BACK BUTTON FOCUS Explained! - Why you will NEVER go back - Bird Photography Secrets Revealed
BACK BUTTON FOCUS - What is it, and why is it so GREAT!?
Back button focus is often the topic for heated debates, a lot of pros use it and most other bird photographers are confused by it. What does Back button focus actually mean and why is it so great to use for bird photography?
In today's bird photography video I will tell you exactly what it is, why it's great, and how you can use it, too!
Are you using it already for your bird photography or have you used it and didn't like it? Let me know in the comments!
I also need YOUR QUESTIONS for one of my next videos. Have you had that burning question you always wanted to ask me? Now is your chance. Type them in the comments and I will select the best ones and answer them all in one of my next videos.
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I've watched countless Back Button Focusing videos before, but they frequently leave out crucial information. This one is by far, the most thorough and clearly explained. What a great job!! Thank you so much! Subscribed!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for explaining the back button focus. I'm about to take 14 students to Namibia (not far from you??) and just bought the RF 100-500 lens to go with the R5 for this trip. I've been playing with the lens and was frustrated with missed shots for exactly the reasons you brought up. It's certainly some relearning, but should solve the problem. Again, thank you. I've learned a lot from your other videos too.
I went back, but mostly because I was using a camera skin and shooting mostly birds in flight. I kept suspecting that the misses were higher with BBF. I guess I might have been taking my thumb off the button momentarily. Now with Sony's tracking AF, I don't need it so much.
Yes, with newer developments in the AF world, things might change again. Would be great to have AF that just knows what we want! It definitely takes getting used and one thing is, as you mention, making sure that your thumb does the focusing
Excellent Jan.. just another great explanation for it. Well done keep the good things!
Thank you! Will do!
I love your videos but this one left me out in the cold. I’m definitely a novice so I need to know exactly what focus you apply to the star. Plus, I’ve been seeing more people talking about two or three back button. Thank you, do much you are teaching me a whole new world.
VERY helpful - thank you Jan!
So glad!
This was a very helpful explainer. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful. Thanks!
Another great video, Jan, and a very clear explanation of where you see the advantages of BBF.
Glad it was helpful! Thank you Craig
Really glad I came across your channel, Jan. A big fan of back button focussing it’s awesome.
Awesome! Thank you!
I use the button the other way around. I own a A7M2 and use the AM/MF button to change to MF temporarily, that way I focus with shutter button but only have to use two buttons when recomposing, thus reducing strain on my fingers. Same functionality but less button use.
Really helpful man! Good job!!
Glad it helped! Thanks!
Thank you master!. It is a very useful recommendation!
Glad you think so!
Fantastic explanation.Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
superbly explained thank you for sharing your wisdom, Jan.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video, very instructive. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I've used BBF combined with shooting in manual for about a year now and can't believe how much better results I've gotten as a result. Like you said, there's a learning curve but once you've got it there's no turning back!
awesome! That's what I do, too
Excellent video mate, well explained and easy to follow. Great stuff.👍
Glad you enjoyed it
Great review. Nobody has spelled this out in such detail that demystifies it . Makes great sense ! Thanks Jan.
awesome :)
Immensely useful video. Many thanks!
Glad to hear that!
Excellent explanation of it. You did a great job!
Thank you kindly!
Hallo Jan! Tolles Video und zudem die beste Erklärung zu diesem Thema die ich bisher gefunden habe. Werde es gleich mal ausprobieren! Vielen Dank
wonderful video. Such a clear explanation
Thank you!
I found this very practical,Thank you so much dear Jan.
You are so welcome!
Great video again Jan. Thank you for the clear explanation, the good examples/advantages and the great pictures you shared in the video. I really like BB focus since it gives me way more control.
Thank you for this video! It was very helpful 😊 I love your photos-- I follow you on IG!
Yay! Thank you!
Good explanation of how to use and why you should use, so many advantages
Best BBAF explanation ever.
Great explanation!!! I finally understand the system!! Thank you!!
Glad it helped!
Fantastic video Jan.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks :)
Excellent video
Thank you very much!
Thank you !
You're welcome!
Grear video very clear. I will try it !
Great! I hope you don't find it too strange to start of with!
Terrific explanation Jan. Will give it a go.
Thanks Keith!
Ein tolles instruktives Video Highlight für jeden ernsten Vogelphotographen . Danke Jan für die wunderschönen Bilder 💙🙋🏼♀️
danke fuer die netten Worte :)
Great video on explaining this technique Jan, I switched over to BBF years again and really love it!
thanks Kathy :) Glad you enjoyed the video.
Thanks! This is the first explanation that has me inspired to train myself to do this with my R5. Excellent video!
Great to hear! You might find my video about settings up the R5 helpful, where I use double BBF
I switched to back button focus for my birding about 2 months ago, and you're totally right. I'm never going back.
Great to hear! It opens up a whole new world
Outstanding explanation of the reasons to use back button focusing. I have not done it before and I take a lot of aviation photos, with a LOW keeper rate. I'll give this a shot. Thanks for this video!
great video, definitely gunna try this out! id love to know how you take such fantastic videos of birds.
thanks mate!
I've been a convert to BB focusing for over 3 years now. I can't believe how I managed without it.
Yes! I feel the same way.
Such an awesome video as always Jan! I’ve used back button focus for years and I absolutely love it. Makes it so much easier for flight shots. 👍
thanks mate! Great to hear that
This sounds great, thanks a lot!
Hmm, I've just set this up and it seems like when I have the shutter pressed halfway it prevents focusing via the back button. (Like you said you do for flight shots) I'm using a Fuji X-T3, maybe this is just a limitation of this camera? Any advice appreciated if you happen to know any Fuji users!
Maybe you need to remove some function from the shutter button. Sounds like it might still be trying to focus
I have been using it for years I just love it Ps very well explained
thanks! :)
I believe I switched to BB autofocus when I watched Morten Hilmer or Nikon Ricci talk about it years ago. I loved your take on BB autofocus and it definitely gave a unique perspective. Nice job.
Thanks!
Excellent, thanks for breaking it down. I have seen other videos saying how useful it was, but it was difficult to make sense of how I could apply it usefully to bird photography. This makes a clear case. I will be giving it a try =)
Glad it was helpful! :) I tried to watch some other videos before I did this and I could hardly understand what they tried to say haha
Thanks....
I'm giving this a shot THANX a million.
This video was very helpful I am going to give it a try.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks :)
Nice video Jan!
Thank you very much!
Excellent explanation of back button focus, thank you. I will be trying straight away.
Great!
Great video.
Glad you enjoyed it
Hi Jan, Hair pulling frustration is how I would describe trying to shoot birds without using bb focus. As you know birds rarely sit still, even when they're stationary they're moving their head or tail! Back button focus was a eureka moment for me and I use it all the time now, even when I'm shooting indoors or doing landscapes. Anyway Jan, new sub here, keep up the good work. All the very best, Brian.
Thanks Brian! Yes, I never change it on my camera and use it for everything now. It just makes too much sense. As you say, birds never really sit still, so using one shot is quite hard and it's easy to get soft images
Your passion and expertise are outstanding
thank you :)
After several years of doubt I shifted to BB focus two years ago. After a very short adjustment period I can't imagine ever going back. So much better!!
Great to hear Mark! The beginning is a bit confusing, but then it's just great
I just set this up and already am very impressed. Seems to be more accurate and faster. Thanks!
Glad you like it and great to hear it helps already!
Thank you very much, I'm a newbie and this is what I started to do now.
Glad it was helpful!
Great explanation. I have been trying back button AF for about a month. But thanks to your video. I understand now. You broke it down to where the beginning amateur can understand. Thanks.
Glad it helped!
Like the previous post, I have watched more KZhead photography videos than I can ever count. Your tutorials are well presented and extremely helpful. I will be giving this back button focus a try first thing in the morning and I am confident it will resolve some of the focusing challenges I have experienced in servo mode. Thanks so very much and keep up the excellent work!
Awesome, thank you!
Really nice video. Having used back button focus for a number of years I didn't realise how much you can do with it. Thanks for the tips.
Thanks Kevin, glad you enjoyed it.
I never liked usual BBF but instead I use inverted BBF which is basicly taking photos the normal way, and when bird lands and does not move I press AF ON button to turn off my AF completely. This allows me to take the best out of both worlds. Also it makes my thumb free to move AF point when some mammal is moving slowly, I can move my joystick around and when it stops, and f.e. looks in the other direction I just press AF ON to stop my camera from focusing. But I guess it is just personal preferance ;) Great video Jan, love it.
interesting way to set it up. Thanks for the insight. As you say in the end it's important to do what's best for you. Thanks :)
Good video; you did a better job explaining the advantages in simple understandable terms vs some other videos on the topic I have seen
Thank you, I try to keep it as simple as possible
I have watched a few videos and gone "huh?" You made this clear, thanks so much!
Great to hear!
Thanks Jan for explaining BBF so well, I love your videos. I have been wanting to try it for a long time but videos I watched seemed confusing and I was also very nervous of trying it. After watching your video I am going to give it at try, firstly by practicing in the garden as in isolation. Hopefully I will have the hang of it by the time I go out birding again. Can you zoom in and out while focusing? Looking forward to more of your videos. Thank you for all the time and effort you put in.
I am glad I managed to explain it in a way that's easier to understand. You should be able to focus while zooming, but I would probably just wait until you have gotten to the right zoom length and then focus. Might be easier. But either way should work. Good luck and don't give up if it's a bit strange at the start
Hi Jan. I am really glad I have found your channel. It has provided lots of great ideas for my own photography. I use back button focus all of the time. As you say - I couldn't go back to using the shutter button to focus.
Hi mate, thanks for your comment and I am glad to hear you are enjoying my content
Very useful video Jan.. i believe most of the people will actually understand the importance of Back button focus.. beautiful content..
thanks! Glad you liked it. I am trying to make my videos visually more appealing :)
@@jan_wegener appreciate your great work and informative content Jan. I am a huge fan of your bird images, especially on Insta..
@@praharshamajeti1247 thanks, much appreciated :)
Very interesting. I will try this technique on my next trip.
It's difficult at first but then it's much better imo
Hello Jan, I’m relatively new to photography so still learning so much… I’ve been hearing about ‘back button focussing’ a lot and so started my journey down the ‘KZhead’ rabbit hole, in search of informative videos about the subject. Well, after a whole lot of confusion, I came across this one.. thank you! Clear, practical and …the birds..wow! Thanks again. *(and yes,, I have definitely started using it..😊)
Glad it was helpful! :)
Great video once again. I did give BBF a go a while ago but drifted back to the shutter button as my arthritis made it difficult to press the AF on button but will now try again with the * button as BBF has so much more going for it than I realised
Thanks for sharing, BBF certainly has a bunch of advantages
Haven’t tried it yet but will do so tomorrow first thing. Thanks once again for a great and enjoyable video helping us become better photographers.
Good luck! Thanks for your comment
Very informative vid Jan well explained..been using BBF for around 12 years seems so natural. Ted Nottingham England.
Glad you enjoyed it Ted. It has been a great helper for me over the years, too and I agree that it feels almost more natural now
Switched to BBF about a year ago. Thank you for this very educational video, which shows I still have much to learn and practice about this technique.
That's great to hear. Glad I could give you some more insights
On Sony mirrorless cameras you can switch to Direct Manual Focus where you can fine tune the focus manually by push of a custom button and then switch back to continuous focus instantly if you desired. Never needed back button focus.
I have only recently switched to back button focus and still getting used to it. Your video is the best Ive seen to date in explaining the benefits. Thank you Jan
Glad to hear that, I was surprised how tricky it actually was to explain a fairly simple concept. Starting to use BBF and then sticking with it until it feels natural is the hardestb part.
I’ve recently started doing more serious wildlife photography (well, before COVID-19 anyway) and read about back button focus and switched to it. There’s still some “muscle memory” that has to happen, but you’re points are spot on. I heard about these points somewhere else and that convinced me and I’ll never go back. Thanks for a great video.
Hi Steve, yes, it certainly takes getting used to, but then it's great :)
Okay... I decided to give this a go, and I'm glad I did. It took a little getting used to at first, but I finally feel comfortable with it now. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us! I have learned something from every single video of yours that I have watched.
That's great to hear, thank you :)
The best explanation of back button focus I have seen. Makes a lot of sense for birds. I will give it a try. Many thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Funny story. After watching your video, which made heaps of sense, I set up BBF on my Olympus camera with a travel lens, then put it away for a couple of days. Got out my birding lens and went out to take a few shots of a New Holland Honeyeaters that are nesting in the garden. Damn lens wont focus, check manual focus clutch. Turn camera off and on again, still wont focus. Uncouple lens and connect, still wont focus. The light finally dawns … BBF set up for my custom modes. Ha Ha. The positive story is I have been out shooting birds and keeper rate is definitely gone up. MANY THANKS !!
@@ralphstadus3944 haha, yes that can happen at the start! :)
I inadvertently discovered this while at my local zoo this weekend. Got some great shots as a result. I had been using this focus setup for landscape shots to keep the shutter button from changing my focus point.
Great to hear!
Great video Jan and you brought up some great points. I have tried it but still not converted as yet, will have to try again...............
Go for it! The beginning is hard. It's not for everyone, but give it a try until it feels kinda natural
Would love to see a Sony A1 setup video on the back button as well as the other settings you use for birds in flight and wildlife in general
Totally agree especially if you want to shoot flying shots, it certainly takes a couple of weeks to get over a life time of half pressing the shutter button. But once you get the hang of it even landscapes now I take using the back button. Great demo. I think you nailed it
Thanks a lot! It took me a few takes to explain it properly. It's kinda a simple concept, but so against everything we know about cameras and that makes it so confusing for people. Yep, in the beginning you feel so helpless, but then you quickly see the benefits! Appreciate your comment
Great Tutorial. I have practiced it and got great results .
Great to hear! :)
Best thing I’ve done.
same :D
I’ve stop taking photos for a period of time. And now you make me really want to go back to my hobby again after watching your video.🤔😉🙏🏻
You should!
Wow!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Finally I found someone (you) who properly explained back button focus. Everyone else said you have to use BBF, but always they made it seem so complex, that only an expert photographer could even think of doing it. I just followed your steps and now I am set to go. And I did have a huge problem of losing focus because of having the front button doing two things at once. You are like a magician explaining his secrets, I hope the other pro photographers don't get mad at you!!!
Happy to help!
From day 1 I used back button focus and never looked back! Love your style! Subscribed Jan :-)
Awesome! Thank you!
Whoa, this sounds so great! Currently I’m trying to combat some of the issues you mentioned with the AF lock, so I grab focus of the perch with the shutter, hold the lock button, and then I can release the shutter if I want to and focus is locked when I press it again. For focus and recompose, 3D tracking on Nikon allows you to use 1 point that “sticks” so you can recompose and not loose focus. Anyway, maybe this solution you detailed with the back button is superior - I’m definitely going to try it!
Interesting way you're doing it. Amazing how many things you can do to do essentially the same thing.
Started using back button focusing during lockdown in the garden. Bit strange to start with, kept forgetting to press the AF-on button before taking the picture. After a few missed shots got the hang of it and won't go back. If you try it you have to give it a proper go, so during lockdown was brilliant.
Exactly, there's now way to avoid the missed shots early on, but once you get the hang of it, it's great
I simply love watching your tips, tricks and lessons! They are brilliant!! What about metering though? Do you usually meter using spot, partial, centre weighted, evaluative? Thanks again Keen, keep making these amazing videos!
I shoot full manual, so the metering method has no effect, since I set shutter speed, aperture and ISO myself
@@jan_wegener thanks Jan! I realised your method regarding metering using manual, after watching another of your videos. Yours are the best vids out there for not only bird photography......very informative and straight to the point. Excellent stuff Jan 👌
Superb explanation. My Nikon D500 has the AF-ON back button set for focus. Followed your instruction on turning off focussing for the shutter button and tested it out. It actually feels pretty natural and gives you more control. One of the key strengths with the back button is it wil stay put, instead of re-focussing before shutter release. Will test this out in the field very soon. Feel hopeful it will increase my success rate for birding shots. The back button focus actually feels faster with AF response as well. Thanks, Jan!
Glad I could help :)
thankyou. thankyou. thankyou. i just didnt get it. but now i do. u explained it so well. after watching your videos u said that the last focus point using the back button and servo mode is where the focus point will stick. this is counter-intuitive to what i expected but now i see the potential of using this method. u have certainly shown an old dog a new trick.
Most welcome 😊
Jan , great section I have been using back button focus for sometime and is like you say. THE BEST . Nikon D500 .
Thanks :)
I have used it for many years now, some pro suggested times to use front button focus, I experimented but very quickly reverted to back button focus. I also have both buttons activated one for single focus point the other for continuous focusing.
Good point Kirk, I will look into assigning the AF-On button some new duties
I've only read about it, and thought it wouldn't be worth it, but I'm def giving it a try. I trash too many BIF shots and have lost out on some killer shots because of it. Might be a learning curve but I'm ready. Thanks for the kick Jan, great vid and explanation.
Thanks Bruce! Good Luck!
Learnt about this technique before I even bought my mirrorless camera, now I can't imagine using anything else.
I used it for over 10 years for action/sports but a very good instructor video for people that were trying to understand what was involved
thanks :)
Yes thanks Jan and you are right! I discovered BB focussing a few yers ago and it is set permanently on my Olympus bodies. yes it takes a bit of getting used to but now its just what I do - focus and reframe every time. I must admit I still find in flight shots very difficult and I have yet to be very successful. So I guess for a question for your next video would be to explain in more detail the technique/tricks of getting nice sharp tracking focus in flight bird shots? regards Graham
Great to hear Graham. Yes, I thought about doing a video about flight photography. Thanks for the suggestion
I learned to do it in about two minutes. It's the most intuitive way for me to use autofocus.
you're a natural! Lucky you. It feels more natural that way to me now, too.
slowly converting to back button autofocus for birds following your teachings, was using it for more static subject but was afraid i was too slow on finding bird to risk losing more time. All was getting fine until i had my first major setback today, something you probably won't face. It's hard to do when your finger are numb from -5 degree weather :-). Loving the channel.... i need warmer climes. maybe 2021....
Oh yes! It doesn't get that cold down here
Last week you switched me to raw (well, jpg + raw so I have both), this week to back button focus!
hehe! nice, I wonder what you will have to change next week :D
I never really used a DSLR so I don't even have the focus and recompose habits. I am a hobbiest and have an RP. It has 4000 af points, auto tracking, and tap tracking. So I am not sure if BBF is something I even need to consider. But I might setup something to quickly switch between single and servo.
As long as those AF points cover the bird, you are fine, that's correct. Personally I just like to be able to control the AF independent of me taking an image. Having something to quickly switch between the modes can be another option