Did I really abandon BBF?

[@cristianogiani702]

....i agree. Me too, no more BBF for birds..... Many thanks for sharing, Emilie, and happy new year....

[@EmilieT]

Thank you and happy new year to you too!

[@markwhitesell4491]

I'm glad to hear that you're embracing NO-BBF! Since moving to the OM-1 three years ago, with the amazing eye-tracking focus, I realized that BBF was no longer needed. I now only used it when shooting landscapes.

[@EmilieT]

I agree!

[@petermcginty3636]

Thank you Emilie, super interesting topic. As most of my subjects are stationary, I never really felt the need for BBF. So, not using BBF frees up one button on my OM-1 for another function. BTW I use the lever on the AEL button to swap the front and rear dials from Aperture/Shutter speed to become WB/ISO. This works very well for me.

[@EmilieT]

I love to see how everybody customizes their camera. We are so lucky to be able to do that.

[@markattardo]

Welcome back to frigid NH. Congrats on checking a couple of birds off the list. Years ago I came across boar in NH while I was kayaking. They apparently escaped from an exotic game preserve. I was very glad to be at a safe distance but wished I had a good camera back then.

[@EmilieT]

Thank you ahaha! Ah yes I know a few escaped from that preserve. I should go over there and check that out one day. Too bad the preserve is only accessible to a few selected people. I would love to walk that land!

[@donbrockmeier5523]

I continue to use BBF with the front dial for shutter speed and the read dial for ISO (thanks for the tip). Moving my thumb from the AF-ON button to the the real dial can be done quickly.

[@EmilieT]

Happy to help with tips :)

[@ulflundh_birdsandnature]

I have used BBF also since i started but since Bird detect get so god i stoped. Now i have all target C-AF + bird detect on the front and when i switch the leveller i get singel point on BBF. In that way i can manage all situations very fast. I also always use C-AF+MF so i can turn the focussing when ever i want. :)

[@EmilieT]

Yes those are my settings too. it makes my life easier!

[@gregsilva452]

I just started using BBF a week ago! I’m so behind the times 🤣🤣 Fantastic shots of the cranes!!

[@EmilieT]

Thank you. Well maybe you are ahead of the times :) MAybe I will go back. Who knows? It's the fun of photography.

[@hstein27]

Don't you wish Sandhill Cranes would walk right up to you in New England? Spectacular portraits! With any modern camera, BBF is really only needed these days for small birds with lots of distracting twigs, when the camera can't find the bird.

[@EmilieT]

I sure wish ahah :)

[@ImageMaven]

Those Sandhills cranes are amazing. Beautiful photos. What an experience for you! I saw a family of them with a baby one last June, in southern Alberta. It was fantastic to watch them. But sadly they were across a pond so I was unable to get very close. Also, do you think the OM-1 Mark 1 still needs BBF? I go in and out of using BBF on my old G9 but I don’t seem to need it as much on the G9ii. And on my OM1 Mark 1, I often struggle with focus when birds are behind branches. Maybe BBF will help on that camera. Anyhow glad you saw some great birds and animals in Florida.

[@EmilieT]

Oh how lucky that you were able to observe a baby sandhill crane! i am considering going back to Florida just for baby sandhill crane season :) I think both OM do well without the BBF honestly. Mark II does better with branches but again, 1 focus point of switching to fully manual might be only option in some cases.

[@ThomasReed-c1w]

When I purchased my 150 to 400 mm 4.5. I had a protective cover ready and waiting for it. I took it out of the box and put it straight on the lens. It’s never came off. Is there a good reason for all but one? He by the way is a proper wild photographer while the others never uses a protective cover.

[@EmilieT]

I never used a cover. Some of the covers I have seen were prone to mold which I do not want. I never had any issues with my lens and the white was designed for specific reason so I do not want to cover it.

[@ThomasReed-c1w]

@ Emilie that’s ridiculous. I’ve been birdwatching for 40 years always had a sock over my telescope and now always a sock over my 2 lenses all used in wet conditions. The white design you mentioned is claimed to keep the lens cool in sun and extreme heat conditions you very rarely venture into. Why is it professional photographers? I follow on KZbin that possess far greater skills in yourself have their lens protected in a coat?

[@jonbarnard7186]

I'm not a wildlife photographer, so I tend to shoot in aperture priority with my OM1. I love being able to control iso with the front dial though. I wish my Nikon cameras allowed this. On my Nikons, you have to press a button and then use the dials to change iso. The OM1 is a much better arrangement. No button to push. To me it's faster and more intuitive, and I never have to take my eyes off the evf.

[@EmilieT]

I agree, it is so nice to be able to have all those easy customizations.

[@sweden_ove2074]

You have to make a video on the reactions on your non BBF discovery. What do your pro friends say as first reactions and later reactions 😊

[@EmilieT]

That's a good idea!!

[@carolinecomparetto-iz4lz]

I was to copy your c1 to c4 settings. Do I need to adjust some of the cog settings as that video included bbf? I don't do bbf either as like you say the af is well advanced now

[@EmilieT]

I am going to release all my settings in a cheat sheet with lots of tips if you are interested. Will come out next week on my website. You can adjust AF-ON in the clog or just leave it and don't touch it.

[@carolinecomparetto-iz4lz]

@EmilieT ooh yes, will look forward to that!

[@cindyroper412]

Oh Emilie how do you teach "an old dog new tricks?" I have been a BBF shooter for so many yrs I'm not sure if I can switch without "palpations". I will try to get up the courage to give it a try & let you know. Do you shoot in manual or aperture priority?

[@EmilieT]

Hi Cindy! We can try it at the end of January at Hunt's! But you know if you are happy the way you shoot then it is great and the most important. I shoot in M mode.