Back Button Focusing?

GDRoth · 09-13-2012, 12:24 PM

Is there a setup on the K5 where you can customize a button to focus (and stay focused even if finger lifted) rather than half-pressing the shutter release?

Adam · 09-13-2012, 12:32 PM

See here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-30/198000-back-button-autofocus-how.html

It's just about the same procedure for the K-5.

s4int · 09-13-2012, 12:34 PM

Yep. Not having the camera in front of me...I think it takes two settings.

Under Button Customization:
1. AF button --> Enable AF
2. Shutter release button pressed halfway --> Off

I *think* that's what you are looking for.

Good luck!

Alfie · 09-13-2012, 12:40 PM

Hi GDRoth,

yes. Menu > Camera #5 > Button Customization > AF Button > Enable AF and Shutter Button Half Press > Off
I love it, but it takes some time to get rid of old habits (the half-pressed shutter button).

GDRoth · 09-13-2012, 12:43 PM

very cool..................thanks to you all

s4int · 09-13-2012, 12:53 PM

FYI, I keep the shutter button half press set to AF but the AF button set to cancel AF. I love this setup. This allows me to switch between manual and auto focus much quicker than using the dedicated AF/MF switch. This may require quick-shift lenses but I'm not certain as I only have quick-shift DA lenses (and manual focus lenses but they are not applicable in this setup).

Good luck!

ChucK20D · 03-21-2018, 03:53 PM

I’ve set up my K5 for back button. I like the functionality of this, but the AF button is right in my face when using the viewfinder. Can the function be mapped to another button?

Tan68 · 03-24-2018, 09:39 AM

I don't think so... I believe the only programmable button is the button on the left side of lens mount.

Originally posted by ChucK20D

I’ve set up my K5 for back button. I like the functionality of this, but the AF button is right in my face when using the viewfinder. Can the function be mapped to another button?

ChucK20D · 03-24-2018, 10:13 AM

Originally posted by Tan68

I don't think so... I believe the only programmable button is the button on the left side of lens mount.

Thanks for the reply Tan.
I'll see if I can assign it there...

rmtschanz · 08-25-2018, 09:22 PM

If you are coming from Nikon, you'll notice that BBF does not allow trap focus / catch-in-focus on Pentax AF lenses. Only MF lenses can work via trap focus, unless you cover specific pins when mounting your AF lens.

bungalowbill · 03-07-2021, 04:07 PM

After I have used back button focus on my K1 camera, I am now unable to go back to shutter button focus. I like using back button focus, but would like to have the option of using shutter button focus again. Does anyone have a solution to my problem?

**clackers** · 03-09-2021, 05:50 PM

Originally posted by bungalowbill

After I have used back button focus on my K1 camera, I am now unable to go back to shutter button focus. I like using back button focus, but would like to have the option of using shutter button focus again. Does anyone have a solution to my problem?

p98 of the manual, Bill!

You're just reversing what you did.

09-13-2012, 12:24 PM	#1
GDRoth Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: S.E. Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 830	Back Button Focusing? Is there a setup on the K5 where you can customize a button to focus (and stay focused even if finger lifted) rather than half-pressing the shutter release?

09-13-2012, 12:32 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	See here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-30/198000-back-button-autofocus-how.html It's just about the same procedure for the K-5. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

09-13-2012, 12:34 PM	#3
s4int Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: MN Photos: Albums Posts: 347	Yep. Not having the camera in front of me...I think it takes two settings. Under Button Customization: 1. AF button --> Enable AF 2. Shutter release button pressed halfway --> Off I think that's what you are looking for. Good luck! Last edited by s4int; 09-13-2012 at 12:35 PM. Reason: Fixed typo

09-13-2012, 12:53 PM	#6
s4int Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: MN Photos: Albums Posts: 347	FYI, I keep the shutter button half press set to AF but the AF button set to cancel AF. I love this setup. This allows me to switch between manual and auto focus much quicker than using the dedicated AF/MF switch. This may require quick-shift lenses but I'm not certain as I only have quick-shift DA lenses (and manual focus lenses but they are not applicable in this setup). Good luck! Last edited by s4int; 09-13-2012 at 12:54 PM. Reason: Fixed typo

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09-13-2012, 12:40 PM	#4
Alfie Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 51	Hi GDRoth, yes. Menu > Camera #5 > Button Customization > AF Button > Enable AF and Shutter Button Half Press > Off I love it, but it takes some time to get rid of old habits (the half-pressed shutter button).

09-13-2012, 12:43 PM	#5
GDRoth Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: S.E. Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 830 Original Poster	very cool..................thanks to you all

03-21-2018, 03:53 PM	#7
ChucK20D Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 71	I’ve set up my K5 for back button. I like the functionality of this, but the AF button is right in my face when using the viewfinder. Can the function be mapped to another button?

03-24-2018, 09:39 AM	#8
Tan68 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 501	I don't think so... I believe the only programmable button is the button on the left side of lens mount. Originally posted by ChucK20D I’ve set up my K5 for back button. I like the functionality of this, but the AF button is right in my face when using the viewfinder. Can the function be mapped to another button?

03-24-2018, 10:13 AM	#9
ChucK20D Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 71	Originally posted by Tan68 I don't think so... I believe the only programmable button is the button on the left side of lens mount. Thanks for the reply Tan. I'll see if I can assign it there...

08-25-2018, 09:22 PM	#10
rmtschanz Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 77	If you are coming from Nikon, you'll notice that BBF does not allow trap focus / catch-in-focus on Pentax AF lenses. Only MF lenses can work via trap focus, unless you cover specific pins when mounting your AF lens.

03-07-2021, 04:07 PM	#11
bungalowbill New Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 2	After I have used back button focus on my K1 camera, I am now unable to go back to shutter button focus. I like using back button focus, but would like to have the option of using shutter button focus again. Does anyone have a solution to my problem?

03-09-2021, 05:50 PM	#12
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by bungalowbill After I have used back button focus on my K1 camera, I am now unable to go back to shutter button focus. I like using back button focus, but would like to have the option of using shutter button focus again. Does anyone have a solution to my problem? p98 of the manual, Bill! You're just reversing what you did.