From the course: Photo Gear Weekly
Back button autofocusing for faster framing
From the course: Photo Gear Weekly
Back button autofocusing for faster framing
- When it comes to taking a picture, of course, the shutter release button is your primary button. And this little button does a lot. At least normally it does a lot. By default, of course, is that you take the picture you can activate automatic exposure, metering. You can even activate auto-focus. That's all by default with most cameras. But I find that that's asking too much of that one little button, and I would rather separate out the auto-focus. And so I'm a huge fan of employing back-button auto-focus. I'm able to then separate the exposure and the taking of the picture with actually focusing on the scene. And that's especially helpful when I want to re-frame. I want to focus on one thing and then re-frame. Let's assume, for example, there's some wonderful reflections on the water here. Perhaps I'm photographing this little railing. I could set my focus, and then re-compose to get more of the water in the frame, for example. Or, with this larger, beautiful scene behind me, if I want to make sure that as much of this scene is in focus as possible, I would want to focus on the land over toward the left. It's getting some wonderful sunlight on it. And then re-compose, re-frame the scene, so I've got the water, and the city in the background. And so that becomes very easy. I simply point at the area that I want to focus on, activate that auto-focus, and then I can re-compose (camera clicks) and capture my image. Now, that essentially is a one-shot type of of focus. In other words, I'm establishing focus, and then discontinuing that focusing so that the focus is locked. I just then need to make sure when I'm using that back button focus in that way that I'm not changing my distance to the subject. So if I were focusing on this railing, and then I recompose by getting closer to the railing, that distance has changed, and therefore I'll need to re-focus. To enable me to enable the process of both one shot plus continuous auto-focus, I'm actually setting my camera to the continuous auto-focus option. So as long as I'm holding my back button auto-focus button on the back of the camera, the camera is actively trying to re-focus on whatever subject is within that focusing point. And so I can press and hold and keep that button down if, for example, I'm photographing a moving subject. Perhaps one of the geese on the water flies by, and I decide to get a shot of just that goose, then I can press and hold with continuous auto-focus active as long as I'm holding that back button auto-focus button, I'll be continuously focusing. But then in a situation like this where I want to focus on one area and recompose, I can press that back button, focus button on the back of the camera, focus on the subject that I want to focus on, release that button so that I'm no longer adjusting focus, and then re-compose. Once again, making sure that I'm maintaining the same distance between my camera, the lens, and the subject that I've focused on. So I find that that back button focus can be tremendously helpful. Separating the taking of the picture, the metering off of that shutter release button, and onto that back button focus. The key thing, though, is to make sure that you practice. When you first change your camera settings to employ back button focus, disabling focus on the shutter release button, you do need to make sure that you're actually focusing. If you're not in the habit of pressing that back button, then you'll be taking pictures thinking you're focusing, when in fact you're not activating auto-focus. But once it becomes a habit where you're pressing that back button, I think you'll find that it gives you a lot more flexibility, a lot more control, and you'll still be able to employ that automatic focus capability of your camera with greater results.
Contents
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Using an underwater bag to protect your camera2m 11s
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Introduction to B&H Photo as a resource2m 1s
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Understanding the purpose for the various filters7m 24s
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The difference between prime and zoom lenses2m 29s
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Knowing where to go for rental photo gear2m 53s
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Macro shots using an extension tube1m 50s
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Travel tripod options for packing light4m 7s
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Back button autofocusing for faster framing3m 19s
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Using custom white balance in tricky lighting4m 8s
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Discovering an old photography process: Tintype7m 9s
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Understanding how to purchase used gear4m 18s
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Working with ND filters for longer exposures2m 28s
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Using a focus rail for macro photography4m 5s
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Understanding ways to clean a camera sensor5m 9s
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Lens cleaning options for best lens maintenance3m 49s
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Introduction to DSLR video options4m 7s
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Options for recording audio on your DSLR6m 34s
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Inexpensive long-range zoom lenses2m 38s
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Understanding tools for display calibration7m 40s
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Looking at the mirrorless camera options available15m 2s
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Overview of lighting options available for photo8m 4s
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Exploring drone technology and photography options5m 46s
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Using lens hoods: When and why2m 44s
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What is a loupe and when do you need one?1m 24s
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Using a Lensbaby2m 14s
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Fast filter switching with Xume adapters1m 15s
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Cropped sensor and focal length, oh my2m 57s
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A look at the Canon 5D Mark IV1m 18s
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Protecting filters with a filter nest1m 46s
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Using a color checker for accurate color2m 34s
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Camera bag options4m 45s
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Dual-slot cameras1m 51s
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Xenon flash for iPhone2m 46s
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Why GPS in camera is a great feature2m
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Conference Intro3m 39s
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Commuter bags3m 21s
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Lens upgrade4m 33s
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Lens flipper2m 59s
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Drive savers3m 30s
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Photo books5m 31s
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SanDisk cards8m 32s
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Moo photography business cards3m 52s
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LaCie drives4m 1s
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Remote cable release1m 29s
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Teleconverter1m 18s
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Organizing camera gear with racks2m 46s
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Using a personalized controller for faster editing5m 46s
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Understanding maximum aperture3m 24s
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Custom options for camera straps2m 51s
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Lens exchange bag for lens swapping in the field1m 24s
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Printing a Lens Hood1m 23s
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Why Use Manual Exposure?2m 37s
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Focusing with Live View1m 45s
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Move your focus points2m
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Diopter adjustment1m 59s
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GPS battery drain1m 33s
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Two cards in the camera2m 42s
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Easing into manual mode2m 32s
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The camera as a card reader1m 17s
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Understanding exposure compensation2m 19s
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Camera power adapter1m 21s
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Custom Camera Settings3m 39s
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Long Lens Compression Myth3m 11s
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Battery Pouch1m 31s
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Going Wide with a Cropped Sensor3m 8s
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Prynt Pocket Printer4m 49s
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Choosing Photo Papers4m 51s
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Polarizing filter magic1m 53s
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Instant prints with Instax2m 2s
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Tablet signature challenge2m 50s
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Macro lenses for more than macro1m 28s
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Color space in the camera2m 53s
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Smartphone accessory lenses2m 39s
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Card wallet tips2m 38s
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Do you have a hidden rain cover?1m
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How many aperture blades?3m 19s
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Autoexposure bracketing2m 41s
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Cotton carrier2m 11s
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Do you need image stabilization?3m 25s
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Zip your bag!1m 42s
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Using a reflector1m 11s
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Road trip power1m 42s
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Spider camera holster1m 20s
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WhiBal precision gray card2m 39s
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Hanging branch boxes1m 24s
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Air blower for cleaning1m 59s
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Cleaning your own sensor4m 52s
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Batteries in the cold1m 35s
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Waterproof cameras1m 47s
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Wi-Fi in the camera2m 35s
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Wireless Bluetooth remote1m 46s
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Bus-powered storage1m 56s
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Built-in digital level1m 34s
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Depth-of-field preview2m 14s
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Why is this lens so heavy?2m 26s
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Flash exposure compensation2m 10s
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Lens lock2m 7s
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Mirror lockup2m 21s
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Rugged storage1m 47s
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Camera star ratings1m 21s
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Custom menu on a camera2m 2s
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In-camera time lapse2m 2s
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Hair dryer for lens fogging2m 10s
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LensCoat lens covers1m 39s
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Flash basics3m 13s
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Recording a GPS track log1m 40s
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Gimbal stabilizer1m 32s
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Tripods with flexible legs1m 2s
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ExpoDisc for white balance2m 12s
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Automatic panoramas1m 11s
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Bean bag for flexible support58s
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KUVRD universal lens cap1m 12s
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Focus confirmation1m 50s
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Quickly switching autofocus modes2m 23s
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Shower cap as rain cover59s
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Battery charging on the go1m 1s
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Choosing full frame vs. cropped sensor2m 5s
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"Normal" focal length1m 59s
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Custom SLR glide strap1m 11s
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Light meter apps2m 22s
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Loupe for sensor dust1m 26s
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Focal length planning2m 36s
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Focal length and magnification2m 13s
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LensPen for sensor cleaning1m 38s
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360-degree camera3m 10s
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iPhone portrait mode4m 7s
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Why shoot with film?2m 59s
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Dust removal in the camera3m 41s
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The mysterious locking switch2m 1s
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Voice memos for photos2m 5s
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Choosing media card capacity2m 48s
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Photo review on the go3m 5s
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Planning a moon shot4m 50s
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White balance and raw capture2m 36s
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The challenge of wide-angle composition4m 20s
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Clean that front element2m 2s
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All about starbursts4m 47s
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Long exposure noise reduction3m 39s
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Which filters should you carry?2m 17s
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SSD versus traditional hard drive2m 3s
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End of day camera reset1m 59s
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Firmware updates2m 5s
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How many autofocus points?2m 23s
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Why I avoid shutter priority mode2m 28s
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Histogram options2m 5s
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Power off for lens changing1m 28s
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The best reason for prime lenses1m 46s
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Don't forget to rotate1m 19s
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Exposure blinkies1m 36s
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What makes a lens digital?2m 43s
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The right way to rotate a polarizing filter1m 20s
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Autofocus range limiter1m 44s
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Photo sharing with AirDrop2m 17s
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Track log on a DSLR1m 31s
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Built-in "cable" release1m 21s
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Chimping: Good or bad?1m 11s
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The shutter speed fallacy1m 48s
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Vary your tripod height58s
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Panning with precision1m 39s
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Media card adapter1m 25s
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The blindfold test1m 30s
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Film scanning services1m 29s
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Photo lamps1m
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Lens adapter for mirrorless1m 18s
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Focus peaking1m 43s
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Memory read versus write speeds1m 43s
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Sling bags1m 21s
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Mirrorless battery dilemma1m 42s
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Metal prints1m 8s
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Adjusting to an electronic viewfinder1m 44s
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Powered USB hub1m 22s
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Tripod straps1m 11s
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Silent shooting1m 22s
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Noninterchangeable mirrorless1m 39s
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Gimbal cameras1m 45s
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Display resolution myth2m 9s
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Caution switching from video1m 30s
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Scanning slides1m 51s
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Battery precautions1m 23s
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Ready or not?1m 29s
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Exposure compensation or manual?1m 53s
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All-in-one roller bag1m 45s
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Calculating depth of field3m 14s
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Batch scanning film1m 26s
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Smartphone as bubble level1m 9s
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Lightroom as smartphone camera1m 54s
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Depth of field transition1m 57s
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Bag for cables and accessories1m 8s
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Understanding lens compression3m 12s
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All-in-one lens compromise2m 25s
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Traveling with hard drives1m 37s
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When to use spot metering2m 35s
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Understanding parallax1m 57s
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Studio lighting starter kit1m 32s
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Keep photos on memory cards?1m 23s
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Manufacturer repair centers1m 16s
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Photoshop for the iPad1m 39s
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Tripod leg lock options1m 45s
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ProCamera app2m 17s
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Top shortcoming of smartphone photography1m 44s
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Choosing a continuous shooting speed1m 21s
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Continuous or one-shot autofocus?1m 57s
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Is raw capture on a smartphone better?1m 53s
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Smartphone cable release1m 22s
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The real reason for a UV filter1m 32s
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Extending camera battery life1m 37s
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Time-lapse with a smartphone1m 41s
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When will the sun be high enough?1m 51s
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Smartphone exposure adjustment1m 24s
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Manual focus disabled54s
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Motion blur with an iPhone1m 8s
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