What is Back Button Focus?

In this video I will explain how to activate and use the AF-On button for back button focus on your Nikon Z camera. I will also go over why you may want to use it and a few scenarios where it could be useful. This method also applies to most Nikon DLSR cameras as well.
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[@TracySchofield-dr2sl]

Great demonstration!! Thank you so much. It brought me a lot of clarity!

[@johndeangelo4465]

I just purchased the Z6II (a few days ago) and have read about the back focus button but never knew how this actually worked. Thank you for explaining it. I will have to give it a try.

[@ShutterSpeak]

Glad I could help!

[@ericlahra8373]

As always you have been able to explain a complicated issue to a inexperienced Nikon Z 6 ll user in simple words. Well done Joseph keep up with the good work.

[@ShutterSpeak]

Thank you - I hope it helps you. Thanks for watching and commenting :-)

[@patg2055]

Excellent tutorial! Appreciated the different scenarios of how it can be used.

[@klyiu2006]

Thanks for the detailed explanation on back focus and what to do with it. Very helpful and will give it a try. Subscribed as well.

[@tcchen6885]

Thank you for your clear illustration.

[@agrinbrg]

Thank you for very useful tip as well as nice explanation !

[@ShutterSpeak]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@ChrisLedgerUK]

An excellent way to explain the pros + cons of back button focussing. Thx

[@stephanweiskorn6760]

Excellent video 😊!

[@scopher911]

Jo, this is the best KZbin video I've seen on back button focus. There are a few other videos out there but they are not as complete or as clear as yours. Well done and thank you.

[@ShutterSpeak]

Thank you :-)

[@stefanpetersen9249]

such a great tip , thank you ... Greetings from Thailand .

[@ShutterSpeak]

Greetings!

[@NikCan66]

Excellent tutorial and demystifying for many people

[@ShutterSpeak]

Many thanks! Hope it helps out.

[@NikCan66]

@@ShutterSpeak Great for newbies especially in action sports wildlife areas

[@Costibuzdugan]

Best like always

[@brentkingstonphotography4615]

Most informative 😎

[@linus2771]

thanks so much!

[@samgabor100]

All media talking so so high about back button and I am confused and afraid of it …is it that really great … I appreciate and value your verdict and advice Merry Christmas

[@reneeeasterling9932]

Thanks so much.

[@ShutterSpeak]

You're welcome!

[@rae-annlajeunesse8719]

Great, easy to understand tutorial. You mentioned that when using back focus, if you zoom or turn the camera off, the focus will be undone and you will need to refocus. I’m not sure if you mentioned it, but if you want to slightly move your focus point, is it correct then that you just do that and hit back focus again to lock into the new focal point?

[@kennyiklei]

Thank you very much. Your explanation and examples were clear, informative, and very helpful. After we set up the BBF on my Nikon, there is a button on priority of autofocus to choose between the ‘shutter release regardless if it is Ib focus’ (a symbol like a pill/lens) and ‘must be in focus before shutter release ‘ (a symbol of multiple focus points)? Which one should I select? Also, Should I use AF-S or AF-C? Any advice? Thank you.

[@michaelmalodrums9674]

Great explanation Joe ! At the beginning you mentioned something about I.b.I.s not being active in back focus ? Or did I misunderstand:-). I’d like to keep ibis functional . Unless you meant the lens VR doesn’t work in that mode. I tried it on my z6ii with the z lens and in camera stabilization still works with back button focus 👍🏻

[@ShutterSpeak]

IBIS will still activate when you press the shutter release button.

[@leighshasinnesael1672]

Your video’s are excellent. Your speech speed, and demonstrations are well timed. Most video’s the demonstrator speaks too fast, and they go through the set up too fast. I have the z7ii, and one day I lost my square that moves across my screen. I use the back focus button it locks on my detail in the landscape, turns green, and all is was well. Now, I can’t get that back. What setting do I need to get that back? Why did I lose it? I am also using the z100-400mm lens. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

[@beysan_tasci]

Hello Joseph from İstanbul, thanks for the video, you are talking about focusing to infinity somewhere in the video, what is this to focus on infinity and how is it done. This questions for my z6_2 and 24-70 f:4..

[@marclabro]

nice tuto; i have set my z6ii to af-on only in a6 and AF-C so i can do af-s (one click) and af-c (continuous pressing). I was happy to see you needed to go in a submenu and activate enable because i had some doubt and on main menu it remains indicated "off". But how do you configure a1 and a2 af-s and af-c focus or release. i don't understand these menus or perhaps disabled when af-on is chosen ? or is it the "trap" you mention ?

[@love2cycle2]

Hi Joe, Could I half press the shutter button to find focus (wedding couple at alter or batter at home plate or goalie) and then switch AF off so I could shoot at will without the camera having to acquire focus each time you shoot? Just wondering.

[@rajenderpinglereddy2931]

Please demonstrate how to set up dual Back Button Focus on the Z 6 ..if this feature is possible

[@philsmeanderings7991]

Had a lot of trouble with a Z24-120 f/4.0 S lens using full time auto focus on both my Z9 and Z7II with what must of been focus hunting making for blurry / blown out video. A few weeks ago tried using back button only and all of a sudden imagery is getting closer to what I would expect for an S line lens. Sort of acquire imagery release , reapply when moving then release when new imagery acquired. Still working on my skill as in reality I am very much a nube but would recommend trying this especially for wide angle lens and video. Typically pine tree needles etc.

[@daab]

i imagine this technique would work better with higher f-stop/smaller aperture to give larger depth of field to accommodate small camera and subject movements during the bursts

[@Mr09260]

I use the traditional area ..Been doing it forever >> now 70 cant change now >> but its very popular. I shoot Wild Life in Africa but a Buffalo shuffling across in front of me needs 3-5 FPS bursts Normal Focus in MY world

[@ShutterSpeak]

Thank you for watching and for the comment :-)

[@BOUNTYEATER]

Does Nikon Z5 have these same feature? Thank you!

[@thomaswhitmore5095]

Hi, You mentioned that when one uses back button focus the image stabilization was not active. Is this always the case, e.g., if you disable the shutter release button focus, does the back button focus activate the stabilization? Loosing stabilization seems a high cost to create a focus trap.

[@BOUNTYEATER]

Waiting for a response with these too.

[@JBurtonTenor]

Did I understand you correctly that when using BBAF on a Z series camera you disable IBIS? IBIS is only with half-shutter? @ 2:17

[@ShutterSpeak]

IBIS will still activate when you press the shutter release button.

[@meganorsi8591]

I've been having issues with my AF-C and BBF on the Nikon z6ii. When I hold to track a subject, and then hold the shutter for burst shots, my z6ii continues to search for focus, and won't release the shutter. With my D750, I could hold the BBF, and the shutter, and shoot bursts without issue. I'm not sure if it's a setting I have wrong, or what. It's very frustrating! It tends to happen more in low-ish light, but still. I'm not sure what the issue is.

[@BOUNTYEATER]

How did you solve the problem? Any update? Thx!

[@melissafaria5386]

I noticed when I'm watching some of these videos (not necessarily just yours) when the display screen is shown the focus box turns green when the object/subject is in focus. But for some reason that is not happening for me. I'm using auto focus and I select the focus type based on the scenario. Is there something I'm doing wrong? Looking for any extra tips. Thanks!

[@ShutterSpeak]

If you are using AF-C the box will not turn green as focus is continuous. AF-S will turn the box green when the camera reaches focus.

[@melissafaria5386]

@@ShutterSpeak thank you!

[@salehalrashdan]

Any way to keep the half press on the shutter and activate the back button focus ?

[@ShutterSpeak]

You can but it defeats the purpose as when you have press the shutter you will force focus.

[@MrShaun_D1]

so the in camera stabilization does not work in the back focus mode? Is that what you said?

[@ShutterSpeak]

IBIS will not become active using the back button focus button but will activate when you press the shutter release button to take a photo.

[@BOUNTYEATER]

@@ShutterSpeak understood! Thank you! Does nikon z5 have these same features as well? Im a;newbie!

[@ShutterSpeak]

@@BOUNTYEATER It does!

[@BOUNTYEATER]

@@ShutterSpeak thank you so much! Im about to get my first ever camera..nikon z5 + 35mm 1.8S.. Hope this one will last years 🤗🙏

[@westwood2960]

please help explain whether this back button focus has the same function as subject tracking feature?

[@johnyoung1606]

Ok with BBF you push the AF BUTTON let off of the button take the photos,, that plane of focus is still there in focus.... How do you take it off of the chosen plane of focus ??????????? (am I simple minded) ?????????????

[@ShutterSpeak]

AS long as you hold the button the camera will focus. If you take your finger off the button and nothing moves you are still in focus. If something does move you will need to press it again. Make sense?