Back Button Autofocus: This may be an old topic, but I just assigned my d7200 AE-L, AF-L button to autofocus. Just wondering who uses back button focus and who doesn't, and is it a...

old poet

This may be an old topic, but I just assigned my d7200 AE-L, AF-L button to autofocus. Just wondering who uses back button focus and who doesn't, and is it a good option. Everything on the Web seems to say it is wonderful. If so, why did Nikon not just build it in?

srt101fan

Les Brown wrote:

This may be an old topic, but I just assigned my d7200 AE-L, AF-L button to autofocus. Just wondering who uses back button focus and who doesn't, and is it a good option. Everything on the Web seems to say it is wonderful. If so, why did Nikon not just build it in?

I Use it and love it. But some people don't like it, and that may be why it's not the standard. Hopefully some here can explain why they don't like it. The only negatives I can see are that button placement and it's physical use may be a little awkward for some people; also some might prefer the original assignment of the button.

Edit: As far as the advantages of back button focus are concerned, you need to look no further than Steve Perry's Backcountry Gallery - https://backcountrygallery.com/ !

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

On my first digital camera I assigned it and used it all the time, but when I got a new camera I couldn't remember why! Maybe I'll learn from this too.

MichaelH Loc: NorCal via Lansing, MI

Les Brown wrote:

This may be an old topic, but I just assigned my d7200 AE-L, AF-L button to autofocus. Just wondering who uses back button focus and who doesn't, and is it a good option. Everything on the Web seems to say it is wonderful. If so, why did Nikon not just build it in?

One of the advantages is that if you have your focus mode set to Continuous then as long as you have your AF-L (or which ever button your have set for AutoFocus) button depressed your camera will be attempting to keep the moving subject in focus. If your subject is still, press the AF button and then the subject is in focus until you change distance from it.

Sometimes your camera "hunts" for focus and this gets rid of refocusing for a static target whenever you press the shutter.
A fellow hedgehog has a great website and put together this booklet:
https://backcountrygallery.com/1/BBAF-Book.pdf

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I use it and will never go back.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I don't, nor am a proponent of it. To me, it's just another do-dad they didn't need on a camera. 1/2 press on the shutter works for me just fine.
--Bob

Les Brown wrote:

This may be an old topic, but I just assigned my d7200 AE-L, AF-L button to autofocus. Just wondering who uses back button focus and who doesn't, and is it a good option. Everything on the Web seems to say it is wonderful. If so, why did Nikon not just build it in?

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

rmalarz wrote:

I don't, nor am a proponent of it. 1/2 press on the shutter works for me just fine.
--Bob

I'm the same.
Pat

Laura72568 Loc: Anderson TX

I think BBF, especially for bird photography, is a great tool! I’m so used to it now, I can’t imagine not having it.

SnappyHappy Loc: Chapin, SC “The Capitol of Lake Murray”

For moving subjects it’s the most accurate continuous focus I’ve ever used. For landscapes it like having autofocus under manual control. It does take some getting use to in the beginning...kinda like riding a bicycle, but once you learn it beats walking

Stay with it, you’ll end up glad you did.

Vienna74 Loc: Bountiful, Utah now Panama

I use BBF and will never go back. Having focus unlinked from the shutter release is wonderful and allows one to choose between focus and lock and continuous focusing. One never needs to worry about the camera inadvertently refocusing when shooting multiple frames. This is probably the most important thing I have done in the past two years to improve my skills.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Game changer.
One method no one mentioned is to focus using BBF and then take finger off and reframe on a still subjext and when you shoot, the camera does not refocus. You can reframe in rapid succession without needing to move the focus point. If you use shutter button for focus, you would need to move the focus point

In liveview and face tracking this is not an issue of course....mirrorless cameras ditto.

Katydid Loc: Davis, CA

I just started using it two days ago and so far, I really love it. I still haven't gotten used to not focusing with the shutter button yet, but it has not been much of a bother. I take mostly bird photos.
The thing is, it is ridiculously easy to program and use, and I put it off for months and months. It seems I fear anything new!

VTMatwood Loc: Displaced Vermonta in Central New Hampsha

I use it on both my Nikon digital cameras and will never go back to 1/2 press again. My Nikon F5 has a dedicated BBAF "AF On" button on the rear of the camera, so at some point Nikon thought it was a good idea.

Dan R Loc: Way Way Way Upstate NY

I couldn't imagine not having it on a camera. With BBF, you can focus, set everything, and recompose without changing anything, when you press the shutter. In addition to BBF, there are times I use Front Button Focus as well.

Mountainlife

I assigned BBF on my D7000 for some time. It is advantageous. But I often find while I try to press it the movie button gets clicked and is annoying . Also if you give the camera to someone else to shoot your picture they would not be able to focus . So I reverted back to shutter press focus .