Back Button AUTOFOCUS Canon

Learn how to set up dual back button autofocus with this step-by-step tutorial. I will teach you how back-button autofocus works, use cases, and how to set it up on a Canon R6 and similar models.
🎵 EpidemicSound: share.epidemicsound.com/hsf5gg
🎞️ Artgrid: artgrid.io/Per-1123279
Subscribe to my Channel: bit.ly/sub-to-my-youtube
► SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: / persvanstrom
TikTok: / persvanstrom
Facebook: / persvanstrom.se
► Website and Business Inquiries
persvanstrom.se
Hey there, I'm Per, and welcome to my channel! Here you'll find many tips, tricks, and tutorials on videography, photography, and content creation. As someone who's passionate about creating high-quality content, I'm here to share my own experience and expertise to help you improve your own skills and achieve your creative goals. From beginner basics to more advanced techniques, I'll cover it all in a way that's easy to understand and implement.
But I'm not just here to be an expert - I'm also here to learn from you! So feel free to leave a comment, ask a question, or share your own tips and tricks in the community. So if you're ready to take your content creation to the next level, hit that subscribe button and join me on this journey!

Пікірлер: 81

  • @HamzWithACam
    @HamzWithACam Жыл бұрын

    I've watched a bunch of videos about back button focus but this is the FIRST to explain it to me properly. Thank you!

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    No thank you! Makes me so happy that I could be of service and thank you for sharing your feedback it means the world. Do you have any scenario you would like me to cover in a future video?

  • @cybellejones9227

    @cybellejones9227

    9 ай бұрын

    I feel the same! I was so confused before now I get it!

  • @AndreaRushton-r3o
    @AndreaRushton-r3o11 күн бұрын

    Brilliant! Thank you for this, I just learned so much in such a short burst you've helped me with things I've been battling with for years.

  • @cybellejones9227
    @cybellejones92279 ай бұрын

    Thank you for explaining this better than any other video that I have watched. It actually makes sense now in my mind, I was so confused before. Hats off to you!!

  • @monalisastudio7401
    @monalisastudio74017 ай бұрын

    Thank you for explaining this better than any other video that I have watched

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    7 ай бұрын

    That makes me so happy to hear. Thank you for saying that and I'm glad I could help :) Anything else you would like me to cover in a future video?

  • @jethercalope6378
    @jethercalope6378 Жыл бұрын

    Wonderful!

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Cheers!

  • @jeanniehuff7231
    @jeanniehuff72317 ай бұрын

    So helpful. Thank you!

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    7 ай бұрын

    I’m glad you liked it 🙏 Let me know if there’s anything else I should cover in a future video? Something you would like to know? 👍

  • @hakanviajando
    @hakanviajando Жыл бұрын

    This confused me so much at first and I had to read a lot of material to understand the camera better. Now it all just makes sense, thanks a lot for the video.

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    It makes me glad it helped. Anything you still feel is confusing that I can help with?

  • @hakanviajando

    @hakanviajando

    Жыл бұрын

    @@persvanstrom Thank you very much for asking. I feel comfortable now with the settings, now I just need to train my fingers to find the buttons easier :)

  • @escapekayak
    @escapekayak Жыл бұрын

    Big thanks. This should be the default settings! 😃 Keep these tutorials coming.

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    Will do sir and really appreciate your support

  • @TS-rs5ef
    @TS-rs5ef3 ай бұрын

    Thanks for that great explanation.

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    3 ай бұрын

    Thank you for watching 🙏👍❤️

  • @JoanneWetzel
    @JoanneWetzel Жыл бұрын

    Perfect! I just rented the R6 and so excited that I can still use the eye tracking even with BB focusing. Very helpful and easy to follow! Thanks!

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    I’m so glad it helped and thank you for sharing. I hope you will love the R6.

  • @elizabethperez1536
    @elizabethperez1536 Жыл бұрын

    Just grabbed this camera for Christmas. Looking forward to setting focus this way.

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    Congratulations 👍❤️ to your camera.

  • @canadalawexperts_
    @canadalawexperts_ Жыл бұрын

    Wow you delivery is absolutely bang on and very insightful …. Great content! ❤

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    That was very inspiring to hear and thank you very much for saying so. Anything you are curious about for me to cover in a future video?

  • @Apollos2023
    @Apollos2023 Жыл бұрын

    Bruh! This is an amazing video and I can't wait to try it out. Thanks!

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you 🙏 I hope it turns out as amazing as it did for me when I first discovered this technique

  • @Apollos2023

    @Apollos2023

    Жыл бұрын

    @@persvanstrom keep up the good work 👍🏾

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    @Street Clips Likewise and thank you

  • @julioquinones1986
    @julioquinones19862 жыл бұрын

    Informative video, New subscriber here. Keep up the good work.

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    2 жыл бұрын

    Much appreciated 🙏🧡 Any particular video you would like me to create?

  • @julioquinones1986

    @julioquinones1986

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@persvanstrom I'm waiting on my R6 as we speak, if you get your hands on the R7 and compare both that will be great.

  • @robertschneider4472
    @robertschneider447210 ай бұрын

    Today I got my new r5 and the first thing I changed was the autofocus to the two back buttons I love it thanks again ❤

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    10 ай бұрын

    Oh, R5. Congratulations and welcome to the family ❤️

  • @SKYNETSTUDIO
    @SKYNETSTUDIO7 ай бұрын

    Hey Per, I just bought the Canon R6. I just subscribed to your channel as well, since it is just the informations I needed for a good start and even more. Thanks for all your videos, including thoses that I'm about to watch ! Cheers from Canada

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    7 ай бұрын

    Awesome, thank you! And thank you for your trust. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with or anything you want me to cover in a future video. Got lots in the making. Cheers from Sweden :)

  • @robertschneider4472
    @robertschneider4472 Жыл бұрын

    Hello Thanks have now changed my autofocus to two back buttons Hope I can Handel it😊

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    Oh, cool 😎 Welcome to the dark side 😉 Let me know if I can help you with anything

  • @eergyn
    @eergyn Жыл бұрын

    thx for the insights! as a R6 user, would you recommend shown button configs also for the movie mode?

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    I’ll make a vid on that as well 👍 but I’m shooting mostly corporate interviews and events with my R6 currently. So Ninja V and click and forget. Not that much to fiddle with hence pretty much standard for video

  • @GainesvilleKen
    @GainesvilleKen9 ай бұрын

    Fortunately, the R5 has made BBF obsolete. The "standard functionality" now beats BBF hands down. Finally! But thanks for covering how to do it anyway.

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    9 ай бұрын

    Care to explain why? You sparked my curiosity 😊❤️🙏 and TY

  • @251photographystudio
    @251photographystudioАй бұрын

    Great Video, as a side note, this amazing feature is also available with Canon EOS RP, so I am guessing it is also available with any camera of Canon's that has both AF ON button on the back and eye detection. I set mine up the same way after watching this video. AF ON normal and * set to eye outfocus. I imagine this will be very helpful in the future as this was a conundrum of mine having to switch between the two during shooting

  • @atropicali
    @atropicali Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for your great tutorial AF video Just need one thing regarding the AF how to stop eye tracking completely just as not excising in the camera ! Because it’s fail sometimes Just need to focus to the whole scene in the Foreground and background only ! Best wishes 🌸🙏🏼

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    Not sure I understand exactly. You don't want to use eye tracking at all because sometimes it fails? I feel it often "fails" by picking the wrong eye etc, but thats when I press spot focus as the whole idea of dual button back button focus. If you wan't to get rid of eye tracking all together, just don't do a dual button setup, but rather just set your preferred AF method in meny 2. Otherwise let me know if I missunderstand and I will try my best to help. While on the subject. Anything else you want me to cover in a future video?

  • @skybee9197
    @skybee91979 ай бұрын

    HI. Great video and tutorial. to assign 2nd ''star'' button is possible for 90D? thanks, Tom

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    9 ай бұрын

    I don't own a 90D so can't say for sure, but if you can program buttons, I don't see why not?

  • @roy4359
    @roy4359 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this useful video. Do you think that we can do this buttons layout on C1 on a R7 and keep the original buttons layout on original modes ?

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you. Yes, you should be able to save your custom buttons for different Custom Shooting Modes as well, except for the M-Fn bar, which is global. You should also ensure you don't have auto update enabled as that will keep overriding your settings. Here is a video I did about Custom Shooting modes kzread.info/dash/bejne/Yn6LzJODnr3LnqQ.html Just let me know if there is anything I can do to help

  • @roy4359

    @roy4359

    Жыл бұрын

    @@persvanstrom Thank you very much for this advice. I will test that soon.

  • @danidah
    @danidah Жыл бұрын

    How do you change the focus spot with the joystick if your thumb is in use holding down one of the buttons?

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    I can't 😔 but often I just need to compose the shot by first placing the fucus point and then executing with focus button

  • @forsterl.stewart414
    @forsterl.stewart4148 ай бұрын

    The main advantage of decoupling autofocus from the shutter button is so that the photographer can leave the camera in continuous autofocus, yet still be able to focus and recompose (with the subject off centre) when necessary, by simply letting go of the AF-On button on the back of their camera. I have been perfectly capable of locking focus and recomposing through the years. The “magic” simply comes from the AF-Lock button, or in my case, the AF-On button, that is configured to serve as a dedicated AF-Lock button instead. With normal use of your shutter release button, let's say a subject is stationary all you need do,is press rear button with thumb to disable a.f. Then if it moves just release the rear button to start focus tracking. Easy peasy...very few professional photographers use back button for focusing. Moreover a more important use of a rear button is to have it programmed to One Shot/Ai Servo switch, or on Canon to Register Recall Function. Besides all that: Why use two fingers to do what can be accomplished with just one finger.

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    8 ай бұрын

    All options that works for you is a great option :) Personally I don't like either, battery, heat or noise of servo and I also like to focus on both eyes and subjects. Back button autofocus gives me that. So that is my solution. I'm glad you found yours :) Nice share, thx for that m8

  • @lintoncoke5094
    @lintoncoke50948 ай бұрын

    Great info. I've been shooting back button focus, I think I've been doing it wrong. I've been depressing af-on button when in focus I release the af-on button, then press the shutter button. Listening to you I should'nt release, but continue holding it down while pressing the shutter; is this correct?

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    8 ай бұрын

    The half press your metering, so dreads a little on the scenario. If I refocus on the same subject I rarely let go of shutter. Just like the opposite

  • @rosemariedesilva2197
    @rosemariedesilva219710 ай бұрын

    can I switch eyes with the AE in this settings?

  • @javearcleare567
    @javearcleare567 Жыл бұрын

    Can this method be used on Nikon mirrorless cameras? I have a Z5.

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    I don't have a Z5 to test with, but any camera with programable buttons should be able to do this. The options in the camera might be named differently, but the concept works for any camera :)

  • @Aidy-d
    @Aidy-d Жыл бұрын

    When i put my EOS R onto spot focus it removes the option for eye AF, is there a way around or something I'm not doing?

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    They counter out each other. It’s either spot or eye, That’s why dual back button auto focus is so good. It gives the option to do both

  • @jerrylantz5379
    @jerrylantz53794 ай бұрын

    What cage do you have on your Canon R6M2?

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    4 ай бұрын

    I only got m1, but I use 8sinn. Love their rig stuff. Expensive but premium

  • @wellor06
    @wellor06 Жыл бұрын

    You mean i can keep pressin the back button AF-On while focusing then take a shot?

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    Exactly that. I often alter between spot focus and back button AF-On while composing. When camera locks on what I like, then I just fire away. If subject moves, camera still tracks as long as you keep your focus button pressed.

  • @magicari
    @magicari5 ай бұрын

    does this method work for shooting video also??

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    5 ай бұрын

    Technically yes, but practically I would say no. We often need more control in our AF. Either sticky continuous eye-tracking or full manual focus and none of those scenarios would be viable with BBAF. Did that answer your question?

  • @magicari

    @magicari

    5 ай бұрын

    @@persvanstrom kind of. I’m trying to figure out the best way to use autofocus when I’m filming groups of people and not have it just focus on one person. And use maybe any costume setting to achieve going from people to maybe objects or things.

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    5 ай бұрын

    @@magicari could be hard to solve with AF. Going from one object to another (people can be objects) is what's called focus racking and is most often done manually. The R6 lacks good exposure tools so for a scenaro like that I would prob go with an external monitor that has focus tools. One way you could prob do this with BBF is with fairly slow AF settings, so when you go from AF eye to manual on an object (you can preset your single focus box on a cross of 3/3 grid (I often do) and then when you press BBF for spot focus your camera should refocus, but much slower. Set up an tripod and stage a scene and test different speed settings until you are happy with the results

  • @magicari

    @magicari

    5 ай бұрын

    @@persvanstrom thanks for the tips! i am also using the R6Mii if that makes any difference. I wll see if i can find a good setting.

  • @forsterl.stewart414
    @forsterl.stewart4146 ай бұрын

    BACK BUTTON FOCUS: Today's modern DSLR / MIRRORLESS cameras, back button focus is really not necessary. When the back button was useful was at a time when the a.f. points were limited to such a small portion on the viewfinder screen. Like when 9 points were all that was available. Today, most professional photographers use back buttons for many other options. I never use the back button for focusing. Generally, I leave tracking on and eye detection off since most of my wildlife is moving. On the R7 at least, I've found that Eye Detection isn't as consistent as it is on my R3/R5, so for Birds in flight or rapidly moving animals it's better to be able to quickly get on target and let tracking follow the subject. I get a higher keeper rate this way. For static/perched animals, I usually have time to toggle Eye Detection on and if it is still having difficulty latching onto the eye, I can always turn tracking off. Today the main advantage of decoupling autofocus from the shutter button is so that the photographer can leave the camera in continuous autofocus, yet still be able to focus and recompose (with the subject off center) when necessary, by simply letting go of the AF-On button on the back of their camera. I have been perfectly capable of locking focus and recomposing through the years. The “magic” simply comes from the AF-Lock button, or in my case, the AF-On button, that is configured to serve as a dedicated AF-Lock button instead. With normal use of your shutter release button, let's say a subject is stationary. All you need to do is press the rear button with thumb to disable a.f. Then, if it moves, just release the rear button to start focus tracking. Easy peasy... very few professional photographers use back-button for focusing, measly to change some settings in the A.F. Moreover a more important use of a rear button is to have it programmed to One Shot/Ai Servo switch, eye detection on/off,start/stop subject tracking or on Canon to Register Recall Function. Also possible to program a rear button to a single point a.f. selection or any one of the cluster boxes. With today's DSLR'S / MIRRORLESS, the possibilities are numerous. My r3 has numerous options for a.f. operational interfaces. Using my eye , rear lcd touch screen, joystick or top and rear dials to select movement of where to start focus. My r5 and r7 have quite a few options as well. Besides all that: Why use two fingers to do what can be accomplished with just one finger.

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    6 ай бұрын

    Nice input, I need to try some of this, I took almost 100k photos last year, so will be hard to retrain that muscle-memory. For me the swich between AF/continous/eye tracking to spot focus has landed me some really successful photos that I wouldn't have landed otherwise. Where I can choose to focus on a none-human object while I have people in the scene as an example. Still very interesting to learn new things, so I really appreciate your input m8. I can feel a new video or two from this :) Both R5 and R3 on on my list for dream camera, how do you like them? What is best with them?

  • @forsterl.stewart414

    @forsterl.stewart414

    6 ай бұрын

    @persvanstrom point well taken... no pun intended..(ha - ha) Single point / spot focus is definitely a great way to use auto focus tracking start. I've noticed that when I'm using the r3 flexible zone points, if the subjects' eyes are small in the viewfinder, as good as its a.f. is, the r3 can have even have problems locking on to the eyes. And I must hit the a.f. points selection swith and use the multi function button to quickly switch to single spot or single point to start the tracking-lock on.

  • @stevedixon4629
    @stevedixon462910 ай бұрын

    Was trying this on the rp but it doesn’t work

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    7 ай бұрын

    Can’t you program buttons on RP? Sorry I don’t have one to try it out…

  • @NewJerseyGuy
    @NewJerseyGuy Жыл бұрын

    Since the shutter button has to "pass" through the half-press point when taking a picture, will it not trigger metering+exposure lock thereby canceling any previous exposure lock (say for backlit situation)? For that reason, I've got my video record button set to perform exposure lock but maybe with what you're saying, I can free up my red button :-)

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    Жыл бұрын

    Sounds like a nice solution 👍 Who needs a RED 😅

  • @NewJerseyGuy

    @NewJerseyGuy

    Жыл бұрын

    @@persvanstrom BTW I just tried your solution and answered my own question. What you're suggesting is holding down the shutter button to keep the exposure locked. That works but can be a bit tricky to pull off all the time. I will certainly be trying that as well. Thanks again for the tip!

  • @williamgollatz1911
    @williamgollatz19115 ай бұрын

    Sorta funny. The accent of Auto-Focus sounds almost exactly like "out-of-focus."

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    5 ай бұрын

    Opsie 😅

  • @youennjaffrain8325
    @youennjaffrain83256 ай бұрын

    This video could have been even better without the background music, which is useless and spoiling the speech.

  • @persvanstrom

    @persvanstrom

    6 ай бұрын

    Ok, Thx for the feedback m8, I appreciate it