Back Button Focus Advantages and Disadvantages: I know this has been much discussed, but recently I have seen several articles on Facebook stating that Back Button Focus can make your...

SIMIBILL

I know this has been much discussed, but recently I have seen several articles on Facebook stating that Back Button Focus can make your photos sharper than auto focus.
Would some of you who use it please explain what you feel are the advantages and if any the disadvantages of Back Button Focus.

Also how to set up Back Button Focus on my Canon 80D.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

SIMIBILL wrote:

I know this has been much discussed, but recently I have seen several articles on Facebook stating that Back Button Focus can make your photos sharper than auto focus.
Would some of you who use it please explain what you feel are the advantages and if any the disadvantages of Back Button Focus.

Also how to set up Back Button Focus on my Canon 80D.

Using BFF can give you a better grip on the camera which allows you to hold the camera a little more steady than if you are focusing with the shutter button. BFF also eliminates accidental release of the shutter.
BFF works with AF, so whoever said that it is better than AF has his head up his kazoo.

I use Nikon so I can't tell you how to set up your camera for BFF, but it's a pretty sure bet that you can find it in your manual.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

BBF is an ergonomic disadvantage for people who use their left eye for the VF......

IMO, BBF is also a mental disadvantage (slower) for older people doing BIF's

I have adopted a hybrid version where I use the BB for focus lock and shutter for AF.
.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

SIMIBILL wrote:

I have seen several articles on Facebook .

That is the LAST place I would look for GOOD info !
.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Here is a short video that shows the steps to set it up on your 80D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91roCC0uwN4

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

SIMIBILL wrote:

I know this has been much discussed, but recently I have seen several articles on Facebook stating that Back Button Focus can make your photos sharper than auto focus.
Would some of you who use it please explain what you feel are the advantages and if any the disadvantages of Back Button Focus.

Also how to set up Back Button Focus on my Canon 80D.

I don't see any disadvantages at all. Initially it will feel weird, but after a few outings it will be perfectly natural. My experience has not produced sharper images when using BBF. Being able to quickly focus on something and recompose without reacquiring focus is a big advantage. Also, being able to leave the camera in Continuous Servo mode, holding the BBF button in for focus and releasing it for still subjects. Not having to switch between AF-C and AF-S is a big advantage.

On your camera you must have an AEL button that performs Autofocus when you press it. All you have to do is disable AF on shutter half press in the camera menu and you should be fine.

hcmcdole

The biggest disadvantage is handing the camera to someone else to take a photo of you in a group. I gave my camera to my son-in-law last week to take a picture of my wife, our grandson (just graduated from HS), and myself and the focus was off even after I explained what he needed to do. I rarely have anyone else use my camera so I will keep it on BFF despite this hard to grasp concept.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

I was always taught to slowly squeze the shutter. So I have the 1/2 press turned of f and use bbf. I get sharper photos that way

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

SIMIBILL wrote:

I know this has been much discussed, but recently I have seen several articles on Facebook stating that Back Button Focus can make your photos sharper than auto focus.
Would some of you who use it please explain what you feel are the advantages and if any the disadvantages of Back Button Focus.

Also how to set up Back Button Focus on my Canon 80D.

Back Button focus is auto focus!!

dannac Loc: 60 miles SW of New Orleans

SIMIBILL wrote:

Facebook stating that Back Button Focus can make your photos sharper than auto focus.

Do not believe it gives sharper images, but do believe it has advantages.

Quote:

Would some of you who use it please explain what you feel are the advantages and if any the disadvantages of Back Button Focus.

imagemeister wrote:

BBF is an ergonomic disadvantage for people who use their left eye for the VF......

I agree with this as I am a left eye shooter ( left eye is my dominant eye ) but I simply
moved the control to a button on the front of the camera that falls directly under the middle
finger of my right hand.

Gene51 wrote:

Being able to quickly focus on something and recompose without reacquiring focus is a big advantage.
Also, being able to leave the camera in Continuous Servo mode, holding the BBF button in for focus and releasing it for still subjects.
Not having to switch between AF-C and AF-S is a big advantage.

+1

How to find your dominat eye

https://www.allaboutvision.com/resources/dominant-eye-test.htm

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I use single center point when I use AF, so I like having the BBF instead of focusing part of the metering button. If needed, I can focus on one thing, meter on another (lock it in), recompose and shoot. I will never quit using BBF.
Other than getting used to using the BBF button, I cannot think of any disadvantage for me.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Steve Perry, a member here, and author of "Secrets to Stunning Wildlife Photography" (among other books) is the guru of BBF. At his written recommendation, I set it up on my D500 for birding and never looked back. I like it and got so use to it, I set it up on my D850, which I use for everything else including portraits and landscapes. It lets one switch instantly from AF-C to AF-S and back again. What's not to like?

Bill_de Loc: US

imagemeister wrote:

BBF is an ergonomic disadvantage for people who use their left eye for the VF......

IMO, BBF is also a mental disadvantage (slower) for older people doing BIF's

I have adopted a hybrid version where I use the BB for focus lock and shutter for AF.
.

That's what I use. It allows me to keep my thumb on the joystick so I can move the focus point around.

I think the biggest advantge people gained by going to BBF was that they were taught to always use continuous focus and lock focus when needed. From many comments I've read here a lot of folks never used contiuous focus all the time before going to bbf. Once you use continuous focus the choice is to use the back button to focus or to lock focus. The result is the same.

--

jrl11528

For me there is an advantage to BBF that generally seems to escape the discussion - taking a high-stress photo, my fine motor skills stink, and I can "miss" the halfway point with the shutter button. But I can mash the BBF button with my thumb and click the shutter with my index finger. This is SOOC not a crop, and I don't think I would have gotten this fellow as well without BBF.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

SIMIBILL wrote:

I know this has been much discussed, but recently I have seen several articles on Facebook stating that Back Button Focus can make your photos sharper than auto focus.
Would some of you who use it please explain what you feel are the advantages and if any the disadvantages of Back Button Focus.

Also how to set up Back Button Focus on my Canon 80D.

I shoot a lot of birds. I assign my rear button to single point (spot) focus when my bird is in branches and I want the camera to focus on the bird, not the branches in front of the bird. My default focus setting is group auto focus for birds in flight. My keep rate using the factory recommended shutter button located on top of camera is currently 98%.