Back Button Focus (Page 3): Maybe I wasn't clear enough. I did release the focusing from the shutter. I have, unfortunate, ocassionally forgotten to back focus. One of my complaints in...

toxdoc42

SusanFromVermont wrote:

If you can focus by depressing the shutter button, then you have not got bbf set up properly. It only will work as intended when the shutter button can NOT initiate focus. It should only bring up the information you see in the viewfinder.

Maybe I wasn't clear enough. I did release the focusing from the shutter. I have, unfortunate, ocassionally forgotten to back focus. One of my complaints in the digital age, is That the image in the viewfinder always seems to be in focus, with no reminder to focus. In thr film era, the image was out of focus or the focusing device in the screen made the out of focus obvious. I long for a split image or break up the image to assure me tjatnwhatbi want to be on focus is. Sometimes, if I use single point focus, I can't find the red dot. If I depress the shutter, the red dot is seen. I don't understand what I do wrong that sometimes the red dot moves and then it literally takes 2 hands to get it back to the center.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

toxdoc42 wrote:

Maybe I wasn't clear enough. I did release the foc... (show quote)

Not sure I do understand - when you forget to use bbf, you should not be able to use the shutter button to take a photo. I agree that it is often difficult to see what is in focus, the viewfinder is pretty small. Have you tried using Live View? I use that especially when shooting macro because it lets me put the focus point right where I want it. It uses more battery power, but there are times when it is worth it.

The movement of the focus point may be a result of your settings. You can choose how many or how few focus points will be active. I'm not 100% sure of all the fine details on that. Need to look in the manual for it! But in general, if you press the button in the middle of the dial on the right side, it will bring it back to the center.

Bill_de Loc: US

toxdoc42 wrote:

Maybe I wasn't clear enough. I did release the foc... (show quote)

Maybe you should weigh the advantages you are actually getting from BBF, not what everyone says you are getting. If you occasionally forget to focus it is not intuitive for you. I used it for a while and went back to using that back button to lock focus when I want to recompose. I still always use continuous focus.

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Charles P Loc: Southern Central NY State

toxdoc42 wrote:

Maybe I wasn't clear enough. I did release the foc... (show quote)

You should be able to set shutter release to focus priority in the set up menu. Also, if you brush against one of the buttons on the four way controller, it will change the focus point.

User ID

billnikon wrote:

I do not prefer back button focus. I get better
shots with my old fashion front button. .....

Whatever rocks your boat but if you think it
through, a truly "old fashioned" protocol for
focus would NEVER link focus to the shutter
button. Focus was focus and shutter release
was shutter release. Thus we old fashioned
types can't stand entangling anything with
the shutter release. Even the old meter-on
switch in the shutter button became a real
PITA when it evolved from a simple tap to
fire up the meter into that stoooopid "hold
the half press" on electro shutter releases.

If all cameras refocused every time I touch
the shutter release I'd hafta revert to a pin
hole body cap. Don't bother mentioning the
AF-L button ... create a problem and then
invent a patch up to address it ? Thatsux !

I know your one-shot method works for you
for birds. One-shot has always been the way
for birds, since long before photography ;-)

`

ArthurZZ

I have had the same problem with my d5300; in my case it was the image preview. My camera was set up to preview the image on the rear screen, pressing BBF just locked/unlocked the image, slightly depressing the shutter release turned of image preview for the current image. I don't know the 850, maybe the image lock button isn't the same one used for BBF......

toxdoc42

Most of the time, I have the camera set for a single point focus, because of what I am trying to shoot. So if I can't see the point, it is difficult. I can only think, that when I use BBF, my face may hit the toggle thingee and that moves the red dot. When I go to correct it, that is what I do, I hit BBR and move the dot with the thingee, whatever it is called.

You can certainly take a photo without focusing! The 2 functions are totally separate with BBF.

SusanFromVermont wrote:

Not sure I do understand - when you forget to use ... (show quote)

Charles P Loc: Southern Central NY State

[quote=toxdoc42]

[You can certainly take a photo without focusing! The 2 functions are totally separate with BBF.[/quote]

That sounds like a good reason not to use it, unless you really want to. It's not for everyone.

Bill_de Loc: US

Charles P wrote:

That sounds like a good reason not to use it, unless you really want to. It's not for everyone.

Actually being able to shoot without acquiring focus is an option whether or not you are using BBF. The back button is nothing more than a switch that
activates the focus operation just as the shutter half press does. They both use whatever options are chosen.

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wings42 Loc: San Diego, CA

I use back button focus exclusively with my D7200, and have for years starting with my D3100. The advantage is that with the shutter button release focusing you get a bit of camera shake whenever you push the shutter button to take a shot. Back button focusing has the opposite effect, you actually grip the camera a bit steadier when you press the shudder release with your index finger.

Good luck on solving your focusing/release problem. The only thing I can add is that if the shutter isn't releasing with back button focusing, it won't release with shutter release button focusing. I.E., back button focusing is not the problem you're having. It is something else that is preventing the camera from either focusing, or from releasing the shutter when you are in focus. If you can't solve this yourself, you might either Google the problem you're having, or take the camera into a Nikon dealer for help and instruction.

charleswiseman

I had the problem where a Nikon 85mm F1.4 occasionally would not focus mostly using BBF, actually would not respond at all, did not hunt for focus. Only lens that did this so brought back to store, they replaced lens and it never happened again. I had a defective lens.

old man 88 Loc: Palmview, TX when not on road

This is a video of the full setup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB80TMzYnkU

Hope it help

SandraLovesPhotography wrote:

I was hoping you all could help me figure out why the back button focus will not work at times. I am shooting with a Nikon D850 with 85mm lens.In the middle of a shoot, it just won't focus at all. Do you all prefer the back button focus?

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

I find with the D850 if your holding the lens with your hand on the focus ring, any movement at all of the focus ring will stop the BBF from working. I've done this several times myself. I just release the button, remember where my hands are and then refocus again. This had happened several times before I realized I was causing the issue. Also note your lens will not focus closer than about 3 feet from the subject.

SandraLovesPhotography wrote:

I was hoping you all could help me figure out why the back button focus will not work at times. I am shooting with a Nikon D850 with 85mm lens.In the middle of a shoot, it just won't focus at all. Do you all prefer the back button focus?

Bill_de Loc: US

martinfisherphoto wrote:

I find with the D850 if your holding the lens with your hand on the focus ring, any movement at all of the focus ring will stop the BBF from working. I've done this several times myself. I just release the button, remember where my hands are and then refocus again. This had happened several times before I realized I was causing the issue. Also note your lens will not focus closer than about 3 feet from the subject.

If your lens has a/m m m/a modes using a/m may reduce the issue you describe.

The A/M focus mode also offers autofocus with manual override the same as M/A, however the focus ring override is less sensitive than in M/A to prevent unintentionally switching to manual mode. So fine manual focus adjustment is possible in autofocus, but the speed of reaction is not as high as with M/A mode. A/M mode is more often found on mid-range AF-S NIKKOR lenses and occasionally as an additional mode on lenses with an M/A mode.

https://www.nikonimgsupport.com/eu/BV_article?articleNo=000006502&lang=en_GB

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martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

I don't have an issue, the OP does.. [Just to Note all of my lens are set up A/M. I"ve owned three other Nikon cameras and have never had this issue other than on the D850, very sensitive at least in my experience.] But I'm guessing her issue as I've run across myself.

Bill_de wrote:

If your lens has a/m m m/a modes using a/m may red... (show quote)