How To Autofocus Quickly In Low Light

How to autofocus quickly in low light is something I wish I knew a long time ago. I love this technique, obviously there are more that work and this isnt the only way - this is just my faovirte

[CharlesGreenPhoto]

Ahh the wonders of back button focusing. I only found out how to do this myself a couple of months back and it's helped a lot when shooting concerts. Especially here in the UK where the lighting in most venues might as well be a candle in a jam jar.

[MariusViken]

You could also set your focus to one-shot and then program the DOF button next to your lens to switch from one-shot focus to servo focus, so that you use your ring finger to hold and activate servo and only use servo when you need. Obviously for concerts servo is king.

[bamaboy]

Agreed - definitely four steps above front focus. This is the same method I've used for years in sports shooting, so it just naturally flowed to shooting concerts. 

[EdgarGz]

It's called "BACK FOCUSING"
You are awesome by the way!

[Schaaf]

took me 11 years (hobby tho) until I heard about this neat little trick for the first time. :) Makes shooting a whole lot more comfortable for sure

[JacobShepherd]

Been doing this ever since I started....can't imagine doing it any other way. It really surprises me how many people don't know about back button focus. 

[raquelhamner]

OMG THANK YOU! I would do the same thing, with the auto-focus on auto-focus off. You've made my life 8 times easier thank you do your wisdom, may God bless you

[jackholland-bartlett]

Wowww, helped so much man. Literally been focusing with half pressing the shutter in single focus mode for years haha. Thank you so much for sharing!

[MasterPpv]

Adam Elmakias Whoa dude, I had no idea you didn't know about this until recently! This is actually how I've been focusing for a few years now and you're absolutely right, I can't imagine doing it any other way anymore. It's just so perfect, especially for live shows.  Had I known that you didn't know about this, I'd have definitely showed you how when I ran into you at Warped this year in Chicago. Anyway though, glad you got wind of it and I hope it helps you as you move forward. If your shots have been this good for all these years even before you knew about this, I can't wait to see how much better they get now that you have this technique making your life that much easier. Best of luck man; hope to see you in the pit someday soon =)

[MrChristopherwren]

I wish I would have this video a year ago when I have started to use the back focusing. Every time I pressed the button, I hold the button while clicking on the shutter. I have got the blurry photos with some usable ones. As soon I watch you video and trying on, the photos are now in focus most of the time. Thank you !!

[kayleesmoketv]

Ahh! I've been shooting for about six years now and JUST learned the thumb focus last September. I can't believe I managed for so long without it hahaha.

[ThePrincessPaperbag]

That is great information! Now your photography can be even better !

[liamdavidson]

I knew this before Adam I almost feel superior

[jkerman]

...why not just hold the button down halfway?

[xdannerz]

This an awesome tip! You're such an inspiration! Thanks so much!

[camiwithac]

This is called back button focus. I have a hard time using it since I wear glasses and they get in the way. Great tip though.

[alex]

Good tip. I discovered back button focusing when i bought a used lens which was stuck on AF. I wanted to do astrophoto on a tripod and it would just hunt for focus and fail so i googled for a solution and found this. Never switched it back to shutter button focus. All the serious sports photographers use it also. Btw you can use this on cheaper canon/nikon cameras even if they dont have an af-on button, just google it or "RTFM".

[MatthiasHombauer]

Great tip Adam! AF-ON is probably the most important button near your thumb (this button will not be available for most crop sensor cameras). I am using this focus technique together with the middle auto focus point and recompose my shots. You just have to take care when shooting wide open since the focus plane can move when recomposing.However I have the feeling that the middle autofocus point is the most accurate one, so therefore I stick to it. Adam, are you using the outer focus points too?

[obviouslyyhannah]

I'm doing a project on long exposure and light drawing which needs to be done in low light. I've found it quite difficult to focus on the light streaks. Idk if this will help but I'll do a but more research into it. Thanks for the heads up

[Nasky]

Now i have some guidelines to follow. instant idol hahahaha. was lost the first time i shoot cause the lights were crazyyy~ more vids, maybe on your setting?
Thanks alot man~ appreciate it much.