with the af-on button setup how most people who swear by it...
the shutter button only controls the metering and the shutter release.
the af button only controls autofocusing.
One of the major benefits of this is being able to focus and recompose WHILE locking the exposure.
For example, say you are taking a picture of someone with a lot of strong backlighting so you are using spot metering. If you are like me, you leave the af point almost always in the center. In order to take the picture, you can hover the center point over the subjects face, *backbutton focus* and half hold the shutter to lock the exposure. then you can recompose without having to worry about the camera trying to refocus on the new spot the af point is now hovering over. With this method, you can leave the camera in AF-C all the time and not worry about mis focusing when you recompose.
Think of it in the context of a basketball game. its so easy to focus, exp lock, recompose and take a pic of someone inbounding a ball, etc, but not having to worry about fumbling around with the afs/afc modes once the ball is in play. Thats just one example... I really dont understand why for those people who have the option to backbutton focus, they still rely on the shutter to do 3 jobs.
It's one of those things where you just have to try. And im betting once youve given it a fair shot, youll never want to go back to the old way again.
with the af-on button setup how most people who swear by it...
the shutter button only controls the metering and the shutter release.
the af button only controls autofocusing.
One of the major benefits of this is being able to focus and recompose WHILE locking the exposure.
For example, say you are taking a picture of someone with a lot of strong backlighting so you are using spot metering. If you are like me, you leave the af point almost always in the center. In order to take the picture, you can hover the center point over the subjects face, *backbutton focus* and half hold the shutter to lock the exposure. then you can recompose without having to worry about the camera trying to refocus on the new spot the af point is now hovering over. With this method, you can leave the camera in AF-C all the time and not worry about mis focusing when you recompose.
Think of it in the context of a basketball game. its so easy to focus, exp lock, recompose and take a pic of someone inbounding a ball, etc, but not having to worry about fumbling around with the afs/afc modes once the ball is in play. Thats just one example... I really dont understand why for those people who have the option to backbutton focus, they still rely on the shutter to do 3 jobs.
It's one of those things where you just have to try. And im betting once youve given it a fair shot, youll never want to go back to the old way again. ...Show more →
Well stated. Probably not going to change anybodies POV, but you gave it a try,
with the af-on button setup how most people who swear by it...
the shutter button only controls the metering and the shutter release.
the af button only controls autofocusing.
One of the major benefits of this is being able to focus and recompose WHILE locking the exposure.
For example, say you are taking a picture of someone with a lot of strong backlighting so you are using spot metering. If you are like me, you leave the af point almost always in the center. In order to take the picture, you can hover the center point over the subjects face, *backbutton focus* and half hold the shutter to lock the exposure. then you can recompose without having to worry about the camera trying to refocus on the new spot the af point is now hovering over. With this method, you can leave the camera in AF-C all the time and not worry about mis focusing when you recompose.
Think of it in the context of a basketball game. its so easy to focus, exp lock, recompose and take a pic of someone inbounding a ball, etc, but not having to worry about fumbling around with the afs/afc modes once the ball is in play. Thats just one example... I really dont understand why for those people who have the option to backbutton focus, they still rely on the shutter to do 3 jobs.
It's one of those things where you just have to try. And im betting once youve given it a fair shot, youll never want to go back to the old way again. ...Show more →
This is even more weird.
First off, half pressing the shutter doesn't lock exposure, unless you've done something weird to your camera, or it's from the 1980s.
To do what you described, I'd set my metering (I like the extra function on the front programmed for spot metering) hold the exposure lock button then screw around with focus and take the photo.
Are people writing to nikon asking for an extra trigger release button by the thumb next?
Anyways since nobody can even really explain why you'd use or want this button until after you've changed every custom setting into something bizarre, and remember you might want to use autofocus again does anybody know which body had this extra AF button first?
And- does anybody have the manual for suck a camera where nikon tries (I'm not expecting a nikon manual to really make any more sense than what's here either) to explain what it's for?
Zebrabot wrote:
First off, half pressing the shutter doesn't lock exposure, unless you've done something weird to your camera, or it's from the 1980s.
D700 Manual, page 296
Zebrabot wrote:
And- does anybody have the manual for suck a camera where nikon tries (I'm not expecting a nikon manual to really make any more sense than what's here either) to explain what it's for?
D700 Manual, page 73
I also believe Thom Hogan has a nice treatise on the merits of the AF-On button in most of his guides.
First off, half pressing the shutter doesn't lock exposure, unless you've done something weird to your camera, or it's from the 1980s.
To do what you described, I'd set my metering (I like the extra function on the front programmed for spot metering) hold the exposure lock button then screw around with focus and take the photo.
Are people writing to nikon asking for an extra trigger release button by the thumb next?
Anyways since nobody can even really explain why you'd use or want this button until after you've changed every custom setting into something bizarre, and remember you might want to use autofocus again does anybody know which body had this extra AF button first?
And- does anybody have the manual for suck a camera where nikon tries (I'm not expecting a nikon manual to really make any more sense than what's here either) to explain what it's for? ...Show more →
Everything one needs to know is in the manual. C1 allows the half pressed shutter to lock exposure. IMO, to properly set up the AF ON function, you need to know how the various menu items work together. I use the shutter to select exposure and the AF ON to select focus, while in continuous-servo mode.
honorerdieu wrote:
As a former Canon user, the AF-ON button the the AF-C is so orgasmic. When I used it for the first time, it was like I lost my virginity.
Ya know, you should really clean that mess you made up......
I've never used it in this way, mainly because I didn't see a reason to set it up this way, but does anyone here shoot birds in flight with this set up?
I'm trying to make my camera, its settings, and my understanding of it all come together to maximize my "keeper rate" for things that can be quite fast/sporadic (birds).
As I understand it, there wouldn't be an advantage to this approach over the "half-shutter-press-focus" if I'm constantly refocusing due to a bird (or anything) moving through focal planes.
However, if I want to quickly acquire focus on a stationary object/animal/person/etc and recompose the picture, without having to manually move the focus point and potentially miss the shot, this seems like the fastest way it can be done, so long as that object isn't moving through the focal plane..
wlarrison wrote:
Thanks for that explanation TSY87!
I've never used it in this way, mainly because I didn't see a reason to set it up this way, but does anyone here shoot birds in flight with this set up?
I'm trying to make my camera, its settings, and my understanding of it all come together to maximize my "keeper rate" for things that can be quite fast/sporadic (birds).
As I understand it, there wouldn't be an advantage to this approach over the "half-shutter-press-focus" if I'm constantly refocusing due to a bird (or anything) moving through focal planes.
However, if I want to quickly acquire focus on a stationary object/animal/person/etc and recompose the picture, without having to manually move the focus point and potentially miss the shot, this seems like the fastest way it can be done, so long as that object isn't moving through the focal plane.. ...Show more →
I don't shot BIF, but I use this set up with 51pt3D to lock onto a surfer and machine gun him while riding a wave. The 51 3D tracks the surfer throughout the ride while I shoot and exposure is locked when I start shooting bursts. I'd give it a try. Maybe others have already tried 51 3D with birds and can comment.
honorerdieu wrote:
As a former Canon user, the AF-ON button the the AF-C is so orgasmic. When I used it for the first time, it was like I lost my virginity.
It's not as good as sex, first time or any time. But decoupling AF from metering/shutter is incredibly useful. I feel strange using the shutter half-press of AF anymore... need to change that on my GH2.
wlarrison wrote:
Thanks for that explanation TSY87!
I've never used it in this way, mainly because I didn't see a reason to set it up this way, but does anyone here shoot birds in flight with this set up?
I'm trying to make my camera, its settings, and my understanding of it all come together to maximize my "keeper rate" for things that can be quite fast/sporadic (birds).
As I understand it, there wouldn't be an advantage to this approach over the "half-shutter-press-focus" if I'm constantly refocusing due to a bird (or anything) moving through focal planes.
However, if I want to quickly acquire focus on a stationary object/animal/person/etc and recompose the picture, without having to manually move the focus point and potentially miss the shot, this seems like the fastest way it can be done, so long as that object isn't moving through the focal plane.. ...Show more →
im glad i could be of some help... If all you do is shoot birds in flight, then you dont NEED to use the back button focus however, once you get use to it, you will not want it any other way.
like the basketball example, imagine you are taking pictures of birds in flight, you would probably let the cameras af do its job and just let it track the subjects. However, what if you saw a bird perched somewhere basking in the sun.. you could quickly point your camera at the bird, backbutton focus, exp lock, then recompose without worrying about the cameras af system getting confused and missing the shot.
However nice the AF tracking is on even pro bodies, it can still get confused, especially if there isnt a good amount of contrast, like if the bird was sitting on a tree with leaves, branches, etc behind it.
it may seem weird at first but after a few outings using it, i think you will find it a far superior method of taking pictures!
First off, half pressing the shutter doesn't lock exposure, unless you've done something weird to your camera, or it's from the 1980s.
To do what you described, I'd set my metering (I like the extra function on the front programmed for spot metering) hold the exposure lock button then screw around with focus and take the photo.
Are people writing to nikon asking for an extra trigger release button by the thumb next?
Anyways since nobody can even really explain why you'd use or want this button until after you've changed every custom setting into something bizarre, and remember you might want to use autofocus again does anybody know which body had this extra AF button first?
And- does anybody have the manual for suck a camera where nikon tries (I'm not expecting a nikon manual to really make any more sense than what's here either) to explain what it's for? ...Show more →
as James R stated, using the backbutton focus button is most effective when paired with the correct settings for the shutter.
It's just like when you are learning to shoot manual mode, you have to understand the relationship between iso, shutter speed, and aperture.
I also have to add that its one of those things that may or not make sense to you when you read it, but once you try it and practice with it, you will see why so many people love having the dedicated af-on button.
My AF-ON focuses, my half-shutter depression locks AE and engages VR.
Also, Zebra is trolling again. Fools and Trolls!
Also, why should you need a manual that explains the purpose of an AF-ON button. It's purpose is right on the button, it turns the AF-ON..
Also, with 3D focus tracking you can find a spot you want to meter, half depress you shutter button, switch to a spot you want to focus on, hit AF-ON and focus, and then recompose and the camera will keep the focus locked on that point using the 3D tracking.
You could also use AE-Lock to lock exposure somewhere else than where you are focussing, without having to half-depress the shutter button... Then use AF-ON to focus where you want...
EB-1 wrote:
The issue is not about the AF-ON button, but removing the AF from the shutter release.
EBH
yeah, I've concluded people are just retarded if it takes 12 fingers and 14 reprogrammed buttons to take a photo, after you've broken the functional defaults of any camera.
Anyways, I'm so cool I only take photos using a remote control connected to a foot pedal. I built it myself, so I can better concentrate on pressing the AF-on button, which I have connected to a pneumatic shutter release I operate using a scuba mask with modified regulators. The more complicated I make things, the more awesome I'm going to look on this forum.
Zebrabot wrote:
yeah, I've concluded people are just retarded if it takes 12 fingers and 14 reprogrammed buttons to take a photo, after you've broken the functional defaults of any camera.
Anyways, I'm so cool I only take photos using a remote control connected to a foot pedal. I built it myself, so I can better concentrate on pressing the AF-on button, which I have connected to a pneumatic shutter release I operate using a scuba mask with modified regulators. The more complicated I make things, the more awesome I'm going to look on this forum.
thanks for the explanations guys.