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Back Button Focusing


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16 replies to this topic

#1
kelliejellie

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Was wondering how many people use this and what they think the advantages are?



#2
Russ

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I use it 100%.

 

Advantages are you can control the focus separate from the shutter button. Eg I'm focussing on a player running with the ball, suddenly the ref gets in the way, I can take my thumb off the AF-on button, but still keep the other finger on the shutter button ready to fire. Can't do that otherwise. It's like an AF-lock button, as soon as you thumb-off the focus is locked. So i can AF and meter with the shutter button half-pressed at the same time or separately.

 

For ordinary, say, people shots, I find it easier to focus, then let go of the button, recompose, than to try and keep the shutter button pressed. It also means I can leave the camera set to Continuous AF and leave it there, never have to switch to single AF (or whatever it's called).

 

It takes some practice, but now I sometimes surprise myself with how I control the two fingers!



#3
alden

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Where is this button located?



#4
Russ

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Depends what model you have. D7100 I think for you? Doesn't have one!

 

I have programmed the AEL button to do the job though, then set a different button to do AEL. Some models, like D300s, D700, D4 have a dedicated button for labelled "AF-on".

 

This is why we want a D300s replacement - more buttons for control (well, one of the reasons).



#5
alden

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I have a programmable button on the D7100.



#6
Russ

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Yep the AEL/AFL button can be programmed to do other stuff, see p256 of your manual, or menu option f4 on your camera. I've set it to AF-ON.

 

Then in f2 I've set my function button (which by default is dof preview) to be "AE lock only". P.253 of the manual.

 

Then you can also assign in f3 the "Preview button" (the top front button) on p.255. I have that set to take me to "My Menu" (except when I'm in U1, then it takes me to the DX or 1.3x crop toggle).



#7
alden

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I'm talking about the Fn button, page 253, only.



#8
Russ

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I'm talking about the Fn button, page 253, only.

On the front, at the bottom, by the lens. Happy hunting! :rolleyes:



#9
Stas

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Never use it. I think i will try to use it soon.



#10
scoobymax

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I've recently got the D7000 but not yet really had much time to tinker with the vast number of settings! However I have managed to set the Fn button on the front (bottom) to take me to My Menu! Will tinker some more soon. Does the D7000 have the AF-ON function? I'm not that lazy, honestly! I will look in the manual I just thought I would ask someone with some experience!! Thanks. :)

#11
Russ

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I've recently got the D7000 but not yet really had much time to tinker with the vast number of settings! However I have managed to set the Fn button on the front (bottom) to take me to My Menu! Will tinker some more soon. Does the D7000 have the AF-ON function? I'm not that lazy, honestly! I will look in the manual I just thought I would ask someone with some experience!! Thanks. :)

Yes, same as D7100, so read my treatise above!



#12
scoobymax

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Much appreciated Russ. Will have a play with it!

#13
iNYONi

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Think I'll have a go at this also. would be great to have AF using another button rather than the shutter one. Great advice, thanks for posting.



#14
rocknrumble

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I've done the same thing with my D600. Still getting used to it. Occasionally I forget and end up with a blurry shot. Great for tracking moving objects until you see your shot. As you use it more it gets easier.

#15
Russ

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As you use it more it gets easier.

That. It's instinctive for me now. As I said above, i surprise myself sometimes with how I can control the shutter and AF separately during shooting a game.



#16
Andy McQueen

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D300s user - can't beat using back button AF-On button especially on sports/moving images - once you start you'll wonder how you ever managed without!



#17
Chrisf

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I've tried it before,but it caused me to lose good shots because I forgot I set it to that. Otherwise I like it. I'll just have to use it when I'm not shooting things I want keepers out of to get used to it's presence.