Back Button Auto Focus

If you have a DSLR then the chances are good that it has the ability to use back button autofocus. Almost all digital cameras use the same autofocus method. Press the shutter button half way down, wait for the camera to focus then push the shutter the rest of the way down to take the photo. This system works great which is why it is pretty much universal. However it does have some limitations.

First is each time you press the shutter button the camera focuses. Unfortunately the camera may not always focus in the exact same spot even though you want it to. This is especially true if you are not using single point autofocus or something or someone enters the frame and distracts the cameras autofocus system.

Second is sometimes you want to focus on something that is not in the center of your image so you point the camera at the object you want to focus on, press the shutter button half way down, wait for it to focus, and then move the camera to compose the image the way you want it to look. Sometimes you may have to repeat this process several times if you are taking multiple photos using the same focus point. And of course the first limitation can always come into play.

Third is it can sometimes be difficult to get your camera to focus on the exact spot you want. Once you finally get it to focus where you want you can only take one shot because the next shot you attempt the camera will again automatically refocus.

Now you can overcome these issues by using Manual Focus but if your eyes are not up to the task you may not get well focused photos. But there is another option. Back button autofocus. If your camera is so equipped you can program you camera to not automatically focus when you press the shutter button and instead use a button on the back of your camera to automatically focus your photos. It takes some getting use to so you have to practice and if you don't shoot a lot you might forget you set up your camera to use back button autofocus if you go for a long period of time without shooting any photos and wonder why your camera isn't focusing. It happened to me.

If you want to know more here is a LINK to a good article on back button autofocus. If you prefer a video check out this LINK

Finally the back button autofocus setup is different for each camera. Of course you can always read your camera's manual or you can search using the search term Back Button Autofocus followed by your camera's brand and model. Odds are good you will find an article or video that shows you exactly how to set up your camera for back button autofocus.