Back-Button Focus
- Thread starter Michael J.
- Start date
RocketCowboy
Senior Member
I've been contemplating BBF for awhile now, so today I made the switch (since I have a long weekend in New Orleans coming up to test). Let's see how well I do, and how much confusion it adds if switching the D7100/D5300 between my wife and I. 
sonicbuffalo_RIP
Senior Member
I've been contemplating BBF for awhile now, so today I made the switch (since I have a long weekend in New Orleans coming up to test). Let's see how well I do, and how much confusion it adds if switching the D7100/D5300 between my wife and I.
Good luck....I used it for a while and have now switched back to regular focus. I migh change it again now that I have gotten so used to it. I just figured I'd try it the usual way again for a while.
@Dave_W was the first person I saw who mentioned it a couple of years ago although he didn't call it back button focus.
Don Kuykendall_RIP
RIP :(
Dave was the one who hounded me about it. He is also the culprit that got me hooked on the Nik Collection.
I have used it for some time now. At first, like most, it was awkward but persistence paid off. Now it is like driving a car, the brake pedal is where it is supposed to be. Ha! For BIF I hold it down all the way through the shot. If I could only stay up with the bird. Ha!
Michael J.
Senior Member
Today early morning Cam out in front of the house, and shooting starts without one time trying using the shutter release button to get in focus. It seems it is something natural in me that waited so long time to using the thumb using the focus button.
sonicbuffalo_RIP
Senior Member
I take back my post then Hark....just to make you happy!
I take back my post then Hark....just to make you happy!
Say what???
I was just stating where I first heard about it. Did a little digging and found the thread (4th post by Dave_W). Not sure you were even a member back then. http://nikonites.com/d7000/9141-problem-shutter-release-button.html#axzz3XwZH8zph
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
I miss Dave_W... He and I went out to the Anza Borrego desert for a milky way shoot once and I regret not being able to hang out with him more than I did before he moved. I bet he's doing some awesome photography in "big sky country" now and I wish I could see it.
....
....
donaldjledet
Senior Member
@horoscopefish Where is Dave haven't seen a post
in a long while?
in a long while?
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
Dave told me he was already "semi-retired" when we met in person but his wife was still working. I don't know the details but she had an amazing job opportunity present itself though taking the job meant moving to Montana. They were hesitant about moving but everything came together and they made the big move from their place in San Diego.
I seem to recall Dave posted a couple times (??) from his new location but he went silent on the forums shortly after.
Unfortunately, that's all I know.
....
sonicbuffalo_RIP
Senior Member
Say what???
http://nikonites.com/d7000/9141-problem-shutter-release-button.html#axzz3XwZH8zph
no prob....just thought it was a little childish to worry about where you first heard about it. I do remember making my post when no one else was talking about it. No big deal.
Michael J.
Senior Member
Now I figured it out why I tried it: fotojack posted a VDO Lnkt here http://nikonites.com/photography-q-...me-2.html?highlight=Back-Button#axzz3Y03eDKOf
Posting 04-16-2015, 11:54 PM #26
Here is the Quote:
This posting pushed me to do it.
I mentioned few days back:
Posting 04-16-2015, 11:54 PM #26
Here is the Quote:
This posting pushed me to do it.
I mentioned few days back:
No childishness or worry on my part...detailed oriented, YES. When I read information that I consider to be highly informative (and it was a new concept back when I initially read it), I not only tend to remember who posted it, I read their posts more closely. For me, the information provided by Dave_W was enlightening. Just wanted to give credit to the forum member who taught me something new.
Because I am curious, I did an advanced search to see who was the first person to use the term back button focus. It was from this thread:
Last edited:
Mike, can you explain losing the VR please? I guess I don't really understand how it works. Tnx
As i understand it VR comes in with half pressure on the shutter button at the same time as focus acquisition,if you move focus to the BB then while using the BB as AFC you will have VR because you are effectively holding the shutter button(via BB) half down and taking the picture while the BB is pressed.If you decide to focus with the BB then remove your finger and re frame to take the picture( as in AFS),pushing the shutter button to take will not bring focus or VR back on.
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
This is incorrect. VR does not fully migrate with BBF, it engages with either/both buttons. If you engage BBF and then release (disabling VR) and then subsequently depress the shutter button to take the shot, VR will (again) engage with the depression of the shutter release. This could be problematic in that the VR will likely not have time to fully engage meaning that the image may be even less sharp since the VR is settling in.
If you're using BBF and VR then it's critical to either keep the back button depressed for focus lock or give the VR time to fully engage again when depressing the shutter. The alternative is to shoot without VR and set the camera to make sure that your shutter speed is faster than your focal length.