual. None of those are best for everything either, and neither is bbf.
The day you use one thing/mode for every situation, either you've stopped learning or your situation never changes, which just may be the same thing. Be careful with being pigeon holed!!
BBF is a great thing where it presents an advantage in your shooting. Learn to recognize when that is.
I use it only when I think it will help increase my keeper rate. So that would depend entirely on what and how I'm shooting!
Good luck with bbf!! ;-)
SS

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

I use BBF all the time. It works for single shots well, you can focus and recompose as usual. I put my Nikon D7200 into AF-C mode, so it will track and continuously autofocus things like birds in flight or other action. It defaults to AF-A, but I don't trust the onboard computer to always switch over to continuous when needed. If I need to manual focus or am using a timer or the body is on my tripod, it really makes no difference, since I'm using a bulb or a wireless remote anyway. I'll never go back to half-pressing the shutter button. I have to do it on my Canon SX-50 and it feels unnatural now. Good luck!

Bogin Bob Loc: Tampa Bay, Florida

SharpShooter wrote:

Bob, no one mode works best for everything. Use bb... (show quote)

How true, at times I think there is one operation or group of settings that can be used for most situations. I am learning that as I explore and learn more about photography there are so many possibilities available to me - some work better than others. The challenge (the fun) is to find that combination that works and becomes natural.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

1. I do, ALWAYS when not using manual focus. I like the separation of focus & exposure.

2. See #3.

3. I use mostly single shot w/ BBF. Subjects not moving (much).

4. If the subject is moving to/away from you, continuous is helpful. Check the manual and practice with someone walking towards you or cars on the street.