back button focusing

I just switched my 5d classic to back button focusing and I like it. Only thing I don't like is it doesn't make that beep sound when im locked on like it would do when oh half press. Is there a way to change it so it beeps again?

Sounds like you might have changed the focus mode to servo, that doesnt beep.

Back button focusing is in the Custom Functions menu. Beep is in the top level red menu.

I like back focus button too, essential for Live View.

I had to show this "beep" setting to a professional photographer last week who "BEEPED" through the entirety of a presentation in an auditorium full of people.

Me: "That is driving me CRAZY"
Neighbor: "What?"
Me: "That incessant beeping camera!"
Neighbor: "Huh...didn't notice."
Me: "I'm gonna say something to that guy"

Yea im on servo I was told that was best to use with back button focusing.

unlimited6986 wrote in post #11763226
Yea im on servo I was told that was best to use with back button focusing.

Only if you are shooting action. I think your advice was backwards. Back focusing makes servo mode easier, not servo mode makes back button better.

Servo is the more flexible tool, but you need to understand that:

- You won't get a beep. The beep indicates that the camera is done focusing but in AI Servo it is never done, it keeps updating the focus, so by definition you cannot get a beep.
- On cameras where focus lock is indicated by a blink of the viewfinder illumination you will not get the blink for the reason stated above.
- You cannot use a focus assist light when you are in AI Servo. The camera is always focusing so the focus assist beam would show up in your pictures.
- If you are under "hard" conditions such as low light, one shot AF will often give slightly better results. It is also potentially more accurate.

Ok thank you I get it now. Servo is good for sports and anything moving around. What would you use for weddings or portraits? I usually used one shot.

If you or they are moving then servo. If you're not moving much and they are posing (or at least pausing) then one shot.

if you were panning, would you use one shot or servo w/ IS off (i'm assuming)

krb wrote in post #11763270
- You cannot use a focus assist light when you are in AI Servo. The camera is always focusing so the focus assist beam would show up in your pictures.

there would be more than enough time to turn off the assist light while the mirror swings up, the focussing is paused during that time anyway. i think it is more due to the reason that in situations where you use servo focus you'd need a continous 100+ watt to actually assist the focus on a moving, potentially far away target.

kyballer14 wrote in post #11763729
if you were panning, would you use one shot or servo w/ IS off (i'm assuming)

Panning is one of the things AI Servo is made for!

For more info on the back button focus, look at the bottom of this page in the "Similar Threads" section. Your title triggered a "mini" forum search and came up with good results. This topic has been well covered.

And it needs to be on all the time, too. Would look like "road works ahead" all the time.

kyballer14 wrote in post #11763729
if you were panning, would you use one shot or servo w/ IS off (i'm assuming)

Servo with IS on mode 2 more than likely.

apersson850 wrote in post #11763789
And it needs to be on all the time, too. Would look like "road works ahead" all the time.

We could have phaser wars!