Using Back Button Focus for Exposure Hold on Nikon: Experimenting using the AE-L AF-L button to set and hold the exposure while using the shutter half press to focus. In Tools. set...

johnhaker Loc: Middletown. Ohio

Experimenting using the AE-L AF-L button to set and hold the exposure while using the shutter half press to focus.
In Tools. set AE-Lock to hold and AE Lock to Off.

Frame for exposure then press AE-Lock button, then use half shutter press for focus lock.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

johnhaker wrote:

Experimenting using the AE-L AF-L button to set and hold the exposure while using the shutter half press to focus.
In Tools. set AE-Lock to hold and AE Lock to Off.

Frame for exposure then press AE-Lock button, then use half shutter press for focus lock.

Your directions confuse me. I have been using back button focus for years. It is the button in the back, AE-L AF-L OR AF ON, that focuses the image, the shutter button just takes the shot, it doesn't affect focus.
It does take some time to get used to it, but works so much better than using the shutter button to focus.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Are you using spot focus and then re-framing your composition?

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Manual mode=exposure lock. Just saying

bratliff Loc: Atlanta, GA

ronichas wrote:

Your directions confuse me. I have been using back button focus for years. It is the button in the back, AE-L AF-L OR AF ON, that focuses the image, the shutter button just takes the shot, it doesn't affect focus.
It does take some time to get used to it, but works so much better than using the shutter button to focus.

The OP's post/title are confusing. They're not using BBF. They're using their camera the way the buttons are assigned straight outta the box.

OP, is there a question in your post? You are not using BBF. Are you wanting to and want to know how that will affect the way you shoot?

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

johnhaker wrote:

Experimenting using the AE-L AF-L button to set and hold the exposure while using the shutter half press to focus.
In Tools. set AE-Lock to hold and AE Lock to Off.

Frame for exposure then press AE-Lock button, then use half shutter press for focus lock.

rather than trying to set ae-l/ae-f button to hold exposure, you may have better luck to use the button for focus. there is no reason to hold exposure, there is a reason to hold focus. back button focus is where you assign the ae-l/ae-f button to obtain focus, eliminating the burden of refocusing every time you press the shutter button. it is a method that takes some getting used to, but has been tried and true for many photographers to better their photography.

Leitz Loc: Solms

johnhaker wrote:

Experimenting using the AE-L AF-L button to set and hold the exposure while using the shutter half press to focus.
In Tools. set AE-Lock to hold and AE Lock to Off.

Frame for exposure then press AE-Lock button, then use half shutter press for focus lock.

As bratliff says, you are not using BBF, you're using BBE! And this makes sense to me, as there most assuredly is a reason to hold exposure while recomposing when using any auto-exposure mode, particularly when using spot or center-weighted metering.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Leitz wrote:

As bratliff says, you are not using BBF, you're using BBE! And this makes sense to me, as there most assuredly is a reason to hold exposure while recomposing when using any auto-exposure mode, particularly when using spot or center-weighted metering.

Switching from any of the auto modes to manual, once you know what your correct exposure is, seems to me the most logical way to hold both exposure and focus.

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

Rich1939 wrote:

Manual mode=exposure lock. Just saying

Love, love, love that car.

DerBiermeister Loc: North of Richmond VA

You folks probably get tired of newbie questions, but I still am not "getting it" with regard to BBF. I don't quite understand:
1. The purpose of it?
2. It is used all the time or just in special shots?
3. How you set up the camera from the menu for AE-L and AF-L?
4. The exact steps in taking the shot. For instance, with the AE-L/AF-L button -- do you press and release it before hitting the shutter release, or do you press and HOLD it while hitting the shutter release?

bratliff Loc: Atlanta, GA

DerBiermeister wrote:

You folks probably get tired of newbie questions, ... (show quote)

1. Purpose is to decouple the shutter button from the focus process. This let's you do a number of things very easily, not least of which is "focus and recompose" where you focus on your subject and then re-frame the image.
2. Yes. I use it all the time.
3. Google is your friend here. Just look up setting up BBF focus for your model of camera.
4. I have my focus mode set to AF-C. If I hold the BBF button the camera will continually maintain focus. Best for action shots or where my subject is moving. If I just press and release the BBF button the camera focuses once. I can then recompose, adjust exposure, etc and when ready take the shot using the shutter release.

The best thing about BBF is that you essentially have the benefits of AF-C and AF-S without having to change focus modes. Tony Northrup does a good job of explaining BBF. Go to YouTube and look him his BBF explained video.

Leitz Loc: Solms

Rich1939 wrote:

Switching from any of the auto modes to manual, once you know what your correct exposure is, seems to me the most logical way to hold both exposure and focus.

I agree 100%, but BBE seems a reasonable way to lock exposure while keeping your eye to the viewfinder. It's always interesting to see what others come up with.

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

Switching, the way you describe it, only deals with exposure. Not focus. The mode dial handles exposure related items such as aperture priority or manual where you set all the exposure settings. The lens has a separate switch that will allow you to manually focus or auto focus. Whether you choose to manual or auto focus, it does not affect the exposure. The 2 are separate entities.

Rich1939 wrote:

Switching from any of the auto modes to manual, once you know what your correct exposure is, seems to me the most logical way to hold both exposure and focus.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

big-guy wrote:

Switching, the way you describe it, only deals with exposure. Not focus. The mode dial handles exposure related items such as aperture priority or manual where you set all the exposure settings. The lens has a separate switch that will allow you to manually focus or auto focus. Whether you choose to manual or auto focus, it does not affect the exposure. The 2 are separate entities.

Yes they are. I'm afraid that as a result of not wanting to be to "wordy" I was not precise enough and should have taken the time to be more so.

rbmcgarvey Loc: Philly, PA

Are these instructions supposed to be clear? NOT.