In the simplest terms Back Button Focus is using one of your buttons on the back of your camera to focus. Once you turn ON a back button for focusing you turn OFF the shutter button for focusing. Now the back button focuses and the shutter button simply takes the picture. You aren’t refocusing when you try to take the picture resulting in more missed focused and confusion.
My focus area stays in the middle of my camera. I click the back button to focus on someone or something in that middle area. When I release my finger from the back button and I can move, but the focus does not. I can easily focus, recompose my composition and click my shutter to take the shot.
WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT?
1. Its faster.
Instead of trying to focus and shoot with ONE button, you have two buttons that you can use simultaneously. This means you can focus AND shoot within seconds. The ability to catch moments as they are happening is so much easier and way more accurate!
2. It stays in focus.
If you’re standing 3-4 feet away from your subjects and you hit your back button to focus, your focus will stay there until you press the back button again. If you’re taking pictures of a family that stays in the same spot for 30 minutes, you don’t have to worry about focusing and recomposing between every shot. Instead of wasting time between frames to focus, you are ready to keep shooting away and getting all those smiles. This is especially beneficial when your focus is NOT in the middle.
2. It stays in focus even when you move.
Hold your thumb on that back button (and make sure AI-servo or Continuous focusing is turned on). Your camera will stay focused on your subject EVEN when they are running straight at you. WHAT?! How can this magic be real? Trust me, it totally is!
How?
So I guess the next question is: How?! How do you make your shutter button stop focusing and assign a back button to replace it? EVERY camera is different, BUT don’t be too worried because I have successfully changed a Nikon, various Canons AND a Sony into a back button focus shooting machine. Most likely your camera will be able to handle this amazing new function! I’ll show you how to move your camera to BBF in two EASY ways.
- Find the Name of Your Camera
- Type “Name of Camera” and “Back Button Focus” into YouTube or Google ;)
You’ll Never Look Back
Back button focusing does take a little practice, but once you get the hang of BBF you’ll wonder where it’s been all your life and why anyone would focus any other way. Its a game changer! You will love it. Don’t be scared!!!
Kylee Ann Maughan is a family and international brand photographer based in small-town Northern Utah. She has been a business owner for 13.5 years, and also runs a successful and award-winning associate team. Kylee hosts semi-annual retreats, speaks at conferences and teaches online courses about running a small business and marketing. Her niche in coaching is helping moms turn their passion into profit, while being the mom they dream of.
March 2, 2017
Kylee Maughan
