Back Button Focus - My CHEAT CODE for Sports Photography

A look at the details of Back Button Focus!
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[@markglenday7291]

Hi Rob I always use BBF, I used to shoot Basketball using the shutter button, then I started using BBF and I now use it for everything, sports, portraits. For me I find it works really well and you say it’s not for everyone. Thanks for sharing, Mark from Australia👍👍👍😃😃😃

[@stubones]

Back button focus is almost mandatory. Think about someone taking a corner or free kick in football… focus on the keeper and then let the button go… other players will run in front of the keeper but as the keeper dives out to save the shot you braaap! Job done.

[@Dan_Raja]

When shooting in low light conditions, BBF should come in handy. To help camera focus, shine a light on the subject, lock your focus using BBF, and then shoot.

[@Feniche17]

BB has so much utility I could never go back. It’s like heal-toe shifting when driving manual-it’s just “the way” ..IMO. Even the best AF will struggle at times. I use it to prefocus, or when I finally grab focus in a tough situation and know that I cant risk trying the AF again when I pull the shutter. Im team Rob on this one

[@pdel7007]

Yes I use dual BBF for birds and sports . If the birds are small or on a cluttered background then a small centre point focus can be used when the eye/ animal tracking fails to lock on. At football with a few players in the viewfinder often the closest face is locked onto, I use the other button to focus on the player I want. It took me a few weeks to get used to but you are right Rob , it's the way to go.

[@bradleyrex2968]

I use DBBF. For me I use AF 95% of the time. If I need to do something 95% of the time I'd prefer to press the button 5% of the time, so my BB is set up to cancel AF.

[@jonmusselwhite2839]

I used to use back button autofocus this way, but I was was on it so much it left a dent in my thumb, lol. Now I use a registered autofocus function linked to the AF-ON button which puts it in single-point autofocus mode, and have the star button turn autofocus off entirely while I'm pressing it. That makes it easier for me to select a specific target when auto-subject tracking needs help and I can quickly switch to fully manual focus when I need it. When I want to stay locked on with autofocus, I just hold the shutter semi-pressed. I don't wait until something happens, and the shutter button has a larger surface area that makes it easier to hold semi-pressed. The added benefit is that it takes less movement to capture that exposure. It's absolutely personal preference and based on the capabilities of the camera though. This was another great video, thanks!

[@pascalkesselmark7529]

Using BBF since the 90‘s when shooting with my EOS-1N RS. Never went back.

[@clicksbygina7529]

I didn't realize that I should be holding the button in the whole time. I shoot sports and always looking for the perfect shot.

[@donnarochna2959]

Is this recommended for taking video of sports too? I’m going to try recording lacrosse games with my R6 MII, but I also enjoy bird photography. I don’t want to have to keep switching settings?

[@richmonschumann4218]

So much of this is also how you shoot. I use Dual BBF that way between the two buttons you have all of the focus modes available for the camera.

[@SuperiorityQomplex]

I have the Sony A7iv and I go with a Dual Backbutton set up. So my AF On button is for Human/Animal/Birds eye tracking. But my AEL button is used for Tracking AF. I use a small centered focus point for that so I can lock onto something and if it moves, it stays on target. If I'm just doing a landscape, I can point on what needs to be in focus on that and either stay locked on or just release the button so it stops adjusting focus while I compose.

[@angelogarciajr5356]

Thx for the video. I have 2 back button focus options. One single point and one eye focus. I need both. I was shooting a softball game Friday and I used eye focus for the most part and it worked fine. I was shooting the batter. Once in a while the batter would turn away and my eye focus went right to a fan just left behind the batter. Once the batter turned back, the eye stayed on the fan. I then switch to single point on the batter and now eye is back. In the field, I used single point to be sure I was getting focus, since eye was not dependable when a fielder is running and turning etc... Take care.

[@garrywatters1140]

Been using back button focus on all my cameras since I bought a 550d brand new. Now using an R6 and R5 use dual back button focus on both.

[@rubyredphoto]

Already use it but watching this as I enjoy your content haha

[@rayfuller7704]

Thanks Rob, great video. I shoot aviation and my keeper rate went up significantly when I switched to back button focus. I highly recommend it.

[@juelraun]

It simply feels right for me using BBF on DSLR and dual BBF on mirrorless. When upgrading firmware I ran into problems with jumping focus points.

[@user-kc6rv9bo3n]

Hi! as a hobby photographer not so experienced in sports photography I never thought about using BBF in conjunction with continuous focusing. I´ll practice it a bit and can't wait to try it in the field, as a friend just asked me if I would like to photograph him and his volleyball team during their next match.

[@SvenPries]

I See your point. I don't use BBF for two reasons:

[@zhivkom]

I'll definitely give it a try.