AEL

I have had my K5 for a while now (second one sensor stain). I feel comfortable using it in aperture and shutter priority and have also used manual mode a bit. Can those "in the know" explain the benefits and practical use of the AEL button. I think I understand how it works- I know it is good for panoramas and understand why it works here.

The main reason I ask is that the button is in quite a prominant position on the camera and yet I have not used it at all- I wonder if it could benefit me and if so how do I use it.

There are probably articles on this accross the net but the forum seems to provide better info.

Thanks in advance

It is an alternative method of autofocus instead of the usual half press of the shutter.

Why would I need that?

I thought it held exposure value whilst you recomposed the shot?

P.121 of the manual John.
AEL 'locks' the exposure for a certain time, when you press the AEL button. It does not affect the focus. It means you can then recompose (and refocus etc), while the exposure remains as it was when you pressed AEL.
Practically, you may be wanting to expose for a bright (or dull) object that is difficult to meter in your intended shot. If you were to 'lock on' to an object of similar brightness elsewhere, you can then recompose and use that earlier exposure setting for the shot you take.

There are some ifs and buts with this, and they are also in the manual. HTH.

Sorry same button on the lowly KX! AF/AE-L

Hey nothing lowly about it Jamie! I enjoy using it too - a very capable camera.

So do you find yoursef using it a lot?

I don't, however others will have their own techniques and needs. Hopefully though, what anyone else does won't influence how you see yourself using it? That's more important than what others do.

on the contrary i-Berg, finding out how good photographers take their shots is all part of the learning curve- for me at least.

When you have many pictures to be taken with an exposure that is different than the one suggested by the camera's light meter, exposure compensation is the way to go. But, for one picture only, using the AEL button is much faster. You move the camera a little until you get the lightmeter reading you want, press the AEL button, recompose and take the picture.

those of us that use the spot meter, or shoot lots of video put a fair deal of wear and tear on that AE lock button...

one example would be at a wedding... spot meter off the face then AE lock, lock focus on the eyes, recompose and shoot... not only are your subjects eyes in focus, but the White dress and Black tux aren't throwing off your cameras built in metering system...

If you want to combine multiple similar shots into one, or want to make a montage of shots, it's useful too. Think a horse jumping over a fence or something like that.
If you let the exposure change between shots, it spoils the look.

On the K-x one has to programme this button, in the Custom menu. Decide whether you want it to work as an autofocus (instead of half-press of shutter release) or to work as an exposure lock. I think I programmed mine to be an exposure lock, but as I almost never use it, I can't really remember

Martin

I have had a little play now. As mentioned above seems useful for creating a set. Something I have learnt today!