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New to back button focusing
May 24, 2022 00:29:15 #
How does one lock focus when the target is not yet in view. I’m photographing dogs doing dock diving. At the start of their run, the dogs are not yet in view. They only come into view at the end of the dock. When I was using the half shutter press, I could pre focus on the end of the dock, and the dog would be in focus when it crossed that point. However, with BBF if I pre focus at the end of the dock, the focus point remains on the dock, and when I start to track the dog, the focus is still on the dock. How do I get the focus point to shift from the dock to the dog when using BBF. I’m using a 5D IV with spot metering and AI servo. Thanks.
May 24, 2022 03:37:39 #
If I recall correctly, you need to hold down whatever button you have assigned for focusing while you are on the subject. Check YouTube as there are a bunch of videos on the topic. It takes a bit of getting used to.
May 24, 2022 06:07:55 #
tcthome
Loc: NJ
If your camera has a AF-ON button, (might be able to program another button depending on your camera model customization options, if at all) you need to go into the menu. Set it for Back Button Focus only. Focus the spot you want to & let go of the button. The focus point shouldn't move until you press the AF-ON button or which ever button you program to BBF. Read your manual. It will have all the info you need. The other option would be to set the camera & lens to manual focus, focus on the desired point & don't touch it at all. This leaves the AF system out of the shooting all together & can be adjusted manually if need be. Good luck & have fun.
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May 24, 2022 06:12:03 #
Use A1 servo focusing. as long as you keep the assigned button pressed it is continuously focusing. of course you have to keep the focus point on the subject as well.
May 24, 2022 07:04:38 #
AI Servo is continuous focus, whether you assign to BBF or leave on the shutter half-pressed. The idea is that when you get the subject into the frame, running dogs in this situation, once you process and hold the AF in AI Servo, the camera will continue to track and adjust the focus as the subject moves, particularly when the distance changes between the subject and the camera.
Using your EOS 5DIV, look at using a zone AF, a 9-point box of AF points. Judge where you want the subject to appear in the frame when selecting which box position to use. Sometimes, tracking a moving subject is best (easiest) using the center box with the subject centered in the frame. As soon as you can focus on the dog(s), begin tracking by holding the BBF and getting that box on their face. Continuously hold the BBF as you track the moving subject to continuously engage the AF system. Pan with their movement and press the shutter when they reach the position to capture a burst of frames. Release the shutter first and then the BBF when done shooting.
Using your EOS 5DIV, look at using a zone AF, a 9-point box of AF points. Judge where you want the subject to appear in the frame when selecting which box position to use. Sometimes, tracking a moving subject is best (easiest) using the center box with the subject centered in the frame. As soon as you can focus on the dog(s), begin tracking by holding the BBF and getting that box on their face. Continuously hold the BBF as you track the moving subject to continuously engage the AF system. Pan with their movement and press the shutter when they reach the position to capture a burst of frames. Release the shutter first and then the BBF when done shooting.
May 24, 2022 08:09:20 #
When you "pre-focus" with 1/2 press of the shutter button, doesn't the camera re-focus when you click the shutter button to take the picture? Why then pre-focus?
With BBF on my camera, the BBF button focuses, and pressing the shutter button does not activate the focus mechanism at all.
I have my camera set to "servo", and as long as I have the BBF button pressed, the camera continually focuses, stopping the focus function when I release the BBF. If I press the BBF button and release, the camera focuses once, until I press the BBF button again.
With BBF on my camera, the BBF button focuses, and pressing the shutter button does not activate the focus mechanism at all.
I have my camera set to "servo", and as long as I have the BBF button pressed, the camera continually focuses, stopping the focus function when I release the BBF. If I press the BBF button and release, the camera focuses once, until I press the BBF button again.
May 24, 2022 08:14:22 #
If I understand correctly, if the subject it going to be at a certain location, manually focus on that location. When it arrives, click the shutter.
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May 24, 2022 08:33:19 #
jerryc41 wrote:
If I understand correctly, if the subject it going to be at a certain location, manually focus on that location. When it arrives, click the shutter.
What we used to do before AF....
May 24, 2022 08:42:40 #
jerryc41 wrote:
If I understand correctly, if the subject it going to be at a certain location, manually focus on that location. When it arrives, click the shutter.
Jerry you have been on here long enough to know better. To whom are you responding? By the way. I shoot with A1 Servo all the time. No need to change it.
May 24, 2022 09:54:41 #
foathog wrote:
Jerry you have been on here long enough to know better. To whom are you responding? By the way. I shoot with A1 Servo all the time. No need to change it.
Like most other responders, I was responding to the OP. Do I have to Quote the OP now? New rule?
May 24, 2022 09:57:55 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Like most other responders, I was responding to the OP. Do I have to Quote the OP now? New rule?
Sometimes it may be difficult to associate a reply with the OP. Mostly understood that no "Quote Reply" is to the OP, but sometime I wonder also.
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May 24, 2022 10:19:42 #
Longshadow wrote:
Sometimes it may be difficult to associate a reply with the OP. Mostly understood that no "Quote Reply" is to the OP, but sometime I wonder also.
I understand.
May 24, 2022 11:47:33 #
It's quite simple. Focus on the end of the dock. When the dog gets there click the shutter button. No need to refocus.
May 24, 2022 11:52:06 #
kpmac wrote:
It's quite simple. Focus on the end of the dock. When the dog gets there click the shutter button. No need to refocus.
In manual focus?
May 24, 2022 17:09:23 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
AI Servo is continuous focus, whether you assign t... (show quote)
Thanks, Paul. Other than using the 9-point zone, this is what I have been doing. I think with a bit more practice I should be able to get the shots I want. The problem is that because the dogs are moving at speed, I tend to zoom out, in order to make sure I get them in the frame. The flip side of being zoomed out is that its harder to set the focus point on the dog. Using a 9-point zone should make this easier. Thanks for the tip.
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