p.1 #1 · I have a question about back-button focusing
I know that some use back-button to focus lock and shoot. and I've wondered why they would choose that method because I really don't see the difference between back-button focus method and half-shutter focus lock and recompose method. Can someone tell me difference between these two methods?
p.1 #2 · I have a question about back-button focusing
I use it because in some situations and positions I accidentally press the shutter all the way if I use the half-press method. I think it comes down to personal preference. There was a long thread about it some time ago.
p.1 #4 · I have a question about back-button focusing
If you're focused why refocus for every shot. Also, Aperture Exposure is also tied to the shutter button. That's too much going on in one press. Sometimes what I want to focus on isn't want I want to expose for.
p.1 #5 · I have a question about back-button focusing
duet wrote:
I know that some use back-button to focus lock and shoot. and I've wondered why they would choose that method because I really don't see the difference between back-button focus method and half-shutter focus lock and recompose method. Can someone tell me difference between these two methods?
So that the focus doesn't change if I take my finger off the shutter button and I've recomposed. Also, if I'm shooting something fairly static, I don't need to wait for the AF to resolve for each shot.
This way the shutter button is for AE and taking the exposure.
p.1 #6 · I have a question about back-button focusing
Yea I understand that. I just never found myself being annoyed by camera focusing every time I press a shutter. For weddings, I usually have to recompose pretty quick, so having my finger on a shutter after locking a focus doesn't really bother me. but thank you for clarifying the difference I was looking for.
p.1 #7 · I have a question about back-button focusing
One benefit:
if you shoot in servo focus (continuous focus.. or whatever you want to call it) it allows you to stop the focusing... for instance if your subject becomes stationary and is no longer covered by an AF point. Continuous focusing can be MADDENING if you don't use back button focusing.
Note to Nikon shooters... in case you didn't know this... VR is NOT engaged if you use back button focusing. This is the stupidest idea in the history of the world and surprisingly Nikon doesn't make that behavior controllable via a CF.
p.1 #8 · I have a question about back-button focusing
I was thinking about this recently..so back button focusing is like keeping your finger half pressed on the shutter..so if you keep your thumb pressed on the button and let completely go of the shutter, it will stay locked on whatever you focused it on, right? So would that be the same as using the shutter button to focus(half-press), take a shot and release the shutter but only to the half-press? I have sort of taught myself over the years to click and let go only half way so I can keep clicking without re-focusing so if that's what the benefit of the back button..I don't know if that would be better..or more confusing for me. Can anybody clarify?
p.1 #9 · I have a question about back-button focusing
BGP1 wrote:
I was thinking about this recently..so back button focusing is like keeping your finger half pressed on the shutter..so if you keep your thumb pressed on the button and let completely go of the shutter, it will stay locked on whatever you focused it on, right? So would that be the same as using the shutter button to focus(half-press), take a shot and release the shutter but only to the half-press? I have sort of taught myself over the years to click and let go only half way so I can keep clicking without re-focusing so if that's what the benefit of the back button..I don't know if that would be better..or more confusing for me. Can anybody clarify? ...Show more →
Well that's exactly my point. But what I've heard from lisy is that both methods are pretty much same as long as you stay in "one shot" mode. but if you're shooting in "ai serve" mode then its very different.
p.1 #10 · I have a question about back-button focusing
I switched to back button focus a while back and really like it. I set the D700 to continuous then hold the AF-ON button down to track, or press and release it to lock focus.
p.1 #11 · I have a question about back-button focusing
Problem with using the shutter button as the focus button is that it will re-focus even if you don't want it to. Back-button focus makes it two separate functions so I can just slam away on the shutter if I don't want to re-focus
p.1 #13 · I have a question about back-button focusing
TTLKurtis wrote:
Problem with using the shutter button as the focus button is that it will re-focus even if you don't want it to. Back-button focus makes it two separate functions so I can just slam away on the shutter if I don't want to re-focus
Kurtis, which mode do you use back-button focus in? do you use it in one shot mode?
p.1 #16 · I have a question about back-button focusing
I highly recommend BBF. I don't remember when I learned about it, but it was one of the first things when I got my DSLR...more control over the camera = win.
p.1 #17 · I have a question about back-button focusing
lisy78 wrote:
Note to Nikon shooters... in case you didn't know this... VR is NOT engaged if you use back button focusing. This is the stupidest idea in the history of the world and surprisingly Nikon doesn't make that behavior controllable via a CF.
Pentax is the same way. I don't see it as a problem though. You have to have the shutter button half-pressed for about 1/2 second to activate the SR. IMO, it's not really part of the focusing system.
p.1 #18 · I have a question about back-button focusing
BGP1 wrote:
I was thinking about this recently..so back button focusing is like keeping your finger half pressed on the shutter..so if you keep your thumb pressed on the button and let completely go of the shutter, it will stay locked on whatever you focused it on, right? So would that be the same as using the shutter button to focus(half-press), take a shot and release the shutter but only to the half-press? I have sort of taught myself over the years to click and let go only half way so I can keep clicking without re-focusing so if that's what the benefit of the back button..I don't know if that would be better..or more confusing for me. Can anybody clarify? ...Show more →
Some cameras can control the action. On mine, I can set it to enable AF or cancel AF. With Enable AF, the lens tries to focus as long as the button is pressed, until it reaches focus. With Cancel AF, the AF is still on the shutter button and pressing the AF button turns off the autofocus.
In your example (with Cancel AF), you would hold the AF button and you wouldn't need to keep the shutter button at half press to stop the AF from refocusing.
I prefer having it on the back, and I've had it like that so long that it's second nature and I don't even think about it most of the time.
p.1 #19 · I have a question about back-button focusing
alohadave wrote:
Some cameras can control the action. On mine, I can set it to enable AF or cancel AF. With Enable AF, the lens tries to focus as long as the button is pressed, until it reaches focus. With Cancel AF, the AF is still on the shutter button and pressing the AF button turns off the autofocus.
In your example (with Cancel AF), you would hold the AF button and you wouldn't need to keep the shutter button at half press to stop the AF from refocusing.
I prefer having it on the back, and I've had it like that so long that it's second nature and I don't even think about it most of the time....Show more →
I was just playing around with the different modes in the custom functions (5d2) and I'll play around with it some more. I know a lot of people rave about it so if it works "better" in some way I'm all for it..I just have to get used to it before I can make that decision. Thanks for the reply.
p.1 #20 · I have a question about back-button focusing
I'm thinking of going to manual focusing the ceremony in churches. Want to improve focusing accuracy in low light but tried back button and not something I can risk a wedding or portrait shoot on just to get the hang of it - don't really get the chance to practice outside jobs.
