MASTER This PRO Technique For SHARP Photos

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In this video I explain why I use back-button focus for taking sharp photos, why it is faster to nail focus and how to set it up plus a bonus setting.
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[@Pierretlambert]

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[@m4jqp]

I've had BBF explained to me so many times over the years and its usefulness just never clicked. Now I see that it's the decoupling of the shutter butter from the half press focus that's the key. Great info, thanks Pierre!

[@Pierretlambert]

❤️❤️❤️

[@MacPhotoGuy79]

I really enjoy back button focusing! I come from the days of 35mm cameras, even when manual focus only was still the norm. When I moved to auto focus it annoyed me that even in single shot autofocus I had to hold the shutter button down halfway to recompose, or the camera would refocus when I pressed the shutter button again. With back button focus I can focus on what I want, then recompose, then when I press the shutter button to exposure, it’s not going to refocus again. And it is handy to have the camera set to continuous autofocus, and use the back button to briefly focused, more like single shot, or to hold it down for quick continuous focusing! Since hearing my Canon Elan 7e would do it, I’ve setup back button focus on all my SLR/DSLR/Mirrorless cameras!

[@BangPhoto]

This was very helpful, I kept rewinding to fully capture everything. Well done, Pierre.

[@pigpogm]

This is the way. Very similar to how I have my camera set up at the moment, but with two back focus buttons - one for small point focus, and one for face/eye detect. I then have the big 'joystick' button set to ditch all my 'arty' settings, and just take photos in full auto, as fast as it can. It's the 'oh shit' button for when something happens I wasn't prepared for. No time to be fancy, just get the shot.

[@TheCoolProfessor]

I hereby give your tutorial my rarest rating... Helpful.

[@datomimo6814]

Your photos are frikin AMAZING!!!! I love your work.....

[@don7117]

FINALLY! An explanation of BBF that makes sense. I have always tried to figure out the hype of BBF. Inasked a lot of people. Never got an answer that made sense to me. Now I get it. I have made the change to my camera and it works great. Thanks!!!!

[@Pierretlambert]

Glad it helped!

[@rondub]

Very very helpful, thank you !

[@omarkawan]

I really liked this technique. I stopped the video and tried it on my camera. I have 16-300mm Tamron lens with image stabilization. The image stabilization didn’t work when I turned off auto focus with shutter. At high zoom the image was shaking too much for autofocus to work. I ended up activating autofocus with shutter and programming a button to quickly change the aufocus mode

[@MrLanun8x]

Wow,it's actually very useful. 🙏Thank You Sir

[@skallittor5478]

This is the correct content!

[@iamphotovideoist]

Don't forget, Af-S activates the Oncamera light assist (if it has one) to focus on Lowlight. Its perfect to use for portait or any subject that is still on a lowlight situation (like a club/bar or anything lowlight).

[@2010SLP]

Hi Pierre. Thsnk you for this video. Can I ask what your default AF settings are for “Priority Set in AF-C”? AF, Release, or Balanced Emphasis? Also, what do you keep your “AF Tracking Sensitivity” set to most often? 1-5?

[@guillaumec.7697]

I'm not a photographer and I don't even own any cameras , but the explanation in this video is just on point. I understood everything. Every tips and trick should be like that. Great video !

[@Pierretlambert]

Awesome, thank you!

[@musicfanatic1213]

I m sure you do have camera and you are here to know how to get sharp photo 👉🏼

[@grandhum5685]

Shoe shinning technique!!

[@anastasianingsihm9562]

Great tutor

[@VR_Wizard]

On Sony A7iii i have one button for eye AF and another for holding focus. For me thats the better setup because most times i am fine with continious focus. I also use the tap on schreen to set the flexibal spot and then use C-AF with that spot.

[@scannorse]

Exactly !

[@momobackpacker]

thank you bro

[@madhusoodanshimoga5725]

Great content, thanks a ton for that. How do we set that in Nikon camera, I mean the bonus tip.

[@itltl]

I have it setup kindof reverse. Half press for af-c. AF-ON assign to focus hold to simulate AFS after half press shuttle. Though still need to train my muscle memory for this. Need the shuttle to focus when using the camera to do selfie.

[@bigpapa12]

An alternative I find more useful is to use AFC with a programmable button such as the lens button set to Focus Hold to recompose.

[@rob9386]

The tip at the end was too good! Love it love it!

[@lexbraxman9270]

For the customized AF ON tracking, I have to use Tracking ON + AF On. Otherwise the green square doesn't appear when I hold down the BBF in AF-C. I'm not sure if what I'm doing is different than you. A6700

[@Alakazam2047]

Is your focus area set to the tracking options?

[@lestorhaslam]

Very informative, but can I do this on my old Nikon D60 or D90? Thank you.

[@TomGibson7777TG]

I have an older Sony A7r3 which has eye focus. Placed in on AF-C, subject focus, and BBF. I had the subject move back and forth and the eye focus did not work. Suggestions pls? Lens Sony 24-105 F4. Too when do you use AF-A, from static to moving subject? Enjoy your channel. Thanks

[@DentonThaves]

It depends on which camera you are using not all DSLR have back button focus which camera are you using.

[@allenhendricks8892]

And I thank u😊

[@falseusername]

One tip about how handy to set subject detection on button. It ignores your focus point, and search subject in all angle of view. It's very usefull, when you usually have small point as focus area and want, for example, to focus on human, that's in some side of the frame. Moving focus point? Nope, just press a button, and you're perfectly focused.

[@Pierretlambert]

Yes that's what I share at the end regarding the lens button programmed for eye detection :D So helpful!!

[@BangPhoto]

Thanks!

[@Pierretlambert]

Thank you 🙏 glad it helped!!!

[@Pierretlambert]

Thank you 🙏 glad it helped!!!

[@martinax-po8rj]

Do you use Sony ECM-B1M microphone?

[@igorwollersheim464]

Question. What about IBIS, it is only activated when holding the AF button with BBF. IBIS is off while the button is not pressed !.. is this correct ?

[@engineer4862]

What is the solution to approaching subjects when the af lock produces blurry images?

[@HURPSYYEMRAY1]

Tnk U

[@nicop.2312]

The i button on the back with Nikon is enough to change what you want, but only in P

[@CC-gt3ro]

There is rarely told information that in low light condition with AF-S, the camera use the biggest aperture to focus and then come back to your selected aperture. For example if you use f4 but your camera can do f2.8, it will use f2.8 to focus but take the photo at f4. It does not do that in AF-C it will try to focus at f4 which can fail in low light condition. But i believe all people will use their f2.8 in low light but it is a minor detail.

[@HermannHimelheiken]

Prove it pal

[@CC-gt3ro]

@@HermannHimelheiken look at your lens in manual mode you should see the focus using the biggest aperture and come back to the selected one in low light condition. I heard a Sony ambassador talking about that. I didn’t know as well.

[@SingleTrack66]

Great video. Can’t believe how many people in the comments just don’t get it.

[@sgphotography7]

Love for india Pierre ❤

[@Pierretlambert]

Thank you

[@farhadtarapore]

My Sony RX10 IV has a dedicated button for S, A, C and M focussing modes

[@seaeagles6025]

Hi Pierre, thank you very much for this subject, the back button is a very under used mode. It's an important function to use and makes a big difference. Once you get used to it its a life saver. A very useful video that will help a lot of photographers. Many thanks Pierre 😊

[@seaeagles6025]

Thanks Pierre 😊

[@beholder2012]

It's „under used” because the default shutter button works as good as BB. 🤣

[@seaeagles6025]

@@beholder2012 The Shutter button does work as good as the Back Button, I guess it's just another option photographers have. We used Cameras before there was a Back Button and it was ok. Horse's for Courses. 👍

[@zappa0609]

Sharpness is the one and only aspect in photography that matters nowadays It doesn.t matter if it is a good photograph, or not, as long as it is sharp.😥

[@f12x78]

does this setting work on sony APS-C? couldnt find the setting

[@AquaticBaboon]

That's one downside with APS-C, smaller body means less space for customizable buttons. You might be able to get the same setup using the AEL button but I can't remember if it works the same

[@Milankhadkac5h]

woooww❤❤❤

[@Pierretlambert]

[@gustavocruzlima119]

I still cannot understand why to use BBF when I can just set a button to AFL (auto focus lock). Event then AF-C (at least for mirrorless cameras) can track a point you set to focus. The cameras even track the subjects eye, so if you recompose it still follows the subject.

[@Pierretlambert]

that's why you'd release the AF-ON button when you recompose so your AF is not tracking the subject :)

[@jorgealberto1851]

If you really want to focus on something and then change the composition, why not just use manual focus?

[@user-dx6mn3fz6u]

Is bbf possible in DSLR?

[@geoffreyhenson3098]

Yes. I used it exclusively on my 19 year old DSLR as well as my modern mirrorless Nikons.

[@Peterogen]

❤❤❤❤

[@markrossi5721]

Piere, you went through that menu so fast I couldn't see what you were selecting 😮. What's the big hurry? You've got to slow down the pace if you're going to teach effectively.

[@Pierretlambert]

Thanks for the feedback! Don't hesitate to pause the video :)

[@mdtahmidhossainsrijon1086]

In this video I saw that you travelled Bangladesh 😊 BTW I'm from Bangladesh 🇧🇩

[@martinax-po8rj]

What would you say to a parent that doesn't let his son get a cheap camera like sony a6000 with kit lens?

[@michaellorence3672]

Nothing. Maybe that "cheap camera" is still out of their budget. Unless they have lots of cash to spare but they really just don't want you to pursue photography, then there are tons of things I wanna say to them. But if they really just don't have the capacity, maybe you just need to save up to be able to buy one for yourself. 😊

[@martinax-po8rj]

​@@michaellorence3672 Oh we have money, money is not the problem the problem is that my mom told me my phone is just as good as any camera and my phone camera is good but I want to learn to know how the f number effects the image and i DONT want to look like a tourist.

[@Pierretlambert]

I would share with her why the ART of creating is important to you and how a camera allows you to focus on just creating. Being on a phone means seeing notifications, calls, messages, friends, social media, being sucked in that vortex rather than being present with what is around you. Ask her if she can help you with that process, make her your ally.

[@martinax-po8rj]

@@Pierretlambert thanks

[@martinax-po8rj]

Thanks​ @@Pierretlambert, I told my mom that and that worked she told me next year I will get that 350 eur camera setup.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Adagefu]

Just tried this set up but nothing happens when I single press the button, I have to hold for it to focus. What am I doing wrong??

[@vamshiytchannel]

+1

[@vamshiytchannel]

@Pierretlambert

[@Pierretlambert]

That's correct you have to hold it down that's the advantage! Hold it = AF-C. Release = nothing changes = AF-S.

[@Adagefu]

Firstly thanks for the reply. Big fan of the videos. More to the point, when I release it then reframe as I would with afs, it does not maintain focus unfortunately. I’m sure it’s user error but just seems odd I’m not able to replicate

[@Pierretlambert]

@@Adagefu did you disable AF with shutter?

[@77.88.]

You must be talking about the Canon 5D Mk11 and not the Mk111 that dose not focus well during action shots as the red dot is gone,gone gone? IF the Mk11 camera is perfect don't FIX IT Mk111?

[@andreasschurz63]

AF-S + MF with Focus Peaking

[@kappafleo]

Ypu can do the exact same thing with the default shutter button, and have one more button to customize, Cant you?

[@ACitizenOfOurWorld]

Maybe, but then you HAVE to keep your finger half pressed on the shutter button until you're ready to fully press to release the shutter. Can get a finger cramp if you're waiting for just the right moment to snap the picture.

[@SingleTrack66]

You didn’t really follow the video did you

[@Schneider.]

🤍

[@user-oe5jl2br6u]

BBF is obsolete today.

[@SingleTrack66]

You have no idea.

[@wayneholmes637]

It isn't. It is very practical and for many subjects far better than letting the camera decide what to do all the time.

[@PavelR2]

@@wayneholmes637 It is, because modern cameras do not miss focus with AF+C; do have AF coverage which makes obsolete also focus & recompose (+ recompose can easily shift focus plane and make subject OOF, which I think only some MF cameras compensate for this). + if you hold big lens then thumb need to hold the body steady not to fiddle with small button during shooting. (I was using shutter + focus also on DSLR, because it work flawlessly on Canon 1 series.)

[@Pierretlambert]

Interesting! Can you tell me more why you think the focus / recompose isn't as helpful anymore? I do find the cameras still miss personally even in AF-C and it gets worse when several subjects in a frame. That said in tracking af-c I see how you can focus recompose without the bbf

[@SingleTrack66]

@@PavelR2 your point about needing your thumb to hold the camera steady is mute when using Nikon, the ergonomics are perfect. I use bbf without even thinking about it, it’s totally natural and the thing to do. First pressure finger is AE lock. I also have the red record button set up to cycle through my three most used focus modes and very quickly switch according to the need.

[@pittyman]

4:55 Man, it is so stupid! Just chose the focus object and let the camera following this object. Un my old 550D I all the time used AF-S, just you have to be quick with your camera. ;)

[@benjprilles25]

I can do everything with just AF Tracking.

[@iaindunbar2331]

Just move the AF point in continuous focus? Then there is no bonus to using bbf. Getting ‘sharper images’ or being able to focus better with bbf is a myth.

[@Pierretlambert]

moving the AF point to avoid shoot / recompose is actually super slow and if by chance you have AF-C with tracking everytime you release your shutter you may lock on a different subject - at least happens to me.

[@beholder2012]

Ditto. The whole point of BBF is that probably for some people it may be (for the reason unknown to me) more comfortable way of focusing, although the end result… will be the same! 🤣 What COULD be useful: if there would be ability to set that „back button” with any selected method of focusing and making it override the default button. Such way I could use „Single Shot” on the default button - while in case of need overriding it with AF-C set on the back button (without operating any switch). That would be really useful - unfortunately, none of my cameras (and I collected quite a few) allows this.

[@marcelbecker6399]

Bro, thats the most complicated way of focusing. Simply use AF-C and set the reaction to 1 (1of5). Than pin your subject with the small square and the focus will stick forever

[@rnrnrkrk994]

I dont think thats the point of doing this. This allows you to unfocus for creative reason with BBF and switch to AFC fast when needed.

[@pasky7777]

That doesn’t work all the time. If all you do is studio shoots, lucky you. Being out there with objects moving all the time, nature photography; you will be in complete trouble with AF-C only. Try what he said, you will love it. I could enjoy and do photography without this technique.

[@SingleTrack66]

You have no idea. Bro 😂

[@HermannHimelheiken]

Bro Marcelo, I don't know about all that

[@peter9962]

BBF is the only way to go. Give it a try and join the rest of us. 😊

[@PracticingPhotography]

Try BBF and you will never go back.

[@loboptlu]

And you are the perfect example of one of those hated gaijin making photos of people without asking for their authorisation , giving everyone from outside japan a bad reputation for disrespecting privacy.

When you do street, you don’t ask, when tv crews do report, apart from interview, they don’t ask. That’s how you capture life naturally.

[@loboptlu]

Totally wrong here in germany ,luxemburg ,france ,belgium and netherlands tv crews need an official authorization , and you will be forced to erase your pictures , its called the right to its own picture and the reason tv crews will blur your face unless you accepted.

[@VynZography]

BBF is a nonsense carryover from DSLR days when cameras had 8 AF points. Stop teaching people this.

[@danielgarcia7447]

Brother go get a job just like everyone else…

[@daveericson8447]

Let go of the bitter jealousy 😂

[@danielgarcia7447]

@@daveericson8447 Hardly jealousy… I would NEEEEVER be ½ the photographer he is…(but, man am I trying lol ) when someone is asking to give him feedback to see if he can get more clicks/views/likes ( 3-4 previous videos) then you know that whatever it is that he’s doing is not working…and its prob out of his hands. Due to algorithms and updates to the platform. Therefore, stop stressn abt clicks/views/ likes and asking his audience what is he doing wrong or what can he do differently. If these factors are impacting your bottom line and this is a top 3 source of income…then the most logical thing to do is GET A JOB ! no hate, just facts…

[@daveericson8447]

@danielgarcia7447 but with 712k subscribers he must be doing something right

[@danielgarcia7447]

@@daveericson8447 no doubt, he is talented! I like and enjoy watching his videos… 👍

[@Pierretlambert]

Thanks Daniel! For now I don't need another job it's alright - plenty to do! When I do something I like to do fully which is why I ask for feedbacks if I see changes that signal it isn't as relevant as before. Sending much love!