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Another question about back button focus.
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Jun 24, 2018 14:57:06   #
rlscholl Loc: California
 
I always use BBF except when I use a remote shutter release where the subject is not in a fixed location.

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Jun 24, 2018 15:38:40   #
Bobcat87
 
Thanks for all the responses! I knew y'all would come through!

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Jun 24, 2018 15:54:25   #
kenvan40
 
On mu D7100 my eyeglasses get in the way of the BBF so I use the function button instead, works great

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Jun 24, 2018 17:25:55   #
Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)
 
via the lens wrote:
Another advantage is that, while shooting wildlife in flight, you can easily keep clicking the back button as the wildlife moves along if it is moving out of the focused

If you are using a Nikon and have the option AF-C set; you don't have to keep "... clicking the back button ..." . Just hold it in and the camera will focus continually. The C stands for Continuous.

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Jun 24, 2018 17:28:21   #
Bunkershot Loc: Central Florida
 
Bobcat87 wrote:
A post about BBF on the Nikon D7200 this morning prompted me to ask another question. I have a D5600 and have downloaded Steve Perry's ebook (so glad I did!). Following his instructions, I set my camera for BBF and am still practicing, but I think I will like using it. My question: Is there any situation in which BBF is not recommended/useful?


NO!

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Jun 24, 2018 20:55:17   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
throughrhettseyes wrote:
It takes about a week of practice doing this but you will love it after that. I also program my D-500 joystick button to AE Lock to lock in an exposure setting other than the letting the shutter button do it.


Are you saying each shot takes 3 steps, Focus - Exposure - Shoot?

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Jun 24, 2018 20:55:51   #
fredtoo Loc: Houston
 
I thought I understood BBF pretty well before I read all the posts here. Now my head is spinning, (but the BBF still works great for me). One poster implies that the back button only affects focus, but the shutter is still in charge of exposure. Then another poster implies that the back button does both focus and exposure.

If there is anybody out there that is absolutely certain which what it is, I would like to get that straight.

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Jun 24, 2018 20:57:27   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
fredtoo wrote:
I thought I understood BBF pretty well before I read all the posts here. Now my head is spinning, (but the BBF still works great for me). One poster implies that the back button only affects focus, but the shutter is still in charge of exposure. Then another poster implies that the back button does both focus and exposure.

If there is anybody out there that is absolutely certain which what it is, I would like to get that straight.


Better specify a camera as they may not all work the same.

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Jun 24, 2018 22:07:19   #
repleo Loc: Boston
 
fredtoo wrote:
I thought I understood BBF pretty well before I read all the posts here. Now my head is spinning, (but the BBF still works great for me). One poster implies that the back button only affects focus, but the shutter is still in charge of exposure. Then another poster implies that the back button does both focus and exposure.

If there is anybody out there that is absolutely certain which what it is, I would like to get that straight.


You have to delve into the manual for your specific camera. On my A7Rii the button is locted within an AEL-AF/MF switch. When set on AEL the button freezes exposure. On AF/MF the button can be set to temporarily switch between auto and manual or to find and lock the focus while the shutter button sets the exposure. On my A6000 I have the button set to eye-focus but most folks would program it for BBF.

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Jun 24, 2018 22:30:34   #
RickL Loc: Vail, Az
 
Bobcat87 wrote:
A post about BBF on the Nikon D7200 this morning prompted me to ask another question. I have a D5600 and have downloaded Steve Perry's ebook (so glad I did!). Following his instructions, I set my camera for BBF and am still practicing, but I think I will like using it. My question: Is there any situation in which BBF is not recommended/useful?


I use it for all types of photography

Rick

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Jun 25, 2018 04:49:49   #
splatbass Loc: Honolulu
 
I turn it off for street photography. The reason is I often "shoot from the hip" meaning I don't bring it up to my eye to shoot. Often I leave it hanging around my neck and hold the camera with my right hand (to keep it from bouncing on my chest as I walk) which puts my thumb right over the shutter so all I have to do is move my thumb a little. But this will not focus with BBF.

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Jun 25, 2018 13:47:52   #
kenievans Loc: Dallas
 
via the lens wrote:
first focus where you wanted your focus to be, then roll your focus/exposure point to the brightest part of the waterfall for exposure, right where the sun is hitting it, and then click the shutter button.


Via the lens, thank you for that explanation. That was an "Ah Ha" moment for me. I have struggled with trying to figure out how to set the exposure if it was different from my focal point using BFF.

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Jun 25, 2018 18:05:39   #
Lemon Drop Kid Loc: Greeley, CO
 
Thank you for the reply. However, the first reason you mention can be done by clicking the focus lock button. (Or doing it "backwards" if the button is set for exposure lock.) For the second, I use the "tracking" setting. To me, these seem simpler than fooling with BBF. But, I guess it's all a matter of what one is used to. Thanks again.

via the lens wrote:
One very basic advantage would be, if you were on a tripod taking a shot of a waterfall, you could first focus where you wanted your focus to be, then roll your focus/exposure point to the brightest part of the waterfall for exposure, right where the sun is hitting it, and then click the shutter button. This way you have exposed on the water which, if not exposed correctly you might blow out, but focused on the overall scene as you wanted. Another advantage is that, while shooting wildlife in flight, you can easily keep clicking the back button as the wildlife moves along if it is moving out of the focused range or just leave it as is if the bird does not move out of the focus range you've set. Once you set the focus it remains at that setting until you hit the button again. If you use the BBF for awhile it becomes very second-nature to use it correctly.
One very basic advantage would be, if you were on ... (show quote)

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Jun 27, 2018 02:32:19   #
frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.
 
amatooch wrote:
With some of the Nikon cameras there are 4 different shooting menus. I use BBF for BIF but for landscape I use the shutter release for focusing.


Why would you do that......press bbf once and re compose, for landscapes... For bif hold it in. Remember, you have the best of both with bbf.

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Jun 30, 2018 17:10:06   #
MauiMoto Loc: Hawaii
 
amatooch wrote:
I think that if you use a cable release (remote) it won't focus when you press the button.


Correct, I added the AF on/off selection to the MY MENU menu and set the either the pv or fn button to open MY MENU so I can quickly turn it on when using the cable.
Is there a better way?

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