BBF
Sep 17, 2017 10:21:55 #
Hi again gang, anybody got a good explanation of why to use back button focus? I use it all the time but, have a hard time explaining it. Thanks
Dave
Dave
Sep 17, 2017 10:28:46 #
I don't like the focus and metering on the same button!
Most of the time I use spot metering and want to meter on a different place in the picture than what is focused on.
Using BBF allows me to focus (auto) on one thing, and meter on another. My other option is to turn auto-focus off and use manual (Which I sometimes do to observer any differences in different focus points for what I want to capture.)
Once I found my camera did BBF, I set it and never will go back.
Most of the time I use spot metering and want to meter on a different place in the picture than what is focused on.
Using BBF allows me to focus (auto) on one thing, and meter on another. My other option is to turn auto-focus off and use manual (Which I sometimes do to observer any differences in different focus points for what I want to capture.)
Once I found my camera did BBF, I set it and never will go back.
Sep 17, 2017 10:30:45 #
relie wrote:
Hi again gang, anybody got a good explanation of why to use back button focus? I use it all the time but, have a hard time explaining it. Thanks
Dave
Dave
It's cool - like shooting raw and manual.
Also, it lets me focus on the subject and then recompose without losing focus.
Sep 17, 2017 10:31:35 #
jerryc41 wrote:
It's cool - like shooting raw and manual.
Also, it lets me focus on the subject and then recompose without losing focus.
Also, it lets me focus on the subject and then recompose without losing focus.
Sep 17, 2017 11:54:15 #
The operation of taking an image is faster with back button focusing.
Sep 17, 2017 12:05:23 #
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
The operation of taking an image is faster with back button focusing.
Especially with a higher shutter speed.
Sep 17, 2017 12:09:13 #
Here is an example of a reason to use BBF. About a week ago I took some pictures of my great grandson by holding the back button focus (AF-C mode) I was able to keep the little man in focus as he fidgeted while waiting for the 'right' picture.
For me the major benefit though is that the normal camera configuration has 3 functions controlled by one button. Shutter, Exposure, Focus. Just on the surface that could leave too much to chance. By using BBF you change that to 2 functions and when needed you can further reduce it to 1 function by using manual exposure.
For me the major benefit though is that the normal camera configuration has 3 functions controlled by one button. Shutter, Exposure, Focus. Just on the surface that could leave too much to chance. By using BBF you change that to 2 functions and when needed you can further reduce it to 1 function by using manual exposure.
Sep 17, 2017 12:22:32 #
relie wrote:
Hi again gang, anybody got a good explanation of why to use back button focus? I use it all the time but, have a hard time explaining it. Thanks
Dave
Dave
Beats switching from Single Servo to Continous, and forgetting to check which one the camera is set to. Also, as others have stated, "focus-on-demand" is really good - press to focus and recompose, press and hold to track - independent of the shutter button. Because I use spot meter mode on the camera 99% of the time, I do use the half press to lock exposure, so I can measure what I want, then recompose without losing the reading. It helps to have great right hand typing skills.
Sep 18, 2017 08:22:22 #
Sep 18, 2017 08:25:42 #
relie wrote:
Hi again gang, anybody got a good explanation of why to use back button focus? I use it all the time but, have a hard time explaining it. Thanks
Dave
Dave
If you shoot Nikon buy Steve Perry's book "Secrets to the Nikon Autofocus System". He explains back button focus in a way that makes it easy top understand why and how to use it.
Sep 18, 2017 09:52:43 #
Dave,
Since I switched to BBF, I have never gone back and have no intention of doing so. But, having said that, there are some photographers who are satisfied with the focus button and trigger to be one and the same. The only way for you to determine which makes most sense to you is to give the BBF method a long enough time for it to be second nature to you. At that time only you will be able to answer your question and you can decide which method pleases you most.
Bob
(my prediction is that you won't go back to the one button method.)
Since I switched to BBF, I have never gone back and have no intention of doing so. But, having said that, there are some photographers who are satisfied with the focus button and trigger to be one and the same. The only way for you to determine which makes most sense to you is to give the BBF method a long enough time for it to be second nature to you. At that time only you will be able to answer your question and you can decide which method pleases you most.
Bob
(my prediction is that you won't go back to the one button method.)
Sep 18, 2017 09:58:19 #
I use it all the time. Except one. If I am shooting the finish line in a race. I tried once and found I was holding the back button for 90 minutes straight. My thumb went numb after about 30 minutes. But I could not stop to change it. If I did, I would miss runners. From now on, when I shoot a finish line, I switch back for that shoot.
Sep 18, 2017 10:08:32 #
relie wrote:
Hi again gang, anybody got a good explanation of why to use back button focus? I use it all the time but, have a hard time explaining it. Thanks
Dave
Dave
Like I said in the first post (I use it all the time. ) I just wanted a better explanation for a friend.
Sep 18, 2017 10:22:33 #
relie wrote:
Hi again gang, anybody got a good explanation of why to use back button focus? I use it all the time but, have a hard time explaining it. Thanks
Dave
Dave
I use it because it gives me the advantages of continuous focus (when I hold the button) and non-continuous focus (press/focus and release) without any other lever, button or menu setting involved at the time. It also allows me to back button for focus and then half shutter for exposure (I typically shoot aperature mode) INDEPENDENTLY, then do final composition and shoot.
Sep 18, 2017 10:27:17 #
dsmeltz wrote:
I use it all the time. Except one. If I am shooting the finish line in a race. I tried once and found I was holding the back button for 90 minutes straight. My thumb went numb after about 30 minutes. But I could not stop to change it. If I did, I would miss runners. From now on, when I shoot a finish line, I switch back for that shoot.
1. Press button
2. Focus on finish line
3. Release button
As long as you are shooting with enough depth of field to span the line, you are done...
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