Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

View Poll Results: Do you use back-button AF?
Yes, I use back-button AF 13780.59%
No, I don't use back-button AF 3319.41%
Voters: 170. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
06-28-2015, 06:44 PM   #16
Moderator
Not a Number's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Venice, CA
Posts: 10,510
Since I'm shooting with manual focus lenses 95% of the time I have it set to disable AF. There is no focus confirmation lock when using so if I focus on one area and recompose I may be able to release the shutter without confirmation. I find it much easier to push the back AF button when I need to override the lack of confirmation lock than having to toggle MF - AF-S switch.

06-28-2015, 07:05 PM   #17
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
sholtzma's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Salisbury, NC
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,043
Since reading about it on this site, I have gotten up my nerve to try it. Slowly getting used to it, and definitely appreciate the times when setting focus point needs to be different than setting exposure. I'll probably stick with it and then become its great champion down the road.... ;-)
06-28-2015, 07:06 PM   #18
Veteran Member




Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Elmira, On, Canada
Posts: 461
QuoteOriginally posted by kiwi_jono Quote
I use back button focus most of the time. I have this set up under User profiles so that if I'm letting some else (like the wife) use it then I can just flip it over to "P" mode and focus as they are used to.

Back button focus seems a pretty good way to operate once you are used to it. My only complaint is that being left eyed, I find the button awkward to use with my eye to the viewfinder - but then the whole camera is really set up for right eye use anyway so that more a general complaint.
So do you normally shoot in a user profile to enable BBF? I've never played with the User profiles, although I was thinking it might be good to setup a profile which would disable BBF and flip the camera in Program mode. Most recently, I've simply been putting the camera in Green mode when I hand it to someone, but I only get JPGs.

davek
06-28-2015, 07:08 PM   #19
Veteran Member
aleonx3's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Brampton, Ontario
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 3,996
All the time, with manual or AF lenses; just like playing PS3 games with joystick, thumb on AF and index finger on the shutter release button. The only problem I have is that the AF button on the k-3 is different from the k-5IIs. When I use both cameras at the same time, I have to remember which is which.

06-28-2015, 07:34 PM   #20
New Member




Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 9
Exclusively, yes.
06-28-2015, 07:44 PM   #21
Pentaxian
swanlefitte's Avatar

Join Date: May 2015
Location: Minneapolis
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 4,068
if you don't understand it search on YouTube and there are multiple videos on back button focus.
06-28-2015, 07:52 PM - 2 Likes   #22
Pentaxian




Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Nelson B.C.
Posts: 3,782
Advantages:
you can effectively switch from afc to afs very easily.

You get access to the very fast exposure rate.

For complex focus operations such as picking a detail in a busy scene you can focus and take multiple shots without losing focus or hunting.

An automatic feeling of superiority when someone else uses your body and can't make it work.

Disadvantages:

Takes a while to learn and you will miss the odd shot when the camera doesn't respond as expected until you remember the thumb.

06-28-2015, 08:15 PM   #23
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
Nakedgun's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Southwest
Posts: 1,347
Back button, only, for about six months, now.
06-28-2015, 08:23 PM - 1 Like   #24
Veteran Member




Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 407
once you go back, you'll never go back.... Err... Return?
06-28-2015, 08:28 PM   #25
Veteran Member
cali92rs's Avatar

Join Date: May 2011
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 3,354
BBFer here
I use the shutter half press to lock exposure (spot meter guy, and it is rare that the spot is in the same point as my focus point).
06-28-2015, 08:53 PM   #26
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
K(s)evin's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 476
Once I got used to it, there was no going back.

BBF, along with the Canon ee-S focussing screen, AND the improved AF of the K-5lls ( compared to the original K-5) has improved my keeper rate IMMENSELY!

I suggest everyone give it a shot. DSLR's ought to be shipped with BBF standard. They aren't point 'n shoots after all!
06-29-2015, 02:04 AM   #27
Veteran Member
redcat's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Paris
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,939
seem to be very useful ! I gotta practice using the back button now ^^
06-29-2015, 02:17 AM   #28
PEG Moderator
Loyal Site Supporter
Kerrowdown's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 57,760
QuoteOriginally posted by DragonLord Quote
How many of you use back-button AF?
I had to vote no, as there wasn't a "what's AF" option.
06-29-2015, 02:25 AM   #29
Veteran Member
clockworkrat's Avatar

Join Date: May 2015
Location: Black Isle, Scotland
Posts: 405
With my AF lens, yes because I don't then have to worry about the AF/MF switch. When using MF lenses I prefer to use the shutter release for focus confirmation because the viewfinder is dicky on the K30.
06-29-2015, 03:34 AM   #30
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
rayallen's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Forresters Beach, NSW, Australia.
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 3,013
Yes, I have been using BBF for some months now. It improves your keeper rate.

You should all read this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/38-photographic-technique/236970-perfect-...everytime.html
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
af, back-button, button, camera, center, focus, meter, photography
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How many use back camera focus ? JimC1101 Pentax DSLR Discussion 22 05-27-2014 12:20 PM
How many users set the focus point and use AF.S/AF.C? Kricket Pentax K-r 40 11-22-2011 09:51 AM
How many of you use DSLR as a hobby. LeDave General Talk 12 03-08-2010 03:33 PM
Do you use the AF button? PentaxPoke Pentax DSLR Discussion 36 01-28-2008 08:32 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:25 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top