Comments on: Back Button Focus for Nikon

By: Desiree

Desiree — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:10:55 +0000

Hi, this was SOOOO helpful. Before I wanted to do this but didn’t get it. I’m also having the same problems as Kelly. But it’s a start. I’ll use my manual from here. I just did a wedding, SOO wish I had grasped this concept before. Thanks again.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:35:22 +0000

I set my camera to do this, and it works, but only if I continue holding the AF-ON button down when I press the shutter. If I let it go, the shutter will not release. Any ideas?

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:30:40 +0000

I’m really curious about how this BBF works with moving subjects. If I’m at my kid’s soccer game and want to do this, do you continuously press the AF-ON button and then take the shot or ??? Not sure of the steps or if BBF is an advantageous with moving subjects. Thanks for any help!

By: Denise

Denise — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:51:25 +0000

Hi Abby! We’ve never had or used a D5000 so I’m basing this off of what I’ve read in another forum, but this is where you should be able to find this in the menu: 1. Custom Settings Menu, 2. Setting F2, 3. Set the AEL/AFL button to “AF-ON”. Hope this helps!

By: Abby

Abby — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:55:23 +0000

I really want to try this but am not sure my camera supports this function….and I’m still too scared to mess around in the custom settings without guidance. Any idea how I can set my d5000 this way?

By: Ron Anderson

Ron Anderson — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:46:54 +0000

Just curious about a few of things…

1.) What would the advantage be for stationary subjects versus Having the camera on S-focusing, and Pointing the center point at the subject, then recomposing while keeping the shutter button depressed half-way, and then fully tripping the shutter?

2.)What is the advantage of photographing moving subjects using the back button versus depressing the shutter button (in C mode) half way, therefore tracking focus until you press the shutter all the way down to take the photograph?

3.) This question may not be able to be easily understood, as I may not explain it well, but here goes…Does recomposing in an arc (ie. focusing o down at a child’s eyes with the center focus, and then swinging the camera down more to include the child’s feet) keep the eyes in focus, since the sensor has moved slightly in relation to the focus point?

Thanks for the post, I am getting a bit more curious to try : )

By: Denise

Denise — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:26:26 +0000

Hi Julie :-) On the D80 it’s, 1) custom settings, 2) 18 AE-L/AF-L, 3) set to AF-ON.
That will disable the AF abilities of the shutter and enable you to use the AE-L/AF-L button on the back. Hope this helps!

By: Julie Fletcher

Julie Fletcher — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:26:40 +0000

Hi, I was wondering if anyone can tell me how to do this on my trusty old D80? Thanks in advance!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:25:41 +0000

Us too! Yay for Nikon users!

By: Denise George

Denise George — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:52:23 +0000

LOVE that you guys are Nikon. I always feel like I’m the only one… : (