Yeah it's sad, but back-button focus also combines continuous focus and single shot focus. You have the best of both worlds and half-shutter presses also effects the VR/IS of lenses. So pretty much imperative to shoot with back-button focus and it's what I have been doing for 20 years now starting with the Nikon F5 and D1 in 1999 lol.
@@patricksmith2553 and Patrick I assume you are a still photographer and you don't shoot video right. Question: what telephoto lens would you suggest for a canon Rebel series DSLR that cam keep every thing in complete focus and have a power zoom. Does anyone make such a lens for DSLR's?
@@HoundDogMech I don't shoot with Canon gear anymore, except when I work for a specific company that provides Canon gear. I own Nikon gear and use that 80% of the time, but I don't know what you're talking about. There is no such thing as a lens that keeps "everything" in focus unless it's a wide angle shot at f16 or something. As far as a power zoom, those are only available for high-end video lenses mainly used for broadcast. Canon makes a few of those lenses like the Cine 50-1000mm lens and so does Fujinon, etc. However those lenses are extremely expensive and you wouldn't ever buy one to use on a Rebel. Maybe you can clarify your question?
@@patricksmith2553 and there you have it I bought a Canon Rebel T5i do do video because I saw the great video a buddy was making of Model air planes. But when I couldn't keep them in focus I went back and realized he never zoomed ... so I wasted a little over a grand with all the accessories and turned around and bought a Canon XA-30 Video camera, When zoomed to and focused at Infinity them placed in manual focus every thing is in focus at any zoom right down to 15' ... Why ? Video Cameras Have PARFOCUL lenses. anyway I just do it for fun not trying to make the next gone with the wind epic or even a commercial. Just Toy R/C model Airplane videos for You Tube. Thanks for your comment.
Back button focus has been a game changer for me over the years.This video is probably one of the best ones I’ve seen showing how it functions. Great video Tony and Chelsea.
Back Button Focusing is a great way to get that perfect focus in our shots. Very comprehensively explained. Using Back Button Focus on my Rebel T6 improved my shots to a great extent.Thanks a lot, Sir.
I am a real estate photographer in Arizona and after watching this video, I learned something new about my camera. I tried it last evening for twilight shots and Wah-Lah complete success. Thank You
The title of this video is Spot On. I watched this video a couple months ago, was skeptical but thought I'd try it. The first month it took me a while to get used to it, but I didn't use my camera that much during that time. However, we just returned from a long vacation where we visited four State & National Parks, during which I took over 1,000 photos. Back button focus is now ingrained in my mind, and Tony is right, I will Never Go Back!
Hi Tony & Chelsea, I love watching and learning so much about different aspects of photography. I am a professional Rodeo photographer in Australia and at 72 years I still learn so many helpfully hints from your videos, thank so much.
Personally, I used back button focusing for really long time but lately I switched back AF-ON button to stop focus function. I found that focusing with AF-ON kinda annoyed me and forced me to grip the camera with thumb hovering or lightly pressing on AF-ON button which resulted in pinching the camera awkwardly. Also, I found that on 7D and 50D, moving focus point with joystick and focusing with AF-ON resulted in thumb boogie while my index finger was just chilling. Focusing with half pressed shutter button and moving focusing point with thumb is way more natural for my fingers. Now, these are just thoughts from boring dad with big camera, so no hard feelings you hard core pros around the comment section. Also, when need be I do switch focusing back to AF-ON, I just find it is not pleasant for occasional shooting. For me it has its time and place to use it. Cheers!
Same here, I use a 6D Mk2 with battery grip and Tamron 150-600mm G2, it feels easier to use the button as focus-stop with a very heavy camera, hard to explain.
Only been shooting with a quality camera for a year, but as soon as I saw your video on back button focusing and switched I was sold. Much more control of the shooting process IMO. Now both my cameras a6500 and a7iii are set up that way.
Hi Tony and Chelsea, thank you very much for your tremendous effort to teach photography to everyone with clarity and rigor. I did program the single back button of my Nikon D5300 in AF-ON mode. Something which might be stressed is that doing so, it actually disconnects the auto-exposition function (AE) from the auto-focus function which are normally linked together when both attached to the half-way pressed front shutter button. The net result is that when you focus (with the rear button) and recompose : as you press the front shutter button to shoot the picture, you also set the exposition to the recomposed picture light (in particular if you are in single point exposition mode) and you lose the right exposition of your initial focus point (if this point is the one you wish to expose properly, of course). This case often arises to me and I have to (i) focus with the rear button (ii) expose by maintaining the front shutter button half-way pressed and then (iii) recompose and shoot (taking care to let the shutter half-pressed during recomposing...which requires some practice ! Maybe the above could be an opportunity for another Tony & Chelsea video ! Kind regards
I agree with the title. I am two years now into BBF and just can't think of going back. I have set all of my camers to BBF and am so happy I made the switch.
I just adopted this technique after I got my D7200. It's working great so far. Fun fact fact that I just realized, you can set the camera to shoot even if it doesn't think it is focused, but this only works in AF-C. So... Make sure you set it and forget it in AF-C and it'll work great.
Took me two tries to get it right.The first time I used a button in the middle of the back of the camera. I found it awkward. I later was able to change to the AEL button and bingo; what a difference! All the benefits you list are so valuable and so not available with 1/2 pressing the shutter.
This is the best tutorial on BB focus I have seen. I haven't seen any other video that explained this as well, especially about holding the BB when the subject is moving. Many others leave off at that point. Thanks!
As long as one is aware that "re-composing" changes the plane of focus, especially when you' re close, and the pic may be soft. Composing first and using the joystick to pick the focus point is technically better, though not as fast.
@@sadbravesfan I think SOOC meant "when you are close". It's a little more risky doing a focus re-compose when you are really close to the subject in-focus and at a shallow DOF. You still get a lot of usable shots. Constant practice helps.
@@femiaboludestudios4731 thank you for your reply. That makes sense if I understand what you're saying in that if you are very close, then you can really change the distance from your subject when you re-comp compared to say if you are far away then a re-comp wouldn't change the distance that much.
Switched to BBF a long time ago after watching an earlier video. It's so intuitive now that I can't imagine going back. It has simplified and sped up my shooting. Thanks!
I had used the shutter button focus since I got my first DSLR in 2008. Then I planned a wildlife safari earlier this month and I learnt and practiced BBF before going after seeing this video. The photographs I got earlier could not match those I got now. I had also removed the exposure lock from the shutter release. Thank you.
There are too many features on the newer breed of camera, such as face detect and eye autofocus to not be acquainted with back-button focus, exposure lock, etc. However, for me, it is faster to get that first shot quickly by having one button do it all.... The Shutter Button. However, you are right on all other positives regarding back button. Thanks for another valuable video.
Such a simple thing that'll speed up my bracketing for landscapes, I'll know I'm focussed on *exactly* the same position every single time - thank you!
Took me a while to get used to and I gave up before mastering it. I went back to trying it again and then it just snapped in! I use it most of the time now. Don't give up too quickly, give it a good go and you'll be glad you did. (If it wasn't a good thing to have you wouldn't be able to use it on most cameras. An AF-ON button is standard on most higher-end cameras for this reason) Thanks for a great channel! 993K FTW!
Remembering back to my many years of shooting auto racing, primarily the Indianapolis 500, it was really helpful when Canon added the ability to activate auto focus with a back button. Initially the cameras had auto focus on ly kn the center, then added two more auto focus areas to either side of center. For good composition, and efficiency when quickly turning right to pick up an oncoming car, I always focused manually so I could get good focus no mater where the car initially appeared in the frame, then I stayed with manual focus. My thumb was always on the rear button, and I believe that 100% of the times a car started to do what the driver didn't want, (that was thousands of times for me over the years) I hit the thumb button. I never missed the start of an incident because the camera was looking for focus before shooting, and I never had a frame of the incident out of focus.
You convinced me a while ago to try out back button autofocus. After getting used to it I don’t even know why it’s not the default for at least higher end cameras. I can never go back. On the A7riii I love being able to switch between eye autofocus and regular focus with the same two buttons you showed. Back button autofocus really allows me to focus more on composition since I no longer have to focus and re-compose.
This is by far the most useful advice I've ever heard (as far as advices on how to use camera goes). I've been using this setup for a while now and it's been a game changer. Not only I'm getting both in one (continuous and single shot), but my autofocus is so much faster in continuous and I did not realised this till today. I was using my camera as usual and I noticed that my autofocus is a bit wonky, kinda slow and hunts a bit, thought it was something wrong with the lens and reconnected it a couple of times till I realised that camera is set to single shot autofocus. It's crazy when you think about it, I managed to notice a huge difference in speed and accuracy to a point where I thought that I dropped a lens or something. That's how good continuous autofocus is. And with this setup I'm getting single shot af with continuous af speed. As the title says - I'm NEVER going back! Thank you for this incredible advice!
This would make an awesome drinking game. "Back button focus...drink!" In all seriousness, this was super helpful and opened my eyes to this technique which I've never explored before your video.
Thank you very much explaining the Back Focusing Button. This is great. Now I am using it now. This let you know that you are never to old to learn something new. Never stop learning. Thank you Very Much!
Story time: when i started out, i bought a canon 10-22 that had a broken af/mf switch (it would just stay on AF). I couldn't shoot astrophotography, it would just keep trying to focus. I went home, googled my problem and there it was, a forum post about bbf, my solution. I googled bbf and there was Tony, he was only 22 at the time (2014), had a full head of white hair, gave me a hand, pulled me from the life of sin and index-powered AF and gave me a second chance at life. Now (2018) he's 73 and he's still preaching to whomever may want to transcend factory default settings. Godspeed, you beautiful man. Ps.Your daughter, Chelsea is very strong, that dog and lense look very heevy.
I love BBF on my Nikons, for the reasons you cite. I use it on my Sony A73 too but there is a slight cost, because on the newer Sony's AFS and AFC are not the same. AFC is phase detection, whereas AFS is phase detection followed by a tweak of contrast detection. I can't say how much benefit the CDAF tweak provides. CDAF is known to be slower but more accurate than PDAF, but we might be splitting hairs. Thanks for the tip on assigning the 3 buttons on the back of the Sony, I never thought to do that and it will be life changing.
There is a simple solution to that. You can assign 3-4 buttons to back button focus on your Sony. Set one for AF-C single point, one for AF-C wide, one for AF-S single point and one for Eye-AF. That way you never have to change your focus mode again. That said I found that AF-C is more than accurate enough
I am a BBF convert of many years, but in fairness programming the button to af-l (or having an older nikon with dedicated button), would offer a simple alternative without having to flick to mf in your first example. Focus, lock and hold, recompose, shoot away, let go when done. No harder than keeping the button pressed for bbf and moving subjects. It is the moving subjects I really switched for though! :)
I set my omd em5 mark 2 on manual focus, using the focus ring. It allows me to set a button on the back for back button focus. It’s the best of both worlds, plus it frees up the shutter button for the exposure. If you want to expose for the sky, you just point, hold the shutter button and recompose. Or do the same for the ground.
I have been shooting for over 30 years, but I only started using back-focus a couple of months ago... I never looked back since.... it's definitely the way to go ;)
I've often seen this technique lauded on UA-cam, but yours was the clearest, most practical explanation, Simon. One question, though: if back-button focus is that good, why doesn't it come as standard when you buy the camera?
Thank you for this. I just found your video and made the switch. Your right. I can never go back lol. It's so much smoother with my continuous focus. I didn't even know it was possible.
I still cannot believe I just discovered your channel just a few weeks ago, you guys really have amazing tips and podcasts that are just useful tips, amazing channel and thank you!
Yup. Thanks for the tip. I made sure to keep it in Continuous-servo AF and changed the AF-C priority selection to Release. My biggest weakness was trying to nail down focus especially at night. So I went out to downtown Phoenix to shoot tonight and it made a world of difference. I know the D5500 isn't great for low light, even with a 1.8 prime but the back button autofocus really did help. I don't think I can go back. :D
What you mentioned at about 2:48 is THE sole reason I ditched my RP and R (they can't do this) and got an R6. I feel like the internet doesn't talk about this enough
The way I understand this method is that once you set up your camera to use this method, you continuously hold the back button down while snapping as many pictures as you want. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this allows you to compose that first shot and then follow your subject while taking photos. A good example would be a bird sitting on a post and then takes off. What if shooting wildlife photography, you don't have time to compose that first shot. You flush a bird or some other animal out of the brush. All you have time to do is get the subject in frame and start shooting, which is where Canon's servo mode comes in. All you're doing then is trying to keep the subject in frame while continuously shooting. Servo mode will try to keep the subject in focus. If that's the case, why reconfigure your camera and just use servo mode on a Canon camera? When shooting with a telephoto lens, let's say 600mm, and I'm shooting a bird in flight. Because of the shallow depth of field, you may not get the part of the bird in focus that you would like. So in this case, you shoot and pray one shot is good. I know this is an old post, but I hope you are still reading and replying to comments.
as someone who shot 100% manual film cameras throughout high school, back button focus really improved my ability to use a digital camera. Since there is no auto focus in my old Olympus OM1s, you have to use the screen and line up your focus point in the center element, then compose and shoot. Without back-button focus, you have to choose your focus point in the body of the camera. Super time-consuming and frustrating for someone who has never shot like this. Now I can use the camera as I always used a film camera: picking a focus point using the center pixel, then re-composing and shooting. Back-button focus saved digi cameras for me.
I have a Fuji and I use it in a similar but slightly better way (for my use at least). I have the shutter with the double action as usual, but I have assigned one of the buttons of the back for "Focus lock". So when I want to take several pictures with the same focus distance, I focus once, hold the back button, and take as many shots as I want. Also when I change the lens to manual focus, I have that same button assigned to the opposite action: when I press it in that case, it actually focuses, as you have here
I've been sold on this forever, for all the reasons you mention. It makes life sooooo much easier. Recently I photographed an air show, and it made most of the day's focusing tasks a no-brainer.
I love photography. Telling the stories through images. Shooting models, but after spending thousands of dollars on Canon equipment, I walked away. My images were never tack sharp on the 70 -200 lenses at 2.8. Another photographer mentioned he sold his Canon equipment because the L lenses were soft. For the last six or seven years my kit has been in storage. I’ve decided to try it again, for fun. I want to calibrate my lenses, so I’m waiting on a product to help with that. As a shallow DOF shooter, I always use a single point of focus, the eyes then recompose. What I recently discovered is by the time I focused the shot and depressed the shutter down fully, the focus shifted. After watching this video maybe the lenses are fine and all I needed was the back focus button.
As always, a great and informative video. From your prior BBF video, I went to BBF with my D-750 and then again with D-850 a year ago......never looked back. Always appreciate the updated video on this topic.
I keep the focus on the shutter button and just use AF lock button as intended. Lol but whatever gets the job done for you personally may be different.
Always Late Productions I was doing the same but it’s more complicated that way since you have to keep the button pressed, with af-on you can let go and the camera will maintain focus and your finger will be free
This was very well explained. I was a bit confused at your first point, because I can focus with half press, then shoot but keep the button half pressed, so I don't need to refocus. But the rest showed me, there is something to it. Keep it on.
On the basis your UA-cam videos are always full of sound advice for an intermediate hobbyists photographer like me I just ordered your book on kindle. Really looking forward to it 😁
I've use the focus and recompose method for as long as I've had an AF camera. I have an old 5D mark II and apparently I've ignored this feature. I just looked at the back of my camera and there it is, plain as day. I'm gonna give it a go. Thanks!
Really well put together video here!! Exudes generosity! Thank you for the illustrations, examples, explanations. Honestly it feels like you guys really put a lot I effort into this and just wanted to say the result is so so great. Much appreciated as I think we can all always keep learning when it comes to photography.
I'm convinced. I re-programmed my cameras as suggested. Then I shot having TOTALLY FORGOTTEN about the change. My focus was close enough to look OK on the back of the camera, so I was happy... until... on the computer... ARGHHHHH. Terrible. But I'm not giving up. I shot a softball game with BBF and it was OK. I'm still learning this technique, but I can see the promise and what all the hype is about. More practice needed!
I had to adopt this technique, I got an infection that has given nerve damage to my right hand point finger. The feeling is gradually coming back as the nerves heal, but it was this back-focus technique that saved me. But I do recommend using AF-C as I don't think you need AF-S, because the way I see it, I have both at the same time with AF-C. When shooting continuous I just keep the back focus button pressed while it track and hit the shutter. If I need AF-S, I don't have to change, I still keep it on AF-C because it stops tracking when I release back focus button. It's the same and seems instantly flexible to me. Just my thoughts.
Happy Birthday! How funny. Watching this and then googled Tony Northrup to check out his books and turns out it's his birthday TODAY lol Thanks for great videos
Okay this tip just blew my mind ! I even have this option on my 10 year old Canon 450d/rebel xsi ! From now I'm only using continuous focus and I'll use the "*" button to lock focus and recompose if I need to
Uh---whoah. I've just watched six or seven versions of this subject--but your video KICKS ASS! Thank you guys! So effectively this removes the need to use "single shot," seems as if it basically unecessary--except for possibly needing a camera to be set on single shot focus for Canon's "AF Assist" feature. I hope I am wrong.
My tiny canon SL1 doesnt have the strongest autofocus system and, on top of it, it doesnt have the back button foccus. Since the moment i saw the first video of tony about the back button i want to change my camera for one with it. I have bought great budget lenses that have served me really well and have helped lo learn, but the back button focus is something that i still want in my camera. As always, great video.
I am trying to implement this in my photography. Definitely seeing some benefits, but it's hard to undo a few decades of muscle memory using the shutter release to focus...and recompose.
Yeah with my a6300, I use AF/MF for back button focus and AEL for Eye-AF. For portraits, Eye-AF was an absolute game changer, for me, but if it's too dark or far, I just flick the switch and go to AF-ON which works great too for moving subjects/darker/farther. One thing to remember (at least for Sony) is to turn OFF the Pre-AF setting in the custom menu. This is by default ON and so the camera will still try to (pre) focus, while idling, even though you're not pressing any back buttons. Utill I found this setings this was driving me crazy because it totally defeated the purpose of BBF. I believe Tony left this step out in the a6300 BBF guilde!
Hi A FB page I am on pointed me in the direction of your video. I have only started using Back Button focus recently. I plan to watch it a few more times to make sure I understand everything you have said. You have explained things very well. Thank you.
Well, using the EOS R, I have gone back to using the shutter release for focusing. Touch-and-drag focus point selection on the rear screen is so quick and easy, I use my right thumb for that and I no longer need to focus-and-recompose. I just move the focus point, half-press the shutter release to focus, and shoot. This is exceedingly effective for shooting stage productions. I ride exposure with my left index finger on the control ring, my right thumb doing the touch-and-drag, and my right index finger focusing and shooting. It's a continual finger dance.
LOVE BACK BUTTON FOCUS! It should really be the default, I'm not sure why the default focus settings are linked to the shutter, maybe there is a historical reason. When I first tried it I was worried continuous focus wouldn't work, but as the video shows, it totally does. I have it set to my joystick button on my Sony a7riii so I can adjust the spot focus location relatively easily at the same time if need be. Great tip to program another button for "all focus points", never thought of that, thanks.
As a photojournalist working for AFP and AP, I've used back focusing for years even before digital. My Nikon F5 had back focusing, this SOP for us working photogs
the other option is to use the shutter button to focus and have the af button set to disable focusing on the shutter. Gives the quick snap option of just pulling up the camera and depressing the shutter, or you half press to autofocus and then keep it locked in by keeping your thumb on there. It's the inverse of this technique I guess and I started using it mostly because the issue of locking in focus at night like you described.
Thanks Tony, great video, am finally starting to understands what this button does after years of just looking at it, will practice different techniques, but thats how we learn & improve !
Best explanation of back button focus I’ve ever seen. T- 5,944 and counting...
I like the fact that other people have no idea how to use your camera once you set this up. Amusing.
Yeah it's sad, but back-button focus also combines continuous focus and single shot focus. You have the best of both worlds and half-shutter presses also effects the VR/IS of lenses. So pretty much imperative to shoot with back-button focus and it's what I have been doing for 20 years now starting with the Nikon F5 and D1 in 1999 lol.
Hahaha I was just gonna say that!
@@patricksmith2553 and Patrick I assume you are a still photographer and you don't shoot video right.
Question: what telephoto lens would you suggest for a canon Rebel series DSLR that cam keep every thing in complete focus and have a power zoom. Does anyone make such a lens for DSLR's?
@@HoundDogMech I don't shoot with Canon gear anymore, except when I work for a specific company that provides Canon gear. I own Nikon gear and use that 80% of the time, but I don't know what you're talking about. There is no such thing as a lens that keeps "everything" in focus unless it's a wide angle shot at f16 or something. As far as a power zoom, those are only available for high-end video lenses mainly used for broadcast. Canon makes a few of those lenses like the Cine 50-1000mm lens and so does Fujinon, etc. However those lenses are extremely expensive and you wouldn't ever buy one to use on a Rebel. Maybe you can clarify your question?
@@patricksmith2553 and there you have it I bought a Canon Rebel T5i do do video because I saw the great video a buddy was making of Model air planes. But when I couldn't keep them in focus I went back and realized he never zoomed ... so I wasted a little over a grand with all the accessories and turned around and bought a Canon XA-30 Video camera, When zoomed to and focused at Infinity them placed in manual focus every thing is in focus at any zoom right down to 15' ... Why ? Video Cameras Have PARFOCUL lenses. anyway I just do it for fun not trying to make the next gone with the wind epic or even a commercial. Just Toy R/C model Airplane videos for You Tube.
Thanks for your comment.
Back button focus has been a game changer for me over the years.This video is probably one of the best ones I’ve seen showing how it functions. Great video Tony and Chelsea.
I set my camera's to back-button focus to shoot some sporting event's, only regret is I should have done it years ago. Thank's Tony.
Back Button Focusing is a great way to get that perfect focus in our shots. Very comprehensively explained. Using Back Button Focus on my Rebel T6 improved my shots to a great extent.Thanks a lot, Sir.
I am a real estate photographer in Arizona and after watching this video, I learned something new about my camera. I tried it last evening for twilight shots and Wah-Lah complete success. Thank You
The title of this video is Spot On. I watched this video a couple months ago, was skeptical but thought I'd try it. The first month it took me a while to get used to it, but I didn't use my camera that much during that time. However, we just returned from a long vacation where we visited four State & National Parks, during which I took over 1,000 photos. Back button focus is now ingrained in my mind, and Tony is right, I will Never Go Back!
Hi Tony & Chelsea,
I love watching and learning so much about different aspects of photography.
I am a professional Rodeo photographer in Australia and at 72 years I still learn so many helpfully hints from your videos, thank so much.
Personally, I used back button focusing for really long time but lately I switched back AF-ON button to stop focus function. I found that focusing with AF-ON kinda annoyed me and forced me to grip the camera with thumb hovering or lightly pressing on AF-ON button which resulted in pinching the camera awkwardly. Also, I found that on 7D and 50D, moving focus point with joystick and focusing with AF-ON resulted in thumb boogie while my index finger was just chilling. Focusing with half pressed shutter button and moving focusing point with thumb is way more natural for my fingers.
Now, these are just thoughts from boring dad with big camera, so no hard feelings you hard core pros around the comment section. Also, when need be I do switch focusing back to AF-ON, I just find it is not pleasant for occasional shooting. For me it has its time and place to use it.
Cheers!
Same here, I use a 6D Mk2 with battery grip and Tamron 150-600mm G2, it feels easier to use the button as focus-stop with a very heavy camera, hard to explain.
This is revolutionary. It changes the way you think about taking a picture and opens up huge potential.
Only been shooting with a quality camera for a year, but as soon as I saw your video on back button focusing and switched I was sold. Much more control of the shooting process IMO. Now both my cameras a6500 and a7iii are set up that way.
Hi Tony and Chelsea, thank you very much for your tremendous effort to teach photography to everyone with clarity and rigor. I did program the single back button of my Nikon D5300 in AF-ON mode. Something which might be stressed is that doing so, it actually disconnects the auto-exposition function (AE) from the auto-focus function which are normally linked together when both attached to the half-way pressed front shutter button.
The net result is that when you focus (with the rear button) and recompose : as you press the front shutter button to shoot the picture, you also set the exposition to the recomposed picture light (in particular if you are in single point exposition mode) and you lose the right exposition of your initial focus point (if this point is the one you wish to expose properly, of course). This case often arises to me and I have to (i) focus with the rear button (ii) expose by maintaining the front shutter button half-way pressed and then (iii) recompose and shoot (taking care to let the shutter half-pressed during recomposing...which requires some practice !
Maybe the above could be an opportunity for another Tony & Chelsea video !
Kind regards
This is the best explanation on all the focusing practicality. THANK YOU, TONY!
This info is absolute gold. Can not believe I only discovered this now. Best of both manual and auto without the annoying hunt each time.
I agree with the title. I am two years now into BBF and just can't think of going back. I have set all of my camers to BBF and am so happy I made the switch.
I just adopted this technique after I got my D7200. It's working great so far. Fun fact fact that I just realized, you can set the camera to shoot even if it doesn't think it is focused, but this only works in AF-C. So... Make sure you set it and forget it in AF-C and it'll work great.
Took me two tries to get it right.The first time I used a button in the middle of the back of the camera. I found it awkward. I later was able to change to the AEL button and bingo; what a difference! All the benefits you list are so valuable and so not available with 1/2 pressing the shutter.
I just purchased your course and I have to say thank you! I’ve learned more in this week than I ever had in my lifetime. Amazing value!!
After watching 5 videos on this topic, you both made this very clear why this is better
This is the best tutorial on BB focus I have seen. I haven't seen any other video that explained this as well, especially about holding the BB when the subject is moving. Many others leave off at that point. Thanks!
Tony! Man! You are the Dude! Nobody is offering this kind of camera love and knowledge Doc. Super kool
I found this tutorial 2 days before the 27 July 2018 blood moon. What a time saver and an amazing technique! Thanks!!!
These cameras have so many capabilities that I wasn't even aware of! Thanks, Tony & Chelsea! Starting my mirrorless life with a gently used A7R.
As long as one is aware that "re-composing" changes the plane of focus, especially when you' re close, and the pic may be soft. Composing first and using the joystick to pick the focus point is technically better, though not as fast.
yep, I just set up my shot and then select which af point I'll use then take the shot
Hi, can you tell me what re-close means?
@@sadbravesfan I think SOOC meant "when you are close". It's a little more risky doing a focus re-compose when you are really close to the subject in-focus and at a shallow DOF. You still get a lot of usable shots. Constant practice helps.
@@femiaboludestudios4731 thank you for your reply. That makes sense if I understand what you're saying in that if you are very close, then you can really change the distance from your subject when you re-comp compared to say if you are far away then a re-comp wouldn't change the distance that much.
Having Eye and Face detection AF helps in that case, no?
Switched to BBF a long time ago after watching an earlier video. It's so intuitive now that I can't imagine going back. It has simplified and sped up my shooting. Thanks!
I had used the shutter button focus since I got my first DSLR in 2008. Then I planned a wildlife safari earlier this month and I learnt and practiced BBF before going after seeing this video. The photographs I got earlier could not match those I got now. I had also removed the exposure lock from the shutter release. Thank you.
There are too many features on the newer breed of camera, such as face detect and eye autofocus to not be acquainted with back-button focus, exposure lock, etc. However, for me, it is faster to get that first shot quickly by having one button do it all.... The Shutter Button. However, you are right on all other positives regarding back button. Thanks for another valuable video.
Such a simple thing that'll speed up my bracketing for landscapes, I'll know I'm focussed on *exactly* the same position every single time - thank you!
OMG YOU CAN HOLD IT DOWN !!! YOU JUST SAVED ME FROM RIPPING OUT ALL MY HAIR !!!! 25 VIDEOS LATER I THANK YOU SO SO MUCH !!!!
Took me a while to get used to and I gave up before mastering it. I went back to trying it again and then it just snapped in! I use it most of the time now. Don't give up too quickly, give it a good go and you'll be glad you did. (If it wasn't a good thing to have you wouldn't be able to use it on most cameras. An AF-ON button is standard on most higher-end cameras for this reason) Thanks for a great channel! 993K FTW!
Remembering back to my many years of shooting auto racing, primarily the Indianapolis 500, it was really helpful when Canon added the ability to activate auto focus with a back button. Initially the cameras had auto focus on ly kn the center, then added two more auto focus areas to either side of center. For good composition, and efficiency when quickly turning right to pick up an oncoming car, I always focused manually so I could get good focus no mater where the car initially appeared in the frame, then I stayed with manual focus. My thumb was always on the rear button, and I believe that 100% of the times a car started to do what the driver didn't want, (that was thousands of times for me over the years) I hit the thumb button. I never missed the start of an incident because the camera was looking for focus before shooting, and I never had a frame of the incident out of focus.
You convinced me a while ago to try out back button autofocus. After getting used to it I don’t even know why it’s not the default for at least higher end cameras. I can never go back. On the A7riii I love being able to switch between eye autofocus and regular focus with the same two buttons you showed. Back button autofocus really allows me to focus more on composition since I no longer have to focus and re-compose.
This is by far the most useful advice I've ever heard (as far as advices on how to use camera goes). I've been using this setup for a while now and it's been a game changer. Not only I'm getting both in one (continuous and single shot), but my autofocus is so much faster in continuous and I did not realised this till today. I was using my camera as usual and I noticed that my autofocus is a bit wonky, kinda slow and hunts a bit, thought it was something wrong with the lens and reconnected it a couple of times till I realised that camera is set to single shot autofocus. It's crazy when you think about it, I managed to notice a huge difference in speed and accuracy to a point where I thought that I dropped a lens or something. That's how good continuous autofocus is. And with this setup I'm getting single shot af with continuous af speed. As the title says - I'm NEVER going back! Thank you for this incredible advice!
I love using it for my bird photography. It is so great for when I am tracking flying birds. Thanks for this video. BBF is a game changer.
This would make an awesome drinking game. "Back button focus...drink!" In all seriousness, this was super helpful and opened my eyes to this technique which I've never explored before your video.
Thank you very much explaining the Back Focusing Button. This is great. Now I am using it now. This let you know that you are never to old to learn something new. Never stop learning. Thank you Very Much!
Story time: when i started out, i bought a canon 10-22 that had a broken af/mf switch (it would just stay on AF).
I couldn't shoot astrophotography, it would just keep trying to focus. I went home, googled my problem and there it was, a forum post about bbf, my solution.
I googled bbf and there was Tony, he was only 22 at the time (2014), had a full head of white hair, gave me a hand, pulled me from the life of sin and index-powered AF and gave me a second chance at life. Now (2018) he's 73 and he's still preaching to whomever may want to transcend factory default settings. Godspeed, you beautiful man. Ps.Your daughter, Chelsea is very strong, that dog and lense look very heevy.
hilarious
lolllllllz!
I'm still laughing!
I love BBF on my Nikons, for the reasons you cite. I use it on my Sony A73 too but there is a slight cost, because on the newer Sony's AFS and AFC are not the same. AFC is phase detection, whereas AFS is phase detection followed by a tweak of contrast detection. I can't say how much benefit the CDAF tweak provides. CDAF is known to be slower but more accurate than PDAF, but we might be splitting hairs. Thanks for the tip on assigning the 3 buttons on the back of the Sony, I never thought to do that and it will be life changing.
There is a simple solution to that. You can assign 3-4 buttons to back button focus on your Sony. Set one for AF-C single point, one for AF-C wide, one for AF-S single point and one for Eye-AF. That way you never have to change your focus mode again. That said I found that AF-C is more than accurate enough
+1 for back button AF. Will drive you crazy at first but it is the way to go
Jim
I am a BBF convert of many years, but in fairness programming the button to af-l (or having an older nikon with dedicated button), would offer a simple alternative without having to flick to mf in your first example.
Focus, lock and hold, recompose, shoot away, let go when done. No harder than keeping the button pressed for bbf and moving subjects.
It is the moving subjects I really switched for though! :)
Scriptosaurus rex I use the same way with AF lock! I think it’s way easier than using AF-on.
Scriptosaurus rex BBF convert, sounds like changing your religion or cult or something like that😂
Спасибо, Тони. Без Челси ты никогда бы не набрал столько просмотров, её улыбка прекрасна.
I set my omd em5 mark 2 on manual focus, using the focus ring. It allows me to set a button on the back for back button focus. It’s the best of both worlds, plus it frees up the shutter button for the exposure. If you want to expose for the sky, you just point, hold the shutter button and recompose. Or do the same for the ground.
Use it all the time from one of your previous tutorials some years ago, love it Guys
I have been shooting for over 30 years, but I only started using back-focus a couple of months ago... I never looked back since.... it's definitely the way to go ;)
I love the way you guys describe the concepts being taught. Very easy to follow and clear. Thanks so much!
I've often seen this technique lauded on UA-cam, but yours was the clearest, most practical explanation, Simon. One question, though: if back-button focus is that good, why doesn't it come as standard when you buy the camera?
Thank you for this. I just found your video and made the switch. Your right. I can never go back lol. It's so much smoother with my continuous focus. I didn't even know it was possible.
Back focusing is a great feature that isn’t well known! I learned a fantastic tip today. Thanks a lot.
I still cannot believe I just discovered your channel just a few weeks ago, you guys really have amazing tips and podcasts that are just useful tips, amazing channel and thank you!
I literally set this up last night on my Nikon D5500. Can't wait to try it after hearing how praiseworthy this feature is.
Phoenix Down Keep autofocus in continuos or you will probably find your shutter will fail to actuate. This happens on the D810.
Yup. Thanks for the tip. I made sure to keep it in Continuous-servo AF and changed the AF-C priority selection to Release. My biggest weakness was trying to nail down focus especially at night. So I went out to downtown Phoenix to shoot tonight and it made a world of difference. I know the D5500 isn't great for low light, even with a 1.8 prime but the back button autofocus really did help. I don't think I can go back. :D
What you mentioned at about 2:48 is THE sole reason I ditched my RP and R (they can't do this) and got an R6. I feel like the internet doesn't talk about this enough
The way I understand this method is that once you set up your camera to use this method, you continuously hold the back button down while snapping as many pictures as you want. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this allows you to compose that first shot and then follow your subject while taking photos. A good example would be a bird sitting on a post and then takes off. What if shooting wildlife photography, you don't have time to compose that first shot. You flush a bird or some other animal out of the brush. All you have time to do is get the subject in frame and start shooting, which is where Canon's servo mode comes in. All you're doing then is trying to keep the subject in frame while continuously shooting. Servo mode will try to keep the subject in focus. If that's the case, why reconfigure your camera and just use servo mode on a Canon camera?
When shooting with a telephoto lens, let's say 600mm, and I'm shooting a bird in flight. Because of the shallow depth of field, you may not get the part of the bird in focus that you would like. So in this case, you shoot and pray one shot is good.
I know this is an old post, but I hope you are still reading and replying to comments.
as someone who shot 100% manual film cameras throughout high school, back button focus really improved my ability to use a digital camera. Since there is no auto focus in my old Olympus OM1s, you have to use the screen and line up your focus point in the center element, then compose and shoot. Without back-button focus, you have to choose your focus point in the body of the camera. Super time-consuming and frustrating for someone who has never shot like this. Now I can use the camera as I always used a film camera: picking a focus point using the center pixel, then re-composing and shooting. Back-button focus saved digi cameras for me.
I have a Fuji and I use it in a similar but slightly better way (for my use at least). I have the shutter with the double action as usual, but I have assigned one of the buttons of the back for "Focus lock". So when I want to take several pictures with the same focus distance, I focus once, hold the back button, and take as many shots as I want.
Also when I change the lens to manual focus, I have that same button assigned to the opposite action: when I press it in that case, it actually focuses, as you have here
I've been sold on this forever, for all the reasons you mention. It makes life sooooo much easier. Recently I photographed an air show, and it made most of the day's focusing tasks a no-brainer.
It took me a year to switch to doing this and now I love back button af.
First time I have seen a video on this topic. Excellent.
I love photography. Telling the stories through images. Shooting models, but after spending thousands of dollars on Canon equipment, I walked away. My images were never tack sharp on the 70 -200 lenses at 2.8. Another photographer mentioned he sold his Canon equipment because the L lenses were soft.
For the last six or seven years my kit has been in storage. I’ve decided to try it again, for fun. I want to calibrate my lenses, so I’m waiting on a product to help with that. As a shallow DOF shooter, I always use a single point of focus, the eyes then recompose.
What I recently discovered is by the time I focused the shot and depressed the shutter down fully, the focus shifted.
After watching this video maybe the lenses are fine and all I needed was the back focus button.
As always, a great and informative video. From your prior BBF video, I went to BBF with my D-750 and then again with D-850 a year ago......never looked back. Always appreciate the updated video on this topic.
I keep the focus on the shutter button and just use AF lock button as intended. Lol but whatever gets the job done for you personally may be different.
Always Late Productions Get with the program dude 😂
back button focusing for 700D canon
Always Late Productions I was doing the same but it’s more complicated that way since you have to keep the button pressed, with af-on you can let go and the camera will maintain focus and your finger will be free
Program another button for AF-ON. I do front button focusing.
Best video I’ve seen on back button focus!!! Thank you for the explanation and the examples!
This was very well explained.
I was a bit confused at your first point, because I can focus with half press, then shoot but keep the button half pressed, so I don't need to refocus.
But the rest showed me, there is something to it.
Keep it on.
I've been using back button focus for years, but only with the AF-ON button. Using two buttons with different AF modes is a great idea!
On the basis your UA-cam videos are always full of sound advice for an intermediate hobbyists photographer like me I just ordered your book on kindle. Really looking forward to it 😁
I've use the focus and recompose method for as long as I've had an AF camera. I have an old 5D mark II and apparently I've ignored this feature. I just looked at the back of my camera and there it is, plain as day. I'm gonna give it a go. Thanks!
Really well put together video here!! Exudes generosity! Thank you for the illustrations, examples, explanations. Honestly it feels like you guys really put a lot I effort into this and just wanted to say the result is so so great. Much appreciated as I think we can all always keep learning when it comes to photography.
One of the BEST things i learned from yall. Ill use a camera again without enabling this.
I have not tried this outside but by just experimenting at home was fun. Thabknyou both for the video. Thoroughly enjoy every lesson.
Well explained Tony, I've been using Back Button focus for ages now for Sports Photography and it's like having a 'Cheat Sheet' for a game 😃
You guys FIXED the AF on my beloved K3 with Chelsea turning me onto this method. Thanx a million!!! Btw...CN is far more adorable than that puppy.
I'm convinced. I re-programmed my cameras as suggested. Then I shot having TOTALLY FORGOTTEN about the change. My focus was close enough to look OK on the back of the camera, so I was happy... until... on the computer... ARGHHHHH. Terrible. But I'm not giving up. I shot a softball game with BBF and it was OK. I'm still learning this technique, but I can see the promise and what all the hype is about. More practice needed!
Yeah it takes a week or two to develop the muscle memory but you'll keep that with you for the rest of your life.
@@TonyAndChelsea Thanks. Encouragement is always appreciated. BTW I enjoy your webcast and your books. You (both) do good work!
This is a great suggestion. I saw the value immediately and setup my camera that way right away.
I had to adopt this technique, I got an infection that has given nerve damage to my right hand point finger.
The feeling is gradually coming back as the nerves heal, but it was this back-focus technique that saved me. But I do recommend using AF-C as I don't think you need AF-S, because the way I see it, I have both at the same time with AF-C.
When shooting continuous I just keep the back focus button pressed while it track and hit the shutter. If I need AF-S, I don't have to change, I still keep it on AF-C because it stops tracking when I release back focus button. It's the same and seems instantly flexible to me.
Just my thoughts.
I was familiar with back button focus, but learned a few more pointers to better use that feature. Thanks, Tony!
Happy Birthday! How funny. Watching this and then googled Tony Northrup to check out his books and turns out it's his birthday TODAY lol Thanks for great videos
Hi. This video just appeared in my feed. Great presentation for an amateur like me, thanks from the uk for the clear and easy help.
A bonus tip for Sony a9, a7iii, and a7Riii: you can assign C3 as AF-ON on registered area. You can easily swap between 2 focus areas instantly.
One of the best reason for BBF: Panoramas! And not just for landscapes, it works great if you can get close to animals or sports but want a wider FOV
Okay this tip just blew my mind ! I even have this option on my 10 year old Canon 450d/rebel xsi ! From now I'm only using continuous focus and I'll use the "*" button to lock focus and recompose if I need to
I actually learned this from Chris Winter. Yes it makes it makes photography soooo much easier!
This was insanely well put together. Nicely done guys!
My F6 has this but I didn't know to to use back-button focus on it until this video. Thank you.
I absolutely agree with Tony about the back button focus, "AF/MF" on my Sony. It's the button I use second to most (nearly on par with the release...)
Uh---whoah. I've just watched six or seven versions of this subject--but your video KICKS ASS! Thank you guys! So effectively this removes the need to use "single shot," seems as if it basically unecessary--except for possibly needing a camera to be set on single shot focus for Canon's "AF Assist" feature. I hope I am wrong.
My tiny canon SL1 doesnt have the strongest autofocus system and, on top of it, it doesnt have the back button foccus. Since the moment i saw the first video of tony about the back button i want to change my camera for one with it. I have bought great budget lenses that have served me really well and have helped lo learn, but the back button focus is something that i still want in my camera. As always, great video.
This is life changing, I kid you not. I feel like I've been fighting my autofocus until I switched over to this....rejoice.
I am trying to implement this in my photography. Definitely seeing some benefits, but it's hard to undo a few decades of muscle memory using the shutter release to focus...and recompose.
Hello, we're the Northrups. This is a tale of how back button focus not only saved our marriage, but also our lives.
I love this video.
I'm so excited to try this! I never knew about this. I'm so glad I found your channel
Yeah with my a6300, I use AF/MF for back button focus and AEL for Eye-AF. For portraits, Eye-AF was an absolute game changer, for me, but if it's too dark or far, I just flick the switch and go to AF-ON which works great too for moving subjects/darker/farther.
One thing to remember (at least for Sony) is to turn OFF the Pre-AF setting in the custom menu. This is by default ON and so the camera will still try to (pre) focus, while idling, even though you're not pressing any back buttons. Utill I found this setings this was driving me crazy because it totally defeated the purpose of BBF. I believe Tony left this step out in the a6300 BBF guilde!
Are there situations when you change to AF-S or is AF-C in combination with BBF just as precise?
Thank you. I had it on my 7D mark II and now I need to set it up on my new camera!! I'll go look for the tutorial.
Hi A FB page I am on pointed me in the direction of your video. I have only started using Back Button focus recently. I plan to watch it a few more times to make sure I understand everything you have said. You have explained things very well. Thank you.
Well, using the EOS R, I have gone back to using the shutter release for focusing. Touch-and-drag focus point selection on the rear screen is so quick and easy, I use my right thumb for that and I no longer need to focus-and-recompose. I just move the focus point, half-press the shutter release to focus, and shoot. This is exceedingly effective for shooting stage productions. I ride exposure with my left index finger on the control ring, my right thumb doing the touch-and-drag, and my right index finger focusing and shooting. It's a continual finger dance.
I have started using BBF now and it has made a huge difference, except for when I forget I have it set up..
LOVE BACK BUTTON FOCUS! It should really be the default, I'm not sure why the default focus settings are linked to the shutter, maybe there is a historical reason. When I first tried it I was worried continuous focus wouldn't work, but as the video shows, it totally does. I have it set to my joystick button on my Sony a7riii so I can adjust the spot focus location relatively easily at the same time if need be. Great tip to program another button for "all focus points", never thought of that, thanks.
As a photojournalist working for AFP and AP, I've used back focusing for years even before digital. My Nikon F5 had back focusing, this SOP for us working photogs
the other option is to use the shutter button to focus and have the af button set to disable focusing on the shutter. Gives the quick snap option of just pulling up the camera and depressing the shutter, or you half press to autofocus and then keep it locked in by keeping your thumb on there. It's the inverse of this technique I guess and I started using it mostly because the issue of locking in focus at night like you described.
Thanks Tony, great video, am finally starting to understands what this button does after years of just looking at it, will practice different techniques, but thats how we learn & improve !
Really good video! I will try that out once back on the racetrack and see the difference.
Very helpful. I have been using brb wrong by holding button down slowing frame rate. Thank you so much for all of the great information.