Back Focus Stopped Working

[ckqualls]

I've had my camera set for backfocus for years, and today it stopped working.

Can someone give me the steps to active, just in case something changed.

Thanks

 

[Needa]

Set focus to AF-C then set a8 to AF-On only. Must be in AF-C to work properly.

 

[ckqualls]

Both are set that way.

 

[Needa]

Both are set that way.

You are having your challenges today.

Here is a video https://backcountrygallery.com/free-back-button-af-guide-for-nikon/ set up start at 6:50.

 

[ckqualls]

Well, that video wasn't for the D500 and had menu items not on the D500. I guess the camera just died. Oh well.

 

[Marilynne]

from Copilot

To set up back button focus on your Nikon D500, follow these steps:

1. Access Custom Settings Menu:
   • Press the Menu button.
   • Navigate to the Custom Settings Menu (pencil icon).
2. Assign AF-ON Button:
   • Select Controls (f).
   • Choose f1: Custom control assignment.
   • Highlight the AF-ON button and press OK.
3. Set AF Activation:
   • Go back to the Custom Settings Menu.
   • Select Autofocus (a).
   • Choose a8: AF activation.
   • Set it to AF-ON only.
4. Disable Shutter Button AF:
   • This step ensures that the shutter button no longer activates autofocus, allowing the AF-ON button to handle focusing.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to use the AF-ON button for focusing, which can be particularly useful for wildlife and action photography.

 

[ckqualls]

I went through those steps, it still doesn't work.

 

[Needa]

Since you have been playing with focus setting you didn't accidentally turn off AF on the lens or body?

 

[ckqualls]

No, it us on. I've checked everything and the settings are OK.

 

[ckqualls]

No, it is on. I've checked everything and the settings are OK

 

[Needa]

At this point I probably would
1. Clean the lens and body contacts for the lens.
2. Disable back button focus to se if will focus with shutter button.
3. Back up the settings and do a two button reset.
4. As a last resort follow the following steps.

Not sure if this is relevant to this make/model, but on Canon body, I was able to reset things by doing the following: 1. Switch off, 2. remove battery and card 3. switch on 4. Hold down the shutter for at least 15 seconds 5. switch off 6. re-instal battery and card 7. switch on and keep your fingers crossed.
It worked for me and cleared unusual issues I was having with it.
This was apparently a suggestion from a technician in one of their factories and was not widely known in the public domain. It makes you wonder if this is what they do when people send their cameras in for a repair costing a fortune

Hope you get it resolved.

 

[ckqualls]

Cleaned the contacts. Cleaned the sensor. I found the reset procedure for D500 on line and went through that. Display flashed. My FN2 button was programmed for My Menu and still is, making me believe the camera did not reset.

Checked menus, a8 still AF-ON only, g1 I cannot get the display to highlight the AF-ON button, so can't check or change that. That seems strange. Possible the camera is just malfunctioning?

 

[ckqualls]

Also, not related, but when I am in the menu system the display goes off. Sent to Nikon, they said nothing is wrong with the camera.

 

[ckqualls]

OK, I found reset in menus, reset and reloaded settings. Back focus still does not work.

 

[Needa]

The setting may be the issue. Try without reloading the settings, set up BBF on the fresh reset. After the reset does it focus with the shutter button? Maybe the Af-ON button is faulty.

 

[ckqualls]

I went through settings and set for back focus (Finally got the back focus button programming to work). Same issue. Yes, I thought the button might be broken. Going to take to local camera shop. They have a repair facility out of NY that is supposed to be cheaper and better than Nikon in California.

 

[ckqualls]

I sent to Nikon, there was an issue with camera. They repaired, works fine now.

Thanks, everyone