Focus question

I was trying to photograph some deer, in the woods, not out in the open.
My auto focus was constantly trying to focus on the surrounding brush.
No problem, I just focused manually with the lens ring. But when I tried to push the shutter button.
The camera would focus on the brush again.
My question is. Should I set the camera up for back button focus?
So the shutter button doesn't want to change the focus, or is there something else I should be doing?
Camera is a Canon R6.
Thanks.

Do you have animal eye AF activated? The camera should be able to find the eye of the animal and focus on it.

Are you using a single AF point? Place it over the area that needs to be in focus.

Back button focus is a great way to operate your camera, but I don't think it will solve your problem of focusing on the right thing.

I'm not familiar with the R6. So my comments might be off. Did you change the autofocus switch on the lens from AF to MF? My cameras have three autofocus settings: One Shot, AI Focus, and AI servo. If I switch to One Shot, the focus remains where it was with a partial press of the shutter release button.

If you set the lens to manual focus for the shot it won't try to focus when you hi the shutter button. Back button focus would also work.

Thanks for the responses, all things I didn't think about.
Much appreciated.

Your camera will refocus after setting manual focus if your shutter button is what is set to trigger autofocus. If you want to be able to manually focus without turning the lens AF switch OFF, then you can set your camera for back button focus and remove the AF function from the shutter release. This is my preference.

Okay, I've got my Canon R6 set up for back button focus. My eyes are the best anymore, and sometimes I don't trust the auto focus.
It just doesnt't look right. So I manually adjust. Bad idea. Plus I have to learn to slow down when taking pics.
This picture is a jpg, but I also have it in RAW.
Can this be saved in processing the RAW file? The bottom picture is a little better.

1/6 second?

Archibald wrote in post #19294012
1/6 second?

Not salvageable photo 1. the in-focus stick shows OP didn't shake too much, but simply missed focus!

Archibald wrote in post #19294012
1/6 second?

I just noticed that. I shoot aperture priorty. And I had it set on 16 from a prior picture.
I was hold camera in hand and probably moved. I'm still learning. Only been doing this a few months.
I'm my own worst enemy most times.

BitmanDave wrote in post #19294015
I just noticed that. I shoot aperature priorty. And I had it set on 16 from a prior picture.
I was hold camera in hand and probably moved. I'm still learning. Only been doing this a few months.
I'm my own worst enemy most times.

Aperture. Try shooting M with auto ISO.

BitmanDave wrote in post #19290284
I was trying to photograph some deer, in the woods, not out in the open.
My auto focus was constantly trying to focus on the surrounding brush.
No problem, I just focused manually with the lens ring. But when I tried to push the shutter button.
The camera would focus on the brush again.
My question is. Should I set the camera up for back button focus?
So the shutter button doesn't want to change the focus, or is there something else I should be doing?
Camera is a Canon R6.
Thanks.

One of many reasons I prefer BBF,. I can switch from AF to MF at any time without having to fumble around with the switch on the lens. The lens switch is of course an option, but compared to fully getting used to BBF, it's not nearly as seamless.

I actually now have double BBF. AF-ON is default focus method (typically spot) so I can pick say the deer's eye using the joystick and focus. Exposure compensation button is set to use Eye AF. This method seems to work really well, I've gone back and forth between the default being Eye AF and not.

Also going full manual and figuring out how to get a fast enough shutter and low enough ISO and wide enough aperture is critical in addition to focus technique. Otherwise you'll end up with badly exposed shots when you nail focus which sucks for things like birds in flight.

BitmanDave wrote in post #19290284
I was trying to photograph some deer, in the woods, not out in the open.
My auto focus was constantly trying to focus on the surrounding brush.
No problem, I just focused manually with the lens ring. But when I tried to push the shutter button.
The camera would focus on the brush again.
My question is. Should I set the camera up for back button focus?
So the shutter button doesn't want to change the focus, or is there something else I should be doing?
Camera is a Canon R6.
Thanks.

How many AF points do you have active. Focus was moving in an out because of a tree limb or other object in the AF area.
If you have multiple AF points active, try reducing them down to the smallest possible and put it on your subject's eye.
Cool action shot. Go back and get some shots of those bucks locking antlers.

takesrandompictures wrote in post #19296415
I actually now have double BBF. AF-ON is default focus method (typically spot) so I can pick say the deer's eye using the joystick and focus. Exposure compensation button is set to use Eye AF. This method seems to work really well, I've gone back and forth between the default being Eye AF and not.

Also going full manual and figuring out how to get a fast enough shutter and low enough ISO and wide enough aperture is critical in addition to focus technique. Otherwise you'll end up with badly exposed shots when you nail focus which sucks for things like birds in flight.

This is how I have it set up now, and I think this will work great.
Just going to take a little getting used to.
Thanks everyone.