What To Know
- In situations where you need to shoot quickly, back button focus allows you to focus on your subject and fire off shots in rapid succession without having to constantly re-focus.
- Back button focus helps you to achieve more accurate focus, as you can hold the focus button down until you’re confident that your subject is in focus.
- In sports photography, back button focus allows you to focus on your subject without accidentally triggering the shutter, resulting in more consistent and accurate shots.
Are you tired of the frustration of accidentally focusing on the wrong subject while shooting with your Nikon D7200? Do you yearn for a more intuitive and responsive focusing experience? Then mastering back button focus is a game-changer for you. This technique allows you to separate the focus function from the shutter release, giving you unparalleled control over your shots. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up back button focus on your Nikon D7200, explaining the benefits and providing practical tips to maximize its effectiveness.
Why Choose Back Button Focus?
Before diving into the setup process, let’s understand why back button focus is a valuable tool for photographers of all levels.
- Improved Focus Control: By separating focus from the shutter release, you gain the ability to focus on your subject without accidentally triggering the shutter. This is particularly useful in fast-paced situations or when you need to carefully compose your shot.
- Faster Shooting: In situations where you need to shoot quickly, back button focus allows you to focus on your subject and fire off shots in rapid succession without having to constantly re-focus.
- More Precise Focus: Back button focus helps you to achieve more accurate focus, as you can hold the focus button down until you’re confident that your subject is in focus.
- Enhanced Composition: With back button focus, you can focus on your subject while simultaneously composing your shot, allowing you to create more dynamic and visually appealing images.
Setting Up Back Button Focus on Your Nikon D7200
1. Accessing the Custom Settings Menu: Press the Menu button on your camera and navigate to the Custom Setting Menu (the wrench icon).
2. Selecting the Focus Configuration: Within the Custom Setting Menu, choose “a1: Focus Configuration”.
3. Enabling Back Button Focus: Navigate to the “Focus Button” option and select “AF-ON”. This step assigns the focus function to the AF-ON button, which is typically located on the back of your camera.
4. Choosing Your Focus Mode: You can now choose your preferred focus mode by selecting “a2: Focus Mode”. For most situations, “AF-S (Single-Servo AF)” is a good starting point, but you can experiment with other modes like “AF-C (Continuous-Servo AF)” or “AF-A (Auto AF)” depending on your shooting style and subject.
Mastering Back Button Focus: Tips and Tricks
Now that you have back button focus set up, here are some tips to help you get the most out of this technique:
- Practice, Practice, Practice: The key to mastering back button focus is practice. Start by shooting in familiar settings and gradually work your way up to more challenging situations.
- Use the AF-ON Button: When using back button focus, press and hold the AF-ON button to focus on your subject. Release the button when you’re ready to take the shot.
- Experiment with Focus Modes: Try different focus modes to find the one that best suits your needs.
- Utilize the Focus Lock Feature: If you need to focus on a subject and then recompose your shot, use the focus lock feature. Press the AF-ON button to focus on your subject, then half-press the shutter button to lock the focus. You can then recompose your shot without losing focus.
- Adjust Focus Points: The Nikon D7200 offers a variety of focus points. Experiment with different focus point settings to find the best option for your shooting style.
- Customize Your Camera Settings: Take advantage of your camera’s customizable settings to further optimize your back button focus experience. For example, you can adjust the focus tracking sensitivity and the focus area mode.
Back Button Focus for Specific Shooting Situations
- Wildlife Photography: Back button focus is essential for wildlife photography, where you need to quickly focus on moving subjects and capture sharp images.
- Sports Photography: In sports photography, back button focus allows you to focus on your subject without accidentally triggering the shutter, resulting in more consistent and accurate shots.
- Portrait Photography: Back button focus gives you more precise control over focus, helping you to achieve sharp, well-composed portraits.
- Landscape Photography: While back button focus is not as crucial in landscape photography, it can still be helpful for focusing on specific elements within the scene.
The Benefits of Back Button Focus
- Increased Control: You are in complete control of when the camera focuses, allowing you to focus on your subject precisely when you want to.
- Reduced Camera Shake: By separating the focus and shutter release functions, you minimize the risk of camera shake caused by pressing the shutter button.
- Faster Shooting: You can focus on your subject and take shots in rapid succession without having to constantly re-focus.
- Improved Accuracy: You can focus on your subject and ensure that it is in focus before taking the shot, resulting in sharper images.
A New Perspective on Photography: Embracing Back Button Focus
Back button focus is a powerful tool that can significantly enhance your photography experience. By mastering this technique, you gain greater control over your camera, allowing you to capture more stunning and professional-looking images. Embrace the power of back button focus and unlock a new level of creativity with your Nikon D7200.
What You Need to Know
Q: Can I use back button focus with any lens?
A: Yes, back button focus can be used with any lens that is compatible with your Nikon D7200.
Q: Is back button focus difficult to learn?
A: While it may take some practice to get used to, back button focus is not difficult to learn. The key is to practice regularly and experiment with different settings to find what works best for you.
Q: Can I use back button focus with autofocus and manual focus?
A: Yes, you can use back button focus with both autofocus and manual focus. If you’re using manual focus, you will need to manually focus on your subject using the lens focus ring.
Q: Does back button focus work with all Nikon cameras?
A: Most modern Nikon cameras support back button focus, but it is not available on all models. Check your camera’s manual to see if it supports back button focus.
Q: Can I change back to the default shutter-release focus?
A: Yes, you can easily revert back to the default shutter-release focus by going back into the Custom Settings Menu and changing the “Focus Button” option back to “Shutter”.
