Metering/AE-L when using BBF rather than half-press of shutter (K3ii)
Posted 20/10/2018 - 23:11 - Helpful Comment
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I like to keep things simple and tend to use a half press on the shutter release to lock focus and exposure together. Then recompose and shoot. I do link exposure and focus point.
Using manual mode, meter from an appropriate point and that setting won't change as you recompose, so the half press is redundant in this case.
Regarding exposure, I use centre-weighted and aperture priority, then exposure compensation can be dialed in depending on whether the subject is light or dark. To keep a subject dark, such as a black steam train, then use a minus setting of perhaps -1 stop. Trial and error and practice will rapidly mean that your guesses as to how much compensation will become more accurate and eventually just second nature.
Using manual mode, meter from an appropriate point and that setting won't change as you recompose, so the half press is redundant in this case.
Regarding exposure, I use centre-weighted and aperture priority, then exposure compensation can be dialed in depending on whether the subject is light or dark. To keep a subject dark, such as a black steam train, then use a minus setting of perhaps -1 stop. Trial and error and practice will rapidly mean that your guesses as to how much compensation will become more accurate and eventually just second nature.
Best regards, John
Posted 21/10/2018 - 06:25 - Helpful Comment
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newbiek50user wrote:
However, I keep reading about metering for light from a mid-tone area using a half depression of the shutter but composing elsewhere - locking the setting with the AE-L button. Would metering doing this be over-ridden by BBF?
No the meter will be locked at the exposure reading when you pressed the AE-L button. If i remember correctly a little * lights up in the viewfinder when AE-L is on. I believe it stays locked until: you press the shutter fully or press AE-L again or a certain time elapses,,,10 seconds comes to mind but you can check that.However, I keep reading about metering for light from a mid-tone area using a half depression of the shutter but composing elsewhere - locking the setting with the AE-L button. Would metering doing this be over-ridden by BBF?
As John said, AE-L is just one of a number of methods to achieve the same result. If you are taking a number of photographs then Manual would be my choice in this situation. If the overall level of light is changing too then Av with exposure compensation will work better.
Peter
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Posted 21/10/2018 - 09:00
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Thank you, John and Peter, for your prompt and helpful replies. I suppose the reason I use Back Button Focusing is because I can never manage a half-press of the stutter button. My fingers must be very clumsy. Every time I try, even the lightest touch seems to cause a photo to be taken. It feels as if the camera has a hair trigger. I tried again this morning and three attempts yielded three photos. I'll amend the settings to link focus and exposure and I'll experiment with exposure compensation as you suggest.
Gerald
Gerald
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36 posts
10 years
I have recently bought a K3ii and, up to now, I seem to be getting reasonable photos without consciously metering for light. I simply set my focus area and other settings (eg AV, single shot, aperture and ISO) then use back button focusing before using the shutter. In situations with a bright sky and dark foreground I use exposure bracketing. I sort out problems in Lightroom.
However, I keep reading about metering for light from a mid-tone area using a half depression of the shutter but composing elsewhere - locking the setting with the AE-L button. Would metering doing this be over-ridden by BBF? Am I missing out on a critical skill area. The manual explains how to use the half press shutter method but doesn't say whether it is still necessary with BBF. Can I kill two birds with one stone by linking exposure with the autofocus area? Finally, does any of this change when I use Manual mode?