Back button focusing?

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AndyG123

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Andy
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Just switched over to this on the d3300 after having a play about... Do many if you guys do this? And how long does it take to get used to it? I find myself still half holding to focus, then realizing it's not going to work.

It does have some perks, there's been times I've used the af in good light, changed the light and the af struggled on. So I've had to switch to manual focus to prevent this... I'm not sure if I'm missing seconds off my shots though with this. Or if it is just a case of it becoming second nature... What's your personal preferences on this?
 
Birds in flight with poor light or a non contrasting back ground, BBF, anything else I don't bother.
 
BBF works well particularly for action stuff, sports, wildlife etc ... takes a few days use to get it embedded but after a while it becomes second nature and I doubt you will go back.
 
Works OK for BIF in my world.

However I did forget about it after a break from BIF, and just could not fathom out why the camera would not focus.........(Age thing alas)..........:)
 
DG Phototraining said:
BBF for me is a waste of time (Weddings & Landscapes mostly), so mine is set to lock exposure only - if I use it at all

Its just another way of doing stuff, if it suits you fine, but its no miracle solution

Dave
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I agree, I love back button focussing and use it 100% of the time but a good friend of mine doesn't like it or use it.... each to their own
 
It does depend on the type of photography and the user....I can't imagine any use in a studio or weddings but it's a godsend for sports :)
 
KIPAX said:
It does depend on the type of photography and the user....I can't imagine any use in a studio or weddings but it's a godsend for sports :)
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I don't think it's about genre at all.

For me it's about separating the action of focussing from the shutter. I was a late adopter of AF and shutter button focussing is a frustrating experience, whether for still or moving subjects.
 
All the time, and yes I did forget once when I started and wondered why the camera stopped auto focusing! :thinking:
 
I don't think it is abut genre either, it is more a way of working. Being able to separate the action of focusing and shooting just makes sense to me. I use BBF all the time and have done for a while now, first time I tried it it just seemed right so ... if you ever focus and re-compose then BBF becomes a godsend. That isn't the only reason to use it, just an example of why I find it easier. Half pressing a shutter button is so inconsistent and varies so much between bodies that separating the function seems obvious - at least to me.
 
I have been using BBF on my D3300 and 70- 300mm old film lens. Because the D3300 does not have a motor I have to manual focus the old zoom lens. I am assuming keeping the AEL button depressed then twiddling the focus ring, till the green dot next to the AEL display stops blinking and stays solid is all I need do?
 
I have a bit of difficulty switching back and forth since it does not work with the play memories app I sometimes use for remote control. Its the only way with my chamonix 45F1 though :D
 
PaulButler said:
I don't think it is abut genre either, it is more a way of working. Being able to separate the action of focusing and shooting just makes sense to me. I use BBF all the time and have done for a while now, first time I tried it it just seemed right so ... if you ever focus and re-compose then BBF becomes a godsend. That isn't the only reason to use it, just an example of why I find it easier. Half pressing a shutter button is so inconsistent and varies so much between bodies that separating the function seems obvious - at least to me.
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This has made me instantly understand it better because of focussing and recomposing! I can use the more accurate cross focus points instead of moving the chosen focus point! It was like a light bulb going on!
 
BBF is great for landscapes if you're using strong ND filters and are forgetful turning to MF. The amount of times I've got everything set up and then gone to press the shutter, just to watch the lens try and auto focus :banghead:
 
I used BBF for a while but switched back for boxing photos and home stuff.
The constant tracking is required which makes BBF awkward as the button I use for BBF on the canon isn't good for constant use.
 
mark richards said:
but its much better, and you wont switch back.
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+1
ecoleman said:
BBF for me. Switched years ago. It took a little while to get used to, but it’s second nature now.
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+1
Phil-D said:
Birds in flight with poor light or a non contrasting back ground, BBF, anything else I don't bother.
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+1
gremlin16 said:
Once I switched I never looked back.
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+1
Phil V said:
I don't think it's about genre at all.
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+1… Indeed I am permanently on BBF!
PaulButler said:
I don't think it is abut genre either, it is more a way of working.
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+1
 
I started using it shortly after I got my first (and only) DSLR, because I couldn't get comfortable with focus and exposure combined in the shutter release button. I still, vastly, prefer MF with suitable lenses on my F2 and FM!
 
It's something I've tried recently but not had a chance to fully test, hopefully will be converted fully soon. Seems good Though.
 
I wanted to try this so gave myself a week of using it. Didn't need a week, it just feels right, I've never gone back.
 
I was VERY sceptical about BBF to say the least! It just didn't make sense to me. However after seeing the difference it made for others I gave it a go, it took me a LONG time to learn but I wouldn't go back!

For birds/wildlife it is much more intuitive and quicker in my opinion and I find that separating to focus and shutter release is very useful for landscapes.

Not everyone's cup of tea but BBF works well for me.
 
I've used BBAF for a couple of years now, certainly a higher success rate on action shots.
 
I must be the only person to has tried it and hated it. :naughty:
 
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I can't really understand why anyone would get better results using BBF with action as opposed to half press...
The only reason I can guess is that using BBF encourages you to activate AF much earlier... which you should have been doing anyway. Or, you tend to over-release the shutter button in-between shots/bursts (more of a problem if you are a "button jabber").

There's a few ways of accomplishing the same things w/o any/much additional hassle... IMO the main advantage of BBF is that it gives you all three focus modes with just one button. Another advantage with newer Nikons is the ability to have multiple buttons assigned to AF each with a different AF mode/pattern.
 
sk66 said:
I can't really understand why anyone would get better results using BBF with action as opposed to half press...
The only reason I can guess is that using BBF encourages you to activate AF much earlier... which you should have been doing anyway. Or, you tend to over-release the shutter button in-between shots/bursts (more of a problem if you are a "button jabber").

There's a few ways of accomplishing the same things w/o any/much additional hassle... IMO the main advantage of BBF is that it gives you all three focus modes with just one button. Another advantage with newer Nikons is the ability to have multiple buttons assigned to AF each with a different AF mode/pattern.
Click to expand...

It's just far more intuitive for me and I could never go back to using just the shutter release button ... everyone is different.
 
sk66 said:
I can't really understand why anyone would get better results using BBF with action as opposed to half press...
The only reason I can guess is that using BBF encourages you to activate AF much earlier... which you should have been doing anyway. Or, you tend to over-release the shutter button in-between shots/bursts (more of a problem if you are a "button jabber").

There's a few ways of accomplishing the same things w/o any/much additional hassle... IMO the main advantage of BBF is that it gives you all three focus modes with just one button. Another advantage with newer Nikons is the ability to have multiple buttons assigned to AF each with a different AF mode/pattern.
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As I understand it, the split second between half pressing the shutter button and fully pressing the shutter button the af turns off so any subject movement during this split second could result in missed focus. Whereas if you have af constantly on using a different button then you don't have this problem.
 
I guess it comes down to personal preferences. I find it easier to separate AF from Shutter Release (most likely harking back to MF film days:)). One advantage I do see is a quick way to lock focus then re-compose. Give it a try for a few shoots, if it doesn't suit then switch back!

GC
 
Brazo said:
As I understand it, the split second between half pressing the shutter button and fully pressing the shutter button the af turns off so any subject movement during this split second could result in missed focus. Whereas if you have af constantly on using a different button then you don't have this problem.
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No, the shutter release is a 2 stage button and the first stage (focus) contact is not "broken" when the shutter is activated/released. At least not with any camera I've ever used... or any remote release.
And even if it did, that time would be less than the mirror blackout the AF receives during shooting.
 
I like the idea of having all three AF-modes (Continuos, single (one shot), manual AF) available just by pressing the back AF button or not.

Some may point out, that releasing the button in continuous mode is not the same as one shot, but it depends. If you wait long enough and the lens does focus accurate, it's the same for me.
 
dcash29 said:
I must be the only person to have tried it and hated it. :naughty:
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I tried it and hated it

then tried it again 6 mths later and now it's all i use..
 
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