Back Button Focusing

[RobbieKB]

After a while of being obsessed with photography you don't think anyone could tell you something that would profoundly alter the way you take pictures.

Earlier this week I discovered back button focusing and it has done just that. How have I not been doing this?!

Anyone else using this technique? I feel like I'm probably wildly behind the curve.

[Seight_Returns]

I'm a fan. I like the control of being able to decouple AF from AE.

I went throught a phase of abandoning One Shot for static subjects and just using AI Servo - relasing back button to lock focus and recomposing as necessary - but I've gone back to One Shot for things that don't move as I still think its more accurate.

[RobbieKB]

Seight_Returns said:

I'm a fan. I like the control of being able to decouple AF from AE.

I went throught a phase of abandoning One Shot for static subjects and just using AI Servo - relasing back button to lock focus and recomposing as necessary - but I've gone back to One Shot for things that don't move as I still think its more accurate.

Exactly. I used to focus on the eye of the subject and then awkwardly try and recompose the shot before AF kicked back in or even sometimes just bin it off and use MF.

What I also like is that you can take the shot a little quicker if you're trying to photograph moving objects as you can have the shutter half pressed without it sending the AF off.

[MartinP]

I'm a back button focuser too. Separating focus and exposure just gives you another level of control over what the camera does. Certainly if you want to focus, recompose and take a few shots then it makes life a whole lot easier.

It gets really frustrating when you then use someone else's camera that isn't set up for back button focus though...

[Gemm]

Been using this for years. I even used to assign different focus points on different buttons (but unfortunately this isn't possible with my current 5D3).

[Mr Will]

Another big fan here. I'm not quite sure why, but it just seems to work better! Also have the joystick on the back set to directly select focus points (rather than requiring a button press first) which was a similar revelation.

[Simpo Two]

Mr Will said:

Also have the joystick on the back

Your camera has a joystick on the back?

[Mr Will]

Simpo Two said:

Mr Will said:

Also have the joystick on the back

Your camera has a joystick on the back?

The little wiggly thing to the right of the screen above the thumb-wheel. Probably has some proper name like "multi-way controller" or something like that!

[hipflask]

Mr Will said:

Another big fan here. I'm not quite sure why, but it just seems to work better! Also have the joystick on the back set to directly select focus points (rather than requiring a button press first) which was a similar revelation.

as above, prefer the joystick to shift focal point but every camera different so ergonomics play a big part in individual preference for any back button which has multi functions.

[ian in lancs]

I used back button for a while but switched back. I found I'd get a better 'sharp' rate using the shutter button due, I guess, because the rear button doesn't trigger VR. My cameras are set up to use either depending on the circumstance.

[RobDickinson]

Always been a back button focuser!

Only slr I didn't was the 350d the button layout was too awkward

[flat-planedCrank]

Another back button focuser here have been for years

It's just so much more flexible:
- You can pre-focus
- it's easy to AE lock
- you can leave it in 'servo' and tap the button to do a 'one shot'-like AF mode
- if you think the AF with struggle you can still trip the shutter without it hunting
- friends who ask to use your camera dont ask again as they can't get it to work right

[RobbieKB]

flat-planedCrank said:

Another back button focuser here have been for years

It's just so much more flexible:
- You can pre-focus
- it's easy to AE lock
- you can leave it in 'servo' and tap the button to do a 'one shot'-like AF mode
- if you think the AF with struggle you can still trip the shutter without it hunting
- friends who ask to use your camera dont ask again as they can't get it to work right

Does anyone know how to get AF confirmation bleep on whilst using servo? (5D II)

[K12beano]

Simpo Two said:

Mr Will said:

Also have the joystick on the back

Your camera has a joystick on the back?

You're not using it right if yours is on the front .....


(Oh, hang on, those "selfie" things are all the rage - probbly round Essex too .....)

[flat-planedCrank]

RobbieKB said:

flat-planedCrank said:

Another back button focuser here have been for years

It's just so much more flexible:
- You can pre-focus
- it's easy to AE lock
- you can leave it in 'servo' and tap the button to do a 'one shot'-like AF mode
- if you think the AF with struggle you can still trip the shutter without it hunting
- friends who ask to use your camera dont ask again as they can't get it to work right

Does anyone know how to get AF confirmation bleep on whilst using servo? (5D II)

afaik it doesn't beep in Focus or Servo?

[RobbieKB]

flat-planedCrank said:

RobbieKB said:

flat-planedCrank said:

Another back button focuser here have been for years

It's just so much more flexible:
- You can pre-focus
- it's easy to AE lock
- you can leave it in 'servo' and tap the button to do a 'one shot'-like AF mode
- if you think the AF with struggle you can still trip the shutter without it hunting
- friends who ask to use your camera dont ask again as they can't get it to work right

Does anyone know how to get AF confirmation bleep on whilst using servo? (5D II)

afaik it doesn't beep in Focus or Servo?

One Shot and AI Focus have AF confirmation bleeps, AI Servo does not. Presumably to stop it bleeping like mental as you track something. I just wondered if it were possible.

[flat-planedCrank]

RobbieKB said:

One Shot and AI Focus have AF confirmation bleeps, AI Servo does not. Presumably to stop it bleeping like mental as you track something. I just wondered if it was possible.

Ah, didn't know it did in Focus (tbh don't think I can recall ever using it)

[steveatesh]

Skuttles off to get D5100 to see WTF everybody is talking about.........

[Turn7]

ian in lancs said:

I used back button for a while but switched back. I found I'd get a better 'sharp' rate using the shutter button due, I guess, because the rear button doesn't trigger VR. My cameras are set up to use either depending on the circumstance.

I never knew that!

Been using back button for years too.

[flat-planedCrank]

steveatesh said:

Skuttles off to get D5100 to see WTF everybody is talking about.........

Only just about the best thing ever....

(I may be over-selling it slightly)