Alternative to BBF?

hark

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Is there any type of alternative to BBF that will allow both the tracking option and shutter actuation when only using the shutter button--and not using the button on the back?

I am having a terrible time with trigger finger and trigger thumb in my right hand. Having to keep my thumb on the back button is causing too much cramping in my palm in addition to the trigger/tendonitis problems in my right hand. I don't want to use one of the buttons on the left as an alternative because if I am using a tripod, my left hand pans and tilts.

Is there some way to achieve tracking when only using the shutter actuation button? This would only be for sports or birding as I switch to the regular way for everything else.
 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
Wouldn't keeping shutter button focus, and using af-c mode do what you're after?

The only advantage to BBF is that the button can be set to af-c, but when you release the button you've effectively gone to af-s. So if you stayed with shutter button focus, you'd have to manually switch between af-c and af-s servo modes, but could still work for you?
 

hark

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Wouldn't keeping shutter button focus, and using af-c mode do what you're after?

The only advantage to BBF is that the button can be set to af-c, but when you release the button you've effectively gone to af-s. So if you stayed with shutter button focus, you'd have to manually switch between af-c and af-s servo modes, but could still work for you?

I don't know if just using AF-C with the shutter will do the same thing. I'm not accustomed to using AF-C with the exception of setting up BBF. If it works that way, I can always program one of the U1 or U2 modes for it. Usually I use U1 as BBF in Aperture Priority. U2 is set for BBF in Manual Mode, but if it is supposed to work the same way, I can always reprogram U2 for it.

I'll have to read up on AF-C to learn more. Thanks. :)
 

nickt

Senior Member
I'm not sure I understand what you mean.
Like Charlie said, you should get all the focus and tracking options from a regular half press of the shutter. BBF just gets you the simulated af-s mode instantly when you need it.

I have some thumb issues. Certain up-down movements hurt or are difficult, like poking around for buttons with my thumbs. Luckily the most comfortable way to grip my camera lets my thumb fall directly on the back button of my d7200.
 

nickt

Senior Member
I don't know if just using AF-C with the shutter will do the same thing.
It should do everything. You just won't get the simulated af-s mode and the focus recompose benefits while in af-c. You will have to switch to real af-s mode. On the plus side though, you can use focus priority when needed. Us BBFers are stuck always using release priority.
A while back, I experimented with setting a U mode to normal shutter button focus. The reason being so I could set focus priority for BIF. It got too confusing, I kept pressing the bb anyway because I am so used to it. There is some muscle memory in using our cameras quickly and I think its best to stay in one technique or the other. I stay in bbf full time now. If I take some out of focus bif shots, oh well. You will be fine with just using shutter button focus.
 

hark

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I'm not sure I understand what you mean.
Like Charlie said, you should get all the focus and tracking options from a regular half press of the shutter. BBF just gets you the simulated af-s mode instantly when you need it.

I have some thumb issues. Certain up-down movements hurt or are difficult, like poking around for buttons with my thumbs. Luckily the most comfortable way to grip my camera lets my thumb fall directly on the back button of my d7200.

Since I never used AF-C for anything before the BBF settings, I wasn't sure if BBF was required for the tracking ability. Generally if I am using my 300mm f/4 or 70-200mm f/2.8 outside, it is only for tracking purposes. I guess I never really used BBF as AF-S (by letting go of the back button). Probably because I really hadn't used BBF much at all. Even when I shot t-ball last night, I wasn't releasing the back button to recompose since the kids were hitting or running.

I will give AF-C a try with the shutter button. Thanks, Nick. :)
 

hark

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Last week I received a couple of steroid injections into my hand. This afternoon I went out with my D7200 in hopes of seeing how my hand would hold up. I spotted this guy and thought it would be a good chance to try AF-C without the camera being in BBF. I quickly dialed in the settings and took a few photos. Fortunately the AF-C settings worked like a charm and tracked the quad's movement without me having to use my thumb.

It was taken at a local park where there is some type of ball field. There was something attached to the back of the quad that dragged the dirt getting the field ready for a game tonight.

Thanks for all the info on being able to track without BBF. :)

DSC_0033 low res.jpg
 

nickt

Senior Member
Cindy, you might have a use for menu item f6 on the d7200. 'Release button to use dial'. It lets you tap any of the button+command wheel functions rather than needing to hold the button while turning the wheels. For example, rather than hold the iso button while turning the command wheel to adjust iso, I can just tap the button once and then adjust the iso with the command wheel. It might do nothing for you but worth mentioning. It gave me more hand comfort especially when supporting a heavy lens with my left hand. You can leave f6 turned on with no penalty (that I know of), it will still work the old way, you will just have the option to make one handed adjustments.
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
Cindy, you might have a use for menu item f6 on the d7200. 'Release button to use dial'. It lets you tap any of the button+command wheel functions rather than needing to hold the button while turning the wheels. For example, rather than hold the iso button while turning the command wheel to adjust iso, I can just tap the button once and then adjust the iso with the command wheel. It might do nothing for you but worth mentioning. It gave me more hand comfort especially when supporting a heavy lens with my left hand. You can leave f6 turned on with no penalty (that I know of), it will still work the old way, you will just have the option to make one handed adjustments.

This helped me figure something out thanks. I had this set to on and now realise that it is a great feature as long as you remember to tap the button again once you have set the ISO.
Can be frustrating if you don't and try to change the shutter speed or something and it keeps changing the ISO.
 

Vixen

Senior Member
This helped me figure something out thanks. I had this set to on and now realise that it is a great feature as long as you remember to tap the button again once you have set the ISO.
Can be frustrating if you don't and try to change the shutter speed or something and it keeps changing the ISO.

I must check if this is set on mine. I seen to be able to change all my settings without even thinking to...maybe this is why :D providing its even a feature on my D7100
 

hark

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Cindy, you might have a use for menu item f6 on the d7200. 'Release button to use dial'. It lets you tap any of the button+command wheel functions rather than needing to hold the button while turning the wheels. For example, rather than hold the iso button while turning the command wheel to adjust iso, I can just tap the button once and then adjust the iso with the command wheel. It might do nothing for you but worth mentioning. It gave me more hand comfort especially when supporting a heavy lens with my left hand. You can leave f6 turned on with no penalty (that I know of), it will still work the old way, you will just have the option to make one handed adjustments.

Well I just learned something new! Thanks for the info, Nick. I will check it out and play around with it!
 

nickt

Senior Member
This helped me figure something out thanks. I had this set to on and now realise that it is a great feature as long as you remember to tap the button again once you have set the ISO.
Can be frustrating if you don't and try to change the shutter speed or something and it keeps changing the ISO.
Ah, yes I forgot. That is a downside, you need to hit 'something' to exit the feature. For me, I just tap my bbf or 1/2 shutter. Its become habit.
Yes, @Vixen , it is on the d7100.
 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
Cindy, you might have a use for menu item f6 on the d7200. 'Release button to use dial'. It lets you tap any of the button+command wheel functions rather than needing to hold the button while turning the wheels. For example, rather than hold the iso button while turning the command wheel to adjust iso, I can just tap the button once and then adjust the iso with the command wheel. It might do nothing for you but worth mentioning. It gave me more hand comfort especially when supporting a heavy lens with my left hand. You can leave f6 turned on with no penalty (that I know of), it will still work the old way, you will just have the option to make one handed adjustments.

This is F10 on the D810. I'm going to have to give this a try!
 

nickt

Senior Member
This is F10 on the D810. I'm going to have to give this a try!
I found this setting when I got my 150-600. It was really awkward to set iso or focus modes with that lens mounted. Now I find using that setting more comfortable in all cases. My left hand can just keep a comfortable and balanced grip on the lens at all times and I never have to shift the camera weight to my right hand or fingers. My right hand is free to push buttons, make adjustments, swat flies, lol.
 
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