Another Focus Tip for 7D/5DMKII (others) at DVinfo.net

Ray Bell · October 11th, 2009, 03:55 PM

Ok, so say your out with your camera and you want to be able to focus on a fast moving
subject and you want the camera to track the subject in perfect focus and you want to be
able to use the 7D 8 frame burst mode to make sure you get the perfect shot...

The subject could be, kids, dogs, cats, flowers, football players.. the list goes on and on...

Well, here's a couple of settings for you to explore... the method is called " back button
focus " ... Its how the sports photographers get the great shots...

Gear Friday – Back Button Focus Serious Amateur Photography

John Benton · October 11th, 2009, 04:58 PM

thank you Ray!

Daniel Bates · October 12th, 2009, 04:29 AM

I never use anything but back-button focus. The ability to separate the act of focusing from the act of making an image is crucial to my shooting style.

Bill Binder · October 12th, 2009, 05:58 PM

Can't speak for the 7D, but on the 5D2, when going this route (back button focus), you also need to be very specific about when you want the exposure calculated. One option in the custom function will calculate exposure during shutter release (half press does nothing except fire up the displays), the other option will exposure lock on half press of the shutter. With that last option, you have basically separated focus from exposure from shutter.

Brian Luce · October 26th, 2009, 11:55 PM

Great article, thanks.

Vincent Martinez · October 29th, 2009, 10:21 PM

I can't find this option on the 7D ????

I've always used this feature on my previous bodies.

October 11th, 2009, 03:55 PM	#1
Ray Bell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,414	Another Focus Tip for 7D/5DMKII (others) Ok, so say your out with your camera and you want to be able to focus on a fast moving subject and you want the camera to track the subject in perfect focus and you want to be able to use the 7D 8 frame burst mode to make sure you get the perfect shot... The subject could be, kids, dogs, cats, flowers, football players.. the list goes on and on... Well, here's a couple of settings for you to explore... the method is called " back button focus " ... Its how the sports photographers get the great shots... Gear Friday – Back Button Focus Serious Amateur Photography

October 26th, 2009, 11:55 PM	#5
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	Great article, thanks. Last edited by Brian Luce; October 27th, 2009 at 02:12 AM.

October 11th, 2009, 04:58 PM	#2
John Benton Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 658	thank you Ray!

October 12th, 2009, 04:29 AM	#3
Daniel Bates Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Daegu, Korea Posts: 180	I never use anything but back-button focus. The ability to separate the act of focusing from the act of making an image is crucial to my shooting style.

October 12th, 2009, 05:58 PM	#4
Bill Binder Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 542	Can't speak for the 7D, but on the 5D2, when going this route (back button focus), you also need to be very specific about when you want the exposure calculated. One option in the custom function will calculate exposure during shutter release (half press does nothing except fire up the displays), the other option will exposure lock on half press of the shutter. With that last option, you have basically separated focus from exposure from shutter.

October 29th, 2009, 10:21 PM	#6
Vincent Martinez Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Brighton, Colorado Posts: 49	I can't find this option on the 7D ???? I've always used this feature on my previous bodies.