Comments on: Back Button Focusing http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/camera/back-button-focusing/ Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:21:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Glenn Springer http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/camera/back-button-focusing/comment-page-1/#comment-55 Glenn Springer Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:02:46 +0000 http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/?p=56#comment-55 If your Nikon shutter won't release when you use BackButtonFocusing and then recompose your picture, it's probably because your shutter is set to "Focus Priority". Go to Menu item A2 and set your AF-S Priority selection to "Release". Item A1 does the same thing for AF-C but most cameras are defaulted that way anyway. That means you can take a picture when the camera thinks it's out of focus. If your Nikon shutter won’t release when you use BackButtonFocusing and then recompose your picture, it’s probably because your shutter is set to “Focus Priority”. Go to Menu item A2 and set your AF-S Priority selection to “Release”. Item A1 does the same thing for AF-C but most cameras are defaulted that way anyway. That means you can take a picture when the camera thinks it’s out of focus.

]]> By: Shiro http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/camera/back-button-focusing/comment-page-1/#comment-41 Shiro Sun, 30 Oct 2011 05:16:23 +0000 http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/?p=56#comment-41 Hi, Thank you for sharing this info. This is a great tut.. I have a Canon 450D and not sure how to set the BBF. Please help me! Hi,
Thank you for sharing this info. This is a great tut..
I have a Canon 450D and not sure how to set the BBF.

Please help me!

]]> By: Matthias Paul http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/camera/back-button-focusing/comment-page-1/#comment-37 Matthias Paul Wed, 20 Jul 2011 20:24:09 +0000 http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/?p=56#comment-37 Hi, Since only Nikon and Canon cameras are mentioned so far, I'd like to point out that this "Back Button Focusing" configuration is also available on various Minolta, Konica Minolta and Sony A-mount cameras. Some examples: - Minolta Dynax / Maxxum / Alpha 9 & 9Ti: possible, but internal reconfiguration required by Minolta service, afterwards configurable via custom function 15 and eye-start sliding switch - Minolta Dynax / Maxxum / Alpha 7 & 7 Limited & 7 CNM: configurable via custom function 23-2 - Konica Minolta Dynax / Maxxum / Alpha 7D (DG-7D): Custom-function "AF w/ shutter" = "Off" - Sony Alpha DSLR-A700: Custom-function "AF w/ shutter" = "Off" - Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 & DSLR-A900: Custom-function "AF w/ shutter" = "Off" Models featuring an AF/MF-DMF-button in addition to the AF-button even provide more flexibility, as the AF/MF-button can be used as kind of "BBF button" in MF mode as well. Greetings, Matthias Hi,

Since only Nikon and Canon cameras are mentioned so far, I’d like to point out that this “Back Button Focusing” configuration is also available on various Minolta, Konica Minolta and Sony A-mount cameras. Some examples:

- Minolta Dynax / Maxxum / Alpha 9 & 9Ti:
possible, but internal reconfiguration required by Minolta service, afterwards configurable via custom function 15 and eye-start sliding switch

- Minolta Dynax / Maxxum / Alpha 7 & 7 Limited & 7 CNM:
configurable via custom function 23-2

- Konica Minolta Dynax / Maxxum / Alpha 7D (DG-7D):
Custom-function “AF w/ shutter” = “Off”

- Sony Alpha DSLR-A700:
Custom-function “AF w/ shutter” = “Off”

- Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 & DSLR-A900:
Custom-function “AF w/ shutter” = “Off”

Models featuring an AF/MF-DMF-button in addition to the AF-button even provide more flexibility, as the AF/MF-button can be used as kind of “BBF button” in MF mode as well.

Greetings,

Matthias

]]> By: Tip of the Day | Sharper Focus in Camera | JINDA Photography http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/camera/back-button-focusing/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Tip of the Day | Sharper Focus in Camera | JINDA Photography Fri, 11 Feb 2011 22:34:27 +0000 http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/?p=56#comment-33 [...] Many of you may be unfamiliar with this sweet little feature called back button focus or BBF for short. It always excites me to learn something new about something I love, especially if it’s really beneficial and I want to share it with everyone. BBF is featured on most dSLR’s. In dummy terms, it basically means instead of pressing the shutter halfway before taking a picture, you press the back (*) button instead to lock focus where you want and let go. The next time you press the shutter release on your camera it takes the picture since the back button prelocked the focus for you. Just an FYI though that this feature has to be enabled in your menu settings beforehand. You might wonder as I did what the advantages of this approach are versus the traditional method. For one, when pressing the shutter halfway you might accidentally lose focus if your finger moves slightly. Second, when using BBF the camera won’t lose focus if something enters the picture while you’re shooting. Also, if you’re taking a series of similar shots, say for portraits, you don’t have to refocus each time. Another example is if you’re waiting for someone to make a certain expression, you don’t have to sit still and wait with your finger on the shutter halfway until you capture the perfect moment. Personally, I think it takes a little getting used to since the back button is smaller and not as convinient to press but I’ll definitely be using this feature more to see how it really benefits my shots. Afterall in photography, it only takes a second to miss a beautiful moment. Instructions for how to set your Canon and Nikon up for BBF here. [...] [...] Many of you may be unfamiliar with this sweet little feature called back button focus or BBF for short. It always excites me to learn something new about something I love, especially if it’s really beneficial and I want to share it with everyone. BBF is featured on most dSLR’s. In dummy terms, it basically means instead of pressing the shutter halfway before taking a picture, you press the back (*) button instead to lock focus where you want and let go. The next time you press the shutter release on your camera it takes the picture since the back button prelocked the focus for you. Just an FYI though that this feature has to be enabled in your menu settings beforehand. You might wonder as I did what the advantages of this approach are versus the traditional method. For one, when pressing the shutter halfway you might accidentally lose focus if your finger moves slightly. Second, when using BBF the camera won’t lose focus if something enters the picture while you’re shooting. Also, if you’re taking a series of similar shots, say for portraits, you don’t have to refocus each time. Another example is if you’re waiting for someone to make a certain expression, you don’t have to sit still and wait with your finger on the shutter halfway until you capture the perfect moment. Personally, I think it takes a little getting used to since the back button is smaller and not as convinient to press but I’ll definitely be using this feature more to see how it really benefits my shots. Afterall in photography, it only takes a second to miss a beautiful moment. Instructions for how to set your Canon and Nikon up for BBF here. [...]

]]> By: leila http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/camera/back-button-focusing/comment-page-1/#comment-26 leila Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:43:03 +0000 http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/?p=56#comment-26 Can you help. Once i make the setting change you recommend and focus with AF-ON and then recompose and push the shutter button it will not engage. There must be another setting I need to change to resolve this. Can you help. Thanks. Can you help. Once i make the setting change you recommend and focus with AF-ON and then recompose and push the shutter button it will not engage. There must be another setting I need to change to resolve this. Can you help. Thanks.

]]> By: Jolie http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/camera/back-button-focusing/comment-page-1/#comment-24 Jolie Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:16:37 +0000 http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/?p=56#comment-24 This is awesome! Thanks! One question, on Canon would you have it set to One Shot or AI Servo? This is awesome! Thanks! One question, on Canon would you have it set to One Shot or AI Servo?

]]> By: Dani http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/camera/back-button-focusing/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Dani Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:31:54 +0000 http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/?p=56#comment-11 Thank you Ricky! I've been wondering how to do this and your tut was very informative and easy to follow! :) Thank you Ricky! I’ve been wondering how to do this and your tut was very informative and easy to follow! :)

]]> By: Gillian http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/camera/back-button-focusing/comment-page-1/#comment-4 Gillian Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:55:13 +0000 http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/?p=56#comment-4 Great tutorial, Ricky! Thanks for sharing - now to play!! :D Great tutorial, Ricky! Thanks for sharing – now to play!! :D

]]> By: Adrianne http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/camera/back-button-focusing/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Adrianne Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:58:06 +0000 http://www.rickykphotography.com/tutorials/?p=56#comment-3 Thanks, Ricky!! Great tut and fun exercise. I needed to set it on my new to me 40D and couldn't figure it out. You are a life saver...wintergreen flavor, of course, cuz you so cool!! Thanks, Ricky!! Great tut and fun exercise. I needed to set it on my new to me 40D and couldn’t figure it out. You are a life saver…wintergreen flavor, of course, cuz you so cool!!

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