Backbutton Focus..do you use it? Pros? Cons? How hard to get used to it?

[Vossie]

I've tried it but the difficulty is that you use the same thumb for AF activation and AF point selection.

Is there a button on the 5D3 that you can program to instantly switch from zone AF to centerpoint (and back to zone if you release that button)? I would love such buttons for birds: servo mode zone when they are flying and temporary centerpoint when one is hidden between leaves.

I now use the back AF-ON button as AF-OFF button while being pressed. This helps me to temporarily freeze focus when in servo mode.

 

[pdirestajr]

It's the only way I shoot on my 5DII and 7D. Why I like it so much is that you can then ACTUALLY use full-time manual focus effectively. Otherwise, every time you touch the shutter/ meter button, it "messes up" your focus!

On my 5DII + 85mm f/1.2II + EG-S Focus Screen + Back Button AF = an amazing amount more in-focus shots.

Works nicely with macro too- rough in the auto focus with back button, then tweak manually.

 

[RLPhoto]

I've heard of it, never experimented much with it.

 

[michi]

Hobbyist. Tried it a few years ago, hated it. Tried it again a year or so later, now it's the only way for me to shoot. I does make a lot of sense. I do think the placement is not optimally ergonomic. I wish there was a button closer to the wheel as it does hurt my hand if I shoot a lot.

 

[fugu82]

Hobbyist. Changed to BB focus on my 5D3, instantly hooked. Very practical and intuitive way to focus. Went back and dug out my 40D and changed it, too.

 

[Pinchers of Peril]

I know people say a big advantage is being able to separate exposure from focus, but is there an advantage of using the BBF vs using the exposure lock and then recomposing and using the shutter button to focus? It seems like using the exposure lock would be another way to separate exposure from focus.

 

[mr few shots]

I would thoroughly recommend it (once you get used to it which surprisingly doesn't take long)
It really seems so much more logical to control the tracking with your thumb and then fire the shutter button fully when you want to take the picture.
I switched over after reading a few articles about it and have never looked back
I always switch my mode dial to the green box when giving my wife the camera as her patience and understanding of my "f***ing camera" is nil
My brother on the other hand is an experienced user so I leave as is for him
The other button I found useful to configure on my 5D III was using the depth of field preview to switch between one shot and servo very useful if subject moves off suddenly when your in one shot..again takes a moment to get used to

 

[cocopop05]

I use it when I use Live View.

 

[2n10]

I found it very easy to get use to.

 

[wsheldon]

It's the only way I shoot on my 5DII and 7D. Why I like it so much is that you can then ACTUALLY use full-time manual focus effectively. Otherwise, every time you touch the shutter/ meter button, it "messes up" your focus!

On my 5DII + 85mm f/1.2II + EG-S Focus Screen + Back Button AF = an amazing amount more in-focus shots.

Works nicely with macro too- rough in the auto focus with back button, then tweak manually.

Same experience here. I use BBF full time on my 50D and 6D. I started using it just for tripod and macro work, where you have to set up and wait for the right moment or wind and often pre-focus or rely on FTM, but now I use it all the time even for snap shots.

 

[tolusina]

I've gone the other way, at least I think it's bass ackwards from what most others do.
I've set the back 'AF On' button on my 6D to "Af Off".

I have only two lenses, 40 shorty and 24 - 105.
The focusing ring on the zoom responds as I expected, any time I grab that ring, I'm in control of focus.
The 40 doesn't do that at all, for me to have manual control, I have to switch to manual control.

Now, with back button 'Af Off", anytime I press the Af On button, I am now in control of focus, I can leave focus where the camera/lens set it, or fine tune as I like. If I want to return focus control to the camera/lens, I release the Af On/Off button.
If I hand the camera to someone else, all is normal for them.

I generally shoot in manual, f6.3, 125th, auto ISO. I've set the 'Set" button to ISO so I can quickly control that as desired though I cannot return to Auto ISO using the Set button.





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[viggen61]

It took me a very brief time to adjust to back-button focus on my 7D. Now, I find it hard to go back!

I just wish that Canon's wired remotes supported the function!

 

[RAKAMRAK]

OP, so you were also watching the JD and Jasmine Star's "The Art of Being a Second Shooter".

I find the back button focusing (BBF) a fantastic option when doing work with still subjects - landscape, flowers in a garden, still life, portraits of adults etc. That is where I have enough time to focus and recompose. And it is so handy for the focus and recompose style of shooting (especially when you camera has only 9 AF points) But recently I was photographing a couple of toddlers who keep on running around and found that shutter button focusing (SBF) suited me more for that purpose (but that may be due to my limited understanding of the technique till now).

When sometimes I hand over my camera to another person to take a photograph of mine (or a group of people including me) I find it very difficult to explain to them the BBF. So I just flip the switch and change it to SBF. At least for my 40D and 50D it is very easy to do and moreover I have saved the shutter button/back button operation menu in the MY MENU set up to be able to do it fast when faced with the need.

 

[BrettS]

I use it and much prefer it. I'm strictly a hobbyist. However, I never looked back once I switched. I find it to be far more fluid and natural than a combined shutter button.

It's a single menu configuration on my 6D. Uber simple to try.

 

[Pi]

I use it, combined with AI Servo. The outer AF points of my 5D2 focus great that way at f/1.4 (!)

I am just speculating here, but AI Servo focusing may be the "true closed loop" AF which the single shot AF may, or may not be. In any case, I find it much more reliable in low light, and since I always focus and recompose in some way, the back AF button is a must.

 

[RAKAMRAK]

Found these three videos on youtube.... I found these very informative... some of you who are learning the AF like me may also find these useful....

Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAx86nblZ2g

Then you can easily find the Part 2 and Part 3 on youtube.....

 

[alexanderferdinand]

Fotography as a hobby I spend a lot of time.

Found BBF for myself only 3 month ago; after using AF since the analog 50E......

Love it, learned it quickly.

And yes, others could have a problem with it when you hand over the camera, because they want to take a picture of you.....

 

[curby]

I first heard of this from Arthur Morris, and am considering switching as well. He recommends leaving the camera in AI Servo mode all the time. I like to hear the AF confirmation beep though, and that never happens on my old Rebel during AI Servo mode. I know the idea is that it's continually tracking instead of locking focus, but a beep to confirm the initial focus acquisition would still be useful (to me). Can newer bodies beep on initial focus during AI Servo mode, or do they still only ever beep during 1-Shot AF?

P.S. Does the back focus option stay set during Green Box mode? I imagine you'd often want to go full auto when handing your camera to a total newbie anyway.

 

[alexanderferdinand]

Addendum:
AF mode set to AI Servo, press the BB, hold it for tracking, leave it for a "pseudo one shot", and recompose without worrying loosing my focus.
Altogether it is a good thing to divide shutter from AF.
And the rate of keepers seems to be higher.

 

[RAKAMRAK]

And yes, others could have a problem with it when you hand over the camera, because they want to take a picture of you.....

Assigning a My Menu setting for this can be useful.....