LEICA SL2 Back-Button Focus | How to get it WORKING

The Leica SL2 has no dedicated Back-Button for Autofocus but there is a workaround which I will explain and demonstrate in this short video.
See also Tony & Chelsea Northrup's video why YOU WANT Back-Button Focus:
• Back-Button Focus: Why...

[@Tedwill-home]

As a new SL2 user, this video is extremely helpful. Thanks!

[@Peter-df1br]

Great video. Works with my Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN lens. As you mentioned, the exposure is set at the focus point whether exposure mode is set to centre-weighted or multi-field. If only a firmware update could change this so the exposure reading is with a half press of the shutter, then this feature would be awesome!

[@l.nauwelaerts195]

Thanks for clearing that out! Although not yet a fully fledged back AF button solution (with an extra separate AE-L button, for example), it sure looks like a helpful tool!

[@carlosnunes5717]

Thanks a lot, very well explained and useful, best regards

[@Fleet42]

Great job! I’d love you to do a setup video for this and the SL2-s

[@conraddeetjen6715]

Very helpful, thank you. You are my favorite Leica information source. Can you influence Leica to give us an auto focus bracketing feature that works like auto exposure bracketing? I want to focus stack landscape shots without touching the camera.

[@mercedesvol]

Matt …… what a fantastic camera and solution you find Yesterday on a wedding ….. works great But 1 thing happened when you use that The camera gets in a sort of heavenly vibration mode and when you push the new back focus button its stops. Question 2 it try all but the active user profile ( saved) jumped to the upper profile I asked it to Leica they answered yes it can happen but only when you changed battery whit the camera on Thats not the case its jumped spontaneous So when you look after awhile in the main info screen the user profile is not active Kind regards Arjo

[@jeanginomiele7690]

Brilliant. Thank you!!!!

[@benedictus111]

Thank you Matt

[@ledoov]

great tip!

[@robertwillis9998]

Fascinating video. When using Back Button Focus with tracking, does it put a heavy demand on the battery? I'm wondering if BB tracking focus can be used routinely and still have decent battery performance. I wasn't clear on whether you were presenting this feature for special case uses or everyday use. I've not used this feature before.

[@NikCan66]

Great video yet again

[@curtismoore5352]

Which one you prefer the Sony or the Leica?

[@darrylallenphotography]

This is very helpful, but I realize under MF-MODE I don't see the Zoom listed as an Option??

[@SenkWaageRecht]

Is there a way to make the focus point jump to the centre of the screen with the press of a button?

[@chriserichorn]

Hello Math (and to all of his subscribers, too, for their clarification tips), this video has just about pushed me to buy the SL2-S, which I'm planning on using with Sigma DG DN 24mm f/2.0 and 35mm F/2.0. But I have one more question that I'd like to get answered... I want to confirm that it is possible to customize the front wheel for aperture and the back wheel for shutter speed, to better mimic how I shoot with a Nikon Z6 (i.e., not have to change muscle memory). The factory settings are opposite to how I would like to program this camera. The SL2-S manual says, "....The functions of the two setting wheels can be swapped." However, before I drop 4K+ USD on this camera (and another 2k plus on the Leica 24-70 lens), I want to be 100% sure that this is a case from someone who already owns this camera. Thank you so much! Chris

[@mathphotographer]

Hi Chris, I have my SL2-S in front of me. Page 4 in the menu, "Customize Control", has two sub-menu entries: "Wheel Assignment AF Lens" and "Wheel Assignment MF Lens". Here you can configure the Thumb Wheel and Front Wheel in the way you aim for.

[@chriserichorn]

@@mathphotographer MAth, thank you so much for your speedy and informative reply! What a great channel you have, I always learn something here. Sincerely, Chris

[@michaelascher2693]

Hey Math, at timeline 6:21 you try to explain that changing focus within point metering the exposure changes. This only works with touch. If you try to change the focuspoint via joystick nothing happens. Eather if you half press the shutter button. Any solution? Looks like Leica doesn´t pair the spot metering with the focuspoint when you use the joystick..

[@photoeducationbydaniel]

I want to add that If you are using Sigma L-mount MF option isn't available so you cant use backbutton focus in this way - If you have a Sigma DG DN mirrorless option you might have the MF option

[@kirkthibault3204]

If you switch the Sigma lenses to MF with the AF/MF switch on the lens barrel, this set up works as shown in the video (with the joystick button acting as back button focus while the lens is in MF).

[@photoeducationbydaniel]

@@kirkthibault3204 But takes the lens out of autofocus and there is still no MF option to selection on the camera - This is with the HSM not DN Sigma lenses

[@kirkthibault3204]

@@photoeducationbydaniel When you use the AF/MF switch on a DG DN lens, the lens is in MF mode and the info display on the camera reads "MF" - however, if you have set up the camera to use the joystick as AF, then the lens will autofocus when you press the joystick, even when the lens switch is set to MF. This set up decouples auto focus (joystick button) and exposure metering (half press of the shutter button) and permits you to AF with the joystick even when the lens is in MF, aka, back button focus.

[@markkeohane9850]

Absence of AF-ON is a deal-breaker for me, whatever the work-around (and a work-around is never as good) but then I'm a lowly (but happy) Nikon shooter and don't wish to spend £000's on a Leica switch. I can have great fun with manually-focusing, 25+ year-old, £2-300 film cameras and glass. But with dslr or mirrorless AF-ON is a must. A friend just traded in his Z7II for an SL2-S so I'll be able to see what the fuss is about. I extolled the benefits of AF-ON on the Z7 to him but he just never got it. So at least he won't miss it when he gets his new toy. Back-button focusing is so powerful it's beyond me why this doesn't have one.

[@kuau714]

I wish this worked with my Panasonic 24-70/2.8 and 70-200/2.8 lenses

[@SunDog5050]

How can set your exposure point when it is different from the focus point still using the joystick for focus?

[@kirkthibault3204]

@Jim Linville - you can set exposure first and then move the focus point to where you want to focus. If you shoot in a partial auto exposure mode (like Aperture priority) then you would need to set a button to enable exposure lock before you move to your focus point. Alternatively, you could set your focus first (using the joystick button) and then move the focus/metering point to where you want the camera to meter from for its exposure calculation. Because the focus is locked in manual mode with back button focusing, pressing the shutter will only adjust exposure prior to taking the shot.

[@SunDog5050]

@@kirkthibault3204 Thank you for the solutions. Aperture Priority is the method I use.

[@roadboogie]

howdy! is there focus peaking in the EVF while using a m lens?

[@mathphotographer]

Absolutely.

[@user-bu3zv5zh4b]

I just bought the Leica sl2 and I have problems with auto focus, it doesn't do the focus correctly and the image doesn't seem to be sharp.

[@2012JHL]

Can you show me to switch off the histogram, but keepeing the red in-focus-indicator? I cannot get it done.

[@mathphotographer]

Watch my video on customizing the SL2 in "profiles". If you still not get it done, let me know and I will send you a dedicated video via WeTransfer if you provide me with your email address.

[@2012JHL]

I've found the solution, thanks for your video!

[@chepo1956]

Wonderful tutorial Math! I have a question. In the tracking mode where the green box sticks to your subject, did you have to maintain the back button pressed continuously or did you press it once and the green indicator did the job without the necessity of pressing in the button in a continuous manner ?

[@arajelalian8745]

Continuously pressed, I believe.

[@FerdinandCastillo-xo4rk]

Great video. I just have a question regarding mf setting on my sl2-s . It is always greyed out when I have my m lens attached. When it doesn’t have a lens I can select the mf. I can’t find any solution when I googled it. You are my only hope to solve this. I’m looking forward to hear from you. Thank you

[@mathphotographer]

There is an easy explanation for what you describe, Ferdinand: if you mount a Leica-M lens on the SL2 via adapter, the camera automatically switches into manual focus mode and greys-out "MF" because you do not have to select it since the camera has done the "MF" setting for you automatically.

[@CreativeLeadershipwithDaniel]

I wish they activated this on the Q2.

[@mathphotographer]

Y E S

[@jamespalsson746]

Math teach us how to get rich like you! We want Rolexes and Leicas

[@mathphotographer]

:)

[@christiangebhard6749]

Eine SL 2 mit einer Sony vergleichen und erklären. Das halte ich für nicht praktikabel.