Back Button Focus

[jmo]

Hi all,

 

I tried a X-T1 today for some time and the sales man couldn't help me with this question.

First i will describe how i do this on my Nikon d300s:

 

1. In the menu, I select back button (AF-L) only for focussing, so the shutter button is only used for releasing the shutter.

2. In the menu, I choose single point AF and i choose AF-C mode, so the camera focusses continuously ONLY when i press and hold the AF-L button. 

3. First i compose and focus (with the AF-L button pressed) on for example the eyes of my girlfriend, then i release the AF-L button and press the shutter.

 

4. For now i can hit the shutter as many times as i want, the camera only focusses again when i press the AF-L button.

 

So resume: AF-S (single point), AF mode on Continuous (AF-C), AF-L for focussing only, the shutter only to release, not to focus.

 

Is the following possible on the X-T1? I use this function for 100% of the time.

 

p.s. i am from the Netherlands, so it's possible i have some words wrong. :-)

 

[erwiurewurwehu]

To a certain you can do this with the X-T1 if you put into into "M" focus mode. Then the AF-L button engages the focus. In "C" and "S" focus mode only the shutter button works. this is my favorite complaint abut the X-T1 

[quincy]

The AF-L button on my X-T1 always works, no matter if the focus mode switch on the front of the camera is set to S C or M. But you have to keep it pressed if the switch is set to S or C to prevent the half-pressed shutter button from refocusing.

 

So to the OP:

 

You can choose single point AF (relocateable over the whole frame and resizable)

You can set the AF-L button mode to AF-C in the menu

When you set the focus mode switch on the front of your camera to "M", the focus function is removed from half-pressing the shutter, so only the AF-L button engages focusing.

[LocalGhost]

The AF-L button on my X-T1 always works, no matter if the focus mode switch on the front of the camera is set to S C or M. But you have to keep it pressed if the switch is set to S or C to prevent the half-pressed shutter button from refocusing.

 

 

 

Like I said in the other thread, in Shooting Menu 4 there's an option AE/AF LOCK MODE. Change it to ON/OFF SWITCH and you won't have to keep AF-L pressed - press once to focus and lock, then you can recompose and shoot as many shots as you need with focus locked. Pres AF-L again to release the focus. Works in S and C mode, not in M, though.

[quincy]

Yeah right, sorry!

I forgot about that because I configured it to "on when pressing" a long time ago and left it there.

[LocalGhost]

I forgot about that because I configured it to "on when pressing" a long time ago and left it there.

 

I re-discovered it myself only recently :-)

 

I think its name (ON/OFF SWITCH) is a bit unfortunate and confusing  - many people think it actually turns the AF-L on/off completely, while it actually changes its mode of operation. I'd name it simply SWITCH MODE if I were Fujifilm :-)