Back button focusing = BBF

[Aino]

I have just started doing this and I am liking it. But it takes practice -
was wondering if any of you use it all and why ?

[cheska99]

I tried it and then dropped it, but I'm not sure why. Probably because I have sooooo many things to learn about photography that it wasn't at the top of my list of new things to master.

It pops up from time to time on the photography forum I'm on. Some people seem to like it more than others. Sorry I can't remember much else!

[iUma]

Yes, from the moment Katrina brought it up in the very first Captured Class I fought my way into understanding it and making it function on my canon. Meaning Katrina figured out how to do and told me. Every since this is the way I do it...shooting on aperture like she does. It is great to be able to do focus separate from exposure.

[RandyP]

I've shot this way for awhile. For me, I like the separation of focus and triggering the shutter. No accidential shots fired.

Also, because I use the EV button alot, it is right there between the back focus and shutter buttons. All easy to use while looking through the view finder.

[SarahDanyelle]

I can't think of a photo I've taken in the past seven or eight months that I haven't used back button focusing. My mind now automatically just does it. I just love it. I agree, though, I let Katrina figure it out and then tell me. : )

[anxela]

I do that too. I took a class from Allison Tyler Jones where she brought it up, and I love it!

[katrinak]

Yep. Me too. Love it. Just gives me better control and if you are recomposing, I've found it to be the sharpest way to get photos.

(and a little note Patricia, I shoot only manual now, left aperture priority behind )

If you are shooting aperture, you can choose to let BBF set exposure and Focus or only focus. Good to set exposure and focus if you are shooting in AV/A.

[katrinak]

Here's a little tutorial I wrote on Focus for the DailyDigi for any of you who have no idea what we are talking about

Focus.

[anxela]

Thanks, Katrina! It's always interesting with more information!

[Carol Elliott]

I shot BB focus exclusively after taking Katrina's class awhile back, but for some reason stopped. I'm gettng back to it now and find that my pictures are much sharper when I shoot using BB focus.

[Aino]

Now that I shoot Manual most of the time - I am really finding it quick and practical to use the bbf. And yes, now I am getting the hang of it - it is sharper.
I like focusing with the center spot, halfpress the shutter and then recompose. Works fine!
I always used to move the focus spots around, but found that the edge ones are less sharp than the center one.

I sometimes still get confused though when I pick up the camera and nothing happens when I halfclick the shutter release... LOL!!

[mugsbigsis]

Just one of the many things I learned in Katrina's class that I love! :O)

[JulieSade]

Would this work on a Canon SX20? It's not a digitalSLR, but a step below that. It does have Tv, Ap, Manual, and all those options on the wheel on top. And to think I used to know what I was doing with my AE-1! I was all manual then!

[katrinak]

Originally Posted by JulieSade

Would this work on a Canon SX20? It's not a digitalSLR, but a step below that. It does have Tv, Ap, Manual, and all those options on the wheel on top. And to think I used to know what I was doing with my AE-1! I was all manual then!

Unfortunately it's not available on your camera.

For those of you looking for it, you can find it in your manual under AF Lock. Most manuals won't list it as back button focus, that is kind of photographer's slang.

[readstoomuch]

I use the BBF too . . .
learned it from Katrina too!

Now that I am TRYING to shoot all in manual, I find that I always use the BBF and get a sharper focal point.

Thanks, Katrina!!! You are the best.

[Deirdre]

Thank for the link, Katrina. I'm doing much better shooting in manual but need better focus. I tried the bbf and liked it, not sure why I stopped I love photography but it's a bit overwhelming to me. I think everytime I add 2 skills I lose one, lol! Ah, one of these days (or years) it will come together! Thanks for bringing this up, Aino. Very timely for me.

[readstoomuch]

Originally Posted by Deirdre

I love photography but it's a bit overwhelming to me. I think everytime I add 2 skills I lose one, lol! Ah, one of these days (or years) it will come together!

Deirdre . . . your tale is mine exactly! Two steps forward and one step backward.

[Debbyo]

I'm with Deidre and Mollie: could it be like Piano lessons? Practice Practice Practice? Well, this kind of Practice gets results. :-)

[katrinak]

Originally Posted by Debbyo

I'm with Deidre and Mollie: could it be like Piano lessons? Practice Practice Practice? Well, this kind of Practice gets results. :-)

Absolutely! The more you learn the more you discover you have to learn! It's a bit like life

[Deirdre]

See? I did a little photoshoot with my youngest last week. I was so excited b/c the photos looked good on the little screen on the camera. But, they're pretty soft I *thought* I had the SS on 125, but I guess accidentally knocked it down to 80. That would have made a difference in my focus don't you think? And I didn't use the bbf that day. I will retry this shoot

[Aino]

Originally Posted by Deirdre

See? I did a little photoshoot with my youngest last week. I was so excited b/c the photos looked good on the little screen on the camera. But, they're pretty soft I *thought* I had the SS on 125, but I guess accidentally knocked it down to 80. That would have made a difference in my focus don't you think?

Such a cute shot!! It is a little soft though - yes, I try to keep my shutter at 125 or above around the kids - and I up the ISO if necessary - otherwise it goes soft on me!

[Aino]

Another tip - I keep my camera on Continuous Shooting Mode (so that it takes rapidly several shots while I keep the shutter button down).
That way, I keep my thumb on the back button focusing and my index on the shutter button -
when my camera has locked focus, I rapidly shoot several exposures - hoping that at least one of them will come out fine.

I have noticed that around kids - this is the way to go!

[muddygirl]

I used BBF for a while after Katrina's class too. I can tell you exactly why I stopped. My DH would get grumpy when he picked up the camera to take some pictures and it would not work for him the way he expected. It was easier to turn it off than convert him I have been thinking about going back to it recently though. He will just have to learn to adjust.

[Aino]

Originally Posted by muddygirl

I used BBF for a while after Katrina's class too. I can tell you exactly why I stopped. My DH would get grumpy when he picked up the camera to take some pictures and it would not work for him the way he expected. It was easier to turn it off than convert him I have been thinking about going back to it recently though. He will just have to learn to adjust.

Good for me that my DH veeeeery rarely picks up my camera.