Back Button Focus

Back button focus, also known as thumb focus, is a

technique where you separate the functions of focus and
shutter release onto two separate buttons. You disable
the focus function from the shutter or index button and
assign focusing to a dedicated button on the back
camera. Most DSLR, mirrorless, and even a few compacts
are capable of back button focus either through a
dedicated AF button or another button on the camera
back that can be programmed. In the simplest terms,
back button focus allows us to auto focus by pushing a
button on the back of the camera body with our thumb
and taking the picture by depressing the shutter release
button with our index finger. So let's take a closer look
and see if back button focus is for you.
 With back button focus you can pre-focus were you
think the blenny will be and as long as your distance from
your subject does not change you can fire off a shot
every time the fish shows itself.

Using Back Button Focus

So why would you want to separate focusing from the

shutter release? If you have ever shot something like a
small signal blenny popping in and out of a hole you know
how frustrating it can be. You wait and wait only to have
the auto focus hunt and fail as the fish finally emerges.
No matter how hard you push the shutter button the
camera won't take a picture because it can't lock focus.
You can pre-focus, and either hold focus with a half press
or focus lock button, but this can get tedious after just a
few minutes. On the other hand, you can use back button
focus, pre-focus on your subject and as long as your
distance from your subject does not change you can fire
off a shot every time the fish shows itself. Similar to the
scenario above, when shooting super-macro it can get
frustrating if your lens is constantly hunting. One very
useful technique is to pre-focus for the basic composition
and magnification and then rock a little back and forth to
achieve the sharpest focus. We call this “Lock It and Rock
It!”. When the important area becomes sharp, you take
the picture. Back button focus is the smart choice for this
type of shooting. You can concentrate on composition,
rock back and fourth to achieve sharp focus and take a
shot whenever you like. You will need to be able to see
when your subject is in focus, so an enhanced viewfinder
can help with this technique. Back button focus can also
make for faster compositions. We know taking images
with your subject dead center in the frame is usually not
the most flattering. We can move the auto focus points
around in the viewfinder, but this method is usually
slower than focusing with the center focus point and then
recomposing. If using an index finger focus, you have to
refocus, half press and recompose for each additional
shot. With back button focus you only need to focus
once. As long as the distance from the subject does not
change you can fire away at will.
For super-macro you can pre-focus for the basic
composition and magnification and then rock the camera
a little back and forth to achieve the sharpest focus.

Setting up your Camera

First, if you're planning to use back button focus

underwater, make sure your housing gives you easy
access to the back focus control and shutter control with
your thumb and index finger at the same time. Thankfully
the Nauticam engineers have designed easy to use levers
on most housings for back button compatible cameras. If
the two controls are still a bit of a reach, you can swap
out the standard handles for smaller ones. Next, we need
to disable the focus function from the shutter release.
This will vary slightly depending on camera make and
model, but the setting should be found in your custom
control menu. After focus is disabled, the camera will
meter with a half press of the shutter button and take an
image with a full press. If you have a dedicated back
focus button, you're ready to start shooting. If not, you
will need to program one of the buttons on the back to
meter and focus. Make sure this is the same button on
your camera that corresponds to the correct control on
your housing. This would also typically be found in the
custom control menu, but I would suggest doing a search
on your particular camera model on how to set up back
button focus.

Because the camera will stop focusing any time you are
not pressing the thumb button, I typically leave my
camera set to [AI Servo] or [AF C]. That way, if you want
to continuously focus, just keep your thumb pressed
down. You can stop focus anytime by releasing your
thumb. You can take photos at any time with the shutter
button, regardless if you are holding down the thumb
button or have it released. With camera lenses equipped
with full time manual focusing like the Canon 100mm
macro L and Nikon 105mm macro, you can install a
manual focus gear and have manual focus whenever you
are not pressing the thumb button.

Back button focus can also make for faster compositions.

Focus on your subject using a center point, release your
thumb and recompose.

Conclusion

If you have shot for a long time using the typical index
finger focus and shutter release, then back button focus
will take a little time to get used to. That being said, I
don't know one photographer that has given back button
focus a real try and switched back to using a single
button focus and release. Once you start using it it, I'm
sure you will start to see the advantages for yourself. So
why not give it a try? It may change the way you shoot
forever.