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Why is Back Button Focusing Beneficial?


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5 replies to this topic

#1
Elizabeth W.

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Hello Photograhers,

 

I have been trying to figure out why back button focusing is apparently the preferred method of focusing for many photographers. I have tried it and gone back to focusing with the shutter button half way down because back button focusing just was awkward for me. But I am taking an astro landscape photography class soon and the instructor is insisting on it.

 

Please help me to figure this out. I have a Nikon D750.

 

Thanks and have a great day.

 

Elizabeth



#2
brickie58

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Have a look on YouTube, Steve perry explains it well.

#3
Merco_61

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Here's the link. https://youtu.be/FzqQskGoURE

 

I switched 20 years ago and don't want to go back.



#4
bluzman

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At around the 9:40 mark in the video, Steve Perry tells the viewer that when they first try BBF they probably won't like it and will want to switch back to shutter half-press focusing. He encourages new users to try it for a while before dismissing it out of hand.

 

That was exactly my experience but once I used it for about a week or two, I never had the urge to go back. Every Nikon I own (D750, D7500, D3500 and Z50) is set up for BBF. Also, when I decided to re-enter the bridge camera world, I only considered cameras that could be set up with BBF. Nikon bridge cameras don't have the capability so I acquired a couple of Panasonics (FZ300 and FZ1000 II) that do.



#5
krag96

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I like back button focusing, but it's handier on some cameras more than others.  On my D700's, it's right there and my 100% preferred method of focusing.  On my D750, the button has to be assigned and is farther away from my thumb, I have it set, but it's not as easy as the D700's.



#6
TBonz

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First, it separates the functions - focus and shoot.  That is important for various reasons.  In the case of your class, you will be able to set your focus and not have it reset when you press down on the shutter to take a photo.  In other cases it allows you to set a pre-focus on a spot and shoot as the action comes to that spot.  The separation also allows you to ensure that the part of the image you want in focus is chosen and allows you to recompose your image with that choice still in focus.  I switched to BBF several years ago and all my cameras are set that way.  Have taught my wife to use it as well when she wants to do some shooting...