X-T5 Back Button Focus - use AF-ON and/or AEL buttons?

[Adam H]

I recently switched to using Back Button Focus (BBF) on my X-T5 and although I'm still getting used to it - I like it.

My settings are:

The AF-ON button is the BBF button.

SHUTTER AF

AF-S ON

AF-C ON

I set the FOCUS MODE SELECTOR to Manual when using BBF. If I hand the camera to someone to take a photo I switch the FOCUS MODE SELECTOR to AF-S. If I am shooting a continuously moving subject I switch it to AF-C.

In Manual mode, I can tape the BBF button once for single focus or hold it down for continuous tracking.

This seem like the best of both worlds to me - I'm the photographer (manual mode or C mode for automatic) or someone else is using my camera (S mode). I'm interested in hearing your thoughts if this is a mistake and I am missing something fundamental here.

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts if this is a mistake and I am missing something fundamental here.

Sometimes the AF-ON button seems a bit out of reach and my thumb is pressed against my head when using the viewfinder. I am thinking of configuring the AEL button to also be the BBF button so that I can experiment if it feels more natural. I never use the AEL button for exposure lock, so maybe I'll just leave both AF-ON and AEL set for BBF>

Again I'm interested in hearing your thoughts if this is a mistake and I am missing something fundamental here.

Looking forward to reading the replies. Thanks!

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

I recently switched to using Back Button Focus (BBF) on my X-T5 and although I'm still getting used to it - I like it.

My settings are:

The AF-ON button is the BBF button.

SHUTTER AF

AF-S ON

AF-C ON

I set the FOCUS MODE SELECTOR to Manual when using BBF. If I hand the camera to someone to take a photo I switch the FOCUS MODE SELECTOR to AF-S. If I am shooting a continuously moving subject I switch it to AF-C.

In Manual mode, I can tape the BBF button once for single focus or hold it down for continuous tracking.

This seem like the best of both worlds to me - I'm the photographer (manual mode or C mode for automatic) or someone else is using my camera (S mode). I'm interested in hearing your thoughts if this is a mistake and I am missing something fundamental here.

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts if this is a mistake and I am missing something fundamental here.

Sometimes the AF-ON button seems a bit out of reach and my thumb is pressed against my head when using the viewfinder. I am thinking of configuring the AEL button to also be the BBF button so that I can experiment if it feels more natural. I never use the AEL button for exposure lock, so maybe I'll just leave both AF-ON and AEL set for BBF>

Again I'm interested in hearing your thoughts if this is a mistake and I am missing something fundamental here.

Looking forward to reading the replies. Thanks!

Personally, I don't like BBF at all with Fuji cameras except in M mode (which doesn't require disabling SHUTTER AF, and which I use quite often). I've always preferred the rear command dial for AF-On with all my Fujis (including my recently acquired X-T5), it's where my thumb naturally wants to be, but whatever works for you is fine. I'm left eye dominant and my big nose makes the AF-On button less than ideal (I use it for AEL),

 

[Adam H]

Personally, I don't like BBF at all with Fuji cameras except in M mode (which doesn't require disabling SHUTTER AF, and which I use quite often). I've always preferred the rear command dial for AF-On with all my Fujis (including my recently acquired X-T5), it's where my thumb naturally wants to be, but whatever works for you is fine. I'm left eye dominant and my big nose makes the AF-On button less than ideal (I use it for AEL),

I hadn't thought about the rear command dial - great idea (THANKS). I don't know what it currently does as I don't use it. It requires a firmer press than AF-ON and AE-L, but it's closer to where my thumb lands.

OK - So I just experimented with what pressing the rear command dial does and I kind of like it, so I think I want to try using it for a while before/if changing it's function. So I think I will enable AEL for BBF and re-evaluate after some time has elapsed.

Thanks for your reply. It was most helpful!

Adam