Very informative and compelling. After going to your settings, I tried a few shots and now Im convinced this is the only way to operate in any situation..
New video: How to setup your LUMIX camera for back-button autofocus. It works particularly well for wildlife and sports, but some folks use it full-time. #LUMIXlounge #LUMIXGH3 #LUMIXGH4 #LUMIXGX7 #backbuttonaf
Frank Grygier I generally use manual focus for the video I shoot (nature and wildlife). For things like this video I use face detect AF and continuous AF. Stephen Carter I'm not sure you will find an advantage for using back button focus for landscapes. If you use a cable release you need the AF on the shutter button so you can focus. I have back button focus set to one of the Custom slots on my mode dial so I can activate it with a twist.
Fantastic. Thanks for the tip. Seems like I can use this when shooting kids or groups of kids. Was always getting a lot of kids out of focus or just shooting too slow at our cub scout meetings and trips (on my GH3).
Can't remember if I already commented..:) This is GOOD stuff. Something inspired me to start using it, but the video made a lot of things clear(er). It's taking me some time to get muscle memory to member and I've had a few accidental discharges. Other settings I use is 1/2 press shutter release and eye sensor AF. Man, now I am up and shooting. And, something I haven't looked into or can explain yet is... BBF also works when in manual focus.
great lil video man, ive been struggling with auto focus for my gh4 for a bit, then again have not used it as much as i would like too! thanks ! ill give it a try
Thanks for this, allowed me to do what I wanted which was make the shutter allowed manual focus overide without trying to autofocus but still allow me to autofocus during the shot. Is there a way to make manual focus overide work without pressing a button (just touching the focus ring like the g6 can do).
Great! Glad to help. You should be able to turn on “AF+MF”, but I don’t remember where it is in the menu. That will allow you to manually focus after you use the AF
I like it! I struggle with getting half-click to work properly.. I end up with a shot that’s out of focus. Wrong setting? I don’t know. I have yet to get into the mind of the Lumix programmer! Can I use this with AE as well? Provably not so important at a hockey game where you might have good uniform lighting, but say, you’re in a park shooting a flock of geese and you’re working your way around them and the light is also changes in both sun angle and shade. .. and why not complicate the situation further by switching between stills and video.
The G9 is famous for it’s sensitive shutter button! I don’t remember if you can lock the AE and the AF at the same time with the back button. In situations like you describe I would usually use manual exposure mode.
@@RobKnight Thanks! Manual exposure is certainly doable! I would go manual focus, but sometimes, I think of myself as “the blind photographer”, as I’m switching glasses or removing them to see the camera setting & focus screen as well as the subject. Of course, if I had the skills like the “pinball wizard” (shameless “The Who” reference), I could focus by sense of smell.
@@RobKnight I have a GX5 and a GX8. While they have some features that make then a good pair, the GH5 goes “deeper”. The Half Click on the GX8 is barely usable, while the Half Click on the GH5 is better, but still quite touchy. It comes to finding the best way to live with the beast!
I have used this technique on Canon DSLRs for years. I have tried back button focus on my Lumix G6 for several sports but the button on the back of the camera is frustratingly small & hard to activate while shooting. Probably a lot more ergonomic & easier to do on the GH3. Thanks for the vid.
Thanks for sharing Lyndon Smith. The GH3 and GX7 have their AF/AE lock buttons surrounded by a switch, which makes them slightly raised and easy to feel for without looking.
Rob, the frustration with focus hunting during video capture on my GX85 really would benefit from auto focus lock. But why, when I set it up per your instructions, does the AFL turn back to AFS, the moment I hit the shutter release button?. When I am not in video mode, and in any still picture mode other than iA, the AFL stays as AFL, no matter how many times I depress the shutter release. Trouble is only in video mode. I think there must be an option in the menu some where, that is not optioned right. But I do have AF/AE Lock Hold set to "on" as well as AF/AE Lock set to "AF Lock." Shutter AF is set to "Off." Help!
Is there a way to lock the aperture on the GH4 before or after locking the focus with back-button AF? This would help a lot when things are burned out by a a bright background. I used to do this all the time with the Canon 5D Mari III. (PS a comment below to turn off Quick AF to get back-button focus to work saved me.)
Rob Knight Thanks for your help. Now that I have all of my settings (and movie settings thanks to Tom Antos) finally set, I wish there was a way to save them in the cloud. So much tinkering. Now I gotta get out and shoot . . .
Thanks for sharing this experience. I was looking for this advise for an ages just couldn't name it. Works perfect on my Panasonic GX80 with kit lens 12-32
I just set up my GH4 for back button autofocus. It's going to take a bit to get used to it. But, I already saw the benefits on my first test. I just keep forgetting that I am not focusing with the shutter button.
thanks you!!! thanks a lot for your video, it's very helpful ... I was trying to do this in my new GX7 but... Thanks to you I get the easy way to do it.. I have two questions, this can be useful for wedding photography? (talking about the ceremony)... and this method can be used with old lenses? (lenses plus micro 4/3 adapters)... thanks again for your videos and your time to respond..
Excellent vid and explanation Rob. Don't know if you can help with this. i have a GX7. is there a way to make sure the camera re-focuses before every shot. i.e in multiple shot, self timer mode. i noticed if i move the camera or subject in between shots it doesn't refocus. many thanks in advance.
i seem to have answered my own question. thanks to a tip from this site; www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=461829. On my GX7 and nikon D4s the camera refocuses before every shot ONLY in time lapse or interval mode setting. seems to be an industry standard as the D4s also does not refocus every shot whilst in self-timer mode. well now i know. thanks for reading hope this helps others.
Dear Rob, I have GX8, GH5, and now G9. I am bird amateur photographer. I noticed that you also have G9 on your recent TH-cam. I have been using GH5 and it has been mega improvement from GX8. However, it does not have fast focusing as many reviews have shown. Do you feel 1) G9 is much better on focus tracking, and 2) G9 has MOST sensitive shutter button ... for just too much. Do you like the shutter button? It seems like this video on Bak Button AF is much useful with such sensitive shutter button. Would appreciate your opinion.
I have a GH3. Followed your video but can not get to the screen shown at 2:45. When I hit the Fn3 button (I think that's what you hit - it's out of the shot and you call it area focus mode button) I see setting to choose video resolution - even though my GH3 is not set to the movie mode on the top dial. What should I do? Thanks .
Thanks Rob, very cool, didn't know you could do that with the GH4! if you set the AF/AE lock button to back button focus, do you set a different button for AE lock then? If I'm trying to track some fast action (kid, baptism, etc.) do I keep holding the back button focus to force continuous focus? Under the custom menu (wrench with C) page 2 there's the option for 'half press release'. Is this something you would use to further decrease reaction time? Thanks!
Yes, you can hold the AEL button for continuous AF. I assume you could assign the AEL function to a different Fn button. Half press release would definitely give you more of a hair-trigger :-) Thanks for the comment!
Thank you for this video- I tried this setting for a headshot photo shoot with my GX8 to try and improve the number of shots in focus but this greatly reduced the amount of shots in focus (only 10% were sharp- had to organize a reshoot for my client embarrassingly)- should the back button definitely be continuously depressed whilst pressing the shutter release as in AFC mode the focus is rapidly moving and shifting (even when trying to focus on a still inanimate object) making quite a bit of noise (likely draining the battery quicker) and am uncertain with the very shallow depth of field I'm shooting at using a 75mm lens (150mm full frame equivalent) at f1.8 that with the constantly shifting focus in AFC mode if it's going to catch my subject's eyes in focus every time- is it better to have in AFS/AFF mode with the camera set to which one specifically? Thanks for anyone's reply
Rob, Thanks for doing this video. It is quite precise. I have a Lumix FZ2500 & I think the menu is slightly different. When at the ' Focus/ Release Priority ' tab it has 2 options : AFS / AFF Focus or Release option. Below this is AFC Focus / Release choice. How should I set these ? I have the back selector set for AFC. When I push on the back button AFL shows on the monitor & is accompanied by a beep & the green focus circle. When I re-push the button AFC is shown - no beep, green ball or orange camera image. Any comments / suggestions ? Thanks, Ray
Rob having some trouble on my GH4... Do I need to be in AFF for focus tracking with back button focus setup? Or should I keep it in AFS? AFC would defeat the whole purpose of tracking without choosing tracking.... Right? Not to mention the FPS drops to 7 with AFC. In other words I've noticed in AFF the camera refocuses while holding the button NO MATTER WHERE I POINT THE CAMERA, which is what I want, but when i use AFS (which I'm pretty sure is the proper setting?) it does NOT refocus if I point the camera in a diff location while continuing to hold the AE Lock button/back focus button. Personally AFC misses focus and hunts a lot (even with 1 area focus on) and AFF is much better at tracking and keeping things in focus however it does miss not as much as AFC but it does. So should I be using AFS?
thanks for your video- I set this up on my gx8.. however saving to custom setting C1 by default the camera in auto P mode.. how do I set this up and keep the camera in manual (M) mode? thank you
Hi Rob, very interesting video and clearly explained. Now, I am trying to set up my G85 according your instructions, but something goes wrong anyway. While pushing the AE/AF button, all is ok. But as I release my finger, the camera still continues to do its Continuous AF. After playing a while with this, I noticed that just after releasing my AF/AE button, and then pressing halfway the shutter release button, the G85 stopped its solo AFC. But I did not find any method that the camera would automatically stop its AFC adventure :) Any ideas about this with the G85. Cheers!, Gert
Great vid, thanks. Is it possible to have the GH4 on auto mode and use pinpoint focusing? When I switch to iA mode, I'm unable to use my thumb as a focus button. Am I missing something?
Cheers for the explanation on back button auto focus, much appreciated. Taken me a little while to get used to it but now find it invaluable. One quick question on setting up my GX7 for any sort of spots/wildlife photography. When setting my drive mode I have it set to H (w/o Live View) is this the best setting to use for fast moving subjects? If not what would be the best drive mode to use. Cheers.
Hi Rob, thanks for the neat and clear video! I have one question though. I have managed to make all the adjustments for back button focusing, but what I'd like is to be able to lock exposure with the release button, so I can lock focus with back button, and then take pictures by locking exposure on different parts of the scene. However, the problem is thay although I keep pressing the release button to focus exposure, as I move the camera, it keeps changing the exposure accordingly. Is there a way to assign just exposure lock to the release button, just like in Canon or Sony cameras?
Jose Sanabria thanks for the kind words! I know I can set exposure lock to the shutter release in my Olympus cameras, but I don’t think you can do it on the Lumix bodies 😕
Hi Rob. If I have Quick AF turned on the autofocus is working all the time. Meaning if I reframe the shot focus changes automatically and will refocus on a new subject, however, if I switch off Quick AF the focusing works as you explain in your video. Am I doing something wrong?
Ah, that makes sense. I guess when the Quick AF is on the AF is not dependent on the AF-on button. You would definitely need to turn that off for back button AF. Thanks for teaching me that :-)
Did you notice that Focus priority setting actually does not work when back AF is set? or it is only in mine GH4. Cant test in GH3 anymore unfortunately
You can assign the AE lock to a different function button if you like. I don't use back button AF all of the time. I have those settings assigned to one of the custom slots on the mode dial on my GH4. That way I can easily switch it on when I need it. Cheers!
Rob Knight Gracias. I had followed your directions precisely, except I assigned the focus button to Fn-1. This worked, but my finger got kind of sore. Now, I'll try to find the ideal button to re-assign AE lock to. By the way, those of us with no mechanical aptitude would also enjoy videos about Quick Menu setup, and how to make the movie camera icon come back to LSD screen so we can adjust sound while filming.
I have spent 20 minutes trying to set the menu to AF/AE Lock from the menu list. This setting is "greyed out", You need to explain the camera settings used before the menu is selected. I will have another look at your video when I can figure out why the menu option is blurred out. Thank you.I am using the Panasonic GX7 camera.
Hello, I appreciate your frustration. There is no way for me to troubleshoot your camera to find out what setting might be causing a conflict. Maybe demanding that I need to explain all of my other camera settings isn’t the best way for you to ask? 😆
Cool video. I changed all these settings on my gh4 and when i press the AEL it focuses but holding down doesn't track it just keeps the original focus point. Any clue what that might be? Thanks!
If you're using single-point focus and AF-C the focus point will not move. I recommend using a larger focus point by turning the rear dial when you select your focus point. Try to keep the subject within the focusing square. The new custom area focus is also great for moving subjects. You can basically define an area of the frame where you want your subject to be. That gives you more flexibility than a single point.
Rob, I tried changing the auto focus mode from "pinpoint" to "1 area," and that looks to be the parameter that now allows AFL to stay AFL, when I press the shutter release while in video mode. Nevertheless, thank you for your clip. You have a mellow vibe.
I have an offer for GH3 with great lens for 250 euros in great condition. Do you think it is worth it? I will be using it for live music covers mainly.
Hallo Rob, i can buy a secondhand, brandnew looking gh4 with leica 12-35+battery+loader + V-log(whatever that is) for 900 euro. What is best, go for the gh4 secondhand ore a new one in the same price class. I dont want to invest in a gh5, way to expensive. lately many of my subscribers complain about the bad video images on my channel. This is because I use a very old (2008)samsung camcorder. I cant take distance from this camcorder because the built in microphones are the best i ever heard. My videos are about sound, so sound is the most important thing. but i also have 2 zoom h2n microphones i use when i visit live concerts. my other 2 cameras, both 2012 sony dsc hx20v shoot very good hd pictures but the sound is very bad and no mic in connection. This summer i will shoot 80 outdoor movies for children(1,5 till 5 years) I want to film those movies in 4k and later use the cam also for my regular stereo sound movies.......what to do? is the gh4 a good deal ore????
Rob Knight I think what I was getting at was, I am hopeful that someone will do a serious instruction video about the various settings for maintaining focus in video mode... especially doing sports, run and gun, and situations where light and focal distance are moving around a bit. Locking on in video is a bitch, especially at wider aperture settings.
I would recommend using manual focus and focus peaking for the subjects you describe. I would also recommend stopping down as much as possible to get the maximum depth of field. That way your exact point of focus is less imperative.
wattched this so many years ago, and came back to refresh my memory …thanks great video
Very informative and compelling. After going to your settings, I tried a few shots and now Im convinced this is the only way to operate in any situation..
That’s great! Happy to help
New video: How to setup your LUMIX camera for back-button autofocus.
It works particularly well for wildlife and sports, but some folks use it full-time.
#LUMIXlounge #LUMIXGH3 #LUMIXGH4 #LUMIXGX7 #backbuttonaf
Great Tip! Can you share your focus settings for video on the GH3?
Sweet! Thanks Rob. I'm going to try this out on roller derby, which is crazy hard to track focus on. Keep them coming.
Frank Grygier I generally use manual focus for the video I shoot (nature and wildlife). For things like this video I use face detect AF and continuous AF.
Stephen Carter I'm not sure you will find an advantage for using back button focus for landscapes. If you use a cable release you need the AF on the shutter button so you can focus.
I have back button focus set to one of the Custom slots on my mode dial so I can activate it with a twist.
I've heard of Back Button Autofocus, but never understood what it is and how to use it until now. Another good technique to try this weekend!
Straightforward and very helpful. thanks
my pleasure!
What I like is you explain what you are going to do then how to do it. Right to the point thanks buddy
great explanation with no damn music in the back ground to distract !
I suscribed...
Cheers Alex, thanks!
Great Video Rob... I needed this :) Very clear & Easy To Follow! :)
Grant Robert Davies thanks! I’m glad to help
Outstanding video, Rob. I followed along on my GX85 and AFC worked just as you described. Thank you.
Thank you so much for the great description. I have struggled with understanding the FBB since I bought the camera years ago. Have subscribed!
Thanks Jane! Glad to help :)
Really thankful for this video most people on TH-cam don't do good videos
Got a new GX85 here and the menu is the same. Great explanation. Thank you.
Fantastic. Thanks for the tip. Seems like I can use this when shooting kids or groups of kids. Was always getting a lot of kids out of focus or just shooting too slow at our cub scout meetings and trips (on my GH3).
Very good explanation in only 5 minutes, great !
Cheers, thanks!
Can't remember if I already commented..:) This is GOOD stuff. Something inspired me to start using it, but the video made a lot of things clear(er). It's taking me some time to get muscle memory to member and I've had a few accidental discharges. Other settings I use is 1/2 press shutter release and eye sensor AF. Man, now I am up and shooting. And, something I haven't looked into or can explain yet is... BBF also works when in manual focus.
great lil video man, ive been struggling with auto focus for my gh4 for a bit, then again have not used it as much as i would like too!
thanks ! ill give it a try
Thanks for this, allowed me to do what I wanted which was make the shutter allowed manual focus overide without trying to autofocus but still allow me to autofocus during the shot. Is there a way to make manual focus overide work without pressing a button (just touching the focus ring like the g6 can do).
Great! Glad to help. You should be able to turn on “AF+MF”, but I don’t remember where it is in the menu. That will allow you to manually focus after you use the AF
@@RobKnight yeah it is on but unlike the g6/g7 I think the gh4 needs shutter half press to enable manual focus.
Thanks Rob, just had delivery of the GX7, just what I was looking for.
Thanks for the video, very informative. Now I have to train myself to keep my finger on the "back button."
I had forgotten the setting. Thanks Rob.
Great explanation and very quick. Thanks
finally i watched this very helpful video. Thanks a lot
I like it! I struggle with getting half-click to work properly.. I end up with a shot that’s out of focus. Wrong setting? I don’t know. I have yet to get into the mind of the Lumix programmer!
Can I use this with AE as well? Provably not so important at a hockey game where you might have good uniform lighting, but say, you’re in a park shooting a flock of geese and you’re working your way around them and the light is also changes in both sun angle and shade.
.. and why not complicate the situation further by switching between stills and video.
The G9 is famous for it’s sensitive shutter button!
I don’t remember if you can lock the AE and the AF at the same time with the back button. In situations like you describe I would usually use manual exposure mode.
@@RobKnight Thanks! Manual exposure is certainly doable!
I would go manual focus, but sometimes, I think of myself as “the blind photographer”, as I’m switching glasses or removing them to see the camera setting & focus screen as well as the subject. Of course, if I had the skills like the “pinball wizard” (shameless “The Who” reference), I could focus by sense of smell.
I almost never use manual focus! Especially for wildlife. I don’t need that kind of frustration. Lol
@@RobKnight I have used some vintage lenses where auto focus is not available. It can be fun, but not usable on every situation.
@@RobKnight I have a GX5 and a GX8. While they have some features that make then a good pair, the GH5 goes “deeper”.
The Half Click on the GX8 is barely usable, while the Half Click on the GH5 is better, but still quite touchy.
It comes to finding the best way to live with the beast!
I have used this technique on Canon DSLRs for years. I have tried back button focus on my Lumix G6 for several sports but the button on the back of the camera is frustratingly small & hard to activate while shooting.
Probably a lot more ergonomic & easier to do on the GH3. Thanks for the vid.
Thanks for sharing Lyndon Smith. The GH3 and GX7 have their AF/AE lock buttons surrounded by a switch, which makes them slightly raised and easy to feel for without looking.
Hi there.
Thanks for the explanation, really useful. It also works perfect for the Panasonic DMC G6
Rob, the frustration with focus hunting during video capture on my GX85 really would benefit from auto focus lock. But why, when I set it up per your instructions, does the AFL turn back to AFS, the moment I hit the shutter release button?. When I am not in video mode, and in any still picture mode other than iA, the AFL stays as AFL, no matter how many times I depress the shutter release. Trouble is only in video mode. I think there must be an option in the menu some where, that is not optioned right. But I do have AF/AE Lock Hold set to "on" as well as AF/AE Lock set to "AF Lock." Shutter AF is set to "Off." Help!
This is the best explanation of back button AF that I've seen. Very much appreciated.
Is there a way to lock the aperture on the GH4 before or after locking the focus with back-button AF? This would help a lot when things are burned out by a a bright background. I used to do this all the time with the Canon 5D Mari III. (PS a comment below to turn off Quick AF to get back-button focus to work saved me.)
You could either shoot in manual exposure mode or assign the AEL function to one of the other Fn buttons.
Cheers
Rob Knight Thanks for your help. Now that I have all of my settings (and movie settings thanks to Tom Antos) finally set, I wish there was a way to save them in the cloud. So much tinkering. Now I gotta get out and shoot . . .
Awesome tip, Rob. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for sharing this experience. I was looking for this advise for an ages just couldn't name it. Works perfect on my Panasonic GX80 with kit lens 12-32
Very useful info, will give that a try
Genius. Excellent explanation. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent tutorial! Many thanks
Great tutorial!
I just set up my GH4 for back button autofocus. It's going to take a bit to get used to it. But, I already saw the benefits on my first test. I just keep forgetting that I am not focusing with the shutter button.
dude thank this tipe my portrits pictures are much sharper than ever thank you, I tough i was a lens problem
Great video-- Would you also use these settings if you shoot alot of video? I mainly use my G85 for video
thanks you!!! thanks a lot for your video, it's very helpful ... I was trying to do this in my new GX7 but... Thanks to you I get the easy way to do it.. I have two questions, this can be useful for wedding photography? (talking about the ceremony)... and this method can be used with old lenses? (lenses plus micro 4/3 adapters)... thanks again for your videos and your time to respond..
Excellent vid and explanation Rob. Don't know if you can help with this. i have a GX7. is there a way to make sure the camera re-focuses before every shot. i.e in multiple shot, self timer mode. i noticed if i move the camera or subject in between shots it doesn't refocus. many thanks in advance.
i seem to have answered my own question. thanks to a tip from this site; www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=461829. On my GX7 and nikon D4s the camera refocuses before every shot ONLY in time lapse or interval mode setting. seems to be an industry standard as the D4s also does not refocus every shot whilst in self-timer mode. well now i know. thanks for reading hope this helps others.
Dear Rob, I have GX8, GH5, and now G9. I am bird amateur photographer. I noticed that you also have G9 on your recent TH-cam. I have been using GH5 and it has been mega improvement from GX8. However, it does not have fast focusing as many reviews have shown. Do you feel 1) G9 is much better on focus tracking, and 2) G9 has MOST sensitive shutter button ... for just too much. Do you like the shutter button? It seems like this video on Bak Button AF is much useful with such sensitive shutter button. Would appreciate your opinion.
Great video... is this also applicable to video recording? On a GH5?
I have a GH3. Followed your video but can not get to the screen shown at 2:45. When I hit the Fn3 button (I think that's what you hit - it's out of the shot and you call it area focus mode button) I see setting to choose video resolution - even though my GH3 is not set to the movie mode on the top dial. What should I do? Thanks
.
I’m sorry, I don’t have a GH3 to look at to try and diagnose your issue.
Thanks Rob, very cool, didn't know you could do that with the GH4! if you set the AF/AE lock button to back button focus, do you set a different button for AE lock then? If I'm trying to track some fast action (kid, baptism, etc.) do I keep holding the back button focus to force continuous focus? Under the custom menu (wrench with C) page 2 there's the option for 'half press release'. Is this something you would use to further decrease reaction time? Thanks!
Yes, you can hold the AEL button for continuous AF. I assume you could assign the AEL function to a different Fn button. Half press release would definitely give you more of a hair-trigger :-) Thanks for the comment!
Thank you for this video- I tried this setting for a headshot photo shoot with my GX8 to try and improve the number of shots in focus but this greatly reduced the amount of shots in focus (only 10% were sharp- had to organize a reshoot for my client embarrassingly)- should the back button definitely be continuously depressed whilst pressing the shutter release as in AFC mode the focus is rapidly moving and shifting (even when trying to focus on a still inanimate object) making quite a bit of noise (likely draining the battery quicker) and am uncertain with the very shallow depth of field I'm shooting at using a 75mm lens (150mm full frame equivalent) at f1.8 that with the constantly shifting focus in AFC mode if it's going to catch my subject's eyes in focus every time- is it better to have in AFS/AFF mode with the camera set to which one specifically? Thanks for anyone's reply
Rob, Thanks for doing this video. It is quite precise. I have a Lumix FZ2500 & I think the menu is slightly different. When at the ' Focus/ Release Priority ' tab it has 2 options : AFS / AFF Focus or Release option. Below this is AFC Focus / Release choice. How should I set these ? I have the back selector set for AFC. When I push on the back button AFL shows on the monitor & is accompanied by a beep & the green focus circle. When I re-push the button AFC is shown - no beep, green ball or orange camera image. Any comments / suggestions ? Thanks, Ray
Great explanation, thank you.
Very usefull, this will change my life, thanks !
Very helpful, thank you. DC-FZ80
Super helpful mate. Thankyou
Rob having some trouble on my GH4... Do I need to be in AFF for focus tracking with back button focus setup? Or should I keep it in AFS? AFC would defeat the whole purpose of tracking without choosing tracking.... Right? Not to mention the FPS drops to 7 with AFC. In other words I've noticed in AFF the camera refocuses while holding the button NO MATTER WHERE I POINT THE CAMERA, which is what I want, but when i use AFS (which I'm pretty sure is the proper setting?) it does NOT refocus if I point the camera in a diff location while continuing to hold the AE Lock button/back focus button. Personally AFC misses focus and hunts a lot (even with 1 area focus on) and AFF is much better at tracking and keeping things in focus however it does miss not as much as AFC but it does. So should I be using AFS?
I'will try it on my gh4,
Thanks a lot Rob !
Phil (France)
is this good for video or just photo
thanks for your video- I set this up on my gx8.. however saving to custom setting C1 by default the camera in auto P mode.. how do I set this up and keep the camera in manual (M) mode? thank you
Some times we don't know how to use our own cameras... Thanks from Barcelona!
What was the lumix lens that you had on that camera in your hands in the video...
Hi Rob, very interesting video and clearly explained. Now, I am trying to set up my G85 according your instructions, but something goes wrong anyway. While pushing the AE/AF button, all is ok. But as I release my finger, the camera still continues to do its Continuous AF. After playing a while with this, I noticed that just after releasing my AF/AE button, and then pressing halfway the shutter release button, the G85 stopped its solo AFC. But I did not find any method that the camera would automatically stop its AFC adventure :) Any ideas about this with the G85. Cheers!, Gert
I'm afraid I don't have a G85 to try it with
Cool. Thx.
Best setting for any camera imho !
Great vid, thanks. Is it possible to have the GH4 on auto mode and use pinpoint focusing? When I switch to iA mode, I'm unable to use my thumb as a focus button. Am I missing something?
Hi Rob, Would I use this type of focus to shoot the USAF Thunderbirds?
Cheers for the explanation on back button auto focus, much appreciated. Taken me a little while to get used to it but now find it invaluable.
One quick question on setting up my GX7 for any sort of spots/wildlife photography. When setting my drive mode I have it set to H (w/o Live View) is this the best setting to use for fast moving subjects? If not what would be the best drive mode to use.
Cheers.
I use the high speed drive with the auto image review turned off when I'm shooting wildlife or sports
Cheers Rob much appreciate your answer. Never considered turning off the auto image review but kind of makes sense.
That's a great tip. Am I correct in saying you also need to switch off the Quick AF function as well?
I don't see why that would make a difference, Chris. The Quick AF should work the same since you are simply activating the AF with a different button.
Hello, How does this work for video. Let's say I set it up but then I want to shoot video and switch to .mov? Thanks!!
And if you want to go a step further, you can set the shutter to go off at half-press!
Wow, just wow. I just setup my GH4 as instructed and it is like having a new camera. I can't believe the difference in the autofocus now. Thanks!
Awesome tip! I'll try it out!
Rob, I wonder how the camera could choose to focus on one persons among many in the game. Please enlighten me.
Thank you that is a great tip. It also works in Manual Focus mode (on GH4) which is great.
So what do you set your exposure lock as then after changing to this set up?
very well explained..thanks
Hi Rob, thanks for the neat and clear video! I have one question though. I have managed to make all the adjustments for back button focusing, but what I'd like is to be able to lock exposure with the release button, so I can lock focus with back button, and then take pictures by locking exposure on different parts of the scene. However, the problem is thay although I keep pressing the release button to focus exposure, as I move the camera, it keeps changing the exposure accordingly. Is there a way to assign just exposure lock to the release button, just like in Canon or Sony cameras?
Jose Sanabria thanks for the kind words! I know I can set exposure lock to the shutter release in my Olympus cameras, but I don’t think you can do it on the Lumix bodies 😕
What about for vlog for TH-cam I try to get it focus struggles specially when I am traying to talk walk at the same time
Hi Rob. If I have Quick AF turned on the autofocus is working all the time. Meaning if I reframe the shot focus changes automatically and will refocus on a new subject, however, if I switch off Quick AF the focusing works as you explain in your video. Am I doing something wrong?
Ah, that makes sense. I guess when the Quick AF is on the AF is not dependent on the AF-on button. You would definitely need to turn that off for back button AF. Thanks for teaching me that :-)
Can i use this for video too?
Thanks Rob!
great tuto ! thank you
Did you notice that Focus priority setting actually does not work when back AF is set? or it is only in mine GH4. Cant test in GH3 anymore unfortunately
Does this work even when using a manual lens? I have a Gh4 and I just purchased a Rokinon 85mm f1.4 and I miss my focus half the time
Hi Rob if I use these settings on my GH4 where do I have to put the AF-S/AF-C slider?
Thanks for it Rob Knight.....
Bitch ass
Awesome video, it sucks the autofocus doesn't work during 96FPS on my GH4.
Where i can find af mode? I press the left key but only display a moving rectangular. What's wrong?
What happens when you need the AE lock? In video mode, I use AE lock almost daily.
You can assign the AE lock to a different function button if you like. I don't use back button AF all of the time. I have those settings assigned to one of the custom slots on the mode dial on my GH4. That way I can easily switch it on when I need it.
Cheers!
Rob Knight Gracias. I had followed your directions precisely, except I assigned the focus button to Fn-1. This worked, but my finger got kind of sore. Now, I'll try to find the ideal button to re-assign AE lock to. By the way, those of us with no mechanical aptitude would also enjoy videos about Quick Menu setup, and how to make the movie camera icon come back to LSD screen so we can adjust sound while filming.
Will this work for the FZ1000 and Lumix G6?
Thanks for this! Really helpfull :)
Does this only work for stills? I was wondering how to follow a subject in video mode and lock them in focus using my gh3. Not sure if its possible
I think AFC would work better for video than back button focus
I have spent 20 minutes trying to set the menu to AF/AE Lock from the menu list. This setting is "greyed out", You need to explain the camera settings used before the menu is selected. I will have another look at your video when I can figure out why the menu option is blurred out. Thank you.I am using the Panasonic GX7 camera.
Hello, I appreciate your frustration. There is no way for me to troubleshoot your camera to find out what setting might be causing a conflict. Maybe demanding that I need to explain all of my other camera settings isn’t the best way for you to ask? 😆
many thanks this helped a lot
thank you
Cool video. I changed all these settings on my gh4 and when i press the AEL it focuses but holding down doesn't track it just keeps the original focus point. Any clue what that might be? Thanks!
If you're using single-point focus and AF-C the focus point will not move. I recommend using a larger focus point by turning the rear dial when you select your focus point. Try to keep the subject within the focusing square.
The new custom area focus is also great for moving subjects. You can basically define an area of the frame where you want your subject to be. That gives you more flexibility than a single point.
Thanks, I get it. I didn't before your vid.
Rob, I tried changing the auto focus mode from "pinpoint" to "1 area," and that looks to be the parameter that now allows AFL to stay AFL, when I press the shutter release while in video mode. Nevertheless, thank you for your clip. You have a mellow vibe.
awesome, thanks
sorry for stupid question but how do i get to the AF Mode???
jason lindquist read the manual :P
Incuby yeah i found it lol.
Thank you!
I got a Gh4 does this all apply to that camera, and it'll be good for shooting music videos too right ?
Thank you.
nice 1!
I have an offer for GH3 with great lens for 250 euros in great condition. Do you think it is worth it? I will be using it for live music covers mainly.
Hallo Rob, i can buy a secondhand, brandnew looking gh4 with leica 12-35+battery+loader + V-log(whatever that is) for 900 euro. What is best, go for the gh4 secondhand ore a new one in the same price class. I dont want to invest in a gh5, way to expensive. lately many of my subscribers complain about the bad video images on my channel. This is because I use a very old (2008)samsung camcorder. I cant take distance from this camcorder because the built in microphones are the best i ever heard. My videos are about sound, so sound is the most important thing. but i also have 2 zoom h2n microphones i use when i visit live concerts. my other 2 cameras, both 2012 sony dsc hx20v shoot very good hd pictures but the sound is very bad and no mic in connection. This summer i will shoot 80 outdoor movies for children(1,5 till 5 years) I want to film those movies in 4k and later use the cam also for my regular stereo sound movies.......what to do? is the gh4 a good deal ore????
You're not telling me anything about video mode.
Well, no. (?)
Rob Knight I think what I was getting at was, I am hopeful that someone will do a serious instruction video about the various settings for maintaining focus in video mode... especially doing sports, run and gun, and situations where light and focal distance are moving around a bit. Locking on in video is a bitch, especially at wider aperture settings.
I would recommend using manual focus and focus peaking for the subjects you describe. I would also recommend stopping down as much as possible to get the maximum depth of field. That way your exact point of focus is less imperative.