A6000 Back-Button Focus

[boginbob]

Started to learn the features of the A6000 and found out about back-button focusing and ability to configure multiple button on the Alpha. It is set up using the AEL button and but would like input from the members on ...

1. do most use back-button option

2. it appears that it can help with battery use since camera is not always focusing as one is composing

3. is single shot AF the primary 'dafault' for members

4. I understand one can use it as continous AF but I am uncertain how I do this 

 

Thanks, Bob

[benmao]

Started to learn the features of the A6000 and found out about back-button focusing and ability to configure multiple button on the Alpha. It is set up using the AEL button and but would like input from the members on ...

1. do most use back-button option

2. it appears that it can help with battery use since camera is not always focusing as one is composing

3. is single shot AF the primary 'dafault' for members

4. I understand one can use it as continous AF but I am uncertain how I do this

 

Thanks, Bob

I decided not to use back button focus but use MF instead. I configured C1 for toggle between AF and MF and the AEL button for focus magnification.

Instead of pressing back button focus every time I switch to MF only if I need to fix the focus. I often use AF-S with flexible spot, e.g. when using a tripod. In such situations it is more comfortable to select the picture, fix the tripod's position, move the focus spot (AF-S with flexible spot), toggle MF, make focus nagnification, eventualky check optimise focus manually, take pictures with different apertures.

 

One drawback with MF is, that you could forget to switch back to AF. On the other hand you don't need to push the back focus button in the situations where you just point and shoot the object in the center.

 

One advantage of back button focus would be that you can eadily refocus if the object moves. I however switch the complete settings using the memory recall if I want to make pictures of moving objects. There I have AF-C, wide focus area and lock on af.

 

To summarize it, I am too lazy in order to press two buttons (focus and shoot) all the time.

[yarmmcd]

Back Button Auto focus is really good very worth trying, specially for slower focussing lenses and you don't want the auto focus hunting right when yo want to take the shot. Thumb on Back button Finger on shutter, press the button -auto focus locks on, leave go the button and focus stays just where you want it until the shutter is pressed. On My Nex-7 its Menu, Custom Key Settings,AF/MF Button:AF/MF control. Focus set to MF.

[easycass]

Hi there,

 

Sorry, not an A6000 shooter, but, on the subject of back-button focusing in general, it is a great way to be able to totally separate the focusing operation from the shooting operation.

 

Many photographers who use it set it up to be be on continuous AF, so that when the back focus button is pressed, the camera will continuously focus on a subject, tracking wherever it moves in the frame, changes focus distance, or when you recompose the subject to a different part of the frame. One then has the choice of locking focus by just releasing the back-focus button if that is what you want, or alternatively, the more useful mode of use is to keep the back focus button pressed, letting the camera track the subject, and squeeze off shots whenever one likes using the shutter button. A good camera system maintains tracking in-between shots.

 

Another little trick, should you like to try, is you should be able to set it up too so that when you press the shutter button half-way, it locks exposure, allowing you to continue to focus on the subject with the back button, while you recompose the frame, but keep the exposure set at the value is measured prior to recomposing.

 

It is truly a great way to shoot moving objects or where you know you will want to recompose while keeping the subject sharp, even if they move slightly. You cannot get this performance with either single AF, or continuous AF tied to the shutter button.

 

It takes a while to get use to this, and some people love it or hate it. Stick with it and learn it's virtues, and it might become your favourite way of shooting... Good luck...

[Golem]

...........

 

........ you should be able to set it up too so that

when you press the shutter button half-way, it locks

exposure, allowing you to continue to focus on the

subject with the back button, while you recompose

the frame, but keep the exposure set at the value is

measured prior to recomposing.

 

It is truly a great way to shoot moving objects or

where you know you will want to recompose while

keeping the subject sharp, even if they move slightly.

You cannot get this performance with either single AF,

or continuous AF tied to the shutter button.

 

It takes a while to get use to this, and some people

love it or hate it. ........

The "hate it" aspect is prolly about the PITA of

maintaining a halfway position on a twitchy shutter

button whilst nailing the back focus button. Sony

has come to the rescue of the "hate it" crowd, on

the later models [incl the A6000 IIRC]. Sony allows

you to program another button [user's choice among

the programmable buttons] to toggle AE lock. Toggle

holds until canceled, for as many shots as you want,

until you cancel it by pressing the toggle again.

 

So now you can toggle lock your auto exposure, use

your back button focus however you choose, and not

be concerned about holding the shutter button half

way down. Saves zillion sheckels on arthritis pills.

 

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