jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Linda, most cameras won't take advantage of custom settings like BBF when the camera is in one of the "Auto" modes. They will usually work if you have the mode dial (setting) to A, S, or M but not in anything that is more auto than those settings.

Brooklyn-Camera Loc: Brooklyn, New York City

I shoot a 7D mark II to shoot sports and have used BBF for a while now and it sure helps. It took a little getting use to but after a while it will become second nature for you. Stick with it once you get your camera set up for BBF, even if sitting your living room take pics of anything using BBF. Practice, practice and do a little more practice! Good luck and let us know how you make out please.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

BBf is nothing do with Mode, It works on A,S,M and P even Auto, these are exposure controls not focus.

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

I also have a Nikon 70-300AF-S lens that I was going to use next time out. Since you say that it isn't so good at fast focusing, I might trade it in for a 80-400 and that will give me a little more reach also. Thanks for the info.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

PVR, different cameras allow for different BBF configurations to be set up.
Most of the time, as far as I know, back button and front button is exactly the same with no advantages whatsoever other than personal preferences and affinity. So your friend, other than possibly being able to manipulate the focus-on control better, was not getting any better focus than you were, assuming you have the same cameras.
You'll gain more by knowing exactly how to set up your cameras focus points and which mode works best for that particular situation.
I'm not saying don't use BBF or to not adopt it, just that, that in itself should not be the answer to focus woes! Just saying. ;-)
SS

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Ditto! I'm so glad that I originally asked the question on this forum. IMHO this is the best photography blog on the net (even though I've only checked out a few other blogs). The folks on here are ultra helpful and supportive. It's a great place to give and get advice, answers, and tips.

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Sharpshooter, from what I've seen on videos regarding bbf, there does seem to be some definite advantages to bbf in most situations. I'll have to give it a try to see if I find any advantages in using it while I'm shooting.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

OddJobber is probably right... I bet the fellow photographer said "back button focus", not "back focus"... they are very different things.

Back Button Focus (BBF) is a popular sports/action shooting method. It puts the user more in control of when and where the camera focuses. It's mostly used in conjunction with a continuous focusing mode. In fact, BBF allows one to make that their default focus mode and use it for almost anything, which you wouldn't want to do without BBF for several reasons (For example, without BBF a continuous focus mode will cause focus errors if using a "focus, lock and recompose" technique).

All that aside, for fast moving subjects such as you describe, in addition to good techniques and some skill using them, you also need fast focusing and tracking camera and lens. I am not personally familiar with either your camera or lens... However, I have used other Tamron lenses and unless yours is a "USD" model, it probably can't focus and track movement fast enough to keep up with rapidly darting birds in flight. That's a quite challenging subject that even the very best of lenses and cameras will struggle to maintain in focus!

There are other things you can do. I'd suggest setting a rather small aperture to increase depth of field, which makes focus accuracy less critical (but will not blur down busy backgrounds as strongly). Watch that you have a fast enough shutter speed to freeze movement (probably about 1/500 minimum... 1/1000 would be better... unless you actually want motion blur effect, then slower shutter speeds might be used). Pre-focus at a specific distance and then watch for subjects to come within that range and trip the shutter when they do.

Also set your camera on continuous drive, taking bursts of shots to improve your odds that at least one image in each burst will be both in focus and well-composed. Then work at it and take a lot of shots... since you'll have lots of misses and will likely get better with practice.

BBF works just fine with non-continuous focusing modes too... where once focus is achieved it stops and locks.... which is generally only usable with stationary subjects. But the key advantage for sports/action/wildlife photography is that it allows one to use continuous focus mode most of the time... so that one is ready to deal immediately with subjects that are moving or stationary, regardless if they stop or start moving or just continuously do so. Another thing BBF allows you to do is "dodge" obstructions that come between you and a moving subject momentarily.

I've been shooting with various Canon cameras and lenses for over 15 years, film first, and digital since around 2004. I learned BBF with my EOS-3 cameras not long after starting to use them and have employed it nearly all the time on every model I've used since. Actually now about the only time I ever turn it off (to let the camera focus "normally", with half-press of the shutter release button) is when I am loaning the camera to someone who isn't familiar with BBF, unwilling to give it a try and learn to use it. Overall, BBF puts me more in charge of the camera... sort of feels like manual focus control, but with the speed and accuracy of autofocus (which is better in today's cameras than I ever was manually, even tho I was darned good, if I may say so myself).

Give BBF a try with your camera and lens(es)... Don't expect it to solve every problem, though. It takes some practice... plus there are other considerations that effect focus accuracy and additional techniques that might be needed, depending upon the particular situation.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

It's the only way I shoot since a Tony Northrup video that Jerry already listed among other links. The only downside I've found is when you hand your camera to someone to take a picture of you and your friends and you have to explain it to them. It's almost easier to set your camera and lens to manual focus and have them turn the focus ring. This techniques has really paid off in action and wildlife photography for me. Never going back to the half press of the shutter button.

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Great tutorials Jerry. Thanks!

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Excellent advice. Thanks!

sailor2545 Loc: Victoria, BC

i have d7000 also.. go to you tube.. will easily show u how 2 do it

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Will do Sailor. Thanks....

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

Very true. I just slide the dial over to the little green box when asking someone to shoot. Works well most of the time.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

I beg to differ. My Canon 5DII goes back to normal shutter button focus on both Auto and CA modes. BBF is deactivated--very handy when asking someone else to take a photo.