Beginner What are the benefits of Back Button Focus

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mangurian

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Harry Mangurian
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I own a Canon EOS M50 and would like to know when people use BBF and how it helps.
Thanks
 
For me it does away with having to keep focusing in landscapes as once I set the focus I no that it will not change when I press the shutter button even if I change my location during the day, that's why I use it others will obviously use it for differant reasons. Russ.
 
I've been using AF cameras since 1994, and I'd quite like to know the benefits of BBF as well! :LOL:
 
Back button focusing disconnects the Shutter button from also focusing (as long as you also remember to turn off the shutter also focusing ;):LOL:) The camera can then behave like a one shot focus camera and continuous focus camera via the use of the back button without the nedd to change modes. As long as you put the camera into continuous focusing. ;)

Point at subject, tap the back button, focus, let go, and focus is locked. When tracking a subject, there is no chance of accidentally firing the shutter as sometimes can happen using the Shutter Button, as you can keep your thumb on the back button tracking the subject and just tap the shutter at the appropriate time. And sometimes you may want to focus on a subject outside 'the view' of the focus points, and BBF allows you to focus on a subject, tap the Back button, lock focus at the point you want, and recompose to take the picture. That is not possible when using the shutter button to also focus.

There may be other benefits, but that is all I can think of off the top of my head. :)
 
I use it combination with af-c for portraits and anything really! I simply keep my thumb on the bbf button so the camera is constantly focusing and then I ‘fire’ when ready.

What this does in effect is net me more keepers, I’m often photographing kids and they are constantly on the move and I want an eye(s) sharp with narrow dof.
 
redhed17 said:
Back button focusing disconnects the Shutter button from also focusing (as long as you also remember to turn off the shutter also focusing ;):LOL:) The camera can then behave like a one shot focus camera and continuous focus camera via the use of the back button without the nedd to change modes. As long as you put the camera into continuous focusing. ;)

Point at subject, tap the back button, focus, let go, and focus is locked. When tracking a subject, there is no chance of accidentally firing the shutter as sometimes can happen using the Shutter Button, as you can keep your thumb on the back button tracking the subject and just tap the shutter at the appropriate time. And sometimes you may want to focus on a subject outside 'the view' of the focus points, and BBF allows you to focus on a subject, tap the Back button, lock focus at the point you want, and recompose to take the picture. That is not possible when using the shutter button to also focus.

There may be other benefits, but that is all I can think of off the top of my head. :)
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Ah, right. I've never really shot 'sports', so never had occasion to use such. I came from an old school AF film cam, so just got used to the half-press thing. Never thought to use it with later cams that had it (Nikon F5, then DLSRs/ML). I might give it a go actually.
 
I tried it for about 6 months, but just couldn't get on with it, even though I recognise the benefits. Went back to shutter-button focussing. Each to their own.
 
Stephen L said:
I tried it for about 6 months, but just couldn't get on with it, even though I recognise the benefits. Went back to shutter-button focussing. Each to their own.
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I'm another who tried it and found it did not suit my style of shooting. Not knocking those who do use it, it just wasn't for me.
 
Stephen L said:
I tried it for about 6 months, but just couldn't get on with it, even though I recognise the benefits. Went back to shutter-button focussing. Each to their own.
Click to expand...

It really is a personal preference, I find intuitive to have focus and shutter release as 2 x discrete actions. In fact I picked up Mrs GC's D7100 this morning, which isn't set for BBF, and really struggled:ROFLMAO:

GC
 
Is it a feature that benefits more when using continuous AF? I've always only really been a single AF/single shot type photographer; with my Nikon F801s I'd use the AF frame to achieve focus, then recompose and shoot. Seems to work fine for my needs. I've carried on that same method with my D600, and it's only cos the Z6 has so many AF points that I use the joystick thingy (and cos it's a lot quicker on the Z6). I can't say I've suffered from not having/using CAF (although I do find the Eye AF feature a boon). Is it praps also more of a sports/action type feature/benefit?
 
I'm another that doesn't get on with it. I know folks that use nothing else for BIF and struggle not using it, I'm just the opposite.

As said above, its personal preference :)
 
AZ6 said:
Is it a feature that benefits more when using continuous AF?. Is it praps also more of a sports/action type feature/benefit?
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Most of my stuff is fast moving subjects, that said I never revert to shutter button focus even for static subjects.

GC
 
It is great when you give someone your camera to try out, and they think it is broken when trying to take an image the normal way :D
 
If your doing portraits or shooting something static I am guessing not much advantage..

The biggest advantage for me...When holding the shutter button half way and tracking something.. especially in the cold.. it was hard work keeping it half pressed without it popping back up or taking a shot.... with BBF its a lot more stable to use the camera just holding the back button to focus and only hitting the shutter button when needed..
 
Nikon f1.8 said:
It is great when you give someone your camera to try out, and they think it is broken when trying to take an image the normal way :D
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No this actually happened to me! Got handed an EOS 1Dsummatorother, couldn't work out why it weren't focussing. 'Oh because I use BBF'. Ah. It's working now... :oops: :$
 
KIPAX said:
If your doing portraits or shooting something static I am guessing not much advantage..
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I think a benefit for static or portraits, especially the focus and recompose, is that with BBF you just have to tap the back button rather than having to hold the shutter button, with the potential, though rare for the experienced, of accidentally firing the shutter.

The back button can also be used to can also be used for activating focus on cameras whose lenses are focus by wire. The newest Nikon 70-300mm goes to sleep and loses focus after a few minutes. Again, the shutter could be used, but so can the back button.

KIPAX said:
The biggest advantage for me...When holding the shutter button half way and tracking something.. especially in the cold.. it was hard work keeping it half pressed without it popping back up or taking a shot.... with BBF its a lot more stable to use the camera just holding the back button to focus and only hitting the shutter button when needed..
Click to expand...
I use BBF all the time for fast moving things like sport and birds, but flip flop from using it at other times.
 
I love it. The ability to stop AF easily (sure I could use AF-lock, but this is much easier) is invaluable
 
redhed17 said:
I think a benefit for static or portraits, especially the focus and recompose, is that with BBF you just have to tap the back button rather than having to hold the shutter button, with the potential, though rare for the experienced, of accidentally firing the shutter.
Click to expand...

The other time I use it a lot is when shooting through something. A veil or musical instrument strings are the two times that come readily to mind
 
anyone else think it's curious that the OP posted a question about using back button focus, then within half a hour posted a link to his youtube about... you guessed it, Back Button Focus....
 
Not really. The link was posted on an entirely separate thread, which I wouldn't have even noticed had you not mentioned it. ;) Maybe they're just trying to be helpful, and wanted a bit mopre feedback from others.
 
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