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Focus/Exposure Lock

The camera focuses and sets exposure for photographs when the shutter button is pressed halfway and focus (AF) and exposure (AE) remain locked while the shutter button is kept in this position. Use focus and exposure lock to compose photographs with off-center subjects.

  1. Position the subject in the focus frame.

  2. Press the shutter button halfway to set focus and exposure. The focus frame will turn green.

    This process can be repeated as often as desired before the picture is taken.

  3. Recompose the photograph. Do not change the distance to the subject while the shutter button is pressed halfway.

  4. Press the shutter button the rest of the way down to take the picture.

The [AEL]/[AFL] Button

Focus and/or exposure can also be locked using the [AEL]/[AFL] button.

Focus and/or exposure will remain locked while the button is pressed, regardless of whether or not the shutter button is pressed halfway.

The role played by the [AEL]/[AFL] button can be selected using the [AE/AF-LOCK BUTTON] option in the setup menu:

  • [AE LOCK ONLY] (the default setting): The [AEL]/[AFL] button locks exposure only.
  • [AF LOCK ONLY]: The [AEL]/[AFL] button locks focus only.
  • [AE/AF LOCK]: The [AEL]/[AFL] button locks both focus and exposure.

If [AE&AF ON/OFF SWITCH] is selected for [AE/AF-LOCK MODE] in the setup menu, focus and/or exposure will lock when the button is pressed and remain locked until the button is pressed again.

Autofocus

Although the camera boasts a high-precision autofocus system, it may be unable to focus on the subjects listed below.

  • Very shiny subjects such as mirrors or car bodies.

  • Fast-moving subjects.

  • Subjects photographed through a window or other reflective object.
  • Dark subjects and subjects that absorb rather than reflect light, such as hair or fur.
  • Insubstantial subjects, such as smoke or flame.
  • Subjects that show little contrast with the background (for example, subjects in clothing that is the same color as the background).
  • Subjects positioned in front of or behind a high-contrast object that is also in the focus frame (for example, a subject photographed against a backdrop of highly contrasting elements).
See Also