Back Button Focusing
Feb 28, 2020 10:33:25 #
Hi All...I recently saw an article about Back Button Focusing and I am intrigued. What does everyone think. Is it easier than manual focus in certain situations? Just curious. Rita
Feb 28, 2020 10:47:44 #
The only issue I had with back button focusing was getting thumb knuckle smears on my glasses 
Feb 28, 2020 10:47:49 #
?? - auto focus is easier than manual focus in nearly all situations, regardless of which button is assigned to the auto focus activation.
Feb 28, 2020 10:52:21 #
SewClever wrote:
Welcome to the Hog, Rita! Hi All...I recently saw an article about Back Button Focusing and I am intrigued. What does everyone think. Is it easier than manual focus in certain situations? Just curious. Rita
I'm not going to answer your question directly; rather, I just want to introduce you to the concept of UHH's Search function. It is not ideal and does not list results in chronological order. Using the Search phrase, "BBF Back Button Focus", I got a couple of dozen results, including these from 2019 and 2020:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-571723-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-578180-1.html
Aside from any direct answers you receive here, I encourage you to try this function out. Also, some answers (or questions like yours,) actually depend on what make & model camera is being employed. So in your case, it might help if you listed which camera bodies you use.
lev29
Feb 28, 2020 10:55:53 #
I would agree that in general af is easier so long as you have the af target symbol where you want it. However, I never use it when doing closeups/still lifes off a tripod. It’s been a great invention. I use bbf all the time and dc the focus function from the shutter release.
Feb 28, 2020 10:56:30 #
timcc
Loc: Virginia
With backbutton focus, you are simply substituting a button for the halfway shutter release focus. If you set the camera for continuous focus, you can either lock in focus with a single push on the button or hold the button down for continuous focus for, say, a moving subject. It is very convenient, and once you get used to it, you will probably never look back.
Feb 28, 2020 11:05:24 #
timcc wrote:
With backbutton focus, you are simply substituting a button for the halfway shutter release focus. If you set the camera for continuous focus, you can either lock in focus with a single push on the button or hold the button down for continuous focus for, say, a moving subject. It is very convenient, and once you get used to it, you will probably never look back.
Well put Tim.
Feb 28, 2020 11:16:53 #
Kozan
Loc: Trenton Tennessee
SewClever wrote:
Hi All...I recently saw an article about Back Button Focusing and I am intrigued. What does everyone think. Is it easier than manual focus in certain situations? Just curious. Rita
One of the advantages to BBF is that you have AF-C and AF-S in one button. If you press the button and let go the camera is in AF-S. That is, it focuses as long as the button is pressed. Remove your thumb and the camera is focused and remains on that one focus spot. For static subjects, that's all you have to do. But, if you are taking a photograph of a moving object such as a bird-in-flight, a football player, or a NASCAR racer, you need the continuous AF! It is very handy to just place your thumb on the button and fire away.
Feb 28, 2020 11:23:55 #
Auto focus is faster and easier then manual focus. Back button focus, once your camera is set up for it, locks in the focus and you can recompose. No need to hold the button like you would with using the shutter button half way to focus and accidently depressing it while attempting to focus.
Feb 28, 2020 11:31:40 #
Feb 28, 2020 11:32:27 #
Feb 28, 2020 11:33:29 #
Feb 28, 2020 11:43:09 #
BBF is great. Once you get used to it, I doubt you'll go back. AF is faster than manual focus.
Feb 28, 2020 11:53:19 #
I love BBF!
I have control of auto-focusing separate from the exposure control.
Once I found my camera supported it, I set it and never went back.
I have control of auto-focusing separate from the exposure control.
Once I found my camera supported it, I set it and never went back.
Feb 28, 2020 12:23:56 #
SewClever wrote:
Hi All...I recently saw an article about Back Button Focusing and I am intrigued. What does everyone think. Is it easier than manual focus in certain situations? Just curious. Rita
I have used back button focus for over 20 years and will never go back doing anything else! If you really like manual focusing, stick to it, but in many situations I do prefer auto focusing (its just faster), so I stick to it, and when it comes to auto focusing, the back button method is the one for me!
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