Back button focusing

Do you back button focus?

  • Yes, I love it

    Votes: 107 66.0%

  • No, it sucks

    Votes: 19 11.7%

  • I have no idea what you are gibbering about

    Votes: 36 22.2%
  • Total voters
    162
gjt880 said:
On a D90 it can be set up via the custom setting menu.
Then into Controls menu and then f4 assign AE-L/AF-L button.
Then select AF-ON and thats it.

Don't know if D80 has same menu but it can't be far off. :thumbs:
Click to expand...



Fairly much the same on a D70 so it can't be far off on the D80, you would think.
 
gjt880 said:
On a D90 it can be set up via the custom setting menu.
Then into Controls menu and then f4 assign AE-L/AF-L button.
Then select AF-ON and thats it.

Don't know if D80 has same menu but it can't be far off. :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Thanks Gary.... are you used to dealing with nitwits?:lol:

Checked the menu,found the AE-L/AF-L button as you described.
So if I change to AF-ON what do I then need to do differently when taking a picture?
At the mo I'm generally panning (as either motorbike racing or showjumping) so I focus on the target,pan through & press the shutter at the required time(well,thats the plan,doesn't always work out with my slow reactions!)
If I change the settings for back focus what do I need to do differently?
Sorry to sound dim but all new to me?
 
You now focus using the AE-L/AF-L button on the back of the camera instead of the shutter button. Takes some getting used to but I like it. When you release the back button focusing stops. Not much different only exposure will be set when you press the shutter and not focusing. Can help with the exposure as you pan due to not being set until you take your shot.
There are a lot of more qualified togs that can explain it better than me but hope this helps.

P.S. when I started to use this function I forgot about it and after a few days off and picking my camera up I thought I had broken it. Wouldn't focus on the shutter button. Doh I forgot it was set to back button. Took me a while to sus what was going on.
 
Last edited:
Lynne just edited my last reply, keep it in mind.

Just have a practice you might like it or you might hate it. There's nothing wrong with using the standard method.
 
I couldn't see what all the fuss was about until i realised i didn't have to hold the focus button down to lock it. Now I love it, makes focus-recompose so much easier.

Adam
 
gjt880 said:
....when I started to use this function I forgot about it and after a few days off and picking my camera up I thought I had broken it. Wouldn't focus on the shutter button. Doh I forgot it was set to back button. Took me a while to sus what was going on.
Click to expand...

Gary, if it makes you feel any better I did the self same thing, tried all my lenses and thought....'Oh poop me camera's died', then I thought 'Ah back button'....what a p lonker....:lol:.

It certainly made me sweat for a minute or two.
 
I have a custom mode set up for macro on my 40D, where I use the AF-ON instead of half shutter press. That way, I can leave the lens in AF setting, and if I spot a nice dragonfly or portrait opportunity I don't have to waste time switching the lens or focussing manually.
 
I find it's second nature now and wouldn't go back. The advantages I find are:

- the lens becomes manual focus without having to flick the switch
- focus isn't lost at the press of the shutter button, useful for macro photography and focus recompose
- I stop focussing if something comes between camera and subject
 
AFC said:
Gary, if it makes you feel any better I did the self same thing, tried all my lenses and thought....'Oh poop me camera's died', then I thought 'Ah back button'....what a p lonker....:lol:.

It certainly made me sweat for a minute or two.
Click to expand...

Also, dont forget that if you use a remote shutter release that has focus/shutter release with a press of the button, it wont focus like this..and you will think the remote has broken!!

How do I know??? SShhhhhhhh!!! ;):D
 
I've used this for a while and rarely go back to the shutter button AE/AF lock. Separating them works perfectly for me - I prefer to meter and focus individually.

I shot fully manual SLRs for 20 odd years and found this pretty simple. It might take a bit of getting used to for people moving up from automatic compacts, but there's really nothing much to it. Give it a try. You can always go back to the shutter button option if you prefer it. We all use what works best for us, and there's no right and wrong here.
 
Thanks Janice, I have just got my remote as well...lol

You are not far from one of my favourite houses - Hatfield House. A nice relaxing day out.
 
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