Back Button Focus - Why and How (With Canon Setup, AF-On)

[@nurseveronica]

Thank you for the clear explanation and especially the examples. I finally understand BBF and I can’t wait to try it out!

[@ChadBarry]

Yay!! Good luck! 😊

[@waynegeordiesdad648]

I've watched a half-dozen of these 'back-button' videos......yours is BY FAR the most comprehensive and easy to both understand AND set up Thanks a ton and I'll start doing it tomorrow and I suspect I'll NEVER go back Cheers from Canada North

[@ChadBarry]

Awesome to hear! Happy New Year Eh! 🇨🇦

[@nofitlerphotos]

Love using back button focus especially during weddings, brilliant tutorial and straight to the point about what it is and why it's used. You got yourself another subscriber 👍🏻📸

[@ChadBarry]

I’m glad you found it useful! Cheers!

[@TomGodzik]

I followed your advice and it works great for me. After I got it setup I took 3 pictures and I had no problems with it. I don’t have to practice with the setup I just have to remember that the camera is setup for back button focus. Great video and Thanks for sharing your opinion. ❤❤❤

[@kimayers2092]

Chad I had to come back and thank you for this video! I decided to give it a try today.. OMG! I can’t believe the difference. Was a little awkward at first, but the sharp clear photos I got were worth the fumbling for a few minutes!! Thank you for making this so easy to understand!!

[@ChadBarry]

Woooohooo! So happy to hear this!!

[@mymagicmurals]

Thank you for this excellent simple explanations. For the first time in owning my Canon70D, I FINALLY know and understand how to use the back button.

[@ChadBarry]

Awesome news!! Hope it’s working well for you!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

This was super helpful Chad. I'd always heard about back button focus, and maybe have even watched a tutorial long ago, but this video cemented the concept in my brain. Thanks for taking the time to help us noobs out. Much appreciated and best of luck on your channel. And you started the video with your cat, which is always a win in my book, I sometimes do the same thing myself.

[@ChadBarry]

LOL. Chewy gets lots of love!

[@markrayton6385]

Probably the best video on here for me on back button focusing. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@ChadBarry]

Thanks Mark!

[@MichaelJurick]

excellent, clear tutorial - thank you!!!

[@frankharrison968]

Best instruction on Back Button Focus I have watched, and I have watched several, thanks.

[@ChadBarry]

Awesome. Thanks for your feedback Frank!

[@Jay-qf1kc]

I finally understand back button focusing after watching this! Definitely going to start using it.

[@ChadBarry]

That’s awesome Jay! Glad to hear it!

[@DonDraperVideos]

Well done! Now I finally understand how and why. Appreciate this clear explanation.

[@ChadBarry]

Awesome! Enjoy your new skill

[@markford4927]

Hey Chad, Awesome teaching video, I don't know how many shots I've missed by not knowing how to do this. I've watched and read lessons on how it works, but never 'got it'. Your way of explaining made it click. Thanks. Looking forward to more of your videos.

[@ChadBarry]

Awesome to here Mark! I hope it helps. Share some photos in my FB workshop group.

[@MrTinmansr22]

Very easy to understand and instructions very clear, thank you.

[@ChadBarry]

Happy shooting Fred!

[@nigelmay6349]

Finally! An accurate description of focus recomposing. Nobody else seems to recognize that doing that moves their focal plane. Excellent video! Just subscribed.

[@ChadBarry]

Thanks Nigel! It certainly does. Maybe I should do a video on just that. Thanks for subscribing!

[@priscillap7135]

Yesss

[@mrbushpilot]

I don’t click like on many videos but did here. Well explained thank you

[@ChadBarry]

Thanks so much Simon!

[@JAY-xx4kt]

Great example and explanation about the back button focusing, i m going to practice on it THANKS!

[@pitaguy11]

Super explanation! Such a natural speaker. Thanks a lot Chad.

[@ChadBarry]

Thank you very much!

[@sixshooter4570]

You can program your depth of field button to change from single shot to servo.

[@ChadBarry]

yes. You can do that too

[@willparsons32]

I've set up the bbf and it's sooo easy to get used to. Almost rediculously easy. Just make sure the AI SERVO is set and your good to go!!

[@ChadBarry]

Yep

[@mickehog76]

Once you go BBF you can't go back!

[@robertandjessicastoner9414]

This was the best explanation on why and how to use BBF that I’ve found! Thank you!

[@ChadBarry]

Hey, thanks!!

[@f2.8vidz4]

.. as promised I’m binge watching all your videos😂 Great video.. very well explained... I’ve been using BBF for a few years .. I keep my first camera T5i handy in “Auto mode” to pass off to relatives and my wife should they need to use the camera 😂 less headache Cheers Luke

[@ChadBarry]

Luke Hanson Photography LOL. Good idea!

[@aubgoodwinSRCphotography]

at last a bloke who speaks English (plan and simple instructions) just set my back button focus fingers crossed I can get the hang of it THANK YOU 👍

[@ChadBarry]

Aub Goodwin you’re welcome Aub. That’s how I roll! 😉

[@aubgoodwinSRCphotography]

Just hope a can get to grips with it lol cheers fella al stand u a beer when a see you 👍

[@oldcyclist5880]

Good video. Although not part of the planned lesson, I never realized that pressing the Q button while in Menu would move to the next tab. I've always toggled through all of the lower level tabs to move through the menus. Also a good explanation of the logic for disabling AF on the shutter button.

[@ChadBarry]

Thanks! Glad you got something from it.

[@Connect04]

Finally seen a person with better explanation on how to use back button focus correctly. Nice video and nicely presented.

[@ChadBarry]

Thanks you Charles!

[@Connect04]

@@ChadBarry I have few of my photos that I want to show you to tell me how I'm doing. I want some critics to improve my photography skills. I would be happy seeing your response soon. Thanks, Charles

[@ChadBarry]

Feel free to reach out to me through my website Charles. I do offer critiques and mentoring. www.chadbarryphotography.com

[@Connect04]

@@ChadBarry thank you so much Chad

[@Connect04]

@@ChadBarry but how do I send my photos to you through the website?

[@calderon551]

THE BEST description of using back button focus, after watching 8 videos, this is the one that I got it the first time. Excellent!

[@ChadBarry]

Happy to help out! 🙂

[@cy-villian]

Just had the same experience. Thanks Chad.

[@thomastims9583]

This the first video of yours I have watched and I wanted to say how much I enjoyed it. Thanks for not blowing through it with lightning speed like most others do. I consider myself an intermediate/enthusiast with a lot to learn and I look forward to watching all your videos. I enjoy your teaching style and I'm definitely not going to miss the snobby attitude that so many other tutorial videos convey !

[@ChadBarry]

So glad to hear that Thomas. I need to get back to filming material to share. Happy shooting!

[@Jeff_H_the_Guitarist]

For one, thank you for teaching me that pressing the Q will cycle through the six menus. And your back button methodology is genius. One thing I’ve added to that genius is to program my Depth of Field Preview button to One Shot/AI Servo, instantly switching between the two focusing modes. But man, getting the focusing function off of the shutter button is a big help. One other change I make is for my main dial on top of the camera. I switch that to control Aperture instead of shutter speed. There’s just something about the left to right feel of using that dial and picturing all the f-stops to choose from in a left to right fashion that makes it feel perfectly natural.

[@ChadBarry]

Sounds good to me. Anything that gives you fast and accurate control.

[@natestain7103]

God love you for this video! Been looking for a solid explanation for a while this morning

[@ChadBarry]

I’m glad your hunt was successful!

[@jessicakarcher21]

I tried watching another video on this and was completely lost. Your video was easy to watch and completely understandable. And now I'm a subscriber! Thank you!

[@ChadBarry]

Yay! Glad I could help. 👍🏻

[@rreinhard43]

Thanks for the clarity. I watched sev before your video. Your video is clear for me to understand.

[@ChadBarry]

Thanks Rochelle! Happy shooting!

[@sevenbridgesoneriver4838]

THANK YOU u just made BBF sound simple! Intelligent individuals r those able to take difficult subjects and make them understandable to the layman! I totally get it now and will use BBF from this day onward thanks to you! Thank you! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@ChadBarry]

You’re so welcome!! I’m glad I could be helpful.

[@russeli1941]

Thank you for doing this. It's time to get put some fun in my craft.

[@ChadBarry]

Happy shooting Russ!

[@russeli1941]

@@ChadBarry You as well my friend!

[@PracticingPhotography]

This is awesome and I have been using back button focus for several years now an am amazed at how easy the switch was. What I loved about this video is your explanation on how to use it for OneShot/AI Servo with back button focus.

[@ChadBarry]

Thanks Doug! So much confusion around BBF, I wanted to make as clear of an explanation as I could. Happy shooting!

[@tmorgan140]

Thank you for this easy to understand video

[@ChadBarry]

Thanks for watching!

[@rondutton5595]

I’ve seen a couple of videos on BBF but this is the first one I fully understand. Thank you

[@ChadBarry]

Glad I could help Ron!

[@rondutton5595]

@@ChadBarry None of the other mentioned letting go of the AF-On button once you achieve focus.

[@rondutton5595]

The last one I watched said there was no way to disable AF focus on the shutter button on the 7d which kinda makes a mockery of the BBF because that would mean the shutter release would override the focus from the back button. I wish they would take their misleading videos down

[@sermantnoella7549]

Great info thanks a gone try this with my dogs for the camera

[@ChadBarry]

Fantastic!

[@paulachapman2711]

Thank you for such a clear and easy to understand tutorial. I’ve never got my head around how it works until now. I’m changing my camera to back button focusing right now!

[@ChadBarry]

Yes!!!! And you are very welcome.

[@akoimo5273]

Thank you so much Chad. As an amateur, I learned a lot from this video and makes my shots vastly improved.

[@ChadBarry]

ako imo Glad to hear it friend!

[@BruceGoren]

Great info. Made the change. Cute that a "Wookie" has a cat named "Chewy" !

[@ChadBarry]

LOL 😝😃😃

[@priscilacpgmartinsbaldacci2616]

Lol

[@clancyoneill]

Thank you! I came home the other day and was horribly disappointed to notice (what I thought to be an awesome street photography session) was a blurry mess. I came home and upon inspection on almost all of my good shots (composition and lighting on point) all had unfocused subjects unfortunately. My Instagram won't be seeing an upload until I get back out there and try again.

[@ChadBarry]

We’ve all been there once or thrice! Hope you have better luck next time and this helped you out! Cheers

[@bertmacalino9968]

simple but easy way to explain the back button function. Thanks.

[@JamesWarrior]

Thank you. That was very clear and helpful.

[@ChadBarry]

You’re welcome. Happy shooting James

[@JZETH_]

I swear when I got my camera two years ago that this is the video I needed. Lol I still needed it today. Thank you KZbin algo gods lol

[@ChadBarry]

LOL. Glad to be of service!

[@drumbatter100]

Good demonstration of BBF but personally I prefer to use the shutter release button for focusing. I find that if I am following some thing that moves from a light back ground to a dark back ground and I need to +/- compensation you lose auto focus whilst doing this. You also lose focus when you want to alter focus points. I set up my camera with the af button set so that I can alternate between one shot and AI Servo. I think that with the older models it was more benificial to use back button focus but feel its not nessacary on the more up to date bodies that are more than capable of metering/focusing and releasing shutter all on the shutter release button. With modern cameras where you have so many buttons on the back that you can assign to different modes I find my thumb is constantly on the move altering focus points, compensation, ISO etc which I feel is more important than just using it for focusing.

[@ChadBarry]

Interesting Alan. I do change my focus points when required and my thumb just moves back to the focus button. I’d you are changing points you are going to need to refocus anyways so I don’t see a difference there. Yes, you may need to adjust for exposure compensation but this depends on the metering mode you are using as well. Lots of different methods can be employed. It sounds like you’ve found one that works well for you. Keep at it!

[@stephenparkin2701]

I wish i came across this video ages ago like previous comments BBF setup is explained clearly and simply thank you so much for sharing

[@ChadBarry]

You’re welcome Stephen. I hope you get good use out of it and create something special.

[@ThePursuitofSquash]

Two thumbs up 👍 👍. Thanks for putting this video up.

[@ChadBarry]

Thank you!

[@juanjaramillo1854]

I just switched my Canon 7D to BBF and my oh my, do I love it. I tried a few shots right after making the change in my camera and I loved the results. Thank you

[@ChadBarry]

Awesome Juan!!

[@ceesteven]

Good tip! Nice, clear presentation. Thank you.

[@waynemantha5066]

Thank you, I'll try it at my next Air Show.

[@Glenvill_e]

Hi Chad! This tutorial was perfect. I’ve watched a few on back button focus but yours made it so much easier to understand why we should use it. I have a Canon 5d Mkiii and I wondered if you’d done a tutorial on the various AF area selection modes that are available on this camera. Thanks and subscribed!

[@ChadBarry]

Hi Glen! I’m glad the video helped out. I know I was always frustrated watching other videos on the subject so my mission was to make it simple. I haven’t created a video in the focus areas but have this on my list!

[@Glenvill_e]

Chad Barry Thanks Chad! I’ll watch a bunch of your other tutorials in the meantime. All the best. Glen.

[@SevenSpringsStudios]

Great explanation many thanks 👍👍

[@ChadBarry]

Cheers!

[@jaybrown4526]

GAURANTEED... I will NEVER hand my camera to someone and ask them to take a photo for me.

[@ChadBarry]

LOL

[@HollyMPhotography1]

Lovely tutorial! thank you

[@ChadBarry]

Thank you!

[@anthonyglenesk2982]

Finally! After a year with my telephoto and Canon 7D I decided to actually learn how to use more of its functions. As an avid birder this will be a game changer. I missed so many great shots due to autofocus issues. Great video!

[@ChadBarry]

Awesome Anthony!! I hope you get lots of great shots!

[@adeblakemore5172]

Excellent tutorial thanks

[@ChadBarry]

Thank you

[@drdre3824]

Thank you so much for your video, Chad! I just got my first full-frame camera (Canon 6D) and while it was an improvement in every way over my Canon EOS SL1, I found the focusing on my SL1 was way more reliable than the 6D. Now that I understand back-button focus, I feel much more confident that I can nail my shots. Merry Christmas, king :)

[@ChadBarry]

I’m glad I could help out. Best of luck and Merry Christmas to you as well.

[@drdre3824]

@@ChadBarry Thank you, brotha 😌🙏🏾✨

[@MrKen-wy5dk]

Chewy is the reason I keep coming back to your video to learn BBF. Canon's tutorials are only for robots.

[@ChadBarry]

LOL. I’ll be sure to include more Chewy in futures videos! 🐈

[@trouwfotomakerij]

7:20 Not sure about other models, but a backbutton-focus setup overrides the "half-way shutter AF" in the 5D Mk4. So essentially you don't need to remove the AF from the shutter button. As soon as you press the shutter halfway and *then* press your AF ON button (or whatever button you use for BBF) it overrides the shutterbutton-AF.

[@geraldclarke8868]

Good and clear.

[@ChadBarry]

Thanks mate!

[@Foliagette]

Back button focus is the best thing ever. Totally changed the way I shoot.

[@ChadBarry]

Briana Huether Ditto!

[@42Kunze]

just got a canon and the previous owner had the back button focus set up, so I'm trying to learn it. This video helped as I didn't realize I needed to release the AF button once I had it focused. I've tried to capture my dogs running, they are whippets so they move pretty quick, and every single shot is blurred and out of focus. When using this back button focus method do I continue hold the AF button down and take the pictures or do i release the AF button once the dog reaching my camera and move the camera with the dog. I'm able to get shots on my other canon using the shutter button so I know my lens is able to catch the dogs, its just with this back button focus I can't get anything.

[@ChadBarry]

For moving subjects I, generally, keep my thumb on the AF button to continue tracking them. You may want to setup a large autofocus area, instead of a single point, if that’s the way you are setup. Because the camera is previously own, you may also want to check the autofocus cases and see how it is setup. They allow you to change the priority for objects in motion, standing still, objects getting between you and your subject, etc... see if it is setup the same as your other body.

[@42Kunze]

thanks for help Chad. I've checked the setting on both cameras, I have the 80D and the 6D mk ii. The 6D is set up with the back button focus. I mainly shoot concerts and dogs in motion.I just shot 3 Doors Down and Collective Soul with the 6D and made the mistake of never taking my thumb off the AF button. Didn't realize one it was focused, I could let it up and just shoot. That is still something I'm trying to digest. I am using single point as opposed to a larger autofocus area.

[@gurtz1144]

Great stuff. And yes I will practice.

[@Pixelpoppy]

Excellent thankyou - I've been using it but should be more efficient now!

[@ChadBarry]

Awesome!

[@richardsimmons6470]

Great Video 80D is in the Camera Function Mode No 1 CFnIII Operations/other Will use this from now on THANKS

[@ChadBarry]

Awesome!

[@stacimcclure6240]

Wow. I get it now. Thank you!

[@ChadBarry]

Woot! Woot!

[@petrub27]

sony's eye af is the bbf for portraits!

[@alejandracardenaspalacios1910]

This was so helpful...thank you so much

[@ChadBarry]

🙂

[@shaynacoxphotography]

So if you are taking photos of a family with kids running around, and then sometimes the family is sitting still, which mode do you choose? Or do you do one shot? Im so slow, sorry…lol…you are doing a great job explaining, i am just slightly confused

[@ChadBarry]

You set it up as AI Servo and never ch she it again. Press to focus. Stop pressing to stop focussing. So if the kids are running you can keep the button pressed. If you are doing a poses portrait, press to focus and you can then release the button. Or you could keep pressing assuming the you aren’t recomposing.

[@shaynacoxphotography]

@@ChadBarry ok thank you!! Much appreciated!!

[@kin-c72]

Hi Chad, I thought this video was really informative, helped a lot. Can I ask? when a subject is moving, like the bride in your example, so she is walking towards you, so you press the AF button, keep it pressed down and then just keep pressing the shutter button? is that right? in your video you say press half way ( the AF button I assume) and then keep shooting... so you mean press AF and keep holding down.... yes? sorry if I sound confusing...

[@ChadBarry]

You got it right. I had a little fumble of my words in there. Good catch

[@laika25]

Is it ok to press both buttons simultaneously? (back focus AND shutter release)

[@ChadBarry]

Yes. When I’m tracking a subject I keep the focus button pressed continuously and press the shutter at those key moments.

[@1tssen]

If you hand off your camera and have custom modes on your camera you setup one of your custom modes on the dial to work with regular shutter options

[@ChadBarry]

Sure can. Or just switch my auto mode for them.

[@cheslra]

I'm a little confused. if you press the BBF "as long as the bird doesn't move forward or back", you'll have an in-focus bird. This makes total sense. But then you said you BBF on a bride walking toward you and you will still get all your pics "tack sharp". Can you explain that?

[@ChadBarry]

If you press and release the back button the focus will remain at the distance of the bird. Press and hold if the subject changes its distance.

[@priscillap7135]

Thank you

[@Optikification]

Always use it. It's great for nature photography.

[@jessicabrucken2293]

Isn't there a setting to where you won't lose focus on the bird if the branch falls in to focus? I believe it is if you change your tracking sensitivity to the Locked On position.

[@ChadBarry]

You can change focus cases to help with this. I use that in conjunction with. All button focus.

[@michaela8802]

Great tutorial! New subscriber 😁

[@ChadBarry]

Wooot woot! 😃

[@nihatnl747]

Thank you, nice video!

[@ChadBarry]

You’re welcome

[@hilarybenjamin4758]

Chad hi! great video! I have a Canon M50 and am just starting to want to take control of focus instead of the camera. I tried manual focus but that's too slow. I think this video is not for beginners but I'll ask anyway - when you set the focus button to be used with your thumb - were you assigning that function to the * button? Does that mean that the * button's exclusive function becomes focus? thanks!

[@coulteradams]

Loved the video / very helpful.

[@ChadBarry]

Great! 😃

[@coulteradams]

could use some help w/ micro focus adjustment w/ my canon 50mm 1.4

[@michaelcarlucci6345]

Greetings chad do you recommend I use BBF for boxing?

[@ChadBarry]

Absolutely! Great for any action sports.

[@philbrown8181]

A helpful video - thanks for taking the time to make and post. Sorry to hear about the lack of support from Chewy - time to trade her for a dog? ;-)

[@ChadBarry]

LOL

[@skyaqua776]

Thanks

[@synt3k030]

Hi chad! So for urban photo, which function you recommend? Because you know in the city you shoot an object in movement or static, so how you explain it’s difficult to get in to the menu and being changing every time the function! Greetings from Mexico and thanks!

[@ChadBarry]

I use it exactly the same in city as I do in the wild. Example: car coming down the road toward me - press and hold the button to keep the car in focus and it moves; if I see a cool doorway and water to compose it with rule of thirds on the left - press to focus, release to lock focus and the recompose and shoot.

[@synt3k030]

Chad Barry ok i understand the way. So to do it, you choose AI servo, one shot or AI focus? And high speed that you use it?

[@ChadBarry]

Not for back button focus. It is set to always be SERVO. The thumb on the back button chooses if it is continuous or one shot. You can chose single or high speed drive move.

[@natashaholmes7735]

so how often you need to press that button? every time for a new subject? and only press on but don't need off?

[@ChadBarry]

Any time you want to activate the focus system. New subject, subject moves closer or further away, etc…. Press to focus, release to stop focussing (focus lock)

[@natashaholmes7735]

@@ChadBarry so press and don't let go while shooting? 2 fingers pressing at the same time?

[@ChadBarry]

Yep. Thumb to focus. Index finger to shoot at critical moment.

[@timekeeper8518]

Hi chad, i have a question please answer this, as you told when the bride is coming towards you you press the back button focus and clicks the shutter button, but when she is coming ahead do you press the back button again or just keep pressing it from the first time.

[@ChadBarry]

I keep pressing the whole time. That will engage the continuous autofocus so you can get shot after shot, nice and sharp.

[@timekeeper8518]

@@ChadBarry thank you so much

[@stway211]

Thank you very much ❤ im going to practice now

[@ChadBarry]

Get to it! 😃

[@ameleh61]

The fully automatic mode [A] retains the expected behavior, so you can quickly switch to that for people if you don't want to explain anything.

[@ChadBarry]

Correct. You can use Auto if you need to hand your camera off to someone to take a photo of you on vacation.

[@siguradam]

This might be a dumb question, but when you're in AF Servo and using back button focusing, do you have to keep re-focusing with your thumb and re-framing the shot as the subject moves? I've changed my settings like you said and have been practicing, but it seems like it doesn't work like traditional AF Servo in the sense that your subject gets out of focus as it moves. Is that right?

[@ChadBarry]

Not a dumb questions at all. AF will keep focusing while the button is pressed but it is going to focus where your AF point is selected. So if you are using the centre AF point and then release the button and recompose for rule of thirds the point will move off your subject and when you press the button again it will focus on something other than your subject. To keep that composition, select a focus point (or area) that matches your composition. I hope that helps!

[@ChadBarry]

Also, feel free to join my free learning group on Facebook: Chad Barry Workshops & Photography Education.

[@markrotondella4689]

thanks

[@BubblesPothowari]

9:45 "Bride coming towards me, I press half way ...." Do we press Front Half way to shoot images ? I understand we press & leave BBF, or keep BBF pressed in AI Servo for continuous focus & shoot from front but not half way !!.....Regards

[@ChadBarry]

My bad. Skip of the tongue. Correct. You press the back button and hold. Press the shutter release to take the photo.

[@mIPhoneShere]

Why when I hold the AF-ON button does my camera switch back to Single Shot? I have a Canon 5D Mark IV. I made sure my Shutter button is on Metering Start, AF-ON is on Metering and AF start. My camera begins on AI Servo, but as soon as I press the AF-ON button I see it both 1) focus and 2) turn to One-Shot mode

[@ChadBarry]

Austin Burke No. if you’ve set it up this way it is technically in AI-Servo all the time. However, if you press the assigned button, get focus, and release the button you are treating it like One Shot. The focus will stay locked.

[@mIPhoneShere]

Chad Barry no, sorry what I described is actually happening to me. I put my camera in AI Servo, applied your settings, and every time I hold AF-ON I see through my viewfinder that my camera is switching to One-Shot and when I release the AF-ON button it switches back to AI Servo

[@ChadBarry]

Hmmm... something is missing there. When I get a chance over the weekend I’ll see if I can duplicate what you are seeing. The only thing that comes to mind is maybe you have the AF settings to AI Focus, but if you have it set to AI Servo I need to do some investigating.

[@mIPhoneShere]

Chad Barry thanks. Yeah I’m not entirely sure what the issue is. I usually toggle between AI Servo and Single Shot with the button right beside the Lens and it works fine. In the meantime I’m probably going to set my buttons back to default and reattempt the steps you laid out.

[@universaInformation]

How am I going to use joystick to select focus points if my thumb busy holding back button?

[@ChadBarry]

You don’t focus and select points at the same time. So the thumb simply slides over, selects the new points and goes back to the focus button.

[@behramcooper3691]

Nice video. Well explained. But you lost me at the bride coming towards you bit. Do I keep the back button pressed continuously, or do I press it at the time of the shot? Do I use the AI Servo at all? A little clarification in that area will be helpful. Thanks in advance.

[@KBizzy]

Behram Cooper according to him, AI servo is ALWAYS on. If you want to follow the subject you hold down the AF button.

[@ChadBarry]

K Bizzy is correct. If you have the AF system set to AI Servo then all you have to do is hold the AF-ON button and it will continue to focus as she moves towards you.

[@greatday2224]

Thanks man.

[@betterthanamasterofone]

Is there any advantage to using one-shot? It seems like AI Servo has you covered in any situation.

[@ChadBarry]

Generally One Shot is used for either getting focus and decomposing, or when you have time to slow down and select the right focus points. For example, if I’m doing a portrait and it’s more static, less run and fun, I have time to select the focus points within the composition. I then press the AF-ON to focus and release is. Virtually, I’m using the One Shot method without changing to one shot.

[@forsterl.stewart414]

I prefer using shutter button for both and set a.f. on button to stop auto focus. That way I can be in ai servo then if a subject stops or I want to change composition then I simply press the back a.f.on button to temporarily stop auto focus shoot my photo, then when the subject moves my forefinger on the shutter will be ready to resume focus tracking by releasing the rear back button. I prefer this method over back button focusing as using the front and back buttons in combination is a hassle. Especially with birds in flight. The only time I use back button a.f. is with the 1dx or the 5dmiv dual back button a.f. and dual a.f. selection area. That way I can set up my camera for different focus point selections , change shooting modes and much more.

[@anthonybenavides720]

I switched to using BBF after stumbling across your video and I like it but I still don’t understand the benefits or why using it is preferred. I guess I’m dumb.

[@ChadBarry]

Oh, you’re not dumb Anthony. The benefit is basically being able to effectively switch between One Shot and AI Servo instantly. You can switch without ever stopping looking through the viewfinder at your subject. It’s not for everyone and sometimes takes a week or two of shooting to to get the hang of.

[@irenedkastrounis]

Anthony Benavides I am dumb too.

[@lauraroux9768]

Hi -if your camera is set up like this for back button focus and you then use a remote trigger say for landscape photos ,will it still focus even though it's set up for back button focus ?

[@ChadBarry]

Hi Laura. That’s a good question and I not 100% sure. I don’t think it would autofocus and I definitely wouldn’t want it to. For landscapes I use manual focus to ensure the focus is exactly where I want it. I think use a cable release or intervalometer to activate the shutter.