Back button focus: Just curious as to how many sports photographers use BBF? I have traditionally used the shutter button for focus and release. In an attempt to increase my percentage...

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

Just curious as to how many sports photographers use BBF?

I have traditionally used the shutter button for focus and release. In an attempt to increase my percentage of sharp photos (and from reading/watching videos on the topic), I thought I would try BBF. I know it will take a while before the finger, thumb, eye coordination becomes as one, but I do not see a marked difference yet between my old way and the BBF method. A slight case of right thumb tendonitis, now resolved, didn’t help matters either.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Are you holding the assigned BBF button during the entire shooting process? Is your Canon camera in AF Servo AI or Nikon Continuous (AF-C)?

Do you raise the camera to your eye, first press the assigned BBF with your thumb, begin tracking the action / subject while engaging the AF?

Do you press the shutter to release a short burst of images?

Do you release first the shutter button (index finger) and then the BBF?

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Personally, as a long time sports shooter, I prefer to use the half-press on the shutter button for AF activation. Been doing that forever and it is much more comfortable for me. (Tried it didn't like BBF!) Just wanted to let you know that not everyone uses BBF. Best of luck.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Chicago312 wrote:

Just curious as to how many sports photographers u... (show quote)

I have been using bbf forever and truly like it.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

Many folks have gotten good results with BBF but to tell the truth, I tried it and found it's hard to change a habit that's been working well since 1958. (Well, sometimes well, other times just OK or not at all)

rickberns Loc: Conroe, Texas

Chicago312 wrote:

Just curious as to how many sports photographers u... (show quote)

Stephen,
I've been using BBF since I started using the dslr and now mirrorless canon camera's. I have a button for single point (that I can quickly change to one of the other configurations by rotating the ring on the rf-to-ef adapter), 1 button for eye-tracking and actually another button for the single-spot focus point (the smallest focus point). I just move my thumb around on the buttons where I get a lock on focus depending on the action. None of them are perfect but I couldn't even imagine trying to do focusing manually like in the older days of sports photography.

Rick

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Chicago312 wrote:

Just curious as to how many sports photographers u... (show quote)

The button you use has no bearing on the sharpness of your image. Like many things in photography BBF is simply a technique. Another is shutter speeds. Application of techniques is what separates experience from novice. If your sports photographs are not more improved by using something with which you are uncomfortable then stop using it. Achieving focus in sports photography is very difficult b/c of the speeds and directions involved. People who do it for their living are very, very good at it. Not everyone can be.

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

CHG_CANON wrote:

Are you holding the assigned BBF button during the entire shooting process? Is your Canon camera in AF Servo AI or Nikon Continuous (AF-C)?

Do you raise the camera to your eye, first press the assigned BBF with your thumb, begin tracking the action / subject while engaging the AF?

Do you press the shutter to release a short burst of images?

Do you release first the shutter button (index finger) and then the BBF?

I’m in AF-C. I did hold the assigned BBF button for a while during one b-ball game, moving the camera/lens around for focus. Then the thumb started to hurt. So, I pressed the BBF only when I started tracking a player, pressing the shutter button when the subject started to fill the frame (while still holding down on the BBF).
I shoot mostly short bursts (3-5 frames) at a time
BBF first, shutter button when player within range.

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

cjc2 wrote:

Personally, as a long time sports shooter, I prefer to use the half-press on the shutter button for AF activation. Been doing that forever and it is much more comfortable for me. (Tried it didn't like BBF!) Just wanted to let you know that not everyone uses BBF. Best of luck.

Thanks Chris, I appreciate that. I know a number of professionals swear by the BBF, but it’s good to know that I’m not the only one who focuses with the shutter button

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

Jules Karney wrote:

I have been using bbf forever and truly like it.

Thanks Jules. I’m trying it out this season.

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

CPR wrote:

Many folks have gotten good results with BBF but to tell the truth, I tried it and found it's hard to change a habit that's been working well since 1958. (Well, sometimes well, other times just OK or not at all)

I agree - habits are definitely hard to change. I thought I would give it a try and see if it makes a difference

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

rickberns wrote:

Stephen, br I've been using BBF since I started us... (show quote)

Rick,
I started off in the days of manual focus - certainly a challenge with sports like basketball. No BBF then. So, I’ve never gotten accustomed with the BBF, but thought I would give a try to see if there’s any difference.
Stephen

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

davidrb wrote:

The button you use has no bearing on the sharpness... (show quote)

Thanks David, that’s good advice. I think the number of pros who swear by BBF got my attention, and so I thought I would try it out, though it is definitely out if my comfort zone. I’ll keep trying BBF for a few more games.
Stephen

tom kf4wol

I have always used Back Button Focus.

My Nikon D3s has the button for it, My Nikon D-610 is set for the ael button for BBF.

Used it so long it is natural. When I pick up one of the Year Book Kids Camera's at school out of habit I reach for a BBF to find the kids are using shutter release only.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday Season.

tom

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

tom kf4wol wrote:

I have always used Back Button Focus.

My Nikon D3s has the button for it, My Nikon D-610 is set for the ael button for BBF.

Used it so long it is natural. When I pick up one of the Year Book Kids Camera's at school out of habit I reach for a BBF to find the kids are using shutter release only.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday Season.

tom