Back Button Focus on Nikon Cameras: How to Use & Set Up with Mike Hagen | CreativeLive
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
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Our instructor Mike Hagen of Nikonians is here to show you how to use back button focus.
As a photographer, you want to have the most control over your shot as possible. And by utilizing back button focus rather than the shutter button, you can control the focus of your images.
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First time I had this subject clearly and succinctly explained, covering both how to set it on my camera and exactly how to use it/how it plays out in use. Thank you.
Exactly what I appreciated about this tutorial!
I agree. This is the clearest explanation of back button focus I've seen. Now I understand (hopefully) and can't wait to use it.
Probably the best explanation I've seen on the topic. Great video.
Exactly
Agreed...!
Yes , it is,. He is a great teacher at photography...!
AWESOME explanation....D750....not a lower end body tho...its an OUTSTANDING camera
I watched several other videos on how to set up Back Button Focus on my D500. I was ready to throw it against the wall. I found your video and you simply walked me straight through it first time
. Thank for being an excellent, easy to understand instructor. !
I feel the same way! This was very easy to follow along. Question, can you program a button to go to single focus mode also so you can have both options at your disposal?
Hi MIke, I like it how you explained the AE-L button on lower end cameras (near the end)
There is one on my Nikon D5500
I have come to realise that one of the advantages of larger higher end cameras is that they have more buttons, which means less having to use the menu to change various modes.
I finally understand! Thank you!
All those other videos were not as clearly scripted and executed as yours is.
This explained BBF better than others on YT and it only took 1 guy to do it. Can't wait to try it out if my camera is capable of it.Thanks a lot.
Thank you for explaining this - very valuable info for someone moving from a D610 to the D850. Not just how to do it - but why you want to do it!
Thank you so very, very much! You video is clear and concise and I was FINALLY able to get my back button focus set up properly.
Perfectly explained....I finally understood watching your video. I watched quite a few videos before!
Haha. How long did it take you to switch Alki this crap in the menu? If you just continued taking photos with the shutter release button and let the camera refocus (which takes 1/50's of a second), you get the same results. Backbutton focus guys are being laughed at by real professionals. You are trying to be pretentious.
Thank you for making this so understandable. I viewed various videos on the subject elsewhere on RUclips and your tutorial here was the only one that explained it in "common English." Much appreciated!
Thanks for making this video. This is a great help , especially when you consider how deep within the menu structure these settings are found. I love to use the back focus button on my D7100!
This was the best explanation and visual of how to set up and use, thank you. Nikon Z7 user
Lol. "The D750, which is a lower-end camera." K...
Not sure where he came up with that, as it is a full frame camera that many Pro's now use as a backup camera to their very expensive beasts for everyday usage!
No, the D7000 family are not full frame cameras. They are very good small frame cameras. But, as with any optical device ,bigger is always better. No small frame camera can compare to a full size camera from the D800 family.
Randy Bone 750 is full frame.
Yes the D750 is full frame. But being full frame doesn't automatically make it a higher end camera than its DX cousin. The D500 is DX, but has a much better focusing system, higher FPS, effectively unlimited buffer, uses XQD cards and has much more control customization. The D500 is top of the DX range with the D750 being middle of the road in the FX line up....I know as I have both and they are both great cameras geared towards different things.
@@rlbone1 - Sorry but you are confused... The D750 is not part of the D7000 family. D750 is FX (Nikon for full frame) and it is in the lower range of the FX Nikons. Still a very good camera, quite capable of being used by some Pro's. The D7000 range is more accurately referred to as the D7XXX Range. The D7XXX is a crop sensor range of cameras known as DX in the Nikon world. Your statement referring to the sensor size has not been valid for a few years (even taking into consideration that you commented in 2018). Nikon's DX 1.5 Crop sensors in the D7200, D7500, and the pinnacle of DX DSLRs, the D500. I have been a wildlife photographer for 40 years. My kit has a D500 and a D7200. IMHO the two best wildlife and sports cameras available today. The Crop Sensor affords the Nikon DX cameras a 1.5x extension in focal reach which is life changing for most telephoto users. My $1200.00 Nikkor 200-500mm f:5.6 becomes the best telephoto zoom available when mounted on a DX DSLR it becomes a 350-750mm f:5.6 Eagle catcher that weighs in at only 5 pounds and can be purchased for less than $1200.00 bucks. Today, the only advantage that an FX sensor has over DX is better very low light performance. For commercial fashion, landscape and architectural photography, the D8XX rule the roost with way more megapixels than are really needed... But I was into that stuff I'd have a D8XX in my bag.
Very simple method of explaining.Thanks you Mr.Mike hagen
Gr8 tutorial. First time I was able to understand the BBF thing. Can you please make a video on AE-L/AF-L usage please with example ? I shoot Nikon D7200 and fairly new to photography. Thanks!!
Best description I've heard of this function, thank you.
Can you use this for normal portraits
Explained perfectly so that me, an amateur can understand! 🙏🏼
I like how you actually show how you would keep the button pressed as you are focusing and use the shutter release when needed. other videos did not actually act it out. Your video is more comprehensive. Thanks!
Thanks mo one explain like you do in the nikon sistem thanks
Hmmmm . . .my D750 is a low end camera? I tuned out at that point. Been freelancing since the early 70s. I think I got this one.
Hi sir, Can I use this video in my blog for educational purposes? It is a humble request.
Great video but the D750 is a Lower End Camera???? LMFAO
yes at $2000 to $2500 price range it's a very low-end camera. lol
I enjoyed the video but that comment totally turned me off.
The best explanation I've seen so far!
Thank You, a simple and effective explanation. Now I'm using back Button focus on my Nikon D5200 !
This was really helpfull. I always wondered how to recompose in af-c mode w/out loosing focus on my subject...now I know it :) thank you!
I have to try it still but once I have something in focus but want to move my composition, I then hold the back AF-Lock then I can simply fully press the shutter and it takes the photo. Has always worked well for me. I guess it does mean you're pressing two buttons in one go.
"...in English, that means..." :-) Great video, easy to understand the step by step. Thanks!
WOW! Coming from a D300 to a D750? Your video couldn't have done a more examplary job in explaining the subtle differences between the utilization of the Back-Button Functions between my two Nikons given that we have similar configuration...
Thanks a lot for such a great video. I may have finally solved my problem shooting flowers in windy conditions...Cheers!
i THINK I GOT IT LOL THY FOR ALL YOUR HELP (GLAD YOU GAVE THE D750 EXPLANATION as I have D5200 (beginner me)
Thank you for a straight forward, no nonsense approach to your very informative tutorial!
as a D750 shooter, (and set up for AF-C), i can assure you when i hit the button, my focus AND exposure is locked and i can recompose INSTANTLY. so....where's the advantage to taking away the exposure function and limiting it to focus only ???
- or am i missing something important here ?
in my opinion, a "pro" level camera is related to the human holding it; not the camera in their hand //LOL//
Helpful, but after spending a lot of money for my D750, I didn’t appreciate hearing “lower end” either. Obviously, we aren’t alone. And, you are absolutely right about the person taking the pictures. I can look back on some photos I have from true “lower end” cameras, and they are fantastic! Just like everything else, having the “best” can come off as a certain amount of “snob” appeal. Oh well.
Nikon D750 camera was a Value for money professional grade body so don't worry about the comments from some people who believe only the most expensive cameras are tool for the professionals.
I have many mates who are professional weddings photographers and used D750 cameras for years before upgrading to mirrorless cameras.
Mate the only advantage of using Back Button Focus Button is when your subject is moving and then suddenly stopping. In baseball or cricket if you want to Focus on the player with bat and take pictures and all of a sudden he starts running towards the other side etc.
That's where AFC on BBF will become handy. Only in Continous Focus as to stop focusing you just take the thumb off the BBF.
Now for the Exposure Lock, all you have to do is assign your Exposure Lock back to shutter realise Button.
Great video! I just bought a D5500 for my wife this Christmas. Actually our first entry level DSLR camera ... We still need to read, practice and learn a lot. This is a real science.... lol.
That's a perfect camera to start, i had it and i loved it, very good image quality, shoot raw (NEF for Nikon) Enjoy!
xell1969 Thanks.
Terrific walk through Mike - I'm sure this takes a lot more than 8 minutes to plan and deliver, and everything in that 8 minutes shows how well you know what you're doing without you even needing to say it. Nice style.
Great...Frist Time I Had This Subject Clearly Explained .How To Set It On My Nikon DSLR Camera And How To Use It .This was Really Helpfull Thank You.
i love back button focusing. But, and dont laugh! I have a big nose! And yes, it does make back button focusing tricky as my eye is so far away from the viewfinder. Instead, i have programmed my FN button at the front of the camera to be focusing button and my ael/afl button for focus lock. Works for me.
You told us not to laugh, but can we :) Thanks for sharing your solution to a (we're sure) common experience.
Nice explanation, but what I do in similar situations, I switch to manual focussing.
Best explanation of back button focus I have seen.
Having some trouble with this...I've got the setting in custom setting correctly set for back button focus..and "yes" when I want to do AIservo I"m getting sharp shots for as long as I hold the back button down and press shutter button......PROBLEM. When I want a SINGLE shot and press back button and release I:m still getting multiple shots NOt One.......what am I doing or setting incorrectly??? I use Canon 5D Markiv...
I am a new user of D7500 .I am facing some problem in the following situation.
Nikon D7500
--------------
The following settings were carried out on D7500
** a1 set to FOCUS PRIORITY
** a6 set to OFF
** AE-L/AF-L set to AF-ON
** Focus Mode set to AF-C
and then AF area mode set to all options one by one .
With the above settings I could take pictures even if the subject is out of focus, whereas my understanding was that shutter cannot be released till subject is in focus . Is it a normal functioning ?
Where as Under similar settings My D 5000 does not allow picture to be taken if the subject is out of focus.
I hope your technical team can clarify and solve the issue.
Thanks in advance
Bala S
Is there a Step by Step Guide how to set this up on an entry level Nikon D5100. I must be doing something wrong as I cant get BBF to work on mine.
same here with a d5300
Great Video! All of these arm chair experts complaining/commenting about your reference of the D750 as a "lower end" DSLR is so funny. Life in the Nikon FX lineup is brutal. The D5 is arguably the best photo-journalist DSLR on the market, but spends at over $6K. Then we have the Mega-megapixel D8XX that is a very high end commercial landscape, fashion and architectural beast. Not a cheap piece of kit either. Yeah... With that in mind the D750 is very much a lower end of it's fancy big brothers. Cheers
Very well explained... now this doubt is cleared... thank you..🙏❤
This technique works very well when you get familiar with it. However, it assumes you will use your right eye to look through the viewfinder. When I have had problems with my right eye, I have needed to switch to my left eye for the viewfinder, but in that case I can’t put my thumb on the AF-ON button because the right side of my face blocks access. Fortunately there is a workaround. If you have a model that includes a vertical grip, or for which you can buy one (I have the MB-D11 for my D7000), you have an AF-ON button on the vertical grip too (or can assign the AE-L/AF-L button on the vertical grip using a menu item similar to what Mike showed in the video). You can view with your left eye and press the AF-ON button on the vertical grip instead, even in horizontal mode while supporting the camera with your left hand. It works!
Hmmm....yeah, but why can't you just use AF-lock and then recomposed?
Sorry, I don't think I have made my question clear enough.
The high end cameras ( eg: D810) have both AF-On and AF lock button, which means you don't have to "switch" and of your settings. You just press a different button.
For lower end body (D7200, D750, D610...etc) you may only have an AF/AE lock button that you can reassigned for back button focusing.
The idea of back button focuing is you separate button for AF, and then let go of it when you need to recomposed or ignore a something(s) that goes in front of your subject. Why don't we just press AF-lock and then recomposed? Basically its the reverse of back button forcing. That way, you only have to worry about pressing one button and only if you need it, press another button to fix where you foucs.
You can use shutter button AF with AF-lock if that's what you prefer. I go the AF-On route because I don't want to keep track if the AF was set to on or off. I may miss a good moment if I turned the AF off thinking I was turning it on. Plus the AF-On button is closer to my thumb if using camera with both AF-L & AF-On button.
You can, but isn't it easier to just take your photo off the focus button and recompose?
Michael Schultz Photography that is true, but how often do you focus and then recompse? A lot of time you just use the focus points near the outer edge. If you are shooting portrait then it can be quite scary if the depth of field is thin. If you are shooting Sport then it is probably less often you are going to do that.
Wesley I don't quite understand why you would loose track if AF is on or off, because unless you flick the switch either on the lens or the body, AF should be either on or off depends on the switch position.
I Have asked this questions HUNDREDS of times on numerous videos - ALL gone unanswered! SO I Have D90 - D7100 - D7200 and I have set all as shown, watched and read hundreds and none work ! When set to AF-c then AF-s on d90 or as shown 4 other 2 cameras and press on - focus nothing happens it just sits there. !! There is only one way to focus and that is with shutter - D90 I turned shutter focus off and doing that disables the camera from working!!
There is one (big?) disadvantage, I think, to use Back Button as AF lock: AE Lock. E.g., the subject (an animal with lighter fur with darker background) is on the right half of the shot, and I want to use exposure of the animal. If I lock the AF with the back button and move the view of the camera to the left (to make the composition) and press the shutter the exposure will be changed, right?
Or I didn't get it correctly?
Great! I so hope you are still there and able to help. I have a D750 and use bbf assigned to the AF-L/AE-L button just as you describe. Works a treat. My question is about how the camera then meters the exposure (recent sport photo session with players in focus but sky completely blown out). Does the bbf focus button also meter for the exposure when pressed? in the same way half pressing the shutter button would do? No mention of AE when assigning the back button. Thanks for your help (fingers crossed)
Thanks! I just bought a barely used (shutter count 1,956) Nikon D7000, and have a lot to learn about it. This really helps! (My "Nikon D7000 for Dummies" should be here tomorrow. That will help, too!)
Still not convinced to switch to BBF. AFT can do the same thing, I can track the person and shoot regardless of whether (a) the person is stationary or moving (b) I change the composition.
With BBF, on releasing the button to recompose, one is changing the camera - person distance, by mm or cm . With AFT, it is always in focus. Sorry, still not convinced with BBF.
Thank you. A
After sometime I shall again watch.
It will guide me; I personally feel purchasing a camera takes more than months to learn - as I have been suffering, not being able to click good pictures. Thank you.
It will help me to learn more as you have examined elaborately
Question: Will clicking birds or ducks in water be the same as you have said, or clicking birds needs other tips. If you have not explained, then please give us tips like this.
I am hoping someone can help me. I have set up BBF and use it with single auto focus point and continuous focusing. However if I alter from single autofocus point to say D9 or D51, only one focus point remains visible when I take images. Is this right or am I doing something wrong? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Thanks for your useful tutorial. I set the joystick to 9 dynamic point. When I press it on view finder I can see dynamic focus point but it not sensitive to objects! When I press it nothing changed. Could you help me what is my problem? By the way I have a D850
In BBF on AF-C can I recompose after I hit the button once and let go? AFTER I Shot I saw that the original subject was not sharp anymore. But sharpness had moved at the point behind the new position of single point focus square. The original subject was not sharp anymore. And the distance to the subject had not changed. I presumed that I can only recompose when at AF-S. Thank you for your time and help
I am hoping you may be able to help. I have set up BBF on my D7200 and have been using it with single focus point and continuous focus. I have tried to alter the single focus to D9 or D51 but I am still only seeing one focus point? Am I doing something wrong? Thanks
Hi I’ve been using the bbf on my new D500 for a couple of days now, quick question if I may
Once it’s all setup etc when I focus the centre square goes red, back to black when focused, then when I press the shutter button it goes red again is the camera telling the lens to refocus ? I’ve turned the shutter off aswell
Thanks
I have tried everything.. Read articles, videos, etc and need help. I have all settings as described and also shutter release button AE-L to off but every time I bbf in continous mode release and the recompose the shutter button focus square shows a new focal point and when viewed in LR the focus has been on the recomposed area. Please tell me what I am doing wrong or if it is a camera problem. I would so appreciate it. Thank yoou.
Does anyone know how best to assign the AE-L AF-L button on my Nikon D800 after setting this up.I can’t see how it can be used as originally assigned now?
Any advice greatly appreciated
Great video. I have been trying this out though and I noticed my photos have been consistently sharper when using shutter focus vs back button focus. Is this maybe just because it takes a while to get used to?
Also for moving subjects do you know if it is more consistently sharp to zoom in and out on your subject vs walking closer or further back from your subject?
Why not use standard release button with AF-C mode and hold AF-lock when you need like AF-S behavior? I think it is more convenient, than focusing always with one button and take a pictures with other.
Cool...just getting into shooting digital with a D7100...this tip makes sense...great info...Will try that right now!!
Your explanation is the only one makes sense,..Don't mane top telephotos by nikon has the af lock button... and what about when you are using 3d tracking.. than you can focus and recompose.. no?
Your are awesome sir....you helped me to get out of a frustration of my focus lock, am also a Nikon user so, it's really really helps me alot.....thank you so much sir, now I can capture my Idole one...!
Just a question.. with AFC and backbutton how much time you have to press af-on to get a single shot focus (a sencond, half second)? I mean if i press afon for about a second sometimes it doesn't lock focus precisely, it still fight like on continous but if I use AFS instead AFC is more fast and precise on a standing subject. :/
merci beaucoup what an excellent presentation. question please: does automatic apply to the vertical AF button on a Nikon D4 ? thanks for your answer
I've been using this method for years on my Nikon D100, D200, 2 x D300, D300s. It's the only way to go! :)
Clear explanation compare with others. I still have difficulties to use ae-l / af-l button on my d750.
That's the best explanation I've seen so far. Thank you
Only video to show the two ways on Nikon. My P1000 has a single button, but different setup. I sm yet to get it right.
with your video I now understand back button. Everyone else I have seen made it too confusing. Thank you so much
I use the back button to lock on the focus first, then move away to snap.
Nikon menus are so confusing. After hitting OK the menu still says AF Activation off. Why is this please?
Thank. I finally insert this with the back button holding it down and releasing. You’re a good teacher
Now I can have sharp photos when I'm trying to stalk my neighbour with my nikon camera.
One doubt, if AF-C priority is release , will the camera nit miss the focus , should it not be the other one
How does this relate to using focus points? Can I set 9 focus points and still use back button focus or is that not how it works?!
Great video - thank you! Have now set my D800 exactly the same. Perfect.
Trying to understand the BBF more. At 7:38 while the BBF was pressed down during the AF continuation mode, you can still trigger the shutter button simultaneously to take photo? Will this affect the image sharpness while the AF is still hunting?
Yep...you managed to get every D750 shooter to LOL and roll their eyes at the same time. I really need to disable autoplay on RUclips, so I can miss things like this.
Artist bro .. the best explaination .. i have the 750 you helped me a lot thanks
When in aperture mode, the shutterspeed will change when recomposing. That is something I don't want. Any hints to get arround that ?
Yea, shoot in manual.
Rather an old video, true, but as not everyone has the latest gear, I just wanted to say that this technique also works on 'non-pro' models, too. 🙂 I have a lowly D3300 with the bog-standard AF-P DX 18-55mm kit lens, and setting up back-button focus was easy.
It's a very useful modification.
Nice!
You called a D750 a lower end camera to a D7500?????? okay....
Sir i am not able to swap between af-c mode to af-s mode in nikon 5600 as u tell in video
Looks like I really need to change my habit and learn to shoot with back button focus
Thanks !!! The last 30 seconds drove home the point for me ...
I enjoy very much this possibility.. The focus is much more reliability and i get used very quick to this way of shooting..
However, is it possible to assign the AE-L/AF-L for AF-ON button and AE-L on a Nikon D7200? I don't know how to do it and if it is possible but like to have both possibilities.. Thanks you all
Thanks SO MUCH! I had a D7000 and had the AF button and had no issue setting it up. Since buying my D810 and had the AE-L/AF-L button I did not know how to set it up. Finding your video was FABULOUS! That was SPOT on! Great job!
Great explanation. Only one question. When I use back-button focus on a D3300, the photos come out with a black screen, while holding down AF-L button. Is there a reason for this, and how can I rectify it? Thanks
on the Nikon d4 how to set AF on button for focus and also use the shutter button for focus as well?
Very well explained. So easy to understand. Thank you
Great! I’ve got mine to work as explained. Thx.
Excellent video! Very straightforward explanation and I actually get it now. I have watched a couple others and while the techy part was explained in great detail, I wasn't quite sure how to practically apply it. But now I do! Great work!
Thank you for a very clear explanation. Two questions: 1.) on the Nikon D7500, if I assign the ae/af button to BBAF, do I have to keep that button pressed as long as I’m shooting, or just press it once and release. 2.) how do you set autoexposure using BBAF? What should the setting be for the shutter release? Now I have it set so a halfway press on the shutter sets the autoexposure. Is this the correct/ best way? Thank you in advance.
Thank you very much for this posting. I have a D500 and now it is set to BBF. I have just tried it out and it worked perfectly. Time will help me set muscle memory, so I'm on my way. Truly appreciated!
Perfectly put... Thank You. That just help me a ton.
They are both capable cameras which are used for all manor off things. Nikon D750 is what I am purchasing next and then the Nikon D500.
Along with the Panasonic GH4 and XT2.
Not long ago purchased the Nikon D5500 great for street photography.
Awesome video and tutorial 👌 Short sharp and sweet 😋