Back button focusing, what's it for, how to use it, and what are its advantages
With back-button focus, you use a button on the back of the camera to focus, and use the shutter button just to set the exposure and take the picture. The shutter button never tries to achieve focus because it is re-configured not to focus.
I made the permanent switch to focusing using the Back button a while ago, and I’ve become a huge advocate for this type of focusing. Alongside using the Manual exposure mode, I'd say it was one of the most revolutionary changes I ever made to how I take pictures. It seems like such a small thing, yet it’s such a huge difference in the way your camera works, and should probably be the standard setting on all DSLR.
There are several advantages to this technique, and they are explained in this video, however it must be said that some people try back button focusing, and just don't get on with it, so it's not for everybody. But it is worth investigating, you could be missing out and might just find that it's something of a revelation!
Hi Bernie,
I have been using back button focus for a few weeks now. At first I had to get used to pressing the shutter release button to wake the camera up before the back button would activate (since I had let the camera go to sleep). Now, it’s my prefered focus method. I’ll still have to have to read the manual to work out how to stop the camera going to sleep when I leave it too long before shots II have a Nikon D3200 – not that it matters!).
Thanks for a great lesson.
Hi ALex,
Yes, once you start using Back Button focusing and get used to it, there’s no going back. It does work very well, so I’m glad you’re finding it useful.
Isn’t there a timeout value you can set so that the camera only goes to sleep after a longer period? That might help.
Glad you liked the lesson.
Cheers,
Bernie