Back Button AF?

The key issue with BBF is that it is continuous when you want it to be and can be stopped when you don't want it. So when shooting a moving subject you keep the button pressed and track the subject. When shooting a stationary landscape you press to focus and then release the button and focus is locked.

^ True!

and yet,..

The Key issue with BBF is that I can keep shooting without the camera trying to refocus when I don't want it to, but I can get right back to getting the camera to auto-focusing instantly. Sometimes even in fast action, I don't want the camera to keep trying to re-focus.


... and so on.

That's the way I've always used it.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18128116
^ True!

and yet,..

The Key issue with BBF is that I can keep shooting without the camera trying to refocus when I don't want it to, but I can get right back to getting the camera to auto-focusing instantly. Sometimes even in fast action, I don't want the camera to keep trying to re-focus.

I don't understand the "and yet". Your post just said exactly what mine did, while the "and yet" implies some difference which I'm not seeing.

I experimented with this a little while ago, i liked it but ended up missing a couple of good shots, where the subject was out of focus. Think i might have had it on AF-C.
Im guessing it should be on AF-S yes lol?

Dan Marchant wrote in post #18127508
The key issue with BBF is that it is continuous when you want it to be and can be stopped when you don't want it. So when shooting a moving subject you keep the button pressed and track the subject. When shooting a stationary landscape you press to focus and then release the button and focus is locked.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18128116
^ True!

and yet,..

The Key issue with BBF is that I can keep shooting without the camera trying to refocus when I don't want it to, but I can get right back to getting the camera to auto-focusing instantly. Sometimes even in fast action, I don't want the camera to keep trying to re-focus.


... and so on.

I think the difference is that sometimes it's beneficial to not refocus on a moving subject. A bird landing traveling in a direction along the focus plane, for example. The camera will take images at maximum speed rather than trying to reaquire focus between shots since your finger's off the focus button.

TerryMiller wrote in post #18132232
I think the difference is that sometimes it's beneficial to not refocus on a moving subject.

which was covered by my ....and can be stopped when you don't want it. comment.

Sorry Dan, I was agreeing with you completely! I was just playing at rearranging the priorities. Sorry if it came off differently.

Just set the back button AF and it works but my shutter button is still doing auto focus when pressed half way down. What am I doing wrong here?

the hulk wrote in post #18132794
Just set the back button AF and it works but my shutter button is still doing auto focus when pressed half way down. What am I doing wrong here?

Change the settings for the front focus/shutter button. You can have the AF button enabled for multiple buttons, turning one on doesn't automatically turn others off. Kind of weird, but, eh, flexibility of settings is a good thing.

Thanks!

I'm one who answered that it's confusing and rather difficult to use this function but am happy to say I'm a week into forcing myself to stick with it this time and so far so good.

The worst thing about BBF is picking up a camera that doesn't have it!

thc1979 wrote in post #18133440
The worst thing about BBF is picking up a camera that doesn't have it!

Or giving your camera to someone to take a shot and forgetting to tell them.

WaltA wrote in post #18133445
Or giving your camera to someone to take a shot and forgetting to tell them.

I deliberately forget to tell them...I prefocus using BBF, preset the FL for desired framing, even preset exposure on Manual, and then hand them the camera with suggestion of what part of the background I would like them in capture while retaining us in the frame...they become nothing but an animated remote control.

It increases the chances of getting a desireable shot or two, rather than increased chances of having our heads bullseyed and nothing of the desired background in view!