Why Back-Button Focusing?
Dec 8, 2015 20:44:08 #
BBF takes getting used to. If you've been shooting with the half press method for any significant length of time you will have to practice to get the hang of BBF. I'm not sure whether it's worth switching back and forth according to the situation, but I suspect if you like BBF (and there are advantages to it) you should switch to it permanently. If you switch back and forth you have to think about which mode you're in, and that fraction of a second might cost you a shot.
I like BBF in some situations, but at my age I'm having trouble working it into my reflexes. Every time I have an important shoot I go back to the half press mode because I know it works, so that messes up my learning curve. I'm pretty much through my event shooting season so I'll try again over the winter and see if I can get comfortable with it.
I like BBF in some situations, but at my age I'm having trouble working it into my reflexes. Every time I have an important shoot I go back to the half press mode because I know it works, so that messes up my learning curve. I'm pretty much through my event shooting season so I'll try again over the winter and see if I can get comfortable with it.
Dec 8, 2015 20:56:16 #
Leitz wrote:
The major drawback for me is, back button focusing requires an autofocus lens :(
Picky, picky . . .
Dec 8, 2015 21:08:24 #
Dec 8, 2015 23:29:37 #
Leitz wrote:
The major drawback for me is, back button focusing requires an autofocus lens :(
Sheeeeeeee it, man, I totally understand. My biggest bitch about elevators is that they won't get me off the first floor of a one-story building! :roll:
Dec 9, 2015 01:30:11 #
mwsilvers wrote:
I was fortunately not too set in my ways before trying BBF, which made the transition easy. I went back to the default SBF and found I didn't like it at all.BBF is not for everyone. Some like it. Some don't. It does take some getting used to. I don't recall the body you are using, but some camera's like the Nikon APS-C bodies don't have a dedicated AF-On button. i believe the exposure lock button needs to be reassigned.
I would be willing to bet that the majority of folks that don't like BBF, didn't try it long enough to get used to it and therefore, didn't like it because it felt unnatural.
To each their own but, I believe you owe it to yourself to give it a few weeks to become familiar before deciding either way.
Dec 9, 2015 04:28:06 #
Steve Perry wrote:
Something else to think about - BBAF actually works the way cameras did in the past. Back in the manual focus days, the shutter release just released the shutter and we used a separate control for focus the photo. Now, instead of the focus ring on the lens, it's a button on the back of the camera.
so true.
Dec 9, 2015 05:08:46 #
Dec 9, 2015 05:15:27 #
Leitz
Loc: Solms
OddJobber wrote:
Sheeeeeeee it, man, I totally understand. My biggest bitch about elevators is that they won't get me off the first floor of a one-story building! :roll:
And the stairs aren't much better! :lol:
Dec 9, 2015 05:44:15 #
Steve Perry wrote:
I have been using the back button AF for about 4 years now and I wouldn't even consider to going back to the shutter button. Nice video which explains everything so well.
Dave
Dec 9, 2015 05:47:18 #
Leitz wrote:
The major drawback for me is, back button focusing requires an autofocus lens :(
Was this serious?
Dec 9, 2015 05:58:07 #
Dec 9, 2015 06:10:21 #
Dngallagher wrote:
Simple, it lets YOU control what is focused on instead of the camera.
You can compose and focus, and when you click the shutter the camera does not automatically refocus, giving you the ability for example at a zoo to focus on the animal instead of the cage.
It is very handy for birds in flight & action shots.
http://improvephotography.com/4552/back-button-focusing/
You can compose and focus, and when you click the shutter the camera does not automatically refocus, giving you the ability for example at a zoo to focus on the animal instead of the cage.
It is very handy for birds in flight & action shots.
http://improvephotography.com/4552/back-button-focusing/
:thumbup: I like it for the above reasons and the fact that I can manually tweak the focus before taking the picture!
Dec 9, 2015 06:25:35 #
BBF takes about a day to get used to doing it and after that it becomes second nature and you'll never go back. It changes the way you focus and improves your images. The ability to quickly focus on the main subject and then recompose with out losing that focus point is priceless.
Dec 9, 2015 06:27:25 #
Been using BBF for awhile now. Steve, I watched your video several times when I switched. Thanks.
Dec 9, 2015 06:41:27 #
guitarbts
Loc: Charlotte, NC
I use BBF 80% of the time but when I am in the studio in manual, I use the shutter release. I do prefer BBF for most situations though. I would suggest to master them both.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.