Back button focusing

11 years 1 month ago #278186 by Zeberk
Have you heard of this term before? Reading another article there was mention about "back button focusing" but there was no mention what this was. How is this different from normal focusing with your lens? Or is it the same?


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11 years 1 month ago #278187 by garyrhook
Many DSLRs have buttons that can be assigned various functions. One of these is the focus operation, just like you get when you press the shutter button halfway down. Having a dedicated button to perform this can be very helpful.

The button is usually on the back of the camera; you use your thumb to press and hold the focus button, then your index finger to trigger the shutter. Hence the term "back button focus".

AFAIK, anyway.


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11 years 1 month ago - 11 years 1 month ago #278205 by effron
I've used BBF for longer than I can remember. Only way to shoot..... ;)

improvephotography.com/4552/back-button-focusing/

Why so serious?
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11 years 1 month ago #278276 by Carol K
Am I missing something. What's the purpose of setting up this? I understand that you take the function of focus happening from pushing the shutter button half way and transferring it to another button. I guess I don't understand why?


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11 years 1 month ago - 11 years 1 month ago #278294 by effron
Easier to focus and recompose. It also removes the focus and exposure from the same button. I like the added user control. If you set this up, and try it for a day or two, you will NEVER go back to shutter button focus...... ;)

also see this.... digital-photography-school.com/back-button-focus

Why so serious?
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11 years 1 month ago #278333 by Silver Fox
You know, I go back and forth myself. Some times I like the control and other times it's hard not to break habit.


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11 years 1 month ago #278334 by Darrell
I use the back focus button 100% of the time. Much much easier.

You will not be judged as a photographer by the pictures you take, but by the pictures you show.
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11 years 1 month ago #278364 by Joves

Carol K wrote: Am I missing something. What's the purpose of setting up this? I understand that you take the function of focus happening from pushing the shutter button half way and transferring it to another button. I guess I don't understand why?


As Ernesto pointed out along with his post and link. But also speed in that you focus with the rear and snap with the front. It makes it so you do not have to worry about misfiring when that action shot such as birds in flight, and so on. Another thing is you can use the Continuous AF Mode, and make it behave like Single AF by pressing to get the focus then letting off the rear button, or hold it down and have Continuous if needed. Once you start using a rear AF function you will wonder how you go along without it. The first camera I set it up on was my D80, and I was glad my D300 had it.


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