Back Button Focus and Practical Tips, by John Pettett

Back Button Focusing & Practical Tips

By John Pettett

While modern cameras are packed with hundreds of features, a few specific mechanical changes and simple tools can significantly improve your shooting experience. This presentation explores "Back Button Focusing" and a selection of essential accessories for the active photographer.

1. What is Back Button Focusing (BBF)?

Most cameras are set up by default to focus when you press the shutter button halfway. Back Button Focusing changes this by moving the focus function to a dedicated button on the back of the camera (usually labeled AF-ON or AE-L/AF-L).

The core benefit: It separates the focusing function from the shutter-release function.

2. Why Use It?

The presentation outlines several reasons why BBF is often superior to the standard setup:

• Always Ready: You can keep your camera in "Continuous Focus" mode at all times.

• Instant Lock: To lock your focus, you simply stop pressing the back button. This allows you to focus once and recompose your shot without the camera trying to "re-focus" when you take the picture.

• Seamless Tracking: If your subject starts moving, you just hold the back button down to track them.

• Eliminates Switch-Flipping: You no longer need to constantly toggle the AF/Manual switch on your lens to prevent the camera from hunting for focus in tricky situations.

3. Essential Gear for the Field

Beyond focusing, the presentation highlights four low-tech but vital tools for every camera bag:

• Shoulder Straps: A recommendation for sturdy, comfortable straps that allow for long days of shooting without neck strain.

• Microfibre Cloths: The essential tool for keeping lenses and sensors clean and smudge-free.

• "Rockets" (Air Blowers): A safe way to remove dust and grit from your lens and sensor without using pressurized air, which can damage sensitive components.

• Third-Party Manuals: A humorous look at why the official camera manual is often the hardest thing to read. John recommends well-written third-party guides (like those from Rocky Nook or the Dummies series) that explain why and when to use specific features.

4. Summary: Making Everything Easier

The goal of these techniques is to simplify the technical side of photography so you can focus on the creative side. By mastering Back Button Focus and having the right maintenance tools on hand, you spend less time menu-diving and more time capturing the perfect moment.

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Implementation Tip

As camera menus vary by brand and model, check for specific setup guides for your camera to help enable Back Button Focusing.