Back Button Focus on Nikon - Why and How

Improve your focus in landscape photography by using back button focus. In this video, I talk about why you should consider using back button focus for your landscape photography. I also teach you how to enable back button focus on Nikon Z series cameras, including the Nikon Z7, Z7ii, Z6, and Z6ii. Start getting more in-focus images today.
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[@donnabarkalow247]

Thank you so much for this. You are the only one to date that I have seen, who has explained this so that I could understand it. Not only that, but you showed me EXACTLY how to set the AF-ON button only. Thank you so much!

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Glad it was helpful! I appreciate the comment!

[@TacoTeaser]

The back button focus technique has saved me greatly from out of focus shots. I’m a sports photographer and I’ve found the technique is simply essential.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

It is definitely a useful method for non-landscape photography uses as well! I know lots of portrait photographers and such that prefer it! Thanks for watching!

[@ianslingsby3415]

Jeffrey great explanation and tutorial it changed my composition workflow in the field Ian.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful!

[@petermiles3096]

Very clear explanation thanks

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@cathyscakesalon]

This is really helpful. Thanks so much!

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cathyscakesalon]

@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography I set it up last night. Your instructions are clear. I mainly shoot in fully manual - that's another way to retain your point of focus through various shots or brackets. So I'm curious to see how this back button focus works with the lens in auto mode.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

@@cathyscakesalon Manual focus works great for that! Great point! I get so spoiled by autofocus I sometimes forget about that option!

[@moisesprofinfo]

Jeffrey, thank you so much! I thought I had unlearned to photograph. The change from the d750 to the z6 was suffering because of the focus issue, as I always used it in the back and as the shutter button was focusing too, I lost several pictures. Hugs from Brazil. Thanks

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Glad it helped! I did a similar move - d750 to z6ii, then eventually a z7ii! Thanks for watching!

[@blueyorks6884]

Great video Jeffrey, Do you prefer AF-C priority set to release or focus, and why would you set it to release when it could be out of focus.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Mine is in release (though I also use AF-S as well). I could get by switching to focus though, I am sure. Release is handy if you get focus, then recompose the scene or something like that. Or if really doing some continuous shooting for faster moving stuff (not really applicable to landscape photography). (With fast situations often you just want the rhythm of continuous focus and willing to live with a few out of focus images in order to get that sharp one at the perfect moment. But - for landscape photography, I think focus would be fine. Hope that helps!

[@blueyorks6884]

@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography Thank you, Its mainly for birds in flight.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

I don't do a lot of wildlife photography, but I've done some running race photography with fast moving people. I feel like release would be what I would go with. Certainly worth some experiments to see which you prefer! Thanks for watching!

[@gbleisch]

I have a situation that someone else is going to use my D7100 and need to restore the normal shutter button, how do I reset the camera back to normal operation ? I've had back button focus on for so long I've forgotten how to reset it.....Thanks

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

To set it back, it should be under the Custom Settings | Autofocus and then I think AF Activation - one of the options should be shutter or shutter/AF-ON. One of those should make it work with a half press of the shutter. Hope that helps!

[@gbleisch]

Thanks, I'll try it tomorrow.@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography

[@ThomasAngeletti]

Quick question, do you ever use a remote instead of Shutter Delay? I find it easier to just step away from the camera after i set my focus (i usually shoot in manual) to make sure i have the comp i want and i wont shake the camera when i snap!

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

I do occasionally use a remote instead, but not the majority of the time. Most of the time I either use a 2 too 3 second exposure delay or 5 second timer. Being able to step away with a remote is nice though!

[@ThomasAngeletti]

@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography Thats one less item to carry i guess! I bought a remote for video, so i just kept it in the back for long exposure and stuff!

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

That's actually part of the reason I don't use one all the time - one less piece of gear out there! They can be handy though - maybe I should just start carrying mine in the bag again!

[@jant2470]

Wish you had shown how to change the setting in the camera settings. Can't find it.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Hello Jan! Thanks for watching. I have the steps on how to configure back button focus in the video. It starts at the 11m37s mark. This link should take you right to that section. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKa2oqtsotNjkLs Hope it helps!

[@maureenmarshall1070]

Helpful. Does it work with prime lenses as I seem to have to focus manually .?

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Thanks for watching Maureen! If the prime lens is only a manual focus, then the back button focus option won't work for your lens. If the prime lens can autofocus with half a shutter press, then it would work. Which prime lens model and which camera do you have?

[@maureenmarshall1070]

@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography nikon 35mm1.8 prime. Had another go with it and it could be I had inadvertently moved the button on the side fromM/A to M either that or sometimes it has locked up the previous photo. Thanks for taking time e to reply.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

@@maureenmarshall1070 Ah - yes, if the switch was moved that would keep it from working. I bump my switches all the time on accident!

[@sanjeevpandit4368]

Hello brother! I appreciate your knowledge in the aspect of BBF. But you speak way too fast for a learner to comprehend. Please be a little slow and deliberate in your instruction. Thank you

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Appreciate the feedback - thank you!