back AF button in manual focus mode?

enyaw · 07-18-2017, 02:57 PM

Hi, if I have the camera set up for back button autofocus. And I switch to manual focus do I still have to push the ae button? or just go about focusing while in manual focus mode? I know it's simple but I'm still learning and/or have been making an error which I would like to clean up. So Camera in M then just deal with the lens and leave the back button focus alone?

thx

pschlute · 07-18-2017, 03:24 PM - **1 Like**

In manual Focus mode you simply focus by turning the ring on the lens. You will be able to get focus confirmation from the autofocus system (green hexagon in viewfinder), but this is your option.

ae button ? do you mean AEL button? Nothing to do with manual focus

swanlefitte · 07-18-2017, 04:38 PM

LOL I mostly use manual primes and always press bbf. Habit without problems. Just tested and saw it did nothing.

victormeldrew · 07-18-2017, 05:41 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by swanlefitte

Just tested and saw it did nothing.

It does do something. If you hold the back button while you manual focus, you will receive focus confirmation in the viewfinder when the focus is (roughly) right.

enyaw · 07-20-2017, 12:21 AM

thanks, I thought there was a reason for pressing it. And yeah the AEL button.

enyaw · 07-20-2017, 02:29 PM

I will know tomm when I go to the zoo. Thanks for all the input. I really can't judge the outcome of the pics via that onboard screen. I will provide input afrer reviewing. Because some of the larger cats require a manual focus. They are behind multiple barriers.

wish me luck

pschlute · 07-20-2017, 05:42 PM

Good luck !! Best way to review your pictures on the screen for the purpose of checking your focus is to zoom in to 100% view. You dont say what camera it is .... on the K1 it is 10x = 100% view

PDL · 07-20-2017, 05:42 PM

I have been a back button focus user since 2005 (*ist Ds - uses the OK button when set up to do BBF). Yes, back button focus use provides focus confirmation on manual lenses when the camera body is set to manual focus. I use it all the time when I shoot with my Vivitar 300mm f5.6 TX lens I purchased in 1978. I also use the back button focus for confirmation on my Rokinon 85mm f1.4 Aspherical and Bower 8mm f3.5 Ultra-Wide.

Pushing the button does not "focus" for you, it turns on the AF circuits to allow the Green Hexagon focus confirmation light to function. It takes a little practice, but it works out in the end.

pschlute · 07-20-2017, 05:46 PM

Originally posted by PDL

*ist Ds - uses the OK button when set up to do BBF

DS was my first Pentax digital......and I never knew that.

enyaw · 07-21-2017, 08:06 PM

well that makes it a good question doesn't it? I didn't want to do something redundant that's all. I didn't have a lot/any success with manual focus today. The lens aren't fast enough or I'm doing something wrong. I got a lot of mesh so I didn't bother. Some of the enclosures don't allow you to get close enough to the mesh to focus "through" it and get the subject cleanly. And I made some rookie errors like keeping the monopod shutter speed for hand held, for most of the end pics. I also need faster glass for sure. Can I get by with f4 or is 2.8 optimal? Aka a prime : )

ps. I also found out the pentax batteries don't really last that long compared to "Nikon" ones. I went through 2 of them but I also took 679 pics all raw some in burst mode. Some are fantastic I'd say 65/35 keeper rate. Also lots of flash for the indoor exhibits

pschlute · 07-23-2017, 01:55 AM - **1 Like**

Perhaps post some pictures (full size) of where you didn't have success with manual focus.

enyaw · 07-23-2017, 11:59 AM

will do, I'm not at home at the moment. I'm going to send them as taken but resized. thx I have limited amount of space so I'm using it sparingly pun intended
can only afford 3 pics max Need the space for other issues that may come up

enyaw · 07-24-2017, 04:03 PM

I think this one was my attempt at manual focus through the mesh of the cage

enyaw · 07-24-2017, 04:06 PM

second question would manual focus have worked with these images? I couldn't get close enough to the fence/mesh to focus through them. It takes so long to acquire focus manually you can lose the shot by then. Some of these animals are dangerous

pschlute · 07-24-2017, 04:56 PM - **1 Like**

There is nothing wrong with your focus. Your problem is you are using f8 as an aperture. If you want to shoot through wire you need to use a wider aperture.

That wont help on the last two though.

07-18-2017, 02:57 PM	#1
enyaw Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 276	back AF button in manual focus mode? Hi, if I have the camera set up for back button autofocus. And I switch to manual focus do I still have to push the ae button? or just go about focusing while in manual focus mode? I know it's simple but I'm still learning and/or have been making an error which I would like to clean up. So Camera in M then just deal with the lens and leave the back button focus alone? thx

07-21-2017, 08:06 PM	#10
enyaw Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 276 Original Poster	well that makes it a good question doesn't it? I didn't want to do something redundant that's all. I didn't have a lot/any success with manual focus today. The lens aren't fast enough or I'm doing something wrong. I got a lot of mesh so I didn't bother. Some of the enclosures don't allow you to get close enough to the mesh to focus "through" it and get the subject cleanly. And I made some rookie errors like keeping the monopod shutter speed for hand held, for most of the end pics. I also need faster glass for sure. Can I get by with f4 or is 2.8 optimal? Aka a prime : ) ps. I also found out the pentax batteries don't really last that long compared to "Nikon" ones. I went through 2 of them but I also took 679 pics all raw some in burst mode. Some are fantastic I'd say 65/35 keeper rate. Also lots of flash for the indoor exhibits Last edited by enyaw; 07-21-2017 at 08:12 PM.

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07-18-2017, 03:24 PM - 1 Like	#2
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,215	In manual Focus mode you simply focus by turning the ring on the lens. You will be able to get focus confirmation from the autofocus system (green hexagon in viewfinder), but this is your option. ae button ? do you mean AEL button? Nothing to do with manual focus

07-18-2017, 04:38 PM	#3
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	LOL I mostly use manual primes and always press bbf. Habit without problems. Just tested and saw it did nothing.

07-18-2017, 05:41 PM - 2 Likes	#4
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	Originally posted by swanlefitte Just tested and saw it did nothing. It does do something. If you hold the back button while you manual focus, you will receive focus confirmation in the viewfinder when the focus is (roughly) right.

07-20-2017, 12:21 AM	#5
enyaw Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 276 Original Poster	thanks, I thought there was a reason for pressing it. And yeah the AEL button.

07-20-2017, 02:29 PM	#6
enyaw Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 276 Original Poster	I will know tomm when I go to the zoo. Thanks for all the input. I really can't judge the outcome of the pics via that onboard screen. I will provide input afrer reviewing. Because some of the larger cats require a manual focus. They are behind multiple barriers. wish me luck

07-20-2017, 05:42 PM	#7
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,215	Good luck !! Best way to review your pictures on the screen for the purpose of checking your focus is to zoom in to 100% view. You dont say what camera it is .... on the K1 it is 10x = 100% view

07-20-2017, 05:42 PM	#8
PDL Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: PNW USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,128	I have been a back button focus user since 2005 (*ist Ds - uses the OK button when set up to do BBF). Yes, back button focus use provides focus confirmation on manual lenses when the camera body is set to manual focus. I use it all the time when I shoot with my Vivitar 300mm f5.6 TX lens I purchased in 1978. I also use the back button focus for confirmation on my Rokinon 85mm f1.4 Aspherical and Bower 8mm f3.5 Ultra-Wide. Pushing the button does not "focus" for you, it turns on the AF circuits to allow the Green Hexagon focus confirmation light to function. It takes a little practice, but it works out in the end.

07-20-2017, 05:46 PM	#9
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,215	Originally posted by PDL *ist Ds - uses the OK button when set up to do BBF DS was my first Pentax digital......and I never knew that.

07-23-2017, 01:55 AM - 1 Like	#11
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,215	Perhaps post some pictures (full size) of where you didn't have success with manual focus.

07-23-2017, 11:59 AM	#12
enyaw Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 276 Original Poster	will do, I'm not at home at the moment. I'm going to send them as taken but resized. thx I have limited amount of space so I'm using it sparingly pun intended can only afford 3 pics max Need the space for other issues that may come up

07-24-2017, 04:56 PM - 1 Like	#15
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,215	There is nothing wrong with your focus. Your problem is you are using f8 as an aperture. If you want to shoot through wire you need to use a wider aperture. That wont help on the last two though.