zonaboy
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Regular Member
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Posts: 207
No AE Lock possible when using back button focus on M3???
Apr 4, 2015
So I just noticed something else about the M3 that's got me shaking my head, again.
I use back button focusing on my cameras if it is available. I find it very useful to separate AF from the shutter release mechanism, as I'm sure many of you do too. I have it set up this way on all my EOS DSLRs, and my M.
So that's how I setup my M3. Custom Function Cn. III (Others) #1. Shutter/* Func. in that setting, there are two options.
AF/AE lock
AE/AF, no AE lock
the first, AF/AE lock - assigns auto focus (AF) to the shutter button, and auto exposure (AE) lock to the * (splat) button. this is the default. the second, and only other option is AE/AF, no AE lock. and as the description says, provides no AE lock when half-pressing the shutter. to get back button focusing, you need to select the second option.
on the original M, there are FOUR options (zero based numbering used by Canon) :
0. AF/AE lock
1. AE lock/AF
2. AF/AF lock, no AE lock
3. AE/AF, no AE lock
and on this camera, I've got it set to option #1. So I can AF with the splat button (*), then i can half-press the shutter to lock AE (sometimes multiple times and different parts of the scene until i get the exposure i want), and finally recompose the scene and release the shutter. this is the process i've incorporated when shooting Av or Tv mode, ever since i converted to back button focusing.
well, as mentioned earlier, the M3 only has TWO options equating to #0 and #3 on the M. so no AE locking with the simple half-press.
ok, no biggie... the M3 has THREE other buttons that can be customized with a myriad of other functions, a whopping 15 functions if i'm not mistaken. Surely AE lock can be set to either the a) the MFn button, b) the trash can button, or c) the movie record button... right? wrong!
it appears that the only button that can ever AEL is the splat button, and if you reassign that to AF duties... you're (sh*t) out of luck! i've looked through the M3 user manual, and didn't find anything that would contradict this, either.
seriously? can this be right? another feature lost on the M3 that worked great on the M???
someone please tell me i'm missing something!
i'm beginning to think this camera should have been called the EOSPowerShot M!