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Just checking that you've set the camera up for bbf? If so keep it in servo at all times. Pressing and holding the back button focuses continuously as you hold. Releasing locks focus if you wish to recompose.
So...hold button in while tracking a moving subject, but press & release if subject is stationary...right?
Yes, bbf all set. So...hold button in while tracking a moving subject, but press & release if subject is stationary...right?
Make sure you are in servo. Press back button to focus and hold when you want the autofocus to continuously refocus. You can shoot while holding the back button. Bursts are good. Release turns off all focusing so focus is then locked. When to release is nuanced, depending on your depth of field and how critical the focus has to be. If you have the camera on a tripod and the subject is a rock, then focus and release. But if you are hand holding and swaying or an animal is turniing its head, then maybe continuously focusing is better as the distance between camera and subject is always changing.
As long as it's all set correctly for BBAF, yes.
Yes, but the only real reason to press and release is if you're doing focus, then recompose shooting such as when the subject's eye is near the edge of the frame. Even for reasonably stationary subjects like small perched birds I'll keep holding the back button in to track AF as long as an AF point is right on the bird's eye so that the focus tracks small head twitches and small movements even though the bird itself is sitting in one place. If the subject is inanimate or completely stationary with no head movement (e.g. a lot of roosting owls stay very still) then sure, you can focus then release the back button and shoot but the big reason to do that is when the subject's eye is very close to a frame edge and you don't have an AF point that can be placed over the eye with your desired composition. Then focusing, releasing the back button and recomposing prior to shooting can work as long as the subject isn't twitching around.
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Wow, that video was very helpful, thanks! In the words of Ron Popeil, "Set it and forget it!" Once press the AF back button, can release and recompose, and press the [now focus-disengaged] shutter button. IF following a bird-in-flight, keep AF button pressed while firing. Sound like I got it? Will have to keep practicing.This is a good video, just ignore the Nikon-specific setup instructions. When he says continuous or af-c for Nikon that would be servo in our canon world, when he says single or af-s Canon calls that one shot. Otherwise the same ideas apply.
Free Back Button AF Guide For Nikon - Backcountry Gallery
(Note – if you already have my Secrets ToThe Nikon Autofocus System e-book, you don’t need this book – you already have all the info 🙂 ) Have you ever wondered how back button autofocus works? Have you ever wondered how to set up Back Button AF (BBAF) for your Nikon? Well, you’re not alone! My […]
