AEL Confusion

[jclark15]

What  does AEL stand for ?  if it is Auto exposure lock,  then why do I see AEL Lock ?  thats redundant.

 

Also,   What is AEL-Lock   Auto   vs    AEL-Lock On ?

[adwb]

auto exposure level I always assumed , dont know about auto locking exposure except that you can opt to , or not to, lock the exposure at the same time as the focus lock with a half push of the shutter button, which can be useful in a focus and recompose situation,  or you can  via the AEL button lock the expose and re compose with that exposure.

 

Don't know if thats what you are looking for?

[dbmiller]

There are two different AEL functions, not sure which one is being asked about.

1. AEL w/shutter functionality. When not using item #2, you can control how the camera decides on the exposure when you press the shutter. In the camera menus, this can be set to AUTO, ON, or OFF.
   • OFF - The camera sets exposure when the shutter actually fires.
   • ON - The camera locks exposure when the shutter is pressed halfway. When the exposure is locked, the AE Lock light (*) appears in the display.
   • AUTO - Same as ON when Focus Mode is set to Single Shot AF. Does not work (Self cancels) in Automatic AF and the subject is moving, or you take a burst of images. When the exposure is locked, the AE Lock light (*) appears in the display.
2. The AF/MF/AEL switch/button on the back of the camera. When the switch is set to AEL, then the button in the middle of the switch can act as either a toggle or hold of the exposure depending on the camera settings. When the exposure is locked, the AE Lock indicator (*) appears in the display.

You shouldn't see "AEL LOCK", unless someone messes up their terminology. AE LOCK or Auto-Exposiure Lock..

[Golem]

There are two different AEL functions, not sure which one is being asked about.

1. AEL w/shutter functionality. When not using item #2, you can control how the camera decides on the exposure when you press the shutter. In the camera menus, this can be set to AUTO, ON, or OFF.
   • OFF - The camera sets exposure when the shutter actually fires.
   • ON - The camera locks exposure when the shutter is pressed halfway. When the exposure is locked, the AE Lock light (*) appears in the display.
   • AUTO - Same as ON when Focus Mode is set to Single Shot AF. Does not work (Self cancels) in Automatic AF and the subject is moving, or you take a burst of images. When the exposure is locked, the AE Lock light (*) appears in the display.
2. The AF/MF/AEL switch/button on the back of the camera. When the switch is set to AEL, then the button in the middle of the switch can act as either a toggle or hold of the exposure depending on the camera settings. When the exposure is locked, the AE Lock indicator (*) appears in the display.

You shouldn't see "AEL LOCK", unless someone messes up their terminology. AE LOCK or Auto-Exposiure Lock..

    

Terrific rundown of the options, but this part here    ....   

 

"The AF/MF/AEL switch/button on the back of the camera.

When the switch is set to AEL, then the button in the middle

of the switch can act as either a toggle or hold   ......  "

     

..... is camera model specific. Not all Sonys have that arrangement. 

Some have a simple button with no concentric switch. The functions 

of the outer collar [concentric switch] are accessed by menu instead. 

[jclark15]

Thanks that helps.   Now my next problem is the (*) for AE lock never appears in my display.   Not sure if you have seen this .  I have AEL w/ shutter set to on,   but never a (*) ??   I do have the AF set to back button AEL.  Not sure if that affects.

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

AF replaces AEL if you assign it to that button.

 

AEL toggle is a really good function to control exposure in unevenly lit scenes. In other cases, you can usually change exposure of the raw file afterwards. One of the benefits of Sony sensors.

[viclay]

The (*) sign is an indicator that the exposure is locked for each consecutive shots taken until the lock is released by AEL toggle button or AEL hold button.

 

If AEL w/ shutter set on, the camera will not show this sign since AEL only engage when the shutter button half pressed.

At this setting AEL will disengage at following action:

1. if shutter button is released after halfway pressed 

2. after the shutter button is fully pressed.