Bbf

Skwaz

Senior Member
Hi , just got a new 750 , have bbf set up on 7100 , love it , on 7100 when I focus using back button I can let go recompose and take the shot usually in single point , al good .
on the 750 same set up but take finger off button recompose it won't fire , but will in af-c , I've looked through the web and this has come up with other users with no one giving a solution , no big deal just leave it on af-c , just wondered if any of the users on here have a similar issue .
 

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
re: BBF

According to the instructions I have the 7100 and the 750 setup is the same. The first step is to set the camera to AF-C. Then set up the button.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
re: BBF

One of the features of AF-C and BBF is the ability to focus and recompose. Focus your image then let go of the back button. Recompose then fire the shutter without touching the back button. It works like AF-S that way. That's how it's supposed to be done.

Once you have established focus with a non-moving subject and want to recompose, you must not touch the back button. If you do, the body will continue to focus where the focus point is set.
 

nickt

Senior Member
re: BBF

You want af-c with release priority anyway to do the technique. Thats how most use it. Although some might use af-s, you are not getting the full benefit. By the way, the d7100 and d7200 force release mode when af-on is set to the bb, it ignores menu A1 setting an you get release priority no matter what a1 is at. You might be able to set a2 for release and go with af-s, but that is not the 'technique'. Af-c with release will give you continuous focus if you hold the button. If you let the button go, you get a simulated af-s mode and can focus-recompose. This is due to af-c being in release mode. Check your menu a6 to be sure it is set to af-on only as well. This is only on some models. It will stop the shutter button from focusing along with the back button.
 

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
re: BBF

By the way, the d7100 and d7200 force release mode when af-on is set to the bb, it ignores menu A1 setting an you get release priority no matter what a1 is at.

That explains why I couldn't get it to not fire on the d7100 even in af-s focus priority.
 

Skwaz

Senior Member
re: BBF

Thanks all , nickt , thanks for your explanation I Had the same thoughts as Needa and you have sorted that puzzle
All sorted now , just set it up the same as 7100 , but there's a small difference with the 750 , thanks again
 

nickt

Senior Member
re: BBF

That explains why I couldn't get it to not fire on the d7100 even in af-s focus priority.
I don't think its mentioned in the manual either. D7000 respected the a1 a2 settings even with af-on, but 7100 and d7200 forces release priority. Not sure what other models do because they don't explain it well in the manual, so I usually warn people that it might work that way. It sounds like the OP is getting focus priority in af-s mode. He doesn't want it, but its interesting.
 
Just thought I would add this as a refresher for all of us who use BBF I set both my D7100 and D750 the same way and they both work the same. I would not shoot any other way.

Back Button Focus is a great tool for so many photographers and is something I think everyone should try at least once. Below are a few sites that talk about the how and why of Back Button Focus.


Benefits of Using the AF-ON Button for Autofocus by Nikon USA



BACK BUTTON FOCUSING – EASIER THAN YOU THINK! by Improve Photography


Here is a good YouTube video that goes over the why and how of Back Button Focusing.

You can do a search of the forum on "Back Button Focus" or BBF and see the many threads that have been created on this subject.

Try it, You will like it.






 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Re: BBF

I don't think its mentioned in the manual either. D7000 respected the a1 a2 settings even with af-on, but 7100 and d7200 forces release priority. Not sure what other models do because they don't explain it well in the manual, so I usually warn people that it might work that way. It sounds like the OP is getting focus priority in af-s mode. He doesn't want it, but its interesting.

I have U1 set up as Aperture Priority and BBF, and since I happen to have my D750 out right now, I switched it to AF-S with BBF and single point. It's also set to focus priority. I focused with the back button, let go of the back button and recomposed. Then I fired the shutter. Mine worked fine. Are those all the settings you're referring to, Nick?
 

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Re: BBF

I have U1 set up as Aperture Priority and BBF, and since I happen to have my D750 out right now, I switched it to AF-S with BBF and single point. It's also set to focus priority. I focused with the back button, let go of the back button and recomposed. Then I fired the shutter. Mine worked fine. Are those all the settings you're referring to, Nick?

Two cameras acting differently with with the same setting. Wonder if it could be a software thing. There seems to be along list of updates in the change log.

Hark what software version is your d750 at?
@Skwaz what version are you at? Did I read your was grey market?
 

Skwaz

Senior Member
Thanks Hark , mine won't fire with those settings , as a few others won't , I need to be on release priority
those setting you heave work on my 7100 but not on my 750
 

nickt

Senior Member
Re: BBF

I have U1 set up as Aperture Priority and BBF, and since I happen to have my D750 out right now, I switched it to AF-S with BBF and single point. It's also set to focus priority. I focused with the back button, let go of the back button and recomposed. Then I fired the shutter. Mine worked fine. Are those all the settings you're referring to, Nick?
Yes. I've found my d7100* overrides the a1 and a2 priority settings when AF-On (bbf) is set. So no matter what, I get release priority when using the bb. It sounded like the OP was stuck with the camera not seeing focus when he recomposed, so that told me he is having focus priority with af-s and bbf. So its sounds like the d750 does respect the a1 and a2 settings with bbf set. (maybe, see below)*

You were able to to snap the shutter after recomposing. It is possible that the single point randomly fell on something focused even though you recomposed. Maybe try the test with your hand in front of the lens. Focus with bbf and af-s,focus priority. Then put your hand inches in front and see if the shutter refuses to snap. Your hand will certainly be out of focus and we will know whether or not bbf overrides the a2 menu. If it does snap on your hand, maybe the op had another setting causing some affect. I guess this deserves a try to see if af-c works the same with with its a1 menu.

*Now for more fun and confusion.... I just tried my d7100 and d7200. I have been thinking they both worked the same. The d7100 overrides a1 and a2 and I always get release priority with bbf set as I have been saying. The problem is, when I just tried the d7200, its a little different. In af-c, bbf overrides menu a1 and I get release priority no matter what, as expected. Even when set for focus priority, the shutter will fire. If I switch to af-s, then the a2 priority menu is respected. That was a surprise. I never use af-s with bbf so I probably never tried it. I assumed it behaved like the d7100 and overrode both a1 and a2 with bbf. So its looking like d7000, d7100, and d7200 are all a little different. Ugh, my head hurts.
 

nickt

Senior Member
Will try again tomorrow far to many combinations of keeping button pressed or not
thanks for all input
For me, its a second hobby to learn all the technical possibilities, I hope I didn't make things more complicated. In the end, all you really need to do is set af-c mode, menu a1 to release, menu a6 to af-on only. This will give you the 'text book' bbf technique. Anything else would be a special situation. With those settings, hold the button for continuous focus, let it go for a simulated af-s mode to recompose or just to be pre-focused on a particular spot. It took me a year to really love this method.
 

Skwaz

Senior Member
Hi Nickt , here's the final conclusions for knowledge bank On 71000 , it will shoot recompose and shoot in af-s and af-c in Focus priority and release priority , letting go of button after initial press On 750 all the same except for af-s in focus priority , press bb to focus release recompose won't shoot ,but press Bb to focus keep pressed , recompose it fires without refocusing , hope this makes sense Not too worried about it , I will just use bbf as its supposed to be used , as you suggested Thanks
 

nickt

Senior Member
Hi Nickt , here's the final conclusions for knowledge bank On 71000 , it will shoot recompose and shoot in af-s and af-c in Focus priority and release priority , letting go of button after initial press On 750 all the same except for af-s in focus priority , press bb to focus release recompose won't shoot ,but press Bb to focus keep pressed , recompose it fires without refocusing , hope this makes sense Not too worried about it , I will just use bbf as its supposed to be used , as you suggested Thanks
Thanks for the update. Its sounds like the d750 behaves just like the d7200, including the holding of the bb in af-s-fp and recomposing, just tried it. Interesting. I'm not thinking of any good use off-hand for af-s w/bbf, but interesting that Nikon has these subtle tweaks between similar models.
It took me a year to get used to bbf. Lots of back and forth and some missed shots in my confusion. Then it all clicked and I began finding great use for it in macro and wildlife. I leave it always at af-c, at most I change from single point to d9 or more for a bird in flight. I keep a U setting with shutter button focus in case I need to hand the camera to someone for a shot.
 
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