Rethinking BBF for wildlife photography

[@surendranadig6394]

Good & informative👍. Thanks.

[@EmilieT]

Thanks for watching!

[@charliedennis3754]

Happy 2025 New Year. I have learned quite a bit a few things from your videos. You definitely know how to teach. Wishing you the best for 2025.

[@EmilieT]

@@charliedennis3754 Thank you so much Charlie! Happy New Year to you too and best wishes for 2025.

[@Hvitkinn]

For changing the aperture you do not need to get in to the super control panel. You can adjust it on the lowest multifunctional button for eksemple and then move the arrows to the left or right if you want to increase or decrease your aperture number

[@TobyDo-d1j]

Vielen Dank für die vielen guten Videos. Auch wenn mein Englisch nicht so gut ist habe ich viel dadurch gelernt. Auch Englisch wird immer besser, da ich die Videos immer im Originalton leufen lasse. Ein gutes 2025 und liebe Grüße aus Deutschland.

[@EmilieT]

Vielen Dank! I wish you a happy 2025 :)

[@DavidL5star]

An interesting viewpoint. I have been shooting BBF since my days using Nikon and my thumb is so used to finding the button. I might give it a try though as per your “discovery” useful video.

[@EmilieT]

Thank you. I am the same and used BBF from the start but wanted to try to see if I could be more efficient without BBF and if my camera would do a great job, and I am quite impressed so far!

[@cjk1943]

❤love the video happy new year

[@EmilieT]

Thank you Calvin! Happy new year to you too!

[@joetag5429]

I use front button focus on my OM-1 MII. As a left eye dominant photographer, there is no room to use a back button comfortably so I use my middle finger on the ‘white balance’ button on the front of the camera to focus. This way of gripping the camera is very effective and comfortable.

[@EmilieT]

I like your creative solution for a left eye dominant photographer!

[@glyndavies6592]

Hi Emile, i saw that you have '"something" attached to the bottom of the lens support. I would like to get one because the bottom of the support is hard and uncomfortable. Would you please tell me what is is and where you found it?

[@EmilieT]

Ah yes my lens rest. I love it! It made by my friend in the UK. I made a video about it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJW8c5-Mf5aAn6M

[@glyndavies6592]

@@EmilieT Thank you

[@Jessehermansonphotography]

Smart actually. I never change my aperture so why even have it as a mail dial option.

[@EmilieT]

That was my thought :)

[@treebeard909]

Hi Emily. Happy New Year! I just watched this video and then I watched the old video from a couple years ago I think. That was the one where I decided I would try back button focus because that's what I used on my Nikon . So now it looks like you're suggesting we start focussing and shooting using the half press on the shutter button. I must say this makes sense to me because as I get older, my thumbs are more arthritic and my fingers on the shutter button anyway. But I'm just wondering about the whole reason that back button focus was so good, being the composition. Focus and recompose.Where you could focus and then take your finger off the button and reposition the camera so the bird was off to the left or the right instead of in the middle. So how do you do this using the shutter button instead of the back button focus button. As always, I really enjoy your videos but now I'm just a little bit confused. Your friend from Canada, Scott.

[@EmilieT]

Thank you for your message Scoot and great question! With AI detection now on my cameras, it doesn't matter where my subject is as I use a large focus area so no need to refocus and if the camera can't pick up, I switch to manual focus so now I don't see as much of a point for the BBF. I hope this makes sense. I am always evolving with my photography and trying new/old things. Sometimes they stick sometimes they don't. Right now I am happy with that set up.

[@richardfoo1770]

Hi Emilie you use front dial for iso back dial for shutter speed, can i know which shutter mode or manual mode how you control aperture and exposure compensation?

[@EmilieT]

Hi Richard. Great question. I shoot in M mode and because I don't use auto ISO I don't use exposure compensation.

[@richardfoo1770]

@ how you control you aperture?

[@richardfoo1770]

@ thanks

[@EmilieT]

@@richardfoo1770 press the ok button and use the front dial to change aperture

[@richardfoo1770]

@@EmilieT thank you very much Emilie

[@edwardrussell5413]

I have not used BBF since my EM1X, I use the OM1,2 AF on/off button to disable subject detect ( detect is off while you hold button in) - handy in twigs, trees, bad light etc.

[@EmilieT]

Hi Edward! Yes exactly, I am going to talk about this in my next video. Switching to manual in such cases works best.

[@edwardrussell5413]

@@EmilieT I also have Manual available - just twist the focus ring while half press shutter :-) , modern cameras have come so far some old stuff is not always best IMO:-)

[@EmilieT]

@@edwardrussell5413 Totally!

[@garethroberts1389]

I used to use the back button focus for everything, but for the last couple of years, I've stopped using it for wildlife and motorsports action shots. I do use the back button for everything else.

[@EmilieT]

Yes, I agree. It is useful for landscape and even macro as a way to get out of manual focusing.

[@cristianogiani702]

...me too, same thing...👌👌

[@bobf711]

A very timely video Emilie as I was just thinking about trying without BBF having read that Andy Rouse has never used it in his 25 years as a pro. What is your AF/on button programmed for now?

[@EmilieT]

Great it is helpful. Let me know how you like it. MY AF-ON for wildlife is now program as subject selection

[@richardfoo1770]

Hi Emilie May I know what is the item that is use to support the lens?

[@EmilieT]

Yes, it is a lens rest made by my friend in the UK. I made a video about it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJW8c5-Mf5aAn6M

[@richardfoo1770]

Thanks

[@EmilieT]

@@richardfoo1770 You are welcome!

[@jonathanashton4758]

I have used BBF and FBF and swapped from one to the other several times over a period of 20yr plus. I can make either my favourite, I am currently BBF (about last 3 years) because this offers a very important opprtunity, i.e. manual focus. I can tweak focus in awkward situations and use focus peaking to confirm focus then just fire the shutter without the camera trying to refocus. I think this is albeit an infrequently used feature but it really can be a very useful scenario. What are your thoughts?

[@EmilieT]

Excellent point. I now have the FN function programmed to M. That way, I can manually focus when needed. On the 150-400, the FN function can be accessed by pressing any of the black front buttons on the M.Zuiko 150-400. I made a video on how to program those buttons if you are interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5CUkq2nh5J0d6s

[@systemanaturae105]

Wishing you a happy and peaceful New Year Emilie. All depends on the situation and often fast changing circumstances as to whether I would shoot using BBF or with a half press on the shutter button. Overall the BBF is more suitable for me with AF-C + MF. Once I go to MF and plus body movement the BBF is redundant and I do not want an AF to occur when pressing the shutter button as the image may go out of focus under certain conditions especially if I am not on spot focus. Just because there is BBF does not mean you have to use it. And with video this is another ball game. All good fun 📷🎥❤️😊

[@EmilieT]

Happy new year to you too my friend! I totally agree. Just because you have something doesn't mean you have to use it all the time.

[@John-rz4cu]

Set up auto iso. One let thing to think about.

[@EmilieT]

Yes. I am still on the fence with auto ISO. I do like to manually control it. But who knows 2025 might be the year I switch to auto ISO!

[@jss455]

Interesting change up of the BBF! I will think about changing out my workflow on my R7. Wait! You’re in Florida, right? Looks like you’re dressed for Lincoln! 🥶

[@EmilieT]

Ahah yes Florida with a cold front. So cold!

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

hi Emilie Do you still have continuous Af with the front top Af button? Why don't you set the ISO to automatic? then how to stop worrying about that while taking photographs. wishing you a good and happy 2025.

[@EmilieT]

Happy new year to you too! I tried auto ISO, but I do not like it. I prefer to have full control but who knows maybe I should try it again and change this in the future.

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

@ nothing is as changeable as a human being.😂

[@w0lfyovi294]

Have fun. I would like to mention that I am not a big fan of the shutter sound you use when presenting the images, it's too loud and high pitch. Maybe record the E-M1/OM-1 shutter sound and use that instead? (It's a lot softer and dampened)

[@EmilieT]

Noted! It is funny because I shoot in silence mode but for video I feel like adding a shutter sound makes sense. I will see what I can come up with and record my own.

[@w0lfyovi294]

@@EmilieT Understandable, when I shoot fast subjects I use Electronic Shutter for the 20 FPS and 25 FPS. But I do shoot mechanical shutter when it's more of Shutter Therapy sessions or when I don't need the 20 FPS and stick with 10 FPS. I do wish OMDS would bring the slower FPS in the Electronic Shutter so I don't run my shutter mechanism lifespan when I need slower bursts to OM-1 Mark I because it's just a software code via Firmware update.

[@sweden_ove2074]

Finally a bird photographer that stopp using BBF. I ended this fall, and don't regret it. I learned a lot about using ISO and Shutter speed in this video. I will test that. Thanks. OM System cameras are marvelous, all our old beliefs should be reconsidered. Maybe we found better ways again and again.

[@EmilieT]

Glad the video is helpful. I agree with you, as a photographer we need to challenge our old beliefs and try new/old things. It's good to evolve and try new ways of shooting.

[@JimRobertson]

WHen I shot Canon I always used BBF, but since switching to Olympus/OM Systems I never have. Your button assignments make sense when shooting manual. Two off topic comments: 1.Best photo spots for me in Florida are: Circle Bar B Reserve (Lakeland), Wakodahatchee Wetlands (Delray Beach), Orlando Wetlands (Christmas Florida) 2. I notice you have changed your lapel microphone. What one are you using now and why did you switch> I have been looking at the one you used to use. Thanks Keep up the good work and have fun.

[@EmilieT]

Thank you for your comment and for sharing your favorite places in Florida. I will have to check them out next time. For the mic, I use the stream case from 3 Legged Thing. Super small and compact. I featured them in my video from last Sunday too if you want more info: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2W0dGaQgL6eqMk

[@markattardo]

I never fully embraced BBF or manual mode for wildlife. I shoot auto ISO in shutter priority. The front dial controls shutter speed and the back dial adjusts exposure compensation.

[@EmilieT]

Thank you for sharing. That is another great setting.

[@Bigfarmer8]

I have never used back button focus and you just told me I was right all the time. Thank you for that. A huge boost in my confidence! 😁

[@EmilieT]

Ahaha :) Glad I could help you boost your confidence :)

[@louisswaim7024]

I’ve never seen the value of using BBF. I can acquire focus and release the shutter with one finger, so why add a step? One of my favorite challenges is capturing shots of tiny birds through thick foliage, so I like to be able to change the focal point position with my thumb on the joystick on my E-M 1 mk iii in the moment as I’m shooting.

[@EmilieT]

Yes, I totally agree!

[@kristianvrum8979]

The reason is called "continous autofocus"

[@dennismwallentin296]

Thanks for challenging the "de facto standard". Given the rapid technology and ergonomic development the old truths may hold or not hold 🙂

[@EmilieT]

Very true!

[@ThePNWRiderWA]

I quit using it a couple years ago. I shoot with ISO to auto and control aperture and shutter manually. Starting with the 1x the focus was on more than not. Using my thump for BBF took away a finger I needed more for something else. My hit rate is now better too. I just seemed like I was doing the same thing as back with a DSLR. The bodies with subject tracking are so much better. So goodby BBF

[@EmilieT]

I totally agree about improve hit rate thanks to one more available finger to use!

[@jpsteiner2]

I tried BBF. Hated it. Returned to shutter half-press. Never looked back. I do use AEL lock with spot metering, but no BBF.