Back Button AF?

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JWdlft wrote in post #18116517
So true. Autofocus, light meters and LCD screens are for amateur babies.

I don't agree at all. As Jared said, using shutter button focus is "kindergarten mode" (for babies). But the things you mention are actually very useful for everyone, including experienced, accomplished photographers.

PS: if you were being sarcastic, then that was a poor use of sarcasm, as it expounds on Jared's statement in ways that he never intended.

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Tom Reichner wrote in post #18119855
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I don't agree at all. As Jared said, using shutter button focus is "kindergarten mode" (for babies). But the things you mention are actually very useful for everyone, including experienced, accomplished photographers.

PS: if you were being sarcastic, then that was a poor use of sarcasm, as it expounds on Jared's statement in ways that he never intended.

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Let me be clear then: when someone sees a function that they don't use themselves, and can't think of a use for it, that does not mean that others can't find a use for it. All it means is that that person can't, period. If that person then wants to tell the users that they are using 'kindergarten mode, for babies' then I may tell him that his use of the LCD -chimping!, or light meter -there's the sunny 16 'rule' that works, etc. is for rank amateurs who need those crutches.
To put it even more clearly, there are circumstances that I need the autofocus and licht metering under one button. Couldn't get the photograph I want otherwise. It all depends on your photography and your command of your camera, not your age or education level.
If you don't intend to be judgmental, don't be. Quite simple. If you are, don't be surprised if someone calls you out on it.

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Shutter button focus really is kinda like kindergarten mode. But kindergarten mode can be useful; there's nothing wrong with it, necessarily.

The other things you mentioned, metering, autofocus, and using the LCD, are very useful for most photographers, including those who are very experienced and accomplished. I am not sure why you said that those functions were "for babies."

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If someone is getting the photos they want with one config of UI, then they're getting their job done. Cameras are tools: Configure them as needed to do your work, and don't worry about what other people have to say about how you're going about it if you're happy with the process.

Back button focus comes with the risk of causing more strain in the hands, and may cause less steady hold for some than what they can do with their thumb firmly positioned elsewhere on the camera back.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #18119907
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I am not sure why you said that those functions were "for babies."

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Because the OP said that shutter button focus/metering is for babies. Like you just did too.

If you (as in "one") need to disparage users of FBF just to feel good about yourself be my guest, but I will return the favor. That's all.

People new to photography read forums too, and the last thing they need is people saying Manual is the only way to be a real photographer (for example, because that is dung too), FBF is kindergarten, chimping is for bla bla bla.

Luckless above is right. Granted, without sarcasm.

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JWdlft wrote in post #18119936
Because the OP said that shutter button focus/metering is for babies. Like you just did too.

If you (as in "one") need to disparage users of FBF just to feel good about yourself be my guest, but I will return the favor.

But, maybe without even meaning to, you have disparaged people who use metering, autofocus, and the LCD. . If by your standards it is wrong for Jared to disparage shutter button focus people, then how can it be ok for you to disparage the three groups of photographers that you disparage?

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I give up.

The moral of the story: responding to disparaging remarks with sarcasm doesn't always work.

I'm sure JWdlft's intended meaning was this: You shouldn't refer to non-use of BBF as kindergarten mode (for babies). It's like saying that using the camera meter and the autofocus system and evaluating images on the LCD is also kindergarten mode. We all know those are useful tools for photographers at any level. These forums are great places to learn a lot of things and comments like that are just counterproductive and serve no purpose other than to humiliate others.

Professional, high-end photographers never use things like BBF, or the LCD screen (to check histograms), or "P" mode. Nope, well except I do know that a guy by the name of Joe Buissink does shoot in P mode. However he does more than simple "P" mode.

frozenframe wrote in post #18120452
Professional, high-end photographers never use things like BBF, or the LCD screen (to check histograms), or "P" mode. Nope, well except I do know that a guy by the name of Joe Buissink does shoot in P mode. However he does more than simple "P" mode.

All generalities are false, including this one...... I would doubt many professional landscape photographers use back button focusing..... but I would also wager many professional wildlife photographers do.


Wouldn't it really depend on the application? I know, when I switch from taking bird photographs to landscape photos, I do use a cable release and take the camera off back button focusing for that very reason. Obviously, at this point, I'm locked down on a tripod.

Folks this debate about BBF use or not, and pros vs. amateurs vs. kindergartners...think of this actual situation shot by anyone...

When you PREFOCUS at a certain point in the scene, you want to be able to activate the shutter without worry about inadvertantly refocusing to a different plane. IOW, if you have focus on the shutter button, HOW does one take advantage of knowing the plane of focus and the DOF Zone is deep enough to render something important in the foreground will be in focus, as well as some far off background element in the shot is also in focus, when the lens refocuses as soon as you press the shutter?

There is NO way of ensuring this static unchanging plane of focus when you have the focus function activated by the shutter button...is there a way, other than to switch off the AF function on the lens?
If switching off AF on the lens is the way to do this, then you have to remember to turn on AF switch again if you wanted to refocus for any reason, and having to always remember is definitely a thorn in the side to have to remember...I know what a pain it is when I switch off AF on my Tamron simply to permit manual focus adjustment, and I later forget I switched it off and I am standing there wondering "why isn't this focusing ...oh duh, I turned if off"!

I use back button focus exclusively for so many reasons that it will take too many sentences to list
And there is no way I can go back to using shutter button for focusing once I got used to back button focus.

Phoenixkh wrote in post #18120459
All generalities are false, including this one...... I would doubt many professional landscape photographers use back button focusing..... but I would also wager many professional wildlife photographers do.

Wouldn't it really depend on the application? I know, when I switch from taking bird photographs to landscape photos, I do use a cable release and take the camera off back button focusing for that very reason. Obviously, at this point, I'm locked down on a tripod.

So they are false because YOU say they are? Really?? Go tel Joe Buissink he's a liar, when he tells people how he gets the shots he does. I don't think he would stand up in front of people at a recorded event and make statements that were not true. https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=00K7pBWOInk

I agree that the application determines the tools used and how they are used. Just using one tool, and one mode, technique or setting does not cover everything.

frozenframe wrote in post #18120720
So they are false because YOU say they are? Really?? Go tel Joe Buissink he's a liar, when he tells people how he gets the shots he does. I don't think he would stand up in front of people at a recorded event and make statements that were not true. https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=00K7pBWOInk

I agree that the application determines the tools used and how they are used. Just using one tool, and one mode, technique or setting does not cover everything.

"All generalities are false, including this one." is not original.... Voltaire said it ages ago. It is a joke of sorts..... I used it in response to your use of the word "never". "Professional, high-end never use things like BBF...... "

Personally, I try to avoid being dogmatic and for that reason, I prefer not to use "always, never, all", etc. That's why the joke works: the use of "all", makes the statement false.

I should have worded it differently. I meant it to be sarcastic. Pros use their cameras in every way they can.