Why are my photos rarely in focus when using a remote release, but always sharp when using back button focus?
Peadar Ó Conghaile, Portadown
BRIAN SAYS… When you configure a camera for back button AF, you stop the half-press of the shutter button from initiating focus. Most remote releases have two stages of release like the shutter, but internally the camera’s hardwire the connections of the remote socket to the switches in the shutter button. So when you combine remote release with a configuration for back button AF, the camera never initiates focus from the remote, any in-focus shots you get are pure chance or the good fortune of the depth of field with your aperture.
If your camera has a custom shooting mode then you could configure this with different custom controls, and no back button AF. All you need to remember is to use this when doing a shot with a remote. Note, some EOS mirrorless R-series cameras
