Back Button Focus: Why and How!

In this video we look at how and why you might want to use a button on the back of your camera to control focus. If you haven't tried back-button focus yet, I highly recommend it! While it's not everyone's cup of tea, it's definitely worth a try.

[leeannmcewen]

what feels like 100 videos later you were the one to answer my question! Using AF-S S, I did not always want my subject in the middle and I could not for the life of me figure it out. Thank you 100x for finally talking about it, even though I feel dumb for how easy my solution is. :)

[MeliaMilhorat]

Great quick tutorial! You guys really deserve to been more known!!

[garretvaughn]

Great, concise tutorial! By the way, my 12-year old Rebel xTi actually has this ability in the custom functions menu. Very handy feature to use with fast moving subjects. (2003 SI alum here, back when Forrest was a youngster.)

[MrsTaylorJordan]

I LOVE back button focus! I never used it before RMSP. I was nervous at first, but it was so worth the relearning! I will never go back!

[carterphotoify]

Forest, you are on top of it. Since SI in 17, I have not looked back, I do Ballroom Dance event Photography and I love back button focus.

[hourphoto]

I am a big fan of back button focusing!!! Great video!!!

[CAPaez]

Great explanation! I got a question: if the camera is turned off, camera still focused to shot at the same distance to a another or same subject?

[suresh]

Great video explaining why one might want to change to back button focus. The caveat though is that the photographer does not move the camera after focus has been captured. Now, how feasible is that when doing hand-held shooting? One always moves a bit. Wouldn't that disturb the initially attained focus? Of course, that is not an issue when shooting from a tripod but I am talking of handheld situations.

[denisward]

I wanted to set the back button you explained about the back button

[oisin_o_boyle]

I keep using the shutter release button to target and focus. However, I do use a back button to lock the focus afterwards, which gives me the same possibility to recompose as much as I want.

[jibester]

I like the video. But when do you push the back button once and let it go and fire a series of shots and when do you hold it down all the time while you are shooting?

[michelledorion]

Hmm i understand but a bit confused as to how to apply this to my canon t8i

[louiec.]

How does back button focus work with moving targets like sports or vehicles where the time between focusing and shutter release is critical?

[SR-sgqk]

There is a way to get bbf on rebel cameras. It's been a while since I have had one but it is possible.

[setiop]

So to my understanding is moving focus using back button will move the lens focus manually wherever I put the focus . What will happen to the last focus point? Will it be out of focus?

[kittyhe]

The metering will change after you recompose your screen, this is not good! Can the metering lock as well when the focus locked by back button focus?

[pbziegler]

Is there a disadvantage to back button focus if you are on a tripod and using a remote shuttter?

[janachampagne]

I am shooting Canon 70d with a 70 -200 lens and Zoom in and out a lot. Will back button focus still work when I am zooming?

[arligz]

how to use it with shootings with children?