Back button focus?

mr tommo

mr tommo

mr tommo

Soldato
Joined
13 Dec 2004
Posts
5,398
Location
Stoke-on-Trent
Anybody here use this technique?

I'm tempted to give it a go on my 5Dii in preparation for my next wedding. What are peoples opinions of it?

I used the hasselblad today and found it quite cool to focus with a back button.

Pros/cons?
 
I don't like it personally, normally I want to release the shutter as soon as I get 'lock on'. Also helps with keeping stuff in focus when shooting shallow DOF's.

There are applications where BF button helps, where you want o switch from single focus, to continuous without having to change a setting. Also it allows you to keep focus and shutter release separate, so if you don't need to focus again, you don't have to.
 
I couldn't get my head around why you would want to do it until I tried it, I find it quite handy to be able to lock focus and exposure separately
 
I've tried it a few times as some people swear by it. I just couldn't get on with it though. Think that was more to do with where I could only assign the back button to though. Just made it un natural and a little uncomfortable to use.
 
I use it all of the time, I just find it too restrictive now to only use the shutter button for AF as well.
 
Yeah I also used to have that, it is more useful for me when doing motorsport as I can start tracking focus on the car but only lock exposure when I am ready to shoot
 
Guess I just need to give it a try. I liked it on the blad but I'll see if I get on with it with the 5. Problem is like you say, shallow DOF and I'd constantly be refocusing anyway to make sure its spot on.
 
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