350D AE Lock - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

10/27/2006 10:19:57 AM · #1

Sorry to keep posting questions while not answering any... I would if I could. If any Minolta Dimage users need some advice...I'd be happy.

Anyway:
My goal is to use AE lock on my 350d.
But I want to make sure I understand properly.
I want to be able to set the meter on facial highlights but focus on the closest eyeball (which I have come to understand is a good (reliable) way to compose (common) portraits).

The manual says:
1.Press the shutter button half way â�� the exposure will be displayed.
2.Press the AE Lock * button to lock exposure.
3.Recompose and take the picture.
4.Note â�� if the AF mode is NOT servo and evaluative metering is used, half pressing the shutter button will set AE lock.

BUT, my camera doesnâ��t do spot metering â�� the closest it comes is partial metering (damn it) â�� should I still use this AE Lock method given that I donâ��t have true spot metering?

Read number 4. It sounds to me like they are sayingâ�¦ donâ��t try to use AE lock with evaluative metering because it wonâ��t work â�� evaluative metering will re-lock the exposure when you half-press the shutter button regardless of any AE lock you have set.

Alsoâ�¦ it seems that if I lock in the exposure, and want to keep it for a number of shots â�� I have to keep holding that * button while I recompose and shoot â�� that sounds like a drag.

Comments? Do I seem to be interpreting things correctly?

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

10/27/2006 10:25:33 AM · #2

Forget the manual, it works. And AE is locked for 3 (or 5?) seconds, so you'll have to meter newly before every shot

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

10/27/2006 10:31:48 AM · #3

Thank you Oliver. 'Priciate that.

pix-al

Canon EOS-5D

10/27/2006 10:40:32 AM · #4

Originally posted by santaspores:

Alsoâ�¦ it seems that if I lock in the exposure, and want to keep it for a number of shots â�� I have to keep holding that * button while I recompose and shoot â�� that sounds like a drag.

I think that is right - I was playing with this for the first time the other day. The button is in a nice place to hold with your thumb. Be a bit of a pain if you want to shoot landscapes off a tripod to make up a panorama though!

Message edited by author 2006-10-27 10:40:49.

cpanaioti

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

10/27/2006 10:41:17 AM · #5

If you shoot in manual mode you don't need to worry about AE lock. You meter off the area you want, set the aperture and shutter speed based on the meter reading then recompose and shoot.

pix-al

Canon EOS-5D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

10/27/2006 10:50:12 AM · #6

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

If you shoot in manual mode you don't need to worry about AE lock. You meter off the area you want, set the aperture and shutter speed based on the meter reading then recompose and shoot.

True...

I was trying it out in Av mode I think, just to see how it worked.

10/27/2006 10:57:24 AM · #7

cpanaioti:

Of course! I am so used to shooting in Av/Tv modes that manual mode never occurs to meâ�¦ but of course that solves my problems. I point the camera where I want to meter and half press the shutter. I note what it suggests for aperture and shutter and set the camera to those. I recompose and focus where I want focus.

Is that right? Andâ�¦ when in manual mode and I am checking the exposureâ�¦ I assume that the exposure mode I select (evaluative/partial) is still in play â�� it suggest aperture and shutter based on my expose modeâ�¦?

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

10/27/2006 11:05:56 AM · #8

On second thoughtâ�¦ no, I donâ��t think I am ready for manual yet. If I use the above manual method of setting exposureâ�¦ I am insuring proper exposure by setting the aperture and shutter to what the camera suggest. But if it suggests an aperture I donâ��t want to use (VERY likely) then I will have to adjust the shutter accordinglyâ�¦ which I am not sure I have enough skill for yetâ�¦ it would be a tad sketchyâ�¦

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

10/27/2006 11:07:56 AM · #9

Check out custom function 4.

It sets the autofocus to the AE lock button, and vice versa, so you can just press the button to focus. Leave it on Servo all the time and it can act like either one shot or servo depending on whether you leave the button pressed.

So you can just press the AF button to focus, then use the half-shutter for exposure lock and not have to worry about refocusing when you might not want it to. Of course M mode is even better, no exposure 'lock' at all.
edit: M mode is easy, just line up the little arrow on the 0 mark of the exposure scale and go from there.

Message edited by author 2006-10-27 11:08:53.

cpanaioti

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

10/30/2006 03:21:19 PM · #10

Originally posted by santaspores:

Actually, it's not as hard as you seem to be making out. In manual mode the camera doesn't suggest anything. It just lets you know if the settings you current have set give propper exposure. So, set the aperature or shutter speed to what you want then press the shutter button halfway. Adjust the shutter speed or aperture until the exposure indicator is in the middle in the viewfinder.

example: let's say your camera is currently set to f16 @ 1/60s but you want f8

1) change the aperture to f8
2) press the shutter button halfway
3) for purposes of this example let's say the indicator is showing +1 for exposure.
4) If you don't want +1 exposure then adjust to a faster shutter speed until the marker is in the middle.
5) If you want +1 then you're good to go with the settings
6) Recompose/focus and shoot

Message edited by author 2006-10-30 15:26:37.