2 AUTOFOCUS TECHNIQUES you must master for Wildlife Photography | shutter and back button autofocus

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  • Опубліковано 25 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 307

  • @stefannijenhuis6688
    @stefannijenhuis6688 4 роки тому +282

    Can we just appreciate the fact that Morten talks about the sponsor after 17 minutes of great quality content!

    • @rontz
      @rontz 4 роки тому +29

      for 1 minute? what's the problem? that he's getting a little bit of money by including a tiny bit of advertisment into his great content? fine for me, if it helps him.

  • @lupinewoof
    @lupinewoof 4 роки тому +29

    Hearing that 60 to 70% of your focusing on the telephoto involved some manual focusing tweaks was one of the largest takeaways and confirms many of my personal experiences & frustrations. Thanks for a great video!

  • @scottpitner4298
    @scottpitner4298 3 роки тому +1

    I think your videos are the most Inspiring of what I watch. After just one I’m ready to grab my stuff and head out. Even just out back of my house.

  • @picapica42
    @picapica42 4 роки тому +44

    You actually explained clearly why I should use my back button autofocus more. I somehow always forget it is a thing that exists on my camera, so I haven't put it to good use yet.

    • @johansmitphotography
      @johansmitphotography 2 роки тому

      Yesyes! Also remember about the button for AF lock... because it's a lot less of an change than changing to BBF which is a massive change to get used to... I use it as lock... I have tried BBF and I really couldn't get used to it... thing is I rarely ever need to stop the focus... so the thumb only have to use that button 10% of the time. 90% of the time it is free then I can use it for EXP comp and changing AF point etc... My lens can't manual focus when the AF is switched on. So I don't have the advantage of BBF for that manual Focus that Morten explained.

  • @alanmaassen
    @alanmaassen Рік тому

    Thank you so, so very much. I've been trying since October to understand when and why to hold those buttons and you are the first person to make it clear. I'd actually given autofocus up and had started to manual focus everything. You've really helped me - thank you!

  • @a_for7002
    @a_for7002 3 роки тому

    This video is very informative thank you very much this is very inspirational to us beginners.

  • @abijithkrishnan1429
    @abijithkrishnan1429 4 роки тому +2

    This video was very very useful for me as i had NO clue what back button autofocus was used for and everything and now i understand it all! Thank you for this video and you will always be my inspiration!!

  • @jincychacko5440
    @jincychacko5440 3 роки тому

    I started using back button focus but never understood how to use the auto focus lock properly. Its been set up wrong in my camera forever. Now this explains it so much better with example. I have answer to my frustration when trying to do micro photography. Your voice did put me to sleep though twice. It have a very calming and soothing quality.

  • @jimhood1202
    @jimhood1202 4 роки тому +3

    Thanks for your thoughts. I understand your reasons for using each method but what I appreciate most is that you chose difficult situations to illustrate them and let us know that even the professionals with the best gear have difficulty obtaining and holding focus. Perhaps there's hope for me yet. 😁

  • @KerriMarr
    @KerriMarr Рік тому

    Thank you Morten! I just recently found your channel and this is the best explanation I’ve heard for the best times to use back button AF & shutter release AF

  • @pilates4golfers
    @pilates4golfers Рік тому

    I am new to photography. I have absolutely no idea what you said but I have a much better understanding.

  • @mikipixi
    @mikipixi 2 роки тому +1

    Hi Morten. Fantastic explanation. Thank's for sharing with the community. Congratulations from Extremadura in Spain for your great photographic works and your channel. You are a great inspiration.

  • @eliasneil
    @eliasneil 4 роки тому +13

    I was litteraly looking for some new videos of Morten right now.. Thanks!

  • @LieslHuddleston
    @LieslHuddleston 4 роки тому +28

    I'm stuck in the dark ages with a DSLR :) Been using back-button-focus for the past few years and love it! Good topic to discuss, Morten. Hopefully, anyone that hasn't tried it yet will give it a try, makes focusing much faster and easier.

  • @kalyandeepray
    @kalyandeepray 4 роки тому +9

    Hello Morten, I used the focus and lock technique for years, but have now changed. This had mainly to do with my subjects, 90% of which is birds, and I kept needing different kinds of AF for stationary and birds in flight. I now use back button exclusively, where I have the AF-L button set up for single point AF and the joystick for group AF. I also have my Fn1 for D25. My kind of setup might be very specific to birders though. Thank you for the insight into your shooting techniques.

  • @Shhhchris
    @Shhhchris 4 роки тому +1

    I’m not a wildlife photographer per se (I’d like to do it more) but these principles are still useful throughout all the photography genres. Thanks, Morten

  • @naturebites5974
    @naturebites5974 3 роки тому

    Wonderful video. I am working on this back button focus method today, trying to improve my keeper statistics. So many of my shots are just not in good focus. Thank you.

  • @blythewarland6688
    @blythewarland6688 4 роки тому +3

    Morten I love your dedication to the craft and your willingness to share your knowledge
    I find back button focus easier to use and a shoot less out of focus shots this way but I agree both have their good points

  • @SadanandaUTube
    @SadanandaUTube 4 роки тому

    Thanks for good idea

  • @Afro408
    @Afro408 Рік тому

    Great information Morten. Much appreciated. ‘Trigger finger’ is ok and appropriate, because we ‘Shoot’ the subject, don’t we? 😉👏👏👏👍🥃🥃

  • @abl1699
    @abl1699 2 роки тому

    Thanks Morten. I will be trying out the Auto Focus Back Button technique.

  • @robertcrofts2108
    @robertcrofts2108 4 роки тому

    That is going to change the way I take photos of wild life, thank you so much for that info
    When I take photos of birds or other wildlife I lose focus because it focuses on a bit of grass ect, but using back button is a game changer

  • @johnlavin-ford8372
    @johnlavin-ford8372 4 роки тому

    You are totally correct with the use of those focus buttons.
    You restore my faith in genuinely brilliant techniques that should be handed down to new photographers.
    Great upload as always.👍

  • @MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE
    @MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE 4 роки тому +2

    Excellent Video Morten ! I simply just do not use back button enough. I do not know why. Used it in the past and it works. Just you know kind of forget about it ! IT is very important when doing changing focuses frequently.

  • @aidancampos5706
    @aidancampos5706 4 роки тому

    Excellent video, Morten. Clear, concise, and informative.

  • @Bb4r
    @Bb4r 4 роки тому

    I have pretty much abandoned index finger focusing in favor of back button focusing. As you explain it, I now see the merit in being able to use the both focusing modes. Again Morten, I appreciate your videos. Thank you much.

  • @stefannijenhuis6688
    @stefannijenhuis6688 4 роки тому +1

    I love the way you pronounce the word 'focus' Morten! Great video.

  • @Keyloggs1
    @Keyloggs1 Рік тому

    thanks for the video! just changed my AF ON button to switch between the last AF (AF-C) and MF. Love it!

  • @northernbirder7351
    @northernbirder7351 4 роки тому

    Very helpful video. Many thanks. I will use this information on bird photography.

  • @benedux
    @benedux 4 роки тому +3

    I've recently tried the back-button focus and it felt like it could be good to use sometimes but haven't thought about it long. Thanks for these superb examples and explanations, it really helps a lot.

  • @frazhassan
    @frazhassan 4 роки тому

    I liked the video first and then started watching.
    Morten is just awesome.

  • @taw6992
    @taw6992 2 роки тому

    great tips, thanks ! You did not mention the focus memory button on big lenses... this is damn useful as well

  • @charlierivera5725
    @charlierivera5725 3 роки тому

    Thank you again wow. THANK YOU… Interested to know the macro lens. Would you share which one it is please? I love macro photography so I am curious. Thank you sir

  • @krishmotography9727
    @krishmotography9727 3 роки тому

    Superb video. This is all about practicall use of back button auto focus. Its amazing.

  • @giuseppeaguero9368
    @giuseppeaguero9368 4 роки тому +3

    finally a wonderful video of morten with subtitles :)
    I enjoyed it a lot

  • @matteorocca7078
    @matteorocca7078 4 роки тому +5

    The best explanation on this subject I have seen so far 👍 I switched to back button AF and I find it really good, but it's really interesting to hear from your live experience and get to know that both ways have their own plus also from the point of view of a professional. Thank you for the insight!

  • @thomasmarais9277
    @thomasmarais9277 4 роки тому +2

    Great video morten!👍👍 awesome topic

  • @olgunfernandes3473
    @olgunfernandes3473 4 роки тому

    Great video..! Please can you tell us how did you customize zoom in viewfinder while capturing photos...? Thanks in advance. I'm using a Nikon D7100.

  • @jakub.slovacek
    @jakub.slovacek 4 роки тому

    Morten, your videos are awesome as well as you. I always enjoy every minute of your vids. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

  • @PatrickSmeaton
    @PatrickSmeaton 2 місяці тому

    I've been strictly using back button since I bought my brand new Canon EOS 1V back in the day. I can't imagine switching back and forth. It would short circuit my brain. You do have a valid reason for using shutter-release button af though. Never considered that before.

  • @p7272
    @p7272 4 роки тому

    Seeing you out in the field in full gear reminds me why I like photography(military vet). Just like a Sniper... letting nothing get in the way of getting the shoot! ;-))

  • @hikingff77
    @hikingff77 4 роки тому

    Very informative video, I never knew what that lock button did and never thought about using it! Thank you!

  • @masterstonesettermagnussva7636
    @masterstonesettermagnussva7636 4 роки тому +1

    Great informativ video as always. After years of back button af I now use trigger af and has set the af on button to manual focus. I think it’s a twist that gives me fast control with maximum of flexibility.

  • @borocotochacha
    @borocotochacha 4 роки тому +1

    It's about that Morten, adapt the camera to your style. I use same settings on Z6 and Z50 for everything, even street photography. EVF makes a big difference as you can set how much zoom you want to apply. At 200% zoom AF it´s also very fast and precise.
    Perfect video!

  • @mindseyeproductions8798
    @mindseyeproductions8798 4 роки тому +1

    seems legit to have a master of the focus, providing information about focusing.

  • @ramonarias1234
    @ramonarias1234 4 роки тому

    This is a fkn master class.. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I dont do wildlife photography but I am sure your tips will help me with my photography.

  • @AlexDubois
    @AlexDubois 4 роки тому +3

    I've learned so much in this video. It is perfectly logical once explained. Thank you so much. On top of the pros/cons for the 2 options, I didn't know about the view finder zoom for manual adjustment...

  • @MacBookSong
    @MacBookSong 4 роки тому

    I don't use back button focusing. My solution for the problem you describe: I configured the AF-ON button to switch between One Shot AF and Servo AF. So with one short press of the button the focusing method changes. That works very well.

  • @Kirkhamfamily
    @Kirkhamfamily 4 роки тому

    Great video (again). Confusing topic but very well explained.

  • @RichardBirchett
    @RichardBirchett 4 роки тому +1

    Sweet Work Morten, Back button all the way my friend... although, I do switch back in certain situations! For me a game changer and very intuitive way to work. Great work, all the best R 👍

  • @toejamr1
    @toejamr1 4 роки тому +6

    I’m going to have to watch this a couple times. My back focus brain can’t comprehend trigger finger focus Andy more 😂

  • @benneves6649
    @benneves6649 6 місяців тому

    Great video! If only camera manufacturers made a dial which could also be pressed (like a mouse centre button) you could make selections and control focus near instantaneously.

  • @joaoesteves684
    @joaoesteves684 3 роки тому

    hello good morning from Portugal thanks for your teachings, I have a question, does the 7D have this button to lock the autofocus? when we follow the subject in allservo and the lock is made to compose the image, thanks for your videos

  • @erforschenhimalayas6570
    @erforschenhimalayas6570 4 роки тому +1

    Sir I love your videos and the photographs you capture and the way they are narrated in the videos .
    I also want to do something crazy like you ✌️

  • @eskwadrat
    @eskwadrat 4 роки тому

    Excellent tips. Back focus button method really improved my control over difficult targets. Thank you.

  • @Robert-vj3ec
    @Robert-vj3ec 4 роки тому

    So can you zoom in inside the eye finder, manual focus, and zoom out again? What camera does this? Because my eyes are not what they used to be.. Please and thanks for your time..

  • @Anonymousgiraffe33
    @Anonymousgiraffe33 4 роки тому +6

    great video Morten, i always struggle when trying to capture fast moving animals... especially the smaller size creature like swallows and dragonflies, i hoped that one day you will make a video to teach beginners like me to track the small animals.

  • @jimbob7218
    @jimbob7218 4 роки тому +1

    2:39 Oh yeah, I have coffee on my desk too, It's still warm! Cheers!!

  • @amdenis
    @amdenis 4 роки тому +1

    Great, very useful video. I love my D850, and have used Nikon’s since my first SLR back in the mid-70’s- a Nikkormat FT-2. However, every time I go out with my SONY A9II I feel like I am cheating in comparison. The good thing though is that I have been able to finally focus almost completely on composition, rather than focus. I do use back-button on occasion, but usually along with focus lock, for creative purposes. I can’t even imagine where these technologies will be in 5 years.

  • @petedraper5185
    @petedraper5185 4 роки тому

    I use BBF on my EM1X for birds in flight and general wildlife, except when I am wearing gloves. I then use shutter release for focus. I use shutter release for focus on my EM1.3, as it is dedicated to macro photography. Works for me.

  • @heinihefti8969
    @heinihefti8969 4 роки тому

    Very well explained. Not learned from a book, but practiced in nature. Thanks for that - Heini

  • @franziabegglen
    @franziabegglen 4 роки тому +2

    Great video with great tips - as always!
    I‘m wondering how you attached the Peak Design anchors on the tripod mount of the Tamron lens. Could you show that in a video?

  • @Tebanisomura
    @Tebanisomura 4 роки тому

    What good learning is obtained from your teachings thanks for sharing

  • @briansquibb999
    @briansquibb999 3 роки тому

    Very, very helpful advice. Thank you, Morten!!

  • @JH-qv3xv
    @JH-qv3xv 4 роки тому

    One of those subtle techniques you use to get your great images. Thank you for sharing. I came to learn and of course look at some great pictures. Accomplished both.

  • @gastsoum2515
    @gastsoum2515 4 роки тому

    The technique with the button pressed in order to keep the autofocus locked, is possible also in the apsc cameras?

  • @fuglbird
    @fuglbird 4 роки тому

    Thank you Morten for the this very instructive lesson. Your idea of assigning AF-L (autofocus lock) to the AF-ON button is brilliant on the Nikon Z6, which does not have the AF-L. I have used my 500 mm manual focus tele and Nikon D300 for years, and have now learned, that a Nikon Z6 with the zoom function may improve my focusing. Great job!

  • @mdashiqmridha
    @mdashiqmridha 4 роки тому +11

    I m a big fan of u cz u give me so many suggestions abut wildlife photography.
    I really love it It also helps me to know about my camera very well.. Thanks for the tutorial. ♥♥♥

    • @mdashiqmridha
      @mdashiqmridha 4 роки тому

      How many shutter life in canon 700D? I m using this.

  • @jamesss1953
    @jamesss1953 3 роки тому

    “Really good stuff here”. I use B:B focus for a few years now but recently tying hand held bird pics. I should have used continuous autofocus as you describe here - many thanks 🙏

  • @ThomasWeiskirch
    @ThomasWeiskirch 2 роки тому

    Once more a very informative and high interesting video with helpful tips, Mortern ! Kind regards, Thomas

  • @JeganSriragavan28
    @JeganSriragavan28 4 роки тому

    Wakeup at 5am and watching Morten video with a coffee, really will make my day wonderful..

  • @randyschwager84
    @randyschwager84 Рік тому

    Awesome content...as always! Thanks, Morten

  • @larselkjr9194
    @larselkjr9194 4 роки тому +2

    Great video and it’s very usefull especially when you use the mirrorless cameras.
    But if you have Mirrorless or DSLR it’s important to know how your AF works, i have spend hours to learn the AF system on my Nikon Z6
    and i still learn new features.
    So keep on making these wonderfull videos, we all learn of it 👍
    Thank you

  • @matheusa2288
    @matheusa2288 4 роки тому

    Awesome video and explanation! Just need some time to my brain absorb so much techniques =) .
    You definitely need to come to Brazil to shoot our wildlife! Cheers!

  • @smkunder1
    @smkunder1 4 роки тому

    Great video, would love to see you go through the menu’s showing your settings!

  • @achintyasengupta8148
    @achintyasengupta8148 18 годин тому

    I am new user of Nikon Z6 III with Z 180-600 lens. Can you have any settings of the camera for wildlife photography in vedio ? Please share

  • @KGsPhotography
    @KGsPhotography 4 роки тому

    Great explanation Morten. Since using back button focus I don't think I could change again. Although in my videos I do struggle to say "Back Button Focus" sometime!!

  • @patrickmolloy6994
    @patrickmolloy6994 4 роки тому

    Great Video Morten. You answered my questions without me asking! awesome.

  • @barrymackichan7074
    @barrymackichan7074 4 роки тому +1

    You describe two different configurations, but is there a quick way to switch from one to the other? I think you can use two menu banks and switch between them with ‘My menu’ items. Is there a better way? I think of menu banks as scarce resources, and I’d be happier if there is another way.

  • @stevestrickland446
    @stevestrickland446 11 місяців тому

    Great video and explanation.

  • @davet3530
    @davet3530 4 роки тому

    Informative as always Morten. I can see the benefits of both methods and agree that it’s worth mastering both. You make a very good point in the Back Button Focus method that you can use it when wearing mittens in cold weather. Top tip ! Thanks.

  • @chuckgmanleyphotos7197
    @chuckgmanleyphotos7197 4 роки тому

    Great examples of both tools.

  • @RafaWu
    @RafaWu 4 роки тому

    I'm curious. What ball head did you use in 2:28 min?

  • @CGYPP
    @CGYPP 4 роки тому +1

    This is SOOO helpful! I really appreciate the way you explain it and demonstrate the differences in real usage. I am myself Back-Button AF shooter - using it both for landscape and weddings, and recently I was wondering if I am missing anything by not using index finger focusing at all ...now I know there might be some situations where switching might be useful. BTW as Z6/Z7 user I realized only now that I never really use the 100% preview and that's the first thing I am going to change. Thank you so much!

  • @pradeeppradu9040
    @pradeeppradu9040 4 роки тому

    Love your videos and photography ❤️❤️❤️

  • @johnhitchon8043
    @johnhitchon8043 4 роки тому

    As always Morten, a great explanation. I much prefer back button focussing I really like how one can recompose the shot.....it’s a time-saver for me.

  • @actiaint
    @actiaint 4 роки тому +5

    After using back button continuous focus for years I have recently changed to back button single focus and found a big improvement due to less focus hunting and more accurate focus setting - it is simple as you just release thumb as soon as you have focus set and if subject moves you press again to reset it - continuous focus is not required other than bifs or faster action.

  • @princip6656
    @princip6656 8 місяців тому

    Thanks, great explanation.

  • @sot8585
    @sot8585 4 роки тому

    hi I have e basic staff with a nikon d7000 and tamron 70-300 with macro...i try the most of settings low ISO, low or high speed, aperture,focus, but my foto are not sharp, is my lens is not very good or I'm do something wrong? thank you..

  • @NildoScoop
    @NildoScoop 4 роки тому

    👍You've explained it well Morten.

  • @stuartschaffner9744
    @stuartschaffner9744 4 роки тому +1

    This was one of the best videos on focussing that I have ever seen. Frankly, I am still unconvinced that shutter-button autofocus is that useful any more. Yes, your brain can learn different modes, but for certain important actions it is best not to introduce a possible source of confusion. In this video, the back button means start focussing in one mode and stop focussing in the other. In a car, that would be equivalent to having the brake pedal mean slow down in one mode and stop slowing down in the other. Still, I will keep considering it out of respect for your great skills.
    I think that as you get more accustomed to mirrorless cameras you will use manual focus more. I know that you have too much tied up in high-quality Nikon glass to consider a switch. However, sometime you should try a camera like the Sony A9 that has no shutter blackout at all. In a year or two Nikon will have it as well.
    Sony comes more from a cinematography background, where cinematographers have refined manual focus to a fine art. The buzzard and magpies(?) in a field with tufts of grass is a prime example. There you mostly want to align your focal plane with a slice of field. I am far from being a highly-skilled manual "focus puller", but I am working on it. You should try focus peaking, which is used a lot in cinematography. Often I find it an annoyance, but other times it helps me better track my focus plane.
    Anyway, great teaching job here! I have always learned a lot from you.

  • @tudora5498
    @tudora5498 4 роки тому

    Thank you for the video, you explain it wery well and it is great that you also give proper examples so that whoever is watching can really understand the isues. I think that at least for me there is only one risk in alternating the two different ways of focusing: I naturally tend to prefer one over the other so when switching between them I would sometimes push the wrong button at the wrong time out of instinct/lack of attention, not realizing that I am using the other mode at the moment so that it might cause me to lose the shot. However, this might only be an issue for myself and my momentary lack of attention.
    I really appreciate the video, thank you for creating and sharing it!

  • @ASTROMAN-18
    @ASTROMAN-18 4 роки тому

    Your video inspired me to take awesome photos ❤️❤️

  • @ryanackland9330
    @ryanackland9330 4 роки тому +2

    What a game changer! Thank you for this video Morten, it has opened a new technique i never even thought about. I use Back Button Autofocus, but never thought to use it in the way you have described. I have just purchased a Z6 which arrives on Thursday, so will definitely set it up the same way you have for the autofocus. As i have seen you using the Z6 for a while, do you plan to do a review or maybe even a video of how you set yours up for Wildlife Photography? Thank you again for a very informative and encouraging video.

    • @MortenHilmer
      @MortenHilmer  4 роки тому +4

      Congrats with your new camera Ryan. That is going to be amazing. Yes I am going to make such a video at some point. Definitely.

    • @ryanackland9330
      @ryanackland9330 4 роки тому

      @@MortenHilmer Thank you Morten, happy photographing

    • @adityakrishnasmenon4509
      @adityakrishnasmenon4509 4 роки тому

      @@MortenHilmer That's great......looking forward to it......

  • @runeelli
    @runeelli 4 роки тому

    Hej Morten. If you have the time and effort.It would be nice to see how you calibrate your telefoto lensens for the camera. Using Spyder lenscal or simular. A lot of bad and quick guides out there. And a detailed video for the hole setup would be nice. Thank you. Keep ut the good work

  • @TheBadvmc
    @TheBadvmc 4 роки тому

    A new Morten video.... today is a good day.

  • @johnlitchfield4815
    @johnlitchfield4815 2 роки тому

    I have a Nikon d700 and find if l use back button focus with an AFS lens the vr on the lens does not operate it only work using the shutter button?

  • @olivierhudonphotonature
    @olivierhudonphotonature 4 роки тому

    olivier hudon Photographer I'm a great fan your videos are super interesting and thank you again !!

  • @Michael-yb1bm
    @Michael-yb1bm 4 роки тому

    I'm wondering what's your opinion to the d850 from Nikon

  • @sharongalvin9433
    @sharongalvin9433 2 роки тому

    This video was very helpful for me.Thank you so much.Can I ask which would you advise to use whale watching.Back button focus?