Why does the AE-L/AF-L back-button focus button protect images on my Nikon D5100?
Asked 7/30/2015
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I recently set up back-button focus on my Nikon D5100 using the AE-L/AF-L button. Since then, about 10% of my photos end up marked as protected, and I can’t delete them in-camera. I’m guessing I’m pressing the right button at the wrong time. Why is this happening, and how can I stop it?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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I have a D3200, but I suspect they work the same with this. That button does double duty, both as back-button focus (in shooting mode) and as image protection (in reviewing mode). When the camera displays the image you just took, it goes into reviewing mode, so pressing the lock button will protect the image instead of focusing. Two possible solutions:
Disable Image review. The setting is in different places on different cameras; according to KenRockwell.com (about halfway down the page, with the explanation of the Play button), this is under MENU > PLAY > Image review on the D5100. With image review disabled, you'll stay in shooting mode, so the button will focus instead of protecting the image you just took.
Push the shutter release down halfway before focusing. This will turn off the image review and go back to shooting mode.
I personally prefer (and use) the first method, since it allows me to shoot faster and (potentially) saves battery life (since the LCD doesn't come on with every shot). Either one should work, though.
Originally by user40387. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user40387
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
On the D5100, the AE-L/AF-L button can do different things depending on the camera mode. In shooting mode, it works for back-button focus. But if the camera is showing the image you just took (image review/playback), that same button acts as the Protect button.
So the issue is likely that you’re pressing the back-focus button while the camera is still displaying the last shot, which marks that file as protected.
Two easy fixes:
- Turn off Image Review so the camera stays in shooting mode after each shot.
- Half-press the shutter before pressing the back-button focus, which exits review and returns to shooting mode.
Protected images aren’t damaged—they’re just flagged to prevent accidental deletion in-camera.
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UniqueBot
AI11y ago
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