If you’re looking to take your photography skills up a notch, learning how to set up back button focusing on your Canon camera is a great place to start. This handy little trick can help you take sharper photos with less blur, and it’s really easy to do! In this article, we will walk you through the steps of setting up back button focus on your camera. So let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What is back button focus?
Back button focus is a technique that can be used to improve the focus of your photographs. It involves using the back button on your camera to control the focus, rather than the shutter button.
This can be helpful in situations where you want to keep the camera still while you recompose the shot. It can also help to reduce camera shake, as you won’t need to depressing the shutter button as you focus.
Additionally, back button focus can be useful for tracking moving subjects, as you can keep the focus point on the subject without having to reframe the shot. If you’re looking for ways to improve your photography, back button focus is definitely worth trying out.
The benefits of using back button focusing
Below are some of the benefits to using back button focusing when shooting photos:
Your Focus Will Hold
When you back button focus, the camera will continue to focus on the subject even if you take your finger off the back button. This is helpful in situations where you need to keep the camera still while you recompose the shot.
You Can Take Sharper Photos
If you’re struggling to take sharp photos, back button focus can help. By keeping the focus point on the subject, you can reduce camera shake and take sharper photos.
Your Camera Will Be Less Likely to Shake
When back button focus is engaged, your camera will be less likely to shake as you won’t need to depress the shutter button as you focus. This can help you take sharper photos with less blur.
Easily Recompose Shots
Back button focus makes it easy to recompose your shots without losing focus on the subject. Simply press the back button to keep the focus point on the subject, then recompose the shot.
More Versatility When Focusing
With back button focus, you have more versatility when it comes to focusing. You can easily change the focus point without taking your finger off the back button. This can be helpful when tracking moving subjects.
Downsides of back button focusing
Now that we’ve covered the benefits of back button focusing, below are a few of the downsides to using this setting on your camera when shooting:
Requires excellent coordination
Back button focusing requires excellent coordination between your hands. You’ll need to use one hand to press the back button, and the other hand to operate the focus ring. This can be challenging for some people.
You may miss shots
If you’re not used to back button focusing, you may find that you miss shots while you’re getting used to the setting. This is because back button focusing requires you to take your finger off the shutter button, which can be easy to forget.
Hard to use under challenging conditions
Back button focus can be hard to use under challenging conditions, such as low light or when shooting moving subjects.
Capturing subjects that move quickly / erratically
If you’re trying to capture a subject that moves quickly or erratically, back button focus can be difficult to use. This is because you’ll need to keep the back button pressed down while you track the subject and quickly adjust camera settings on the fly as you retain the subject in your viewport.
How to set up your camera for back button focusing
Now that we’ve covered the pros and cons of back button focusing, let’s walk through how to set it up for several different camera models:
For Canon Cameras:
Below are steps required to set up back button focusing on Canon cameras:
Step 1: Go Into Custom Settings
The first step is to go into your camera’s custom settings. On a Canon camera, this can be done by pressing the “Menu” button and then scrolling down to the “Custom Settings” tab.
Step 2: Custom Setting Controls
Once you’re in the custom setting controls, scroll down to “Back-Button Focus.”
Step 3: Set Button To Metering Start
The next step is to set the back button to “Metering Start.” This will ensure that the camera only starts metering when you press the back button.
Step 4: Set AF-ON button to “metering and AF start”
The final step is to set the AF-ON button to “metering and AF start.” This will ensure that the camera only starts focusing when you press the back button.
For Nikon Cameras:
Below are steps required to set up back button focusing on Nikon cameras:
Step 1: Open the Custom Settings Menu
The first step is to open the custom settings menu on your Nikon camera. This can be done by pressing the “Menu” button and then scrolling down to the “Custom Settings” tab.
Step 2: Select the “Autofocus” tab
Once you’re in the custom setting controls, select the “Autofocus” tab.
Step 3: Select “AF activation”
The next step is to scroll down to “AF activation” and set it to “Back-button.”
Step 4: Select “AF-ON only”
The final step is to scroll down to “AF-ON only” and set it to “On.” This will ensure that the camera only starts focusing when you press the back button.
For Sony Mirrorless Cameras
Below are steps required to set up back button focusing on Sony Mirrorless cameras:
Step 1: Press the Menu button
The first step is to press the menu button on your Sony mirrorless camera.
Step 2: Find “AF w/ shutter” menu and set it to “Off”
The next step is to find the “AF w/ shutter” menu and set it to “Off.” This will ensure that the camera only focuses when you press the back button.
For Fujifilm GFX and X Mirrorless Cameras
On some Fuji cameras, back-button focusing differs from model to model. The procedure is as follows on several of the most recent mirrorless cameras:
Open “Set Up” in the menu
Select “Button/Dial Setting”, pick Fn/AE-L/AF-L Button Setting, and assign AE-L or AF-L button to “AF-ON”.
In “Button/Dial Setting”, set “Shutter AF” to “Off”
If you have a Fuji camera with an AF-ON button (for example, the GFX 50S or X-H1), follow these steps:
Open “Set Up” in the menu
Select “Function (Fn) Setting” and make sure that “AF-ON” is set to “AF-ON”
Select “Button/Dial Setting”
Set “Shutter AF” to “Off” for both “AF-S” and “AF-C”
Another way to focus on a subject with a Fuji camera is through back-button focusing. You may also utilize this function by enabling a button to focus the lens even when in manual focus mode. Set it up like so:
Switch the focus selection dial to Manual (M).
Open “AF/MF” in the menu
Select “Instant AF Setting”
Set “AF-C”
For Panasonic Lumix Cameras:
Setting up back-button focusing on a Panasonic Lumix camera is simple: simply access the Camera menu and change the Focus mode to Back-Button.
Set the “AF/AE LOCK” dial to: AFC.
Go to the Custom Setup menu
Set “AF/AE Lock” to “AF-ON”
Set “Shutter AF” to “OFF”
Set “Focus/Release Priority AFS/AFF” to “FOCUS”
How to use back button focusing in different shooting situations
Now that you know how to set up back button focusing, it’s time to learn how to use it in different shooting situations.
Back button focus can be used in a variety of different shooting situations.
It can be especially useful when tracking moving subjects or when shooting in low light conditions.
When using back button focus, you will need to press the back button to focus the camera.
You can then Half-press the shutter release button to lock in the focus.
Once the back button is released, the camera will continue to stay in focus until you half-press the shutter release button again.
Tips for getting the most out of back button focusing
Here are a few tips on how to use back button focus:
When using back button focus, it’s important to keep your finger on the back button at all times.
This will ensure that the camera stays in focus and doesn’t lose track of your subject.
If you need to reposition your camera, make sure to keep your finger on the back button while you do so.
Once you’re ready to take the photo, simply press the shutter release button all the way down.
Back button focus is a great way to keep your subject in focus, especially when shooting in difficult conditions. With a little practice, you’ll be able to use back button focus like a pro!
