Back button focusing: Why You Need It and How To Set It Up

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[@iqrabuzzamanshoumik3284]

Finally! Someone showing it the easy way. I have seen several vid on this but this one is the simplest

[@BrentHall]

Thanks man, I'm glad it helped!

[@Eyeamsurreal]

Very comprehensive and brief. Thank you very much, Brent! Excellent video.

[@marnienorris]

Best tutorial I've watched! Glad I found this. Most tutorials I have found don't tell the camera settings for this, which is very necessary! Thank u for a quick and very thorough tutorial

[@BrentHall]

Thanks, I appreciate it! Also glad it helped you!

[@johndenicola6173]

I have been shooting with a T3i back since about 6 years and switched over to back-button shooting not long after I received that camera. I just "upgraded" to the 80D (awaiting the battery to charge at the moment) I was looking for the "quick and dirty" on setting the back-button focus/ai lock so I could continue using the invaluable mode on the new camera. Your video was brief, concise and great in explaining the setting, plus RECAP - repetition is always a good thing in teaching! My Testimony: Anyone who had not exploited this feature should consider this. It's fantastic, especially for those moving targets. It may take some "muscle-memory" training at first, but that is usually achieved with a handful of shots. I never reset my t3i back from the back-button focus. I now look forward to using it on the 80D with its faster focus and shutter speed (I'm keeping the t3i). Last point: Damn those truck noises!

[@richardreyes3]

Thanks for the video and explanation. After watching over a half-dozen videos on "back button focus," yours finally explained it clearly. Looking forward to going out tomorrow and giving it a try now that I know how to use the feature properly. Two thumbs up!!

[@BrentHall]

Glad I could help! 😁

[@sacred406]

Really grateful for this tutorial. Very informative & well done!

[@BrentHall]

Thank you so much, glad I could help!

[@ksan7999]

Straight to the point and very detailed, I tried it out and omg what a difference in tracking my son running around! Thank you so much, such a life saver! I was getting so frustrated because I always got blurry shots even on AI SERVO and it's cause I had the default settings. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!

[@BrentHall]

You're welcome Karina, I'm glad it helped! 😀

[@lynnemitchell2621]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you

[@BrentHall]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!😁

[@marnienorris]

Great tutorial. Thank you

[@thelifeofjools8384]

Thank you for this....watched several vids on the subject, before seeing this.... but none explained it fully and properly apart from this video. So... thanks man, I now fully understand how it works and why I should be using this method. I haven't got any questions either... you discussed everything...great tutorial ! Subbed of course... Wish I'd known about this a long time ago :) all the best.....J

[@BrentHall]

Hey that's awesome, thanks for the kind words! I'm glad I could help, and explained it well. :)

[@ItsSheila]

best video lve seen so far. thank you!

[@BrentHall]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@MauCardo8]

Perfectly explained dude, thanks!!

[@BrentHall]

Hey thanks, I really appreciate that! 😀🙏

[@madhusudhank726]

Namaste Brent, got the point straight away, will comment after shooting with a changed focus button...loved the simplicity of your videos...honestly, even in my eos 5D mk 3 I used AI Servo and not happy...good to know the concept behind it...thanks a ton...Chennai, India

[@juanmanuelfabresbriones5378]

brilliant! thanks for a great explanation.

[@BrentHall]

Glad I could help, thanks for the comment!

[@carpernick]

Thanks, very easily explained. Ready to give it a go now

[@BrentHall]

You bet man, glad I could help!

[@magdalenaparrenopinol4241]

Very well explained, thanks!!!

[@BrentHall]

Glad I could help, thanks for watching!

[@drsivaprabha]

Thanks buddy, really appreciate the info, I was always confused on how to use the AI Servo with back button, you cleared all doubts .

[@BrentHall]

You bet man, glad I could help!

[@gordonclifton2694]

Very useful. I bought a Canon 80D a few weeks ago and have had focus issues with my grandson. This technique should crack the problem. I don't need to move focus points around so that's not an issue. Maybe it is for sports shooters but not for me.

[@sue120502]

Excellent tutorial. I use back button Focusing all the time.

[@BrentHall]

Thank you Susan! I do too.

[@parinazaz4044]

I’m trying to take self portraits and couple portraits using the bbaf on my tripod but the pictures are out of focus .. any tips?

[@jogrant3851]

Explained this so simply, thank you!!

[@BrentHall]

You're welcome, I'm glad it helped!

[@Bushcraft242]

Thank you I will use it

[@TheTimeChmaber]

Came to this from your most recent video, about 5 things to change on new camera, have used BBF for ages when using telephotos for wildlife but not for ‘general’ photos - will give it a go all the time I think, great tutorial dude

[@BrentHall]

Thanks man! Yeah, it takes some getting used to, but I can't live without it anymore. 😁

[@anthonyrichardson5580]

thank you,great tutorial,

[@BrentHall]

You're welcome Anthony,thanks for the comment!

[@arturszopa4077]

have already seen many videos on the subject. but that's the only video that's really good.

[@BrentHall]

Hey thanks Artur, I really appreciate that and I'm glad I could help!

[@johnharrison2975]

Very good explanitery vid, excellent thanks

[@BrentHall]

You're welcome John, thanks for watching!

[@FindingMinwoo]

Thanks for this video. Best explained WHY you need this button.

[@larryguile2653]

Good video well explained.

[@BrentHall]

Thanks Larry, I'm glad it helped!

[@cheneym14]

Finally after viewing so many back button focus videos, yours helps me the most to understand how to "use" the back button focus method. What was unclear was whether the back button needs to be continually held down as you take a shot or could be released after you focused. You made it clear that the button needed to be continually held down if the subject was moving, but if the subject was still then it could be toggled. Right? Thanks.

[@BrentHall]

Yes, that's right. putting it in AI servo like that will give you both the tracking when you hold it down and an effective single shot when you press, lock on, and then let go.

[@petitwhite6366]

Thank you. I set up my camera based on this easy to understand tutorial. After practicing and getting used to using the back button, I feel I'm almost ready for a party on Friday.

[@BrentHall]

Awesome, I'm glad I could help! It's still my favorite way to shoot.

[@peepers4763]

Best explanation I’ve found...

[@BrentHall]

Thanks man, glad I could help!

[@daud798]

Very Informative

[@BrentHall]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SR-sg7qk]

I agree with everyone below. Best explained video. So many did not explain to keep the back button held down. They would say hit the button an now your in focus. But didnt explain to keep it held down. I am some what new to this set up.

[@BrentHall]

Thanks, I appreciate that! I think a lot of people just set it up and don't actually put it in AI Servo mode, so it would function just like regular and you'd just hit the button to focus, but for me the main benefit of BBF is to be able to leave it in AI Servo all the time.

[@SR-sg7qk]

@@BrentHall I love small wildlife . An I have it in AI servo almost 100 percent of the time. I am some what new to BBF. I have to say I am getting more spot on pictures than without it. I used it today with the snow falling and cardinals. An it's been a while since I have been this happy with my shots. Your videos have helped alot. Thank you again.

[@1957PLATO]

I had it on my 50d. Now I have it on my second hand 5d Mark III.

[@daimondvideo]

Thank you for your video. I have watched many video and only you told me what I need with out the BS.

[@BrentHall]

Hey thanks man, I appreciate that, and glad I could help!

[@eagle1effi]

Thanks. 7D now perfect

[@kerrybelser]

Thank you

[@SR-sg7qk]

Wow no one explained it the way you done. Thank you.

[@BrentHall]

Hey, thanks, I;m glad I could help!

[@ItsSheila]

do you have it set on flexizone or live tracking?

[@forsterl.stewart414]

The main advantage of decoupling autofocus from the shutter button is so that the photographer can leave the camera in continuous autofocus, yet still be able to focus and recompose (with the subject off center) when necessary, by simply letting go of the AF-On button on the back of their camera. I have been perfectly capable of locking focus and recomposing through the years. The “magic” simply comes from the AF-Lock button, or in my case, the AF-On button, that is configured to serve as a dedicated AF-Lock button instead. With normal use of your shutter release button, let's say a subject is stationary all you need do,is press rear button with thumb to disable a.f. Then if it moves just release the rear button to start focus tracking. Easy peasy.... Moreover a more important use of a rear button is to have it programmed to One Shot/Ai Servo switch, or on Canon to Register Recall Function. Also possible to program a rear button to a single point a.f. selection or any one of the cluster boxes. With today's mirrorless the possibilities are numerous. My r3 has numerous options for a.f. operational interfaces. Using my eye , rear lcd touch screen, joystick or top and rear dials to select movement of where to start focus. My r5 and r7 have quite a few options as well. Besides all that: Why use two fingers to do what can be accomplished with just one finger. A better solution most professional photographers use. Back button a.f. lock or on Canon back button a.f. off. It works in the same principle. Only you press bbf to momentarily stop auto focus. Releasing it when you need to track focus your subject.

[@marclabro]

Hi Brent, nice tuto but i expected to see it in action. I have a d750 and wuld like to try. I am still confused the way to select AF11, single point, AF51.. and grab the focus to start with AF-ON. In my case i mostly use the center focus point for all and recompose or follow action with this point,... no eye detection on d750. any advise for portrait and street photography for portraits in motion (1/125sec enough) ?

[@marekward6202]

Thanks

[@BrentHall]

Hey thanks, I really appreciate that!

[@awfabrice]

Thanks for the video, I just realise that that my back button 🔳 focusing and the really Bitton fucusing 🔳 are both enabled and I can use on them. I didn't have to settings the back bottom on my canon 77d.

[@CarloPiana]

Clever

[@charlesazevedo4849]

Say that the eye tracking doesn't track as I wantrd for a certain situation. Would the AI servo mode with back button focus do a better job?

[@parinazaz4044]

What about when you are taking self portraits/couple portraits using your tripod? My pics seem to be out of focus

[@josebueno52]

Can i also move the meter to the same botton on the baxk?

[@byronorellana2527]

which button the star or the AF-on to lock focus

[@sjcproductionsandmedia]

What about all of the other focus settings on a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV?

[@bisaya2]

Thanks for the tips. I'm just curious why you have to assign meter+focus on the * when you already also have it set on the AF-ON button. What's the difference between the two as you have set it up?

[@BrentHall]

Probably just because having metering start on my trigger finger is the most intuitive and fastest to engage, and the star is the the easiest or most comfortable button for me to push for AF start. There are definitely multiple ways to set up back button focus settings.

[@rajithodlme]

Great video... i assigned backbutton focus on my canon 77d to AF-ON button. I sat 1m from my pc monitor and was trying to focus the cables. The af-on was not focussing this. Upon holding down the af-on button (long press), the focus smoothely shifts without picking the cable. What could be the reason? Thanks

[@BrentHall]

That's weird. Could be a slow lens, or if it had to focus across the full range.

[@rajithodlme]

@@BrentHall the lens is 18-135mm canon lens and i was using single point focus

[@DXNMEDIA]

i want a dslr for hobby,potraites and group photos 200d -9 af 1 cross type af d5300-39 af 9 cross type af is autofocus point a big issue for taken photo clear or sharper pls suggest best for photography and its dis.

[@BrentHall]

Sounds like for what you want, both cameras will do just fine. It would just depend on what system you want. The nikon has more AF points, but the canon has much better menu systems, more (and better) lens options, is smaller/lighter, and is much better for video, should you ever want to get into that. But seriously, both would be good for what you want. I'm a Canon user, so if you asked me personally, I'd lean toward the Canon, but the Nikon is great as well, especially for an intro camera. Whatever you do though, if you're at all serious about it, just remember, lenses, lighting, editing, and knowing photography techniques are all much more important than the actual camera body.

[@DXNMEDIA]

Brent Hall Thanks for your suggestion I am bigginer in dslr.so little confuced which is most suitable for me.iam interested in photography.At this time my budget 40000 INR. Thanks

[@avibongo]

Great tutorial. How would you handle a bird on a perch that’s still for a few minutes and then flies right at you. If you want the eyes to be tack sharp would you hold the back button continuously from still to the flight ? Or is it just a one time press of the back button? Thanks.

[@BrentHall]

That's definitely a challenging scenario for sure, and how many, if any, keepers you would get from that will definitely depend on how good your camera's AF is, as well as your shutter speed being fast enough, etc. I would definitely be holding the button down as I lock onto the bird. The only problem is that if you lock on in the wrong spot and keep holding, and your depth of field is super shallow, your chances of having the eyes in focus are much lower. That's just a hard movement and direction and subject to track for anyone.

[@avibongo]

@@BrentHall Thank you! I shoot at 2.8 and higher ISO and speed of 1/1000 sec. I have a narrow focal point that I use to lock onto the eye. I also use the lens image stabilizer. So still working on it..

[@TheTimeChmaber]

Brent, one question - with BBF, what do you do if you need/want to change focus point? Or do you find you don’t need to anymore? At the moment (using the ‘normal’ shutter button) I either use AE-L and recompose, or I change the focus point on the fly - do you just recompose using half shutter press to lock the exposure?

[@BrentHall]

I use the M-Fn button, which is on the top behind the shutter button on most cameras.

[@vikashsinghrawat346]

One of the best explaination.. Just have one query. Consider a static subject. Do we need to hold, the * button while pressing the shutter button?? I mean to say that if we press * button and then releases the * button and after that if we click shutter, does it lock the focus?

[@BrentHall]

The focus will lock if you press and release the * button. Even if you're subject is still, if the camera is not still, then you could still hold the * button down (assuming you're in AI Servo) to keep it focusing on your subject while your camera is moving.

[@vikashsinghrawat346]

@@BrentHall thanks for the reply..

[@selenista]

Hello! Can I use back bottom focus with one single point focus? I am used to focus on eyes. Thank you!

[@BrentHall]

Yes you can.

[@karikortz1986]

Can I just keep my finger on the BBF the whole time or do you have to release the finger to make it work?

[@BrentHall]

If it's in af-servo, then you can hold it down the whole time to stay tracking the subject.

[@jeremyearl396]

Can you use this for Macro photography?

[@BrentHall]

Affirmative

[@BirdShutterbug]

Do you find that single point focus is good to use in combination with bff?

[@BrentHall]

I usually keep it on a single focus point. In my experience it's been great and for the way I shoot it's usally more advantageous to me than selecting multiple focus points. It just depends on what and how you're shooting. I also always keep mine in AF Servo with bbf.

[@BirdShutterbug]

@@BrentHall Thank you! I'm really learning a lot with your videos. I'll share on your FB a couple of recent pics that I took at Land Between the Lakes, KY.

[@billonthehill9984]

Most the Canon crops & full frames can be custom set for BB focusing... You continue to say use the STAR button or hold the STAR button in while shooting in AI Servo... I strongly recommend folks to watch the Canon Video Series on BB focusing, it is straight forward & simple... The simplest way to achieve this imo is to 1) turn OFF the shutter button AF, hit SET, top of MENU. By default, the BB Focus is already turned on, 2nd item in MENU... ( make sure the AF,metering symbol are on, hit SET ) DONE... Now you have BB focusing only, pressing the shutter button half way gives you metering, pressing the BB AF button with thumb sets the focus, DONE... It is quick & simple to set up, once you get accustomed to utilizing this technique, you will never go back to using the shutter button again for AF... ( the point of this technique is to avoid AF micro adj. after focus has been set using the shutter button, BB focusing eliminates the possibility of this from ever happening )... For AI Servo Tracking, simply hold the BB AF button down while shooting in high speed... DONE... I am not saying Mr Hall is wrong, just attempting to say his way is not the only way and I did find it a bit confusing with the STAR button reference... Bill Farr @ WGF Studio53... :-)

[@amateur_artist4795]

At some point I questioned why my stomach was growling so loudly and was very confused until I realized it was actually the wind in his video that was making the sound 🤦‍♀️

[@elmercenariochileno]

Good stuff. Next time take of your sunglasses . Eye contact is vital when giving lessons

[@studio96vienna64]

Back button AF sucks, or can you show me how to move your focuspoints and focus at the same time?? Trust me, no pro sportshooter use AF button and recompose, because its slow and cumbersome!

[@gordonclifton2694]

Studio96 Vienna your comment should say that, in your opinion, it sucks for sports shooters. The technique itself doesn't suck - it sounds very useful - just not practical in certain circumstances. Like most other photographic techniques. Horses for courses etc.

[@mikejduk]

Why do some YT Photographers really need to present their tutorials with a lens on their camera that is more like an anti-tank weapon! Or is it some kind of Phallic symbol, like, I have a bigger one than most of you out there! Get real and play to the audience man, most of whom have a basic 18-135mm lens. Can't be doin' with posers!

[@BrentHall]

Sorry my lens choice has bothered you so much. I'm not really sure how that's relevant to the tutorial though, seeing as how back button focusing is about a setting in the camera body and has no bearing on lens choice. I had that lens on there because I was birding both before and after filming that tutorial, and because that lens is my favorite and most used lens and is usually on my camera. I don't understand your anger toward me for not using a lens that you could relate to better either? Would that have made the tutorial better for you in some way? And, how do you know my audience so well? All the stats I can see, and all the feedback I've personally gotten from comments and subscribers have never solidly nor scientifically alluded to an 18-135 being the most common of their lenses, nor has any data ever indicated that they feel my videos have less value because I did not present with that, or a particular lens (except for your comment of course, that's definitely a first--but in scientific terms, we call that an outlier and generally remove those as to keep a more accurate statistical average). In regards to your phallic question, I don't typically make it a point to use repressed sexual issues or innuendo as a basis for which lens I use (I usually pick a lens based on what type of photography I'm doing--I know, silly, right), but if I were to pick lenses with that mind-frame, then I'd probably be feeling a bit sheepish and inadequate with my little 100-400 around all my wildlife photography friends, especially those whom carry their 600 and 800 mm lenses around for our photo outings. Also, I'd like to retract my first statement: I'm actually not sorry, as it doesn't really bother me personally (you learn real quick as a KZbinr to grow thick skin and not take silly comments personally), though your hostility over something so seemingly irrelevant and trivial did confound me a bit.