EOS 6D Mark II Thoroughly confused on back button focus (yes, I read the manual!)

[Skip70]

Yes, I believe the first step is to carefully read the manual, and I've done that several times. I must have taken my dumb pill this morning, but I need some hep and hope someone here can offer that. 

I have already "removed" AF from the shutter button. 

I'll start with what I['m tryin to set as a capability:

• press and release the AF On button to hold focus as I hit multiple shutter clicks  
• be able to hold the AF Botton while in Serco mode. 

What I don't understand is how to assign both functions to that button. I don't understand what AF Start and Stop means,, but I also don't understand how to assign those two functions on the button. If I select one, it shows on the menu, but if I then pick the other, the first one is replaced. 

Help, please? 

[Danny]

Thanks for joining the conversation, Skip70!

So that the Community can help you better, we need to know exactly which Canon camera model you're using. That, and any other details you'd like to give will help the Community better understand your issue!

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Thanks and have a great day!

[Skip70]

Sorry, forgot. It does not allow me to edit. It is a 6d Mark II

[p4pictures]

With your EOS 6D Mark II the default function of the AF-ON button is metering and AF start. This is all you need once you have changed the shutter button to either metering start or AE lock. Set AF to servo.

This does what you need.

Press the AF-ON button to start focussing with servo AF, when the subject is in focus release the AF-ON button and focus will stop, the lens stays where it was last focused. Now press the shutter as needed and the focus will not change until you press the AF-ON button again. 

When you press the AF-ON button the camera will focus, tracking subjects using servo AF. While keeping the AF-ON button pressed you can press the shutter button to take photos as you want. 

Often when photographers first try back button AF they release the AF-ON button when the press the shutter button, resulting in moving subjects being slightly out of focus. You can tell if you did this by reviewing the image on the camera LCD and having the AF point display turned on. If no AF point is indicated then you were not pressing the AF-ON when the photo was taken. Photographers also slightly release the AF-ON button and press it again causing the AF to activate and this means the sequence that were all supposed to be with the same focus distance may have some with different focus distances. It takes muscle memory and practice to overcome these.

[Tronhard]

How to set up and apply back button focus - hopefully, this video from Canon Oz will get you there!

[Skip70]

I really appreciate your response. However,r I was aware of how to use BBF once set up, I still am confused about how to set it up. 

You said: 

With your EOS 6D Mark II the default function of the AF-ON button is metering and AF start. This is all you need once you have changed the shutter button to either metering start or AE lock. Set AF to servo.

This does what you need.
Why woiuld changing the shutter button to EITHER metering start of AE Lock when all I want it to do is have the shutter button activate the shutter?  I also see a lot of posts (and YouTube videos) talking about using AF Start or Stop, not AE Lock. Do I ned to change the settings for the AF On button? 

[Skip70]

Frankly, I make it very clea4r at the outset that I had carefully read the manual. I also looked at this video. Manyother as well. Call me dumb, but I am looking for help. Right now I have AF taken off the shutter, but the AF-ON button does not activate AF. I set that AF-ON butto9n to AF-Stop as instructed but that button does not activate the AF. 

[Tronhard · Accepted solution]

Frankly, I read that, but you didn't say you had seen the video!

Have you set the focus to servo mode as well as assign the AF button?  So it works in servo mode? If not that will not complete the necessary steps.

If that is still the case, perhaps have the camera checked to see if the button is malfunctioning. Perhaps get a second opinion from someone who is experienced with the gear.  If you have a local camera store that you frequent they are often happy to help you out - after all most of them will be photographers themselves.

[Skip70]

I was missing the need to set the default focus mode to Sevco.   I was not aware that it was best to leave that as the default mode, but only for moving subjects. Thank you. It now works.  

[Tronhard]

You're welcome.  Please mark the post that provides the solution as the resolved one to help others who may have the same issue, and HAPPY SHOOTING!!!! 🙂