StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

I’m new to bbf. I’m using Z6ii. I have gotten varying opinions. When using bbf in continuous focus mode and focusing on an eye (for example), do I keep bbf (set to af/on) depressed and then snap OR do I ficus and remove my finger from the af/on button and THEN snap?
Thanks.

pquiggle Loc: Monterey Bay California

As soon as you remove your finger from the button the focus is locked. So if you are taking several shots of a moving subject you want to keep the button pressed so that the autofocus system can track the subject. Just be sure to keep the autofocus point on the part of the subject you want in focus.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

Thanks! Got it. So, for a stationary object, focus, remove finger (lock focus) and snap.

pquiggle Loc: Monterey Bay California

It doesn't really matter if you remove your finger of not before shooting if the subject is stationary. I usually only remove my finger from the button if I want to recompose after focusing.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

Ok. Thanks!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

If you hold your finger on the button any slight movement will cause a refocus. I say focus and release the button for still subjects.

User ID

Try both AFC and AFS. Those offer the two opposite ideas that you mention. You’ll most likely find one is awkward and the other feels just right. Which is for you cannot be predicted. Try both.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

Interesting! Thanks.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

I have been shooting in AFC. Will give AFS a try. Thanks.

twosummers Loc: Melbourne Australia or Lincolnshire England

With BBF you just select your focus point, press your BBF button until the camera focuses and then release the button. This is for stationery objects of course. Then your focussing is done and you can concentrate on taking the shot. Make sure you have disabled AF on the shutter release button or the camera will try and focus again and so defeating the object.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Back button focus is best used when you want to have the advantages of "focus on demand" and not automatically, as well it is enabled on the shutter half press. Most cameras come with a back button already enabled for focus - in your camera it is called AF-On. They are also already enabled with the shutter half press auto focus. Turn off AF with shutter by changing Custom Setting A6 from it's default of ON, to off, and the camera will only focus with the other button, on the back - the one labeled "AF-On".

Used this way it gives you the best of both worlds - focus behavior when you press and release - similar to when you use single shot mode (AF-S) where focus is acquired with a half press, and if you recompose without lifting your finger, the focus doesn't change. Or when you keep the rear AF-On button pressed - focus is continuously acquired. It is a much faster way to "lock" focus when in AF-C (continuous servo) mode without having to switch the camera to AF-S (single servo mode).

It does take a day or two to get comfortable with back button.

Now your camera has a lot of other AF settings that can affect how this AF system behaves - tracking modes, animal and eye modes, wide and narrow settings for tracking, etc. So it's best to experiment with all of them on the subjects you like to shoot to ensure that you are in the most appropriate mode for your situation.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

You have eye auto focus on that camera, once you have the eye, you should be able to reposition your camera anywhere you want and the eye will stay in focus. No longer any need for BBF on the Z.
With non eye focus Nikon camera's BBF for stationary subjects to keep the eye in focus was great, but technology has passed that by.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Either method should work if the camera is not moving or hand held. Once you let go(if you go this way) the focus is set to the distance when you pressed the focus button. If you don't move to much your all set. Play around with both & see what works best for you.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

Thanks! Got it!