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Back Button Focus
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Jul 5, 2018 17:53:09   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
grandpaw wrote:
Where it really shines is on sports, wildlife and family photos. You need to have continuous focus turned on to really benefit from BBF. Press and release for still subjects and press and hold down for action.


That does point out the difference between BBF and using half press of the shutter button. Using the shutter for focus and exposure and the back button to lock focus and exposure, you don't touch the back button for moving subjects, but hold it to recompose still subjects.

With both methods having continuous focus turned on all the time is the key.

--

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Jul 5, 2018 18:21:20   #
grandpaw
 
Bill_de wrote:
That does point out the difference between BBF and using half press of the shutter button. Using the shutter for focus and exposure and the back button to lock focus and exposure, you don't touch the back button for moving subjects, but hold it to recompose still subjects.

With both methods having continuous focus turned on all the time is the key.

--

When you use bbf the shutter button no longer will focus at all. To lock focus you press and get focus then release to take a shot or recompose and take a shot. If your subject is moving you just hold the rear button down and it will continue to focuse as you move with the subject. You do need to have continuos focus turned on for this to work properly. When you have it set up right you have instant access to both methods of focusing. It takes a little getting use to but after you do I don’t think you will ever go back to using the shutter button for focus again. Some people do go back but it is very few.

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Jul 5, 2018 18:25:49   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
inclinerr wrote:
I have a Nikon D3400 camera with the two kit lens 18-55 and 70-300. My enjoyment with this camera in my retirement is just wonderful.
However I read about changing the button on the back to do the focus and use only the shutter release to take the picture.
Now I am juggling using two buttons 1) to focus and 2) snap the picture. This sometimes has caused me to miss an action shot.
Has anyone else tried out this arrangement of buttons on their camera and what are your opinions, advantages, and or short comings?

Here is a 3 photos showing what I have shot with the camera using the 55-300 lens.
I have a Nikon D3400 camera with the two kit lens ... (show quote)


It takes a few days of shooting to develop the coordination and reflexes to press the button to shot a single shot in focus, or to hold it down to shoot a burst. Just be patient.

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Jul 5, 2018 18:48:44   #
Katydid Loc: Davis, CA
 
I finally tried it when I got my D500 just recently. I absolutely love it. It only took a couple of weeks at most to get used to it. It became so natural and unconsciousand quick that in the beginning that I believed my camera was focusing itself! I put off trying it for so long as I am easily intimidated by any type of devices. It was a very easy and enjoyable transition for me. You will only know whether you like it if you try it out yourself.

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Jul 6, 2018 05:47:03   #
John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK
 
It took me quite a while to get used to it. My top tip is not to start using it in Autumn, preceeding Winter as it (the buttons) are not so easy to access when gloved. But if you are prepared to wait for bug life or avian action on a certain spot you can set and forget your focus and concentrate on the shot.

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Jul 6, 2018 06:47:12   #
lowbone
 
I set it up in reverse. In other words for focus and recompose instead of releasing the back button to stop focus, I push it to stop focus. It works well for me that way. I live in a cold climate and when the temps fall below zero I found the traditional way of using BBF was not working for me. There are three very small buttons in the back of my camera and I found it too hard to push the correct one when wearing gloves and having a frozen thumb. At times like that I don’t use it at all. Whatever works for you is the right way.

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Jul 6, 2018 06:48:33   #
Red Sky At Night
 
After watching Steve Perry’s clip on BBF I started using it for shooting my puppies in action and fell instantly in love. Maybe because I’m fairly new to photography it was easy to get used to because I wasn’t already used to the standard approach. I now have a lot more useable photos than I was getting before.

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Jul 6, 2018 06:58:41   #
Bullfrog Bill Loc: CT
 
[quote=AndyH]It drives me crazy, absolutely stark raving bonkers.

Here's why: BBF is obviously better for more artistic compositions of architecture, landscapes, still life, etc. This is my favorite type of photography and using it separately from exposure locking gives me a lot more creative control.

But if I'm shooting sports, wildlife, family photos, or some work-related documentary shots, I need continuous autofocus mode, and I never remember to switch the damn thing back. I suppose I will eventually get in the habit of checking image format (I delete dozens of unused RAW files I've taken for work that don't even demand a large JPEG) and focus method every single time I pick up my camera. Eventually may be a long time, though!


Andy[/quote
That is the point of BBF - you don’t Jane to change back any forth between single servo and continuous auto focus. Set camera to continuous. If you want single for static objects, focus with BB, release bb and recompose. If you want continuous simply hold the B.B. until you snap the photo.

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Jul 6, 2018 07:31:24   #
avemal Loc: BALTIMORE
 
Back Button Focus

Also for your DSLR

https://backcountrygallery.com/nikon-d500-review/

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Jul 6, 2018 07:41:00   #
DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA
 
I used bbf for water tubing from the back of a boat. Got great results out to 200 mm. Did not turn off the shutter release half press function

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Jul 6, 2018 07:48:40   #
mborn Loc: Massachusetts
 
Shutterbug57 wrote:
Set the back button to AF-C and you are done. Moving subject, hold down the back button. Still subject, press to focus & release. Want to decompose a still subject, press to focus, let up and reframe.


Right on!

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Jul 6, 2018 08:00:27   #
jpgto Loc: North East Tennessee
 
I use BBF and have for a while with some failures and some success! The success comes when I remember to use BBF! In a rush to capture an
action image I am finding auto focus is the winner. Your posted images demonstrate clarity, good composition, colors and with the
first two very good bokeh. My vote is you're doing a great job. Have fun. As my camera guru and mentor has told me repeatedly,
"shoot, shoot, shoot and shoot some more. And practice, practice, practice and practice some more"! Remember it is digital not film, if
it don't work 'delete' it!

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Jul 6, 2018 08:10:46   #
mgoldfield
 
srt101fan wrote:
Andy, with back-button focus, keep the camera set to continuous focus. If your subject is static, just push and release the button to focus; if it's moving, push and hold the button.


Thank you!

That's exactly how to set up BBF.
Once you get used to BBF, you can't live without it.

If you think about it, it makes no sense to be forced to
refocus for every shot.

I use BBF on my Canon Rebel, thanks to Tony Northrop.

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Jul 6, 2018 08:11:06   #
pahtspix
 
You'll get used to it..I find that BBF is the BEST for ALL my shooting(except of course for long exposure macro!) I've been using BBF now for over 3 years with both my Nikon d7000, and my D500!

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Jul 6, 2018 08:15:54   #
ole sarg Loc: south florida
 
Remember, for some people if you can make things more complex it has to be better!


inclinerr wrote:
I have a Nikon D3400 camera with the two kit lens 18-55 and 70-300. My enjoyment with this camera in my retirement is just wonderful.
However I read about changing the button on the back to do the focus and use only the shutter release to take the picture.
Now I am juggling using two buttons 1) to focus and 2) snap the picture. This sometimes has caused me to miss an action shot.
Has anyone else tried out this arrangement of buttons on their camera and what are your opinions, advantages, and or short comings?

Here is a 3 photos showing what I have shot with the camera using the 55-300 lens.
I have a Nikon D3400 camera with the two kit lens ... (show quote)

Reply
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