Back button focus is a game-changing way to operate your camera.

It takes some time to get used to, but it solves so many problems that you may encounter
when shooting. This is why most pros that I know would argue that it’s worth it. In the above
video, pro photographer and CreativeLive instructor, Mike Hagen demonstrates the how,
what, and why of this incredible focusing approach.

Back button focus is a shooting technique that separates the normal function of the shutter
release — focusing and shooting — into their own individual controls. But I’m focusing just
fine, you say, why do I need back button focus? Back button focusing isn’t about getting
sharper shots (though it can prevent focusing errors), it’s about efficiency. It’s about
seamlessly swapping focus modes. It’s about effortlessly locking the focus.

Intrigued? Here’s what you need to know about back button focus and how to set it up on
your camera.

What is back button focus?

Under a camera’s default settings, pressing the shutter release halfway will focus the shot,
while pressing the release all the way will take the photograph. Back button focus separates
those two functions. The shutter release keeps the task of taking the shot, while a button on
the back, often the AF-ON or AE AF lock, tells the camera when to use the autofocus.
Holding the back button continuously focuses, while pressing the button once focuses and
then locks the focus.

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Back button focus aims to tackle a few shortfalls of traditional focusing methods, like the
time it takes to switch between continuous and single focus modes.

Back button focus isn’t tough to learn, but it does require adjusting a few things in the camera
menu and getting used to shooting with two fingers. So why are many photographers saying
that back button focus was their “aha” moment?”

4 Reasons to Use Back Button Focus

There are a number of different reasons to use back button focusing, but they all come down
to one big reason: efficiency. While back button focus can help you to avoid focusing errors,
it doesn’t make your autofocus system capture sharper shots — but it does help you shoot
more efficiently.

1. Back button focus allows you to easily swap between continuous and single
autofocus

With back button autofocusing, holding the button down turns on the continuous autofocus.
And when you don’t need the continuous focus, tapping the button once locks the focus in on
still subjects. That means sports photographers can shoot the game and the sidelines without
taking their eye off the viewfinder to adjust the focus mode.

2. Back button focus allows you to easily lock focus

While high-end DSLRs are getting more and more focus points, the center points are still the
most accurate. Many photographers will use the central focus point to focus, then press the
AE lock and adjust their composition. With back button, the focus is locked as soon as you
take your finger from the button, so there are no extra buttons to keep the focus put.

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3. Back button focus helps prevent focus errors

Autofocus isn’t infallible — if an object moves in the foreground, for example, the autofocus
is often thrown off. Using back button focus allows you to quickly prevent focus errors. For
example, if you’re shooting a soccer game and a player moves in the foreground, you can
release the back button to maintain the focus on your original subject.

4. Back button focus makes it easy to swap between auto and manual focus

On many lenses, you don’t have to flip the switch to manual focus if you are using the back
button method. The autofocus quits when you release the button, so you simply need to twist
the lens to adjust focus. That’s not possible when the button to take the photo also triggers the
autofocus.

Back button focus is about efficiency and avoiding focus errors. The technique is most
beneficial for shooting action, but there are a few other uses too. Photographers that
frequently use the focus lock button, for example, often like the back button method. Macro
photographers often set their camera to back button focus, then use smaller manual focus
adjustments.

How to Set Up Back Button Focus On Your Camera

Setting up back button focus on your camera will inevitably be different depending on which
camera model you have. Even within the same brand, they are all a little different. What’s the
solution then? You could read your camera’s manual.

Wait, no, don’t do that. The paper manuals that come with your camera are notoriously
terrible. Instead, CreativeLive has created a series of short video courses, specific to each
camera model. They call them Fast Starts, and whatever camera model you have, there is a
good chance that CreativeLive has created a course for it.

These video courses take you step by step through every button, feature, and menu item,
enabling you to customize your settings exactly how you want for your style of shooting. The
very first thing I did when I bought my Nikon D810, was watch the Fast Start course on how
to set up so that I could customize my settings to my liking, AND to figure out how to set up
back button focus.

Although I highly recommend watching the entire Fast Start course to know your camera
inside and out, here are some basic instructions for how to set up back button focus on a
few of the most popular camera brands:

Setting up Back Button Focus on a Nikon

Since the back button focusing method isn’t the traditional way of shooting, there are a few
steps to telling your camera that you don’t want to focus on the shutter release. On a Nikon,
first you need to set the focus mode to continuous, or AF-C. That allows the back button to
focus continually when held down, and just once when pressed just once. (Most Nikon
DSLRs have a button on the auto-to-manual focus switch towards the front left — hold this
button and use the back control wheel to select AF-C).

Next, you need to tell the camera what button you want to use for focusing. On high-end
Nikon DSLRs, there’s often a dedicated AF-ON button, but the AE AF Lock can also be used
for back button focusing. To set the control, head into the menu, then Custom Settings then
Controls. Set the control for the AF-ON or AE AF Lock to AF-ON.

Then, go back to the custom settings menu and select the autofocus submenu. Under AF C
Priority Selection, select ‘Choose Release.’ This lets you take photos even if your autofocus
point isn’t on the subject, such as when you lock the focus then recompose.

One last step — still inside the autofocus menu under custom settings, go to AF Activation
and select AF-On only.

Setting up Back Button Focus on a Canon

Canon was actually the first to introduce the back button option in 1989, and that feature is
available on all but the original digital EOS Rebel. 

To set up back button focus on a Canon DSLR, locate the Custom Controls or [Link] option in
the menu (the wording varies depending on what model you are using), then select the shutter
button/AF-On option.
Under this menu, two options will set up back button focus. The Metering Start/ Meter + AF
Start option turns on back button focus and will continuously adjust the metering on
programmed auto, shutter priority, and aperture priority modes. The AE Lock / Metering +
AF Lock will lock the exposure in the first frame, while still using the back button focusing
method.

Setting up Back Button Focus on a Sony Mirrorless

Sony’s mirrorless cameras, including the a7 line, also allow back button focus. Sony users
need to adjust three settings inside the ‘Custom Settings’ menu to start using the feature.
First, head to the Custom Key Settings, then the AEL button and select AF ON. Next, still
inside the Custom Key Settings submenu, select AF/MF Button, then choose AF/MF Cntrl.
Toggle.

Finally, inside the Custom Key Settings, choose AF W/ Shutter and select off. Once the back
button focus is set up initially, users only need to turn that last step on and off to swap
between back button and traditional focusing methods.

Back button focusing does take some getting used to, but many photographers prefer the
method because of its efficiency. By separating the controls, photographers can easily adjust
their focus methods between continuous and single and even autofocus and manual without
taking their eye from the viewfinder.

Try new photography challenges to grow your skills and have fun. We dare you. Sign up for
our Creative Photography Challenge today.