AE/AF rear button

I have read numerous descriptions on this button and every time I read about it, I feel pretty comfortable on how to use it. Then when I have camera in hand and I want to shoot something where I think this button would be applicable, my mind goes blank. Add in the AE lock on or off in the menus and the number of possibilities is just too much for my mind to think about right before a photo.

I think what would help me is what most people like to use as default settings. Then I can practice that, changing it when applicable, and forget about all the other possible permutations.
I get using the AE/AF button as a rear button focus (fast action sporting events, etc) so don't worry about that one. Also I can see the use for the AE hold option in which you want to keep the exposure the same during a sunset or something like that. I guess what I am asking is how do most people like to use the AE/AF button, and the AE lock On or Off in the menu settings, as their default go to mode. From there I can figure out when to change it up.

I never take mine off of AE/AF lock as rear focus button unless I need to use a remote shutter release.

I hated the button until I discovered that it could be used for focusing. Like Mike I leave it there now and I love it.
Clearly not the answer you were looking for

My D3s actually has both an AE/L, AF/L and an AF on button. I use the AF on as a back button focus instead of the shutter button. Love it over the half pressed shutter release.
I use the AE/L to lock exposure when needed. Of course not all models have these features so check your manual.

FastGlass said:

My D3s actually has both an AE/L, AF/L and an AF on button. I use the AF on as a back button focus instead of the shutter button. Love it over the half pressed shutter release.
I use the AE/L to lock exposure when needed. Of course not all models have these features so check your manual.

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That is one of those features that separate pro cameras from pro-sumer cameras isn't it?

I have U1 setup this way and U2 setup the original way it came for focus. Not sure which model you have but that could work for you.

Back button focusing is nice... I used it a lot on my .... Canon. Then I got the 600, and the placement for it gets in the way of my nose, haha. And it's not even that big... (I look through my left eye). I've switched to it a few times, but I'm always poking myself in the nose.

I have mine set on locking the exposure. Do you have to hold the button to lock the focus and does that have the same effect as switching to MF on the lens (which is what I've been doing)? Just when you think you have it sorted you learn something new!

I plan on getting a D7100 before summer so I think this problem will not be an issue anymore. I'm going to play around a little more with the it being used as a back button focus. In that case I would assume that the AE/AF button locks the focus and then a half push of the shutter release locks the exposure. Is this correct?? But what about if you have the AE lock button on off, then I believe the shutter release does nothing but release the shutter, correct?? Last question on this intriguing option, do you always have to push two buttons when taking a picture (ie. rear button focus and shutter release)?? If so is that ever been a problem?? How does rear button focusing work when using a timer to release the shutter??

You do have to push two buttons to snap the pic. It also allows you to focus and re-compose the shot without re-focusing. It just separates the two functions from one button to two buttons. I use all the time as its natural to me to have my thumb in that general location anyway.

Revet said:

... In that case I would assume that the AE/AF button locks the focus and then a half push of the shutter release locks the exposure. Is this correct??

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You re-assign the AE-L/AF-L button to the "AF - On" option; which means the AE-L/AF-L button now controls auto-focus only; there is no Exposure Locking assigned to this button once you have re-assigned it to "AF - On". For BBF the camera is (typically, I think it's safe to say) put into auto-focus "Continuous" mode (AF-C) and you hold down the AE-L/AF-L button to activate auto-focus instead of the shutter release. To "lock" focus you simply stop pressing the AE-L/AF-L button.

Revet said:

Last question on this intriguing option, do you always have to push two buttons when taking a picture (ie. rear button focus and shutter release)??

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Yes. You auto-focus with the AE-L/AF-L and drop the shutter with the shutter-release button. Two buttons.

Revet said:

If so is that ever been a problem??

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I know, right? TWO... WHOLE... BUTTONS... ZOMG! In all seriousness, no; I don't have much issue with two buttons.

Revet said:

How does rear button focusing work when using a timer to release the shutter??

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It works exactly the same. You've just moved the auto-focus function from one button to another.

.....

Revet said:

I would assume that the AE/AF button locks the focus and then a half push of the shutter release locks the exposure. Is this correct??

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Yes

Revet said:

But what about if you have the AE lock button on off, then I believe the shutter release does nothing but release the shutter, correct??

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Half press of the shutter button still locks exposure and if you look into the viewfinder there will be AE-L displayed at lower left info display.

Revet said:

Last question on this intriguing option, do you always have to push two buttons when taking a picture (ie. rear button focus and shutter release)?? If so is that ever been a problem??

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If you use back button AF you can push the back button and get focus, then release it. It will maintain that focus point. Then you can push the shutter button to release the shutter. If your subject has moved you will be out of focus. I use mine with AF Continuous focus and I keep the back button pressed to continue focus servo and I use the shutter release button to take the shot.

Revet said:

How does rear button focusing work when using a timer to release the shutter??

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The timer will still release the shutter but it will not actuate focus.

This method simply give you more control over functions of the camera.

- It allows you to control focus separately from exposure lock and to stop missing shots due to using one button for two functions.

On my 5200, I originally tried the AE/AF to focus, but found it awkward using the right hand for both buttons. I have now set it to the front Fn button and find the left focus/right shutter very efficient and comfortable.

Wev, that's an interesting approach. So you use auto ios or are you happy going in via the i button and/or menus to change iso?

Nice, I played around with this and I really like it. It is very easy to do all of the permutations you want with really only one change in the menu. You can lock focus by releasing the back button or you can lock exposure by changing the exposure lock option in the menu to ON (to lock exposure with the press of the shutter release, otherwise if set of OFF, it continues to change exposure as you move the lens around). I guess the only other change would be to put it in cont. focus mode if doing a sporting event (or keep that on auto, which I have not tried yet. I usually use single for portraits and continuous for moving things). Does this sound right?? If so I love it!!! Thanks to all.

Revet said:

Nice, I played around with this and I really like it. It is very easy to do all of the permutations you want with really only one change in the menu. You can lock focus by releasing the back button or you can lock exposure by changing the exposure lock option in the menu to ON (to lock exposure with the press of the shutter release, otherwise if set of OFF, it continues to change exposure as you move the lens around). I guess the only other change would be to put it in cont. focus mode if doing a sporting event (or keep that on auto, which I have not tried yet. I usually use single for portraits and continuous for moving things). Does this sound right?? If so I love it!!! Thanks to all.

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That is what I do since I shoot a lot of birds that are constantly moving. For still life and portraits I change to AF-S by holding my AF (top side) button down and scrolling the rear command dial.

Marko said:

Wev, that's an interesting approach. So you use auto ios or are you happy going in via the i button and/or menus to change iso?

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Yes, I generally shoot in Manual with auto ISO, max 400 (sometimes 200 depending on conditions). I rarely have to go into the menus.

Interesting take. Why limit your iso so low? I find using auto limited to even 3200 can yield some more than acceptable results in less than ideal lighting.

Marko said:

Interesting take. Why limit your iso so low? I find using auto limited to even 3200 can yield some more than acceptable results in less than ideal lighting.

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I suppose I could at times, but I don't have a particularly long zoom for shooting birds and things, so when I do a good bit of cropping, the shots always look grainy to me with the iso much higher than that. Maybe my MacArthur grant will come through and I'll be able to get that 150-600 like Scott