Back Button Focus

I've been searching the Web & this forum but am still not really clear on something... I'm definitely going to set up my camera for & start using back button focus. I am also shooting landscapes, wildlife & Astro...Obviously, with the night shots I'd be using an intervalometer... It's my understanding that you can't use an intervalometer if "back button focus" is set up on the camera. If I'm using all manual lenses does this still hold true? It doesn't make sense to me if I'm not able to use Autofocus with those lenses whether I'm using the original settings or back button settings. Would I have to set the camera back to original settings or is there an easier solution ?

I shot some ND/welding glass images the other day and had my attached intervalometer still set for intervals...it worked. I shoot a T2i. Try it and see if it works with your camera. If it doesn't work then you'll have to waste all that time (20-30 seconds?) resetting your camera.

Ed

Intheswamp wrote in post #17219528
I shot some ND/welding glass images the other day and had my attached intervalometer still set for intervals...it worked. I shoot a T2i. Try it and see if it works with your camera. If it doesn't work then you'll have to waste all that time (20-30 seconds?) resetting your camera.

Ed

Lol! Thanks! Problem I have isn't actually changing the settings, with my ADHD, it's all about remembering! Guess I'll set it & see what happens!

The intervalometer/remote control will work fine for firing the exposure if you have BBF set up, with AF removed from the shutter button. If AF is removed from the shutter button then you won't be able to activate the AF using the remote. The metering will still be started, as that is usually left on the first press of the shutter anyway. If you have a camera with a dedicated BBF button (EOS40 onwards I believe) you can use that button to start AF even if you leave AF on the shutter button first press. With lenses set to MF, or MF only lenses, then the AF settings make very little difference, although if it's an AF lens or you have an AF confirm chip, you would need to activate the AF system to get the confirm beep/light.

Most BBF users take the AF from the shutter as they want to separate focusing from metering/shutter release. Many of us combine it with leaving the AF mode in AIServo, then you can press to focus, release to lock, if you want or just hold the button to get normal AIServo. These days the only time I use One Shot AF is if I have an ETTL flash mounted, and want to make use of the focus aid.

Alan

Omg! Thanks so much! Excellent explanation! I tend to overthink & then obsess at times, lol! Your post answered all my questions & I can't wait to start using BBF.

Update! I can't believe I didn't do this sooner! Sooo much easier, faster & with a whole lot more "keepers"! Just have to get out of the habit of what I've been doing for so many years. I'll definitely be "practicing" as much as possible so that I'm somewhat ready for my Assateague trip next weekend. This technique should be a huge help shooting the wild ponies! Thanks so much guys, for all the help!

I'm with you on the practicing. I just set my T2i up a week or so ago for BBF and I'm still having to get familiar with having a (small) extra step in my image capturing. I shot some photos yesterday and a church function and some are out of focus due to me "forgetting" to use the back button. I'm thinking for situations like the church function I'll revert back to shutter-button focusing until I get more in the groove of using the back button. But, for my casual everyday shooting I'm leaving it set for BBF.

Ed

LisaBlue85 wrote in post #17219547
Lol! Thanks! Problem I have isn't actually changing the settings, with my ADHD, it's all about remembering! Guess I'll set it & see what happens!

BigAl nailed it. Just wanted to let you know I've got the same problem with the ADHD. Wasn't diagnosed until I was 42 but the meds make a HUGE difference.

i still dont get all the back button love. all i ever got was a cramp in my thumb.

kfreels wrote in post #17223075
BigAl nailed it. Just wanted to let you know I've got the same problem with the ADHD. Wasn't diagnosed until I was 42 but the meds make a HUGE difference.

Yes, he certainly did! I'm not medicated, was diagnosed 40, figured I got this far without meds, might as well just deal with it, lol! Gives me a wicked edge that comes in handy sometimes! I'm also afraid it would change who I am.

LisaBlue85 wrote in post #17223714
Yes, he certainly did! I'm not medicated, was diagnosed 40, figured I got this far without meds, might as well just deal with it, lol! Gives me a wicked edge that comes in handy sometimes! I'm also afraid it would change who I am.

Yeah. I was concerned about that too. I made it this far as well but decided to give it a try just to get my daughter to take her meds for the same thing. All it did was make me more efficient and productive. I procrastinate and get distracted from large complex projects a lot less often and I'm less likely to turn my attention to the "simple" stuff that distracted me before. And I forget a lot less since I'm actually able to pay attention to single items when necessary.

kfreels wrote in post #17223837
Yeah. I was concerned about that too. I made it this far as well but decided to give it a try just to get my daughter to take her meds for the same thing. All it did was make me more efficient and productive. I procrastinate and get distracted from large complex projects a lot less often and I'm less likely to turn my attention to the "simple" stuff that distracted me before. And I forget a lot less since I'm actually able to pay attention to single items when necessary.

Hmmmm, really? Maybe I WILL check it out then... I'm off the charts as far as "symptoms" go, lol. Thanks for the info, can't hurt to try, right...

What gets me is when I borrow someone else's camera, like my wife's. It takes me a few rounds of "why won't this focus? Is the lens button on manual??" before I remember. duh!

abacus022 wrote in post #17223969
What gets me is when I borrow someone else's camera, like my wife's. It takes me a few rounds of "why won't this focus? Is the lens button on manual??" before I remember. duh!

Lol! Ahhh, welcome to my world!

I started using BBF on my 20D, where you have to use the * button. Now that I have a 50D I swapped the AF-on/* buttons, as I find the * is naturally under my thumb, and it's the button I reflexively go for. I also have a grip, and that only has the * button too.The only issue I have with that now is that the * used to revert back to normal zoom function for playback, with the buttons switched they stay that way in playback mode, so I have to remember to push the other button, or the camera switches back to shooting mode.

As to the ease of BBF, my daughter now often borrows the 20D and has no trouble at all using it with BBF I don't change the settings for her, the camera usually sits in the camera bag in Av @ f/5.6 ISO 200 RAW and BBF. Actually youngsters are really quick at picking up on press button to focus, press other button to take the picture. It seems to be adults who have a hard time adjusting.

Alan