I have been using the back button focus for a while now, but didn’t know that the A+ mode returns the focusing function back to the shutter button. I am learning something new today. Thank you sharing this well kept secret tip!
Thank you Fausto Suero. Yes back button focus is really useful for BIF to avoid accidental shutter release while holding down the shutter button as a focusing device
Hi Bear Hawk, when you focus and hold the focus button down, the exposure will also be locked when you're using Evaluative Metering. If you are using some other metering, you will need to go to Orange menu C.Fn I, submenu 7 and specify other metering modes you'd like AE lock. You can also use the * button. By default, pressing and holding the * button will lock the exposure for as long as you're holding it down. By momentarily pushing the * button and then releasing, AE lock will last 8 seconds by default or dependent on the time you set for the Metering Timer option (Red menu 3).
sorry I am an amateur. Can I lock in focus in 4k video recording? Is the only solution manual focus? I know contrast af is bad so what are the alternatives? Please help!
Unlike DSLRs, for mirrorless cameras such as the RP, AF for video is no different from still photos. I am not sure what you mean by lock-in focus. If it means that the camera will track focus on a person as he/she is moving all the time then you might want to try enabling Movie Servo AF and set the AF method to Face+ Tracking. Remember to read the manual as there are a few things you should be aware of when using it.
@@srbal.21 With the caveat that I hardly use video recording for my cameras, I find AF is the same as with still photos. For photos, it's fairly simple and therefore completely adequate but for video, I can see the difficulty in seamless focusing. It might require a new skill set which I must admit I do not have. BTW, I do not think the video resolution (e.g. 4K) has anything to do with it (Face tracking works fine with 4K)
I have EOS rp. Im learning to use in Manual mode. But the autofocus keep hunting, until I manually turn the switch off on the lens. Is there any option on the settings to turn on and off the autofocus without touching the switch on the lens. I have tried The AF on AF off option but nothing happening. iam confused
Being in M mode has nothing to do with the "AF keeping on hunting". If your AF is continuously focusing without your input, I suspect that you have inadvertently turned on the "Continuous AF" option. Go to the Red menu # 7 (Shoot7) and make sure "Continuous AF" is "Disable".
Hi Hank thanks for the video! I'm a bit confused on why you would ever use this. If you want to hold focus on a subject for a while, perhaps adjust some settings like shutter speed. On my RP I use my thumb to control shutter speed. If my thumb is occupied with holding down the AF-on button, how am I supposed to change it? Seems like only an disadvantage.
Hi Erik...for me, the Back Button focus is useful in 2 areas...one is that you can focus and recompose without using AE lock (either using the * button or holding down the shutter button). The other is to help prevent accidental shutter release when using Servo focus (where you need to hold the shutter button down halfway all the time). I shoot birds in flight a lot and had lost many shots due to accidental release (while trying to obtain or maintain focus on a fast-moving subject)... For your example, it is extremely rare that you'd need to maintain focus and change Tv at the same time. I'd change speed only once or twice all-day.
Not sure what I did wrong but I turned off the half press like in the video but my back button just switches between servo and one shot but never focuses
Hi Dennis, this usually means that at one point you have programmed the AF On button to do the switching between servo and One-Shot. Just reprogram it back to the default AF which is Metering and AF Start. Menu Item C.FnIII, subtab 5 on the Orange menu.
Thank you sir I didn’t know about the A+ I have run into that problem before with asking people to take my photo and have tell them to focus with the back button lol
Hi, sorry Hank, if I'm missing somethig here but I just bought my first canon (RP). After setting the shutter button half press to metering only, it didn't work (I had back button previously set to magnify actually). Therefor I went to change the AF ON button itself from magnify to its default but there was no option that seemed to work in oder for me to use the back button for focusing in AI servo. I did see, however, an IA servo and single point option for that same button though, which may be just as good to do the same thing (switching AF modes). Any helpful assistance would be welcome, thanks!
Hi S F, not sure what problem you're running into but you should be able to set everything back. The best way is to "clear all custom functions" in the orange tab. I am a bit confused about what you said regarding the One Shot to Servo setting doing the same thing as back button focus? Can you explain it more? BTW, Most people do not use the Movie button (you can use the mode dial for movies)...reprogram that to do your Magnify or 1-shot to Servo if you want. My suggestion is to ignore 1-shot completely. There is no advantage to be gained by using it. I use AI Servo 100% of the time.
@@TonghoPhotography Thats great advice about AI servo mode as I cannot be interchanging all the time since I like to capture candid lifestyle portraits. I will set the back button to be able to auto focus and practice this way. However, (I will explain better) after attempting to set the shutter button to only meter (as per your instructions), the backbutton would not automatically focus. I realized then that it was because I had previously set the af on button to magnify. So when I went to change the af on button to some option that would allow me to use it for autofocus point, I couldn't find an option other than the ones listed which wouldn't work. I was expecting a "default" option, but only specific tasks. Thats my trouble. Thanks for your time :)
Very simple, but very nice arrangement of subjects to perfectly illustrate the beauty of back button focus! I assume this will only work in C2, correct? I've been living in Fv almost since I got my RP. This works for me in C2, but went back to shutter focus in M. With the myriad of settings, I get confused as to what changes in what mode...
Hi derbagger22...thank you! To answer your question, the back button focus should work for any modes except the Green A+ mode. Based on what you described on your camera, it appeared that when you saved on the C2 mode, you had the Back Button focus set. Then at some point, you reverted back to the Shutter button focus on Fv and other modes. The beauty of C1 and C2 are that the camera will remember every single settings (including menu choices) that you have saved and instantly revert back to those. All you have to do is to set the back button focus in Fv or any other modes (except A+ where you can't) then Back Button focus will be there for all modes (not counting C1 and C2 and A+ - unless C1 and C2 are saved with back button focus on).
@@TonghoPhotography I am not sure why my settings are not saving for other modes, except for C modes. I tried switching my lens to a lens with a manual AF/MF switch on it. Back button focus works, but it does not cancel the autofocus on half shutter. I've gone thru the entire menu system and tried to adjust, but am not finding it.
@@TonghoPhotography Do I need to clear the camera settings and start over? If so, I'd want Auto update set to Enable, correct? I do have a manual lens that I needed to configure to work properly. I went back and changed that setting. It still will only back button focus on C2...
Thank you for this wonderful video, Hank. I have one question Bro: How do you revert it back to Shutter Button focus? I tried enabling it back to AF/Metering Start, but it ended up both the Back button and the Shutter button work the same way when pressed alternately. I mean, it didn't disable the Back button function, but the Shutter button works just like the Back button this time. Well, I really like using the Back Button now and the above query is just out of curiosity. More power, Hank!
Thank you for the kind words :). What you are describing is the normal way Canon cameras work by default: both the Shutter Button and the AF On button work the same (performing AF/Metering). One can always reprogram the AF-On button to do something else.
I have been using the back button focus for a while now, but didn’t know that the A+ mode returns the focusing function back to the shutter button. I am learning something new today. Thank you sharing this well kept secret tip!
Thanks for the demonstration. Well presented, got my RP set up.
Glad it was of help :)
Thank you so much, such a practical and helpful video!
You're most welcome. I'm glad you found it useful. And thank you for commenting and viewing.
This was very helpful. Thank you so much for making these videos!
You're most welcome and thanks for commenting and visiting!
thanks for explaining. i've seen other videos and read walkthroughs that makes this entirely way more complicated than it should be. thank you!
Glad you liked it! Thank you.
Excellent tutorial!! Could I use this function too for birds flying
Thank you Fausto Suero. Yes back button focus is really useful for BIF to avoid accidental shutter release while holding down the shutter button as a focusing device
How do you lock the focus square on your screen in the centre? Everytime I half click my shutter to focus, it just moves
I want to lock the exposure too. How do you do that?
Hi Bear Hawk, when you focus and hold the focus button down, the exposure will also be locked when you're using Evaluative Metering. If you are using some other metering, you will need to go to Orange menu C.Fn I, submenu 7 and specify other metering modes you'd like AE lock. You can also use the * button. By default, pressing and holding the * button will lock the exposure for as long as you're holding it down. By momentarily pushing the * button and then releasing, AE lock will last 8 seconds by default or dependent on the time you set for the Metering Timer option (Red menu 3).
I did it!
sorry I am an amateur. Can I lock in focus in 4k video recording? Is the only solution manual focus? I know contrast af is bad so what are the alternatives? Please help!
Unlike DSLRs, for mirrorless cameras such as the RP, AF for video is no different from still photos. I am not sure what you mean by lock-in focus. If it means that the camera will track focus on a person as he/she is moving all the time then you might want to try enabling Movie Servo AF and set the AF method to Face+ Tracking. Remember to read the manual as there are a few things you should be aware of when using it.
@@TonghoPhotography thanks for answering! does this AF method of face tracking apply in 4k? because it seems that 4k AF is not reliable at all
@@srbal.21 With the caveat that I hardly use video recording for my cameras, I find AF is the same as with still photos. For photos, it's fairly simple and therefore completely adequate but for video, I can see the difficulty in seamless focusing. It might require a new skill set which I must admit I do not have. BTW, I do not think the video resolution (e.g. 4K) has anything to do with it (Face tracking works fine with 4K)
Thanks after 4 you tubes I got it
Love your accent! Very helpful vid, thank u!
Thank you very much Annie
Whats happening if you press the shooter half and reconpose? Its not the same thing?
The difference is you do not have to hold the shutter button down all the time.
I have EOS rp. Im learning to use in Manual mode. But the autofocus keep hunting, until I manually turn the switch off on the lens. Is there any option on the settings to turn on and off the autofocus without touching the switch on the lens. I have tried The AF on AF off option but nothing happening. iam confused
Being in M mode has nothing to do with the "AF keeping on hunting". If your AF is continuously focusing without your input, I suspect that you have inadvertently turned on the "Continuous AF" option. Go to the Red menu # 7 (Shoot7) and make sure "Continuous AF" is "Disable".
I can't thank you enough for this one. Teach more things.
Hi Hank thanks for the video!
I'm a bit confused on why you would ever use this. If you want to hold focus on a subject for a while, perhaps adjust some settings like shutter speed. On my RP I use my thumb to control shutter speed. If my thumb is occupied with holding down the AF-on button, how am I supposed to change it? Seems like only an disadvantage.
Hi Erik...for me, the Back Button focus is useful in 2 areas...one is that you can focus and recompose without using AE lock (either using the * button or holding down the shutter button). The other is to help prevent accidental shutter release when using Servo focus (where you need to hold the shutter button down halfway all the time). I shoot birds in flight a lot and had lost many shots due to accidental release (while trying to obtain or maintain focus on a fast-moving subject)... For your example, it is extremely rare that you'd need to maintain focus and change Tv at the same time. I'd change speed only once or twice all-day.
This was hugely helpful, thank you.
thank you! Glad that it was useful :).
Not sure what I did wrong but I turned off the half press like in the video but my back button just switches between servo and one shot but never focuses
Hi Dennis, this usually means that at one point you have programmed the AF On button to do the switching between servo and One-Shot. Just reprogram it back to the default AF which is Metering and AF Start. Menu Item C.FnIII, subtab 5 on the Orange menu.
Thank you sir
I didn’t know about the A+
I have run into that problem before with asking people to take my photo and have tell them to focus with the back button lol
I'm glad it was of help :)
I had no idea you can do this in servo mode.
Yes you can. BBF is the main reason when you shoot action and Birds In Flight (BIF) photography and in those, servo mode is most often used.
Hi, sorry Hank, if I'm missing somethig here but I just bought my first canon (RP). After setting the shutter button half press to metering only, it didn't work (I had back button previously set to magnify actually). Therefor I went to change the AF ON button itself from magnify to its default but there was no option that seemed to work in oder for me to use the back button for focusing in AI servo. I did see, however, an IA servo and single point option for that same button though, which may be just as good to do the same thing (switching AF modes). Any helpful assistance would be welcome, thanks!
Hi S F, not sure what problem you're running into but you should be able to set everything back. The best way is to "clear all custom functions" in the orange tab. I am a bit confused about what you said regarding the One Shot to Servo setting doing the same thing as back button focus? Can you explain it more? BTW, Most people do not use the Movie button (you can use the mode dial for movies)...reprogram that to do your Magnify or 1-shot to Servo if you want. My suggestion is to ignore 1-shot completely. There is no advantage to be gained by using it. I use AI Servo 100% of the time.
@@TonghoPhotography Thats great advice about AI servo mode as I cannot be interchanging all the time since I like to capture candid lifestyle portraits. I will set the back button to be able to auto focus and practice this way. However, (I will explain better) after attempting to set the shutter button to only meter (as per your instructions), the backbutton would not automatically focus. I realized then that it was because I had previously set the af on button to magnify. So when I went to change the af on button to some option that would allow me to use it for autofocus point, I couldn't find an option other than the ones listed which wouldn't work. I was expecting a "default" option, but only specific tasks. Thats my trouble. Thanks for your time :)
is it correct that I have metering and af start selected for the AF on button, seems to work but need confirmation
@@SF-nn8np Yes. That's the right choice - the default for this button
Very simple, but very nice arrangement of subjects to perfectly illustrate the beauty of back button focus! I assume this will only work in C2, correct? I've been living in Fv almost since I got my RP. This works for me in C2, but went back to shutter focus in M. With the myriad of settings, I get confused as to what changes in what mode...
Hi derbagger22...thank you! To answer your question, the back button focus should work for any modes except the Green A+ mode. Based on what you described on your camera, it appeared that when you saved on the C2 mode, you had the Back Button focus set. Then at some point, you reverted back to the Shutter button focus on Fv and other modes. The beauty of C1 and C2 are that the camera will remember every single settings (including menu choices) that you have saved and instantly revert back to those. All you have to do is to set the back button focus in Fv or any other modes (except A+ where you can't) then Back Button focus will be there for all modes (not counting C1 and C2 and A+ - unless C1 and C2 are saved with back button focus on).
@@TonghoPhotography Thank you so much for your reply!
@@TonghoPhotography I am not sure why my settings are not saving for other modes, except for C modes. I tried switching my lens to a lens with a manual AF/MF switch on it. Back button focus works, but it does not cancel the autofocus on half shutter. I've gone thru the entire menu system and tried to adjust, but am not finding it.
@@TonghoPhotography Do I need to clear the camera settings and start over? If so, I'd want Auto update set to Enable, correct?
I do have a manual lens that I needed to configure to work properly. I went back and changed that setting. It still will only back button focus on C2...
@@derbagger22 You need to disable the AF on the Shutter button per 01:25 to 2:25 in the video.
Thank you for this wonderful video, Hank.
I have one question Bro: How do you revert it back to Shutter Button focus? I tried enabling it back to AF/Metering Start, but it ended up both the Back button and the Shutter button work the same way when pressed alternately. I mean, it didn't disable the Back button function, but the Shutter button works just like the Back button this time.
Well, I really like using the Back Button now and the above query is just out of curiosity. More power, Hank!
Thank you for the kind words :). What you are describing is the normal way Canon cameras work by default: both the Shutter Button and the AF On button work the same (performing AF/Metering). One can always reprogram the AF-On button to do something else.
@@TonghoPhotography Got it! Thank you again, Sir.
best
thanks
Very helpful thank you
hello thanks so much for sharing this with us. saludos
Thanks!!!
Very helpful👍
Thank you R0dan!
Wow easy... thanks
Glad you liked it. Thanks.
Thank you!
You're welcome :)
Thank u!
You're welcome!
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Thank you Andre!
You were so slow I fell asleep..
You can change the audio to 2x then I'd be very fast :). Thanks for the visit.
Thank you!