p.1 #1 · How to set AE-lock when using back button focus?
I switched to using the back button ( AE-L/AF-L) button to focus on my D7100. I enjoy shooting like this but have been trying to figure out how to lock exposure when the button now only controls focus. If I am shooting with a center weighted exposure and lock focus on my subject but then re-position to frame the photo - the exposure will be read from the new position when I take the shot and not on the subject as needed. This scenery does not happen often but when it does I would really like the option to lock the exposure.
Would appreciate knowing the methods others are using to lock exposure when using the back-button to focus.
p.1 #3 · How to set AE-lock when using back button focus?
I use the Shutter Button to lock AE-L with a half-press. Pretty easy, if you want to lock exposure, press half-way and hold the shutter button and recompose. If you don't want to lock exposure, simply don't press the shutter button half-way. Works like a charm.
p.1 #4 · How to set AE-lock when using back button focus?
Raticus wrote:
I use the Shutter Button to lock AE-L with a half-press. Pretty easy, if you want to lock exposure, press half-way and hold the shutter button and recompose. If you don't want to lock exposure, simply don't press the shutter button half-way. Works like a charm.
I tried this the other day and it was not working. My subject was very bright and when I held focus directly on it it exposed correctly. If I moved the focus /exposure point while half pressing the shutter all the shots were way over exposed for the subject. Might try assigning another button as mentioned.
p.1 #5 · How to set AE-lock when using back button focus?
Be sure to configure the shutter button to AE-L with a half press in Custom Settings C-1. When you press the shutter button half-way you should see the "AE-L" image inside the viewfinder. It should not really matter which button you assign to AE-L, the shutter button in my opinion makes it easier while using AF-ON.
Depending on circumstances, I recommend using center-weighted metering to expose on the subject, then use AE-L, recompose and take the photo. You may also need to use exposure compensation. In general, the Nikon user manual recommends using center-weighed or spot metering rather than with AE-L and Exposure compensation. This is because matrix meters on the entire scene. You can use exposure compensation with matrix, but I would not recommend using AE-L with matrix and then recomposing.
p.1 #6 · How to set AE-lock when using back button focus?
I’ve never understood people moving the focus away from half shutter click.
Why??
In you scenario I would shutter half click , get my metering and focus, hit the ae/af-l. Depending on target and scene I might have also spot metered which I have set on the bottom function button.
Maybe you can help me understand why people move focus away from shutter? I’ve never understood it. Seems like an over complication of what needs to happen and more troublesome to set things up
I am by far an expert but have been shooting since I got a brand new EM for my birthday(yeah that’s a long time). And I have never understood why people move some settings the way they do?
I’m sure there is a good reason and I admittedly have never researched it, since I have never seemed to have needed to?
p.1 #7 · How to set AE-lock when using back button focus?
Raticus wrote:
Be sure to configure the shutter button to AE-L with a half press in Custom Settings C-1. When you press the shutter button half-way you should see the "AE-L" image inside the viewfinder. It should not really matter which button you assign to AE-L, the shutter button in my opinion makes it easier while using AF-ON.
Depending on circumstances, I recommend using center-weighted metering to expose on the subject, then use AE-L, recompose and take the photo. You may also need to use exposure compensation. In general, the Nikon user manual recommends using center-weighed or spot metering rather than with AE-L and Exposure compensation. This is because matrix meters on the entire scene. You can use exposure compensation with matrix, but I would not recommend using AE-L with matrix and then recomposing.
You are holding af-on, i am assuming using afc, what you want to focus on is in target and focused now. You release at-on. Now half shutter click to get exposure and it locks there maybe move a little for competition and full click?
That “seems “ more complicated than hold shutter halfway , get locked on target hit ae/f then compose and hit?
Unless you want focus and metering on a different spot then I see where that would come in handy.
p.1 #8 · How to set AE-lock when using back button focus?
Raticus wrote:
Be sure to configure the shutter button to AE-L with a half press in Custom Settings C-1. When you press the shutter button half-way you should see the "AE-L" image inside the viewfinder. It should not really matter which button you assign to AE-L, the shutter button in my opinion makes it easier while using AF-ON.
Depending on circumstances, I recommend using center-weighted metering to expose on the subject, then use AE-L, recompose and take the photo. You may also need to use exposure compensation. In general, the Nikon user manual recommends using center-weighed or spot metering rather than with AE-L and Exposure compensation. This is because matrix meters on the entire scene. You can use exposure compensation with matrix, but I would not recommend using AE-L with matrix and then recomposing.
Got it. I do usually only shoot in spot and center metering using exp comp when needed. Typically, shooting birds and wildlife, my focus point is where I want to meter exposure as well. With back button focus I just need to click one and release to lock focus on the bird. The situation I was in, Shooting a white, very brightly lit bird on a dark pond and using vertical framing. So after locking focus if I moved my center point anywhere off the bird to reframe the whites would be almost unrecoverable. Exp Comp was tricky to lock down and time is always a factor when shooting wildlife. I needed to expose for the bird quickly, reframe and shoot.. Best option for me in this situation would have been AE-lock. Now I have it.
p.1 #9 · How to set AE-lock when using back button focus?
90 5.0 wrote:
I’ve never understood people moving the focus away from half shutter click.
Why??
In you scenario I would shutter half click , get my metering and focus, hit the ae/af-l. Depending on target and scene I might have also spot metered which I have set on the bottom function button.
Maybe you can help me understand why people move focus away from shutter? I’ve never understood it. Seems like an over complication of what needs to happen and more troublesome to set things up
I am by far an expert but have been shooting since I got a brand new EM for my birthday(yeah that’s a long time). And I have never understood why people move some settings the way they do?
I’m sure there is a good reason and I admittedly have never researched it, since I have never seemed to have needed to?...Show more →
focusing via shutter every time you let go it'll have to refocus next time around, having a dedicated focus assigned you only focus once and keep firing.
p.1 #10 · How to set AE-lock when using back button focus?
With back-button focus you can also keep your camera in AF-C. You don't have to switch back and forth between AF-C and AF-S modes (but you may still need to switch between the specific sub-modes). You also don't have to worry about inconsistent focus for landscapes/scenes.
p.1 #11 · How to set AE-lock when using back button focus?
I have tried many times. I usually end up forgetting the camera is in BBF mode and get a whole bunch of photos that are not focused. Now I just use the shutter release button. It avoids confusion as not all my bodies suppoprt BBF.
I got used to focus and recompose with my N60 and its 1 count 'em, one, focus point.
p.1 #12 · How to set AE-lock when using back button focus?
Maybe you trained yourself to listen for the AF beep? I've trained myself to look for the green dot in the viewfinder (when it's not obvious that the subject is not focused, anyway) which I know to achieve by hitting the back button.
