Using Back Button focus vs Shutter release

BrianR · 10-01-2016, 11:32 AM

Back button on my k5iis. What I find most useful - with a quick shift lens, you can go seamlessly back and forth between manual and auto focus, no need to flip switches.

It took some time to get used to it, but for how I use my camera, I can't see a good reason to return to half-press for AF.

johnyates · 10-01-2016, 01:32 PM - **1 Like**

Focusing is one thing, releasing the shutter is another. They are two separate components of the picture taking process. Why on earth the two processes are coupled by default on a new camera is something that to me defies logic.

**Quartermaster James** · 10-01-2016, 01:34 PM

Yup...what they said.

**rod_grant** · 10-01-2016, 02:10 PM

Yep BB always.
but have never thought of AFC always too! Thanks fellas.

**paulh** · 10-01-2016, 02:37 PM

For most of my stationary subject shots, I still use AF-S with the back button. After locking focus, I hold the AF button down while recomposing. For whatever reason, I get a much better keeper rate than when doing the usual half-press of the shutter button.

aaacb · 10-01-2016, 03:24 PM

Here's one thing I can only see possible with back button focus: burst rate is higher with af disabled, so depending on the situation I'll let go of the back button to get higher fps. Also zone focusing is much easier than holding the back button to disable af or switching to mf.

**monochrome** · 10-01-2016, 03:27 PM

I started using BB AF when I was shooting college lacrosse. AF.C plus continuous release, but separate actions. Once my muscle memory was trained it seemed so much more efficient that I just left it that way for stationary shooting.

Kevriano · 10-02-2016, 12:33 AM

Thanks for all of the replies. It's looking like I may have to give it a serious test then, and that article that was linked is very interesting. Note to self... must not press release, must not press release...

derekkite · 10-02-2016, 06:24 AM - **1 Like**

Give yourself some time. I remember frantically pushing the shutter button to get it to focus. It becomes second nature. I think the transition period is the biggest obstacle. Once you train your thumb to focus you will wonder why you ever used the shutter button focus.

Kevriano · 10-02-2016, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by derekkite

Give yourself some time. I remember frantically pushing the shutter button to get it to focus. It becomes second nature. I think the transition period is the biggest obstacle. Once you train your thumb to focus you will wonder why you ever used the shutter button focus.

Yep, had a play this afternoon and can see the benefit to using it all of the time. I may have been converted 😀

**ffking** · 10-02-2016, 09:46 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Kevriano

Yep, had a play this afternoon and can see the benefit to using it all of the time. I may have been converted ��

conversion took me about the same time - when I tried it, I wondered why I hadn't always done it. The biggest plus for me is you don't have to turn to MF to stop the camera re-focusing every time you shoot If you don't want it to.- all the advantages of AF and MF in one - just like having LV on a rear screen and an OVF gives you both options in a DSLR

**rod_grant** · 10-03-2016, 02:19 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Kevriano

I may have been converted

You will regress at some time (unintentionally!) But be persistent; you can do it. you can do it.

6BQ5 · 10-09-2016, 01:43 PM

I used to shoot BB but now use the shutter button half-way press for focusing. There is no better or worse way, I think. Use whatever method suits your method and style.

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10-01-2016, 11:32 AM	#16
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	Back button on my k5iis. What I find most useful - with a quick shift lens, you can go seamlessly back and forth between manual and auto focus, no need to flip switches. It took some time to get used to it, but for how I use my camera, I can't see a good reason to return to half-press for AF.

10-01-2016, 01:32 PM - 1 Like	#17
johnyates Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Saskatoon, SK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,345	Focusing is one thing, releasing the shutter is another. They are two separate components of the picture taking process. Why on earth the two processes are coupled by default on a new camera is something that to me defies logic.

10-01-2016, 01:34 PM	#18
Quartermaster James Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 653	Yup...what they said.

10-01-2016, 02:10 PM	#19
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	Yep BB always. but have never thought of AFC always too! Thanks fellas.

10-01-2016, 02:37 PM	#20
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,262	For most of my stationary subject shots, I still use AF-S with the back button. After locking focus, I hold the AF button down while recomposing. For whatever reason, I get a much better keeper rate than when doing the usual half-press of the shutter button.

10-01-2016, 03:24 PM	#21
aaacb Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,724	Here's one thing I can only see possible with back button focus: burst rate is higher with af disabled, so depending on the situation I'll let go of the back button to get higher fps. Also zone focusing is much easier than holding the back button to disable af or switching to mf.

10-01-2016, 03:27 PM	#22
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	I started using BB AF when I was shooting college lacrosse. AF.C plus continuous release, but separate actions. Once my muscle memory was trained it seemed so much more efficient that I just left it that way for stationary shooting.

10-02-2016, 12:33 AM	#23
Kevriano Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: West Sussex Posts: 472 Original Poster	Thanks for all of the replies. It's looking like I may have to give it a serious test then, and that article that was linked is very interesting. Note to self... must not press release, must not press release...

10-02-2016, 06:24 AM - 1 Like	#24
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	Give yourself some time. I remember frantically pushing the shutter button to get it to focus. It becomes second nature. I think the transition period is the biggest obstacle. Once you train your thumb to focus you will wonder why you ever used the shutter button focus.

10-02-2016, 08:43 AM	#25
Kevriano Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: West Sussex Posts: 472 Original Poster	Originally posted by derekkite Give yourself some time. I remember frantically pushing the shutter button to get it to focus. It becomes second nature. I think the transition period is the biggest obstacle. Once you train your thumb to focus you will wonder why you ever used the shutter button focus. Yep, had a play this afternoon and can see the benefit to using it all of the time. I may have been converted 😀

10-02-2016, 09:46 AM - 1 Like	#26
ffking Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Old South Wales Posts: 6,038	Originally posted by Kevriano Yep, had a play this afternoon and can see the benefit to using it all of the time. I may have been converted �� conversion took me about the same time - when I tried it, I wondered why I hadn't always done it. The biggest plus for me is you don't have to turn to MF to stop the camera re-focusing every time you shoot If you don't want it to.- all the advantages of AF and MF in one - just like having LV on a rear screen and an OVF gives you both options in a DSLR

10-03-2016, 02:19 AM - 1 Like	#27
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	Originally posted by Kevriano I may have been converted You will regress at some time (unintentionally!) But be persistent; you can do it. you can do it.

10-09-2016, 01:43 PM	#28
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	I used to shoot BB but now use the shutter button half-way press for focusing. There is no better or worse way, I think. Use whatever method suits your method and style.