Back Button Focus Advantages and Disadvantages
Jun 24, 2019 06:28:22 #
imagemeister wrote:
That is the LAST place I would look for GOOD info !
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Why? Are the people who post there not as smart as those who post here? No one on Facebook knows anything about photography?
Jun 24, 2019 06:43:55 #
Jun 24, 2019 06:51:39 #
John Sh
Loc: Toronto, Australia
Hey.
I'm a month off 80 and use BBF on my Nikon D500. My index finger doesn't work so have an immediate disadvantage with the shutter button, I use my middle finger. envisage this, thumb on BBF button, index finger stuck up in the air, middle finger on the shutter button and the other two holding the grip. All this with a 200-500 lens at full stretch.
BBF, when used properly, ie with continuous focus, allows much faster focusing of BIF simply because you are constantly in focus. Using the half press shutter, on the other hand, means a refocus each and every time you release the button.
These two aircraft were about 3km away when I took the shot.
I'm a month off 80 and use BBF on my Nikon D500. My index finger doesn't work so have an immediate disadvantage with the shutter button, I use my middle finger. envisage this, thumb on BBF button, index finger stuck up in the air, middle finger on the shutter button and the other two holding the grip. All this with a 200-500 lens at full stretch.
BBF, when used properly, ie with continuous focus, allows much faster focusing of BIF simply because you are constantly in focus. Using the half press shutter, on the other hand, means a refocus each and every time you release the button.
These two aircraft were about 3km away when I took the shot.
Jun 24, 2019 07:17:06 #
imagemeister wrote:
That is the LAST place I would look for GOOD info !
.
.
Jun 24, 2019 07:28:45 #
LarryFitz
Loc: Beacon NY
hcmcdole wrote:
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.
I switch to Auto mode when a ask a friend to take a picture, my Canon does not use BBF in auto mode.
Jun 24, 2019 07:30:50 #
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.
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.
It won't give you sharper photos by default. Focused is focused. However, what it will do is lock the focus on the place you choose as the focus point (eyes of a person or animal, for example) and will not change when you press the release. By THAT reasoning, it will give sharper pictures.
The problem with letting the camera focus when you depress the shutter release is that it makes the decision where to focus, and it is not always the best choice. BBF lets you decide, and does not let the camera change it by itself.
That said, I often go back to regular focus (and pay attention to what the camera is choosing before releasing). Street photography, events, rapidly changing action scenes, etc., sometimes require other focus methods. Check if your camera has continuous focus, tracking continuous focus, etc. There are times one of those would be more appropriate.
As for setup - Google "Set back button focus on <your camera brand and model goes here>". It is not really a setting on most cameras, just a way of moving the function from the shutter release to a separate button. That is to say - there is not a menu setting for "Back Button Focus", at least not on many brands.
Jun 24, 2019 07:35:48 #
david vt
Loc: Vermont
I find that BBF really helps me in my sports photography, and just became the default for all of it. Being able to use CF on moving target, set and recompose, and the other situations already mentioned. An example, for me, is being able to set my focus on the center of a high jump bar, release the BBF focus to lock it, and have it exactly there for the next hour of shooting is very helpful.
The one disadvantage, as noted above, is handing the camera to another, but then having it in manual does not work well for them either. I am planning, this summer, to see if I can set up one of my user presets as a “guest user” in auto mode but without BBF to make this easier.
The one disadvantage, as noted above, is handing the camera to another, but then having it in manual does not work well for them either. I am planning, this summer, to see if I can set up one of my user presets as a “guest user” in auto mode but without BBF to make this easier.
Jun 24, 2019 07:36:13 #
Mac wrote:
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.
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.
Hey, Mac. I believe you've got your BFF (best friend forever) mixed up with your BBF. lol
Couldn't resist.
Jun 24, 2019 07:46:52 #
appealnow
Loc: Dallas, Texas
I tried BBF for first time on my last trip. But, when I got to Tanzania on safari I found it tricky and went back to the regular. I couldn't react fast enough. It may have been that I had not used it sufficiently to make it "automatic" and natural. I can see how it would be good for birds, however.
Jun 24, 2019 07:50:18 #
Get a Nikon D850 and it does both, BBF and shutter focus, whichever you choose. Go back and forth. No problem handing your camera off to a family member... do not have to explain BBF
Jun 24, 2019 07:53:41 #
traderjohn wrote:
Why? Are the people who post there not as smart as those who post here? No one on Facebook knows anything about photography?
I think that was referring to the suggestion to “use the manual”.
Jun 24, 2019 07:58:10 #
dhroberts
Loc: Boston, MA, USA
I switched to BBF a few years ago, and I highly recommend it. Set your camera to continuous focus, release priority (at least on a Nikon), and turn off focus by the shutter release. After a little while I found that it became second nature to work this way.
One important advantage of this setup is that if you want to focus on a specific part of a scene and then reimpose, you simply focus where you want, release the AF/ON button, recompose, and take the picture. The camera will not spoil everything by refocusing when you release the shutter.
I agree that when you hand the camera to someone else you'll have to explain what to do!
One important advantage of this setup is that if you want to focus on a specific part of a scene and then reimpose, you simply focus where you want, release the AF/ON button, recompose, and take the picture. The camera will not spoil everything by refocusing when you release the shutter.
I agree that when you hand the camera to someone else you'll have to explain what to do!
Jun 24, 2019 08:16:22 #
imagemeister wrote:
That is the LAST place I would look for GOOD info !
.
.
EVERY place has the possibility of getting erroneous information, even here, but I believe there is a much lower propensity for it happening here.
(Opinions are not necessarily fact, no matter who states them.)
Jun 24, 2019 08:17:27 #
Look up Steve Perry. He has a great article on camera settings and why and how to use back focus.
Jun 24, 2019 08:18:18 #
billnikon wrote:
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%.
Here bis Steve Perry set up on BBF.
I use it and LOVE it on my D500. https://backcountrygallery.com/nikon-d500-review/
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