DJ Mills Loc: Idaho

You've got that right. It's virtually impossible to explain to anyone, but it is the best change I have made to my settings.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

If the camera is on a tripod is should be solid and you should be SQUEEZING the camera....thumb on BBF button, other fingers gripping from the front, just like if camera is hand-held. Just pushing the BBF button from the back can cause camera/tripod shifting.

jpgto Loc: North East Tennessee

The thing I corrected by changing to BBF was the inadvertent trips of the shutter! Without BBF the shutter was required to be pushed 1/2 way down, focus and push further to actuate the shutter. I had a number of times for one reason or another I would accidentally depress the release without focusing! Losing the shot! It was strange at first but the more you use it the easier it is. Remember, BBF then shutter! Have fun, practice, practice and practice more!

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

I have experimented with continuous focus and BBF as you mentioned but need more practice with that I guess. My success rate wasn't something to write home about . I need to review the manual :)

jonfrei

From my perspective (I have been using BBF on my personal and work Nikon & Fuji cameras for about 10 years now):

Advantages
- INSTANT switching between static focusing and continuous focusing (release the button, focus is locked, hold the button, focus tracks).
- Makes the half-shutter press available to be exposure-lock (which is how I set mine most of the time when I am in aperture priority mode).
- Makes me intentionally grip the camera (to put my thumb over the button), lending to better stability, as well as not accidentally hitting any of the several buttons that are in the vicinity of my thumb.
- You can pre-focus a shot, then hand someone else the camera to take the shot.
- You don’t have to worry about focus shift when doing repetitive work (say, copy-stand, impression work, or a production-line photo directory) every time you press the shutter.

Disadvantages
- You can’t hand your camera to anyone to take a shot without either pre-focusing for them, or explaining BBF.
- A split-second of “why isn’t it focusing” when you use someone else’s camera.

I’m sure your camera manual will tell you how to enable BBF (though it may not call it that!), if someone from the forum hasn’t already given you the step-by-step...

I love it. My primary recreational shooting buddy hates it. Give it a try. If you like it, go with it. If not, nobody’s feelings are going to get hurt - I promise! :)

jonfrei

BBF is still auto-focus — you are just using the button to choose the focus point. Manual focus is when you are turning the focus ring on your lens - something else altogether.

jonfrei

Not always an option...

jonfrei

You focus when you set up the shot. If you need dynamic focus each shutter trip, re-enable it on the shutter button for that session.

jonfrei

That’s the beauty of BBF — once you release the button, focus is fixed. You don’t need to hold it while the shutter is being pressed {unless you want continuous focus}.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I use center point BBF focusing and single center-point metering.
When I hand my camera to someone else to take a picture, I set it to AUTO - It reverts back to half-press multi-point focusing and non single point metering - I don't have to explain anything, just squeeze here.
Very handy.

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

What brand? I think Canon does that, but almost sure my Nikon D7200 doesn't

MikeT9

.

dwmoar Loc: Oregon, Willamette Valley

How hard is it to switch it to "Auto" before handing it to someone else....

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Yes, Canon.
(I lucked out as my wife would not want me to explain BBF and spot metering. )

PierreD

I use is all the time and don't notice that it results in sharper photos... But, it dissociates focus from exposure and so tends to result in better exposed photos, IMO. This said, it takes a bit of neuronal re-wiring to get used to it and many people who don't use it obviously take great shots.