Exposure Lock, why?

[Rovers_Andy]

Quick question

Why would you use Exposure Lock and what benefit does it have? can someone post some examples

Thanks

Andy

 

[Gary]

i use it a lot with motorsport
if a car with headlights is coming towards you the headlights throw out the exposure and you get a very dark photo. So before the car gets there I lock the exposure and it fixes the problem. You could shoot manually instead, but this way is much much easier

eg:

 

[cowasaki]

I use it when I'm taking a picture of somebody where their exposure is different from the whole scene and they are moving about within it.

 

[Uneducated_Rick]

expose for a particular high/low light and lock the exposure using spot metering, then recompose as you wish the frame the shot

 

[Rovers_Andy]

Excellent responses guys So basically if there is an area of the shot that is much brighter\darker than the main subject its handy to use. Could you get the same result using spot metering?

 

[KIPAX]

Manual negates the use for exposure lock.. and just like manual if its a cloudy/sunny windy day and the lighting keeps changing real fast then exposure lock wont be any use... i presume

 

[Uneducated_Rick]

if you spot meter and then recompose the camera will automatically expose for your new framing (it will keep the same spot despite not necessarily refocusing)

 

[Kaouthia]

Also, while your D3s may have full manual controls while recording video, the D300s does not. So once you've got an exposure you're happy with on the LiveView, you can hit the AE Lock, and it'll lock the exposure for the duration of your clip.

Then, as you move the camera about or subjects move within your scene the exposure isn't going to change halfway through.

 

[HoppyUK]

Excellent responses guys So basically if there is an area of the shot that is much brighter\darker than the main subject its handy to use. Could you get the same result using spot metering?

No, not unless you lock the exposure! Be careful with spot, it can get you into trouble.

Think of manual as more of a 'set and lock' mode.

 

[trencheel303]

Quick question

Why would you use Exposure Lock and what benefit does it have? can someone post some examples

Thanks

Andy

If you are on Av or Tv mode and are recomposing then you will want to exposure lock. Just like you focus lock in certain situations and then recompose.

This is also why I prefer a seperated Exposure lock button and focus button (rear button/AF-ON focus)

Think of manual as more of a 'set and lock' mode.

I tend to think of manual as a 'b****r it, the light conditions aren't changing but I need to be on the ball, and that means not faffing with settings' mode

 

[specialman]

It's just another way to skin a cat:

Manual: sets the exposure value until you change but doesn't account for changing light
EV-lock: locks an exposure in Auto (Tv/Av) modes and allows you to recompose
Exposure comp: allows you to fine-tune exposure quickly in auto modes

 

[Chris G]

Also good if you are doing panoramic shots, note you should do this on aperture priority so the dof is consistent across the shot

I think

 

[trencheel303]

Also good if you are doing panoramic shots, note you should do this on aperture priority so the dof is consistent across the shot

I think

Yes of course, it just depends what aspect of the 'triangle' you wish to have control over. For action shots and motorsport etc. i imagine shutter speed being more vital than DOF, hence the use of Tv. For the likes of portraits I'd use Av as the creamier the background the better.

 

[Kaouthia]

If you're locking you're exposure, it doesn't matter what you're using, as all settings will be locked.

 

[onomatopoeia]

i use it a lot with motorsport
if a car with headlights is coming towards you the headlights throw out the exposure and you get a very dark photo. So before the car gets there I lock the exposure and it fixes the problem. You could shoot manually instead, but this way is much much easier

eg:

For contrast, here is an example of what happens if you don't account for the headlights. It was a lovely sunny day, though you wouldn't know it



LMS Silverstone September 2008, first time I'd used my brand new A300, bought as the lenses from my Minolta 7000i would fit.