How To Use Back Button Focus in Photography
Before delving into back button focus in photography, the standard factory camera default relies on the camera’s shutter release button, the one you press to take a photo, for focusing. When utilizing the AF mode (auto focus), the shutter release button is first pressed halfway to allow time for the lens to focus, followed by pressing the shutter release button the rest of the way down to take the picture.
Using the shutter release button to both focus and take photos is a common practice; however, there is another option, and that is called back button focus.
What is Back Button Focus?
Back Button Focus is a photography technique that relies on a designated button on the back of the camera instead of the shutter release button to focus on a subject.
The designated AE-L/AF-L button is pressed first to focus on the subject, followed by pressing the shutter release button to take the picture.
Your camera may designate a button with the letters AF-ON, or vary based on the model.
Setting Up Back Button Focus
Please note that instructions may vary slightly depending on your camera model. If necessary, refer to your Camera Manual Index to locate:
Custom Settings within the Menu.
Next, look for the heading Controls.
Look for f4 Assign AE-L/AF-L button and go to the information page.
The Steps
Go to your camera Menu, by pressing the Menu button on the back of your camera or a method compatible with your camera model.
The camera Menu button and the Multi Selector (below) to arrow up, down, left or right to access menu options.
2. After accessing the Menu, arrow down to the pencil icon.
3. Use the right arrow on the Multi selector to access the Custom Setting Menu, and arrow down to Controls.
4. From Controls, press the right arrow to access the options beginning with the letter f.
5. Next, arrow down to f4 and the assign AE-L/AF-L button.
Note, As you assign the AE-L/AF-L that button on the back of your camera becomes the focus control instead of the shutter release button, which is the goal.
6. Press the right arrow once again to access the next step, below.
7. Arrow down to highlight Press AF-ON.
8. After highlighting AF-ON press the right arrow yet again to access a list of options, including AF-ON AF-ON.
9. Now, the final step is to press the OK button and save the setting. If you’re having trouble exiting from the menu lightly tap your shutter button to exit.
You have now set up your camera with back button focus using the designated AE-L/AF-L button.
How to take photos using the back button focus technique
As you prepare for your experimental photo shoot, press and hold the back button instead of the shutter release button—the AE-L/AF-L button to focus.
For stationary subjects:
Once your subject is focused, you can press and then release the back button, and the focus remains locked. This is especially helpful if you want to recompose your scene while maintaining focus.
For moving subjects:
Once your subject is in focus, continually pressing the back button gives you the power of focus tracking. This empowers you to maintain focus on moving subjects, giving you more control over your shots.
Single shot or continuous shot setting.
If your camera is set to S for Single for taking a single frame the back button focus will work. However, the camera will focus only once and maintain it, as it does when using the shutter release button for focus and photo capture. Sometimes, you may need to press the back button again if you lose focus.
When using the CL (continuous low) or CH (continuous high) shooting mode with the back button focus photos, or frames, can be taken in succession by holding down the shutter release button, compared to one frame at a time in the Single mode.
In CL or CH, you continuously press the back button to focus and hold it, such as when photographing moving subjects.
Continuous high speed frame setting.
Getting used to back button focus as a photography technique
Back button focus can feel awkward in the beginning and requires some practice, especially with fast-moving subjects. Implementing this two-button process can take some time and can be frustrating initially, as was my first experience.
I found it so frustrating that I abandoned Back Button Focus with absolute relish, and you may want to as well! However, I decided to give it another go before abandoning it completely, and while it took a fair bit of concentration in the beginning the successes started to add up.
My suggestion is to experiment and see how it goes for you. There is no right or wrong way, and one isn’t “superior” over the other, in my opinion—that’s a personal choice you make for yourself. I used the shutter release button quite happily for focus for over twenty years, but that doesn’t mean that I’m 100% back button focus even though I’m utilizing it - not yet anyway.
How to cancel back button focus
To revert back to using the shutter release button return to the Menu, and the assign AE/AF BUTTON section again and select the option None.
After choosing None, take a test photo or two using the shutter release button to test it’s focusing like before. Remember to press OK to lock in the setting.
What can happen in the heat of the action
With an ingrained habit for using the shutter release button for focusing I completely forgot about pressing the back button first.
The power of visualization and rehearsing the steps in my mind first changed the outcome.
Despite every attempt to get coordinated, this was a complete flop using back button focus and focus was a flop. However, if you look closely, there is a minuscule patch of foliage that could be considered in focus, which means the focus point wasn’t aimed at the bird, and I miscalculated the action.
A helpful subject, perseverance, and several photo shoots later, things are looking up.
Continually pressing the AE-L/AF-L button locked the focus as the Marbled Godwit circled for a repeat landing on an upright snag. Additionally, observation and anticipation contributed to the successful outcome for both images.
With the camera set to a center focus point, I placed the butterfly closer to the bottom third of my frame and pressed the back button. Once the focus was maintained, I released the back button (the focus remained locked), recomposed to place the butterfly higher in the frame, and pressed the shutter release button as usual to take the photo.
