OK, maybe it’s a bit of stretch to say it changed my life, but it definitely changed how I shoot. Interested? I bet some of you already know it. (NOTE: I’m a Canon user, so I can only speak to their cameras…I’m not sure if Nikon offers this option, but I bet they do. You’ll have to check your manual to be sure).
Drum roll…
It’s “back-button focusing.” In almost all circumstances, I use automatic focus on my lenses…only very rarely do I switch them to manual. I figure the camera is pretty smart at pin-pointing the focal distance. But, one thing I NEVER do anymore is let the camera choose where to focus. What do I mean?
Normally when you half-way press your camera’s shutter, you can lock focus on your subject. And depending on which focal point (those little red boxes that light up inside your viewfinder) you’ve chosen to use (you have the option to pick one point or just let the camera choose whichever ones it wants to), your camera will find the object nearest to the focal point and lock onto it. You press your shutter and take the picture. But what happens when what you really want the camera to focus on is something far away, but all it keeps wanting to do is focus on the nearest object?
Case in point–for the below picture, if I let my camera choose where to focus, it will want to focus on the back of the bride’s head, not the cute little boy’s face. That’s not cool.
Here’s another example…the camera would want to focus on the wall, not the bride.
So what’s a photographer to do? Well, you’ve got a couple of options. One is you choose one focal point and lock your focus with your shutter half-way pressed (and this may be a custom function on your camera). Then you carefully hold your finger on the shutter as you recompose, finally pressing the shutter all the way down to take the photo. And if this method works for you, awesome. For me, I found it a bit too cumbersome…if my finger slipped any, the focus would be lost and I’d have to redo. And with many things happening so quickly during a wedding day, sometimes I only get one chance to take a shot. I can’t miss it.
Enter back-button focusing. Instead of pressing the shutter half-way, recomposing, and hoping for the best, you can actually focus by pressing a button on the back of the camera with your thumb, recompose, and then snap the shutter to take the picture. On the Canon 5D Classic, it’s also the same button you use to select your focal point:
On the Canon 5D Mark II, it’s the AF-ON button (though, you can also choose it to be the little asterisk button if you want):
What I’ve done is I’ve selected to always use the center focal point (check your manual if you’re not sure how to select a focal point) on my camera. After you decide which focal point you’re going to use, you need to then tell your camera you want to use that back button to focus. Here’s what you do:
1. Go to your camera’s menu, find Custom Functions. 5D Classic:
5D Mark II
2. On the 5D Classic, select Custom Function 4 and choose: 1. AE lock/AF
On the 5D Mark II, select Custom Function 1 and choose: 3. AE lock/Metering + AF start
3. Lastly, I set my type of focus to “Al Servo”–that’s at the top screen on the cameras. Check your manual if you’re not sure.
Now that you’ve got that set up, you can start using your back button to focus. Here are the steps I follow to take a photo:
1. Determine where I want my focus to be.
2. Lock the focus by pressing my back button.
3. Release the button if the object is standing still…if it’s moving, I hold my thumb on the back button and follow it (this is why having it set to Al Servo is important–the camera will continue to refocus as the object moves until you press the shutter).
4. Press the shutter.
Here’s one more example: I focused on the couple’s feet with my middle focal point, then I recomposed to where the road took up most of the photo. A shot like this would not be possible if I let my camera decide where to focus.
I really think one of the things that helped me improve my photography is learning to take control of my camera. This back-button focusing technique is one of the most important tools for controlling the composition of your photos. I highly recommend it.
by mary
Dustin B - So today (7 years after this post) I read an article on back button focusing. I quickly did a search to see if my newly bought (used) 5D classic could do this, found this post… It can! Your walkthrough is awesome and I just made the changes to the settings, and I love how it works!! Seeing how my Canon’s 12 year old shutter has a hair trigger, this will make my focus and shooting all the better. Thanks for posting this great tutorial.
Dali - Thank you so much for this! I’ll be referring 5d classic users to this site from now on!
Bill Merritt - Good afternoon,
Recently purchased a used 5Dc in very good condition. Ran across your fantastic website and after reading and changing settings for BBF, will be reading much more.
Will be using BBF this weekend to take photos of latest great-grandson who is going on 1 month old. Took some last weekend and was a bit disappointed for exactly the reasons you pointed out. I was using evaluative metering with natural light coming in from one side through large double door. results look like light was too harsh. Will be diffusing it next time with sheet over doorway. Thinking now I may have been better off using center weighted metering. Really appreciate any help you could offer on this.
Again, I really appreciate what you have done on this site. !!
Bill
Jon - Thanks for the post. I’ve had my 5D since 2007, and I have yet to explore all its options and menu choices. I was wondering if I could make use of the AI servo feature for portrait sessions where the subjects are frequently making small movements. I’ll be making some tests with this feature based on your information. I must say, though I’ve been seriously into photography since my mid teens, the thrill of experimentation is the same as it ever was. I am a long ways from knowing enough to stop learning.
Amber Johnson - I have the 5D and thank you so much for your simple, easy to follow directions with pictures on how to switch to Back Button focusing! I can’t wait to try this out. I have a feeling I am going to love it! I really appreciate you taking the time to share with us.
paul moulton - Derek – not only do you have to configure the back button to focus but you also have to UNDO shutter button focusing. On a 7D this is via menu / custom controls / operation / custom function 1. Press OK to enter the config and select the top left icon which is the shutter button. Change it from AF start /meter to just meter.
Savannah - Wow!!! I’ve been trying forever to understand BB focus and you have changed my life by finding the post!! Thank you for Sharing!!! Greatly appreciate it!! 🙂
derek - FIrst, the Canon manual states the setting to accomplish what you describe is NOT AE lock/Metering + AF Start but Metering start/Metering + AF Start. The setting you suggest is recommended by CANON when you want to METER AND FOCUS on different areas of the frame. To focus and meter on the SAME focus point, the recommended setting is Metering Start/Metering + AF Start – which is setting #2, not #3. Correct me if I’m wrong.
2nd – I’m unfortunately having no success with either and my camera was just returned from CANON service in which they checked focus function. I set my center point focus, set AI Servo mode then back-button focus with the AF-ON button. However, when I recompose the frame, my camera is refocusing on the center point! – regardless of my custom function setting. What’s up with that???!
Amber - Thank you! For sharing the how to change your settings! Looked all over the internet for it. Your work is amazing! Best wishes!
Sjoerd Booij - Great tip! I started using it a couple of days ago and it really helped my workflow get better 🙂
Kim - I’m a professional photographer who’s just switched jobs and, in the process, camera systems. I’m trying this method now since most everything else about my work flow is changing, reasoning why not try this? Many swear by it.
Just for the record though, the way I’ve been shooting for well over a decade is to assign one of the back buttons as ae/af lock. Therefore, you can press the back button w/ your thumb as you recompose, wait for a moment or whatever instead of having to hold the shutter halfway down. Just as an FYI if that ever comes in handy.
mary - I’m with you–Mike–same thing happens when I do hand my camera to someone else. They’re like–“Your camera doesn’t work!” Either that, or I get a nice out-of-focus shot of my husband and me.
Mike - Great post. I have had my camera set to focus on the center point for more control for a while now, but I have been using the shutter button to lock focus and recompose. I really like the way this pairs well with AI Servo. I have the opposite problem of Christina… when I hand off my camera, basically nobody else can get an in-focus shot with it (and that was just with the center point focus), but this will be one more reason to be more selfish with my camera anyway 🙂
Christina Montemurro - Great post Mary! I love back button focusing too. It’s great for locking focus on something when other subjects might suddenly get in the way of your subject and potentially steal the real subject’s focus.
My only problem is trying to use someone else’s camera that does NOT have it turned on! I have such a hard time going back.