AE lock

When the contrast between the subject and background is high, such as when shooting a backlit subject or a subject near a window, meter the light at a spot where the subject appears to have the appropriate brightness and lock the exposure before shooting. To reduce the brightness of the subject, meter the light at a spot brighter than the subject and lock the exposure of the entire screen. To make the subject brighter, meter the light at a spot darker than the subject and lock the exposure of the entire screen.
  1. Adjust the focus on the spot at which the exposure is adjusted.
  2. Switch the AF/MF/AEL switch lever to the AEL position, then press the AEL button.

    The exposure is locked, and (AE lock) is displayed.
  3. Keep pressing the AEL button and focus on the subject again, then shoot the picture.
    • Keep holding the AEL button down while taking a shot if you want to continue shooting with the fixed exposure. Release the button to reset the exposure.

Hint

  • If you select the MENU → (Camera Settings2) → [Custom Key] or [Custom Key][AEL Button][AEL toggle], you can lock the exposure without holding down the button.

Note

  • [ AEL hold] and [ AEL toggle] are not available when using zoom functions other than optical zoom.