Nikon D3 backbutton focus when shutter is half pressed

Question

I use the AF-ON button on the back of my D3 for focusing exclusively and I half press the shutter for AE locking. I newer realized that the AF-ON button is deactivated when the shutter is half pressed so I cant refocus in that situation and I would have to loose the AE lock in order to refocus.
With all my newer Nikons I can refocus when the shutter is half pressed. Is there a menu feature which would allow me to refocus when then shutter is half pressed? I dont seem to have enough thumbs to push the AF-ON and AE-L button on the back of the camera at the same time when recomposing.

Steven Kersting · Answer

This really sounds more like an issue with the selected metering mode and not using exposure compensation. But there's a half dozen ways to do most things; so...
Re-enable focus on the shutter button and set the AE/AF-L button to AE-L only.
The only back button focus function/capability you will loose is manual focus; but there is a switch on the body for that, and most lenses also have a switch and/or manual override capability.
Do as you normally do using BBF. Then when you encounter this situation point it at the grass, press the AE-L button, and use the shutter button to refocus.

Nikon D3 backbutton focus when shutter is half pressed

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