Finally sorted my focus issues (Back Button Focusing!)

sorry for dragging this thread up, but I'm just trying to get my head round this too! sorry if this is repetitive, but just trying to put it how it is in my head! :thinking:

so to use the BB focus, would this be the way in which things happen:

1) point at the 'exposure subject', half-press shutter release (to get exposure)
2) while still half-pressing shutter release (as above), use BB to recompose and focus on your final subject
3) complete the shutter release press to capture the image

and so in the menus, I'd need to set shutter release to exposure lock, and BB to AF?
 
That's not how I use it, I tend to press AF-ON to lock focus, then recompose, half press shutter button to lock exposure and shoot.

I can use the AE button if required to lock exposure at anytime, but find more often than not I take the metering from the recompose rather then the initial focus point.

Not sure why you are using the BB to recompose, seems to take away the point of using this method or maybe I have it all wrong
 
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this thread is gonna make me pick up my camera in a minute,
i used AF-C half shutter for motorbikes sat-sun at brands seemed to work quite well, did'nt even think of BBF but when chance arises i will give it a go,
 
tijuana taxi said:
That's not how I use it, I tend to press AF-ON to lock focus, then recompose, half press shutter button to lock exposure and shoot.

I can use the AE button if required to lock exposure at anytime, but find more often than not I take the metering from the recompose rather then the initial focus point.

Not sure why you are using the BB to recompose, seems to take away the point of using this method or maybe I have it all wrong
Click to expand...

aha, that sounds like a good combination to me... am keen to give this a try...

so which settings do I need to change in-camera to get this to happen?
 
Afraid I don't know for Nikon, but from a quick google this is how you set the AE button for one press exposure lock without keeping it pressed

In Custom Setting Menu,
- c1 -> "OFF"
- f7 -> "Assign AE-L/AF-L button" -> "AE/AFL button press" -> "AE lock (Reset on release)"->"OK"

Will leave you to sort out the AF-ON button, reckon its get the manual out time
 
I don't really see why it's worth debating on.

Everyone has their own methods for photography - nobody is right, nobody is wrong.

It all comes down to personal preference.

I guarantee that some people can get brilliant results without back button, and i guarantee that some people can get brilliant results with it.

There's no defined advantage, it comes down to you.
 
Wasn't really debating whether its a better method, just providing an answer to a polite question
 
tijuana taxi said:
Afraid I don't know for Nikon, but from a quick google this is how you set the AE button for one press exposure lock without keeping it pressed

In Custom Setting Menu,
- c1 -> "OFF"
- f7 -> "Assign AE-L/AF-L button" -> "AE/AFL button press" -> "AE lock (Reset on release)"->"OK"

Will leave you to sort out the AF-ON button, reckon its get the manual out time
Click to expand...

ah thanks Rich! didn't mean to sound lazy, should have looked to see if you were Canon/Nikon :)
will dig out the manual ;)
 
No problem Ben, wasn't being sarky, not too well up on the smiley placement

Its a good method especially in my case for landscapes, can focus on the hyperfocal distance knowing that focus point is locked in without fiddling aboout changing the lens to manual.
 
tijuana taxi said:
No problem Ben, wasn't being sarky, not too well up on the smiley placement

Its a good method especially in my case for landscapes, can focus on the hyperfocal distance knowing that focus point is locked in without fiddling aboout changing the lens to manual.
Click to expand...

:thumbs:
it sounds a very logical thing to do... I know a lot of cameras these days are very good at metering (especially matrix metering), but there are times when you need to focus on one subject, but take an exposure reading from another.

So to be able to use one button to focus on one part of the frame, then another button to get the exposure from a different area of the frame, makes great sense.

(if I've understood it correctly?!)
 
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