Back Button Focus

[Ross Walden]

Hi all.

I am in my late sixties, retired and not long taken up bird and wildlife photography.

I am having trouble with BBF and have a couple of issues.

1. Old and hard to change my ways.
2. Using a Nikon D7000 and have to reassign the AE-L/AF-L button.
3. Small hands so thumb does not sit on BF button naturally.
4. Almost blind in my right eye

As I have to use my left eye and the AE/AF Lock button is so far to the left my nose gets in the way of my thumb making it awkward and uncomfortable.

My question is. With bird photography am I behind the eight ball by not using BBF and should i persevere with it, or is using the shutter button to focus acceptable for birds in flight?

Thanks
Ross

[Daniel Cadieux]

Hi Ross, welcome to BPN!!

Short and sweet answer: No, you are not behind the eight ball by sticking with shutter button focus. It's simply a matter of preference, ergonomically. Some are more comfortable with it, some not, but the camera's performance is the same. If you are at a disadvantage using BBF, as it is strongly implied in your list of issues, then it is advisable to not switch and make things more difficult for you.

[Ross Walden]

Thank you Daniel for putting my mind at rest