Back Button Focusing Confusion
Nov 24, 2019 18:29:49 #
lamiaceae wrote:
What brand, what model camera, what model lens? I see "AI" so are you using a Nikon?
Personally, since I don't really shoot moving birds or people, I don't mess with the BBF set up at all. I've tried it and it confuses me. Too many years shooting film manually I guess.
Personally, since I don't really shoot moving birds or people, I don't mess with the BBF set up at all. I've tried it and it confuses me. Too many years shooting film manually I guess.
Gee, thanx!
That was helpful!
Nov 24, 2019 18:33:06 #
Generally with moving subjects, keep your autofocus button depressed (be that half-pressed shutter button or independent focus button), and when you want to take the actual image, fully press the shutter button - it’s not actually that difficult!
Nov 24, 2019 20:00:52 #
smussler
Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY
Attached is Steve Perry's "book" / PDF for setting up BBF on Nikons. Right in beginning of document he states document is free to share - so I'm sharing it. One disadvantage to BBF - in low light, your camera will not use the focus assist light - or whatever it's called. Some one mentioned that BBF doesn't work on Cannon cameras in auto mode. That's a plus I think. Just checked my Nikon D5600. It remains in BBF mode in auto mode.
Battery life is supposedly a bit better with BBF. But if you're keeping the button pressed for action shots, I imagine that's not the case. Steve Perry discusses how VR behaves with BBF - a concern I had recently.
Correction - 3rd page - feel free to share with friends . . . I'll have to ask my daughter, a lawyer, what constitutes a "Friend" . . .
Battery life is supposedly a bit better with BBF. But if you're keeping the button pressed for action shots, I imagine that's not the case. Steve Perry discusses how VR behaves with BBF - a concern I had recently.
Correction - 3rd page - feel free to share with friends . . . I'll have to ask my daughter, a lawyer, what constitutes a "Friend" . . .
Nov 24, 2019 20:03:58 #
smussler wrote:
Attached is Steve Perry's "book" / PDF f... (show quote)
Do own the right to distribute copies of this book .... ?
Nov 24, 2019 20:30:36 #
smussler
Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY
CHG_CANON wrote:
Do own the right to distribute copies of this book .... ?
First page, Steve Perry state's feel free to share the document (Distribute?) He also says that this document is only covering about 6% of what's in his book - as far as focusing issues go. I'm going to check that book out when I get the chance. After watching his video on youtube, I switched to BFF, but I find myself forgetting to focus occasionally.
As you mentioned - and I agree, the manufacturer's manual pretty much covers the how to set everything on your camera, but not the why. Hence my purchasing two books that are specific to my camera make and model.
Nov 24, 2019 20:36:32 #
smussler wrote:
First page, Steve Perry state's feel free to share... (show quote)
Definitely purchase Steve’s ebook. Fantastic book for anyone with a Nikon DSLR. Answers many if not all AF questions. Worth every penny.
Nov 24, 2019 20:46:43 #
smussler
Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY
ronpier wrote:
Definitely purchase Steve’s ebook. Fantastic book for anyone with a Nikon DSLR. Answers many if not all AF questions. Worth every penny.
Is that book only available as a PDF? If so, can it be printed - or is printing disabled?
To answer my own questions, FAQ on his site answers the questions. 1) - Only PDF available. 2) You can get it printed by a third party for personal use. I'll be ordering it when I get in front of my desktop system.
Nov 24, 2019 20:59:25 #
I think PDF only. Well worth $22 incl tax since it’s 495 pages long. Amazingly easy to understand and very comprehensive. Answered questions that I had that no other source came close to answering.
Nov 25, 2019 09:46:45 #
Thanks for the concern about the BBAF booklet, but that one can be distributed freely. Enjoy!
Nov 25, 2019 14:44:39 #
Silverrails wrote:
Sorry, I did not mean You personally, I was just referring to any unspecific Knowledgeable Photographers would NOT use FULL AUTO in their DSLR or MIRRORLESS Cameras, it sounds like you are well versed in Photography, knowing the 4 non-Auto modes, P=Program, S=Shutter, A=Aperture, M=Manual, again my Apology.
Not a problem. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
😁😁
Nov 25, 2019 15:30:22 #
Steve Perry wrote:
Thanks for the concern about the BBAF booklet, but that one can be distributed freely. Enjoy!
Steve Perry;
God bless you and your family and thank you for all you give us.
bruce
Nov 25, 2019 22:00:01 #
smussler
Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY
Steve Perry wrote:
Thanks for the concern about the BBAF booklet, but that one can be distributed freely. Enjoy!
Thanks for your response. I thought I was OK with uploading that booklet. I'm on vacation right now, but when I get home, I'll be ordering your book. So much more to focusing DSLR's than in the days I was using my various Minolta film cameras. Sharp photo's were more the norm for me back then. More to learn
(and remember) with the newer technologies and older eye balls.
Nov 29, 2019 16:18:46 #
philo wrote:
if you don't erase the focus from the shutter button it will refocus and you lose the bbf.
You have to remove the focus from the shutter button, or you are not using the back button focus.
That said, the button works just like the shutter button, hold it down when you are on a moving subject and release it when you want to lock focus and change composition. Once you get used to it, it is really easy and intuitive.
Nov 29, 2019 16:20:04 #
Steve Perry wrote:
Thanks for the concern about the BBAF booklet, but that one can be distributed freely. Enjoy!
Everything that Steve publishes is great.
Nov 29, 2019 21:23:10 #
On Nikon bodies, I have D500 and D7500 for wildlife, you can shoot a single image by using the BBF and then pressing the shutter. For moving objects, like birds in flight, you hold down continuously on the BBF button and also on the shutter. You need to use AF-C (Nikon's equivalent to Canon's AI-servo) and the camera will track your subject. I prefer single point focusing, others may recommend a grid. Check these videos out by Tony Northrup, they shows you why it is a good thing. I use it 100% of the time, even for stills. You just need to develop the muscle memory so it becomes second nature. https://youtu.be/8PN9R0D3pF0 and https://youtu.be/y2yz-wrZYCI.
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