AE lock

LesDMess · 03-11-2015, 07:20 AM

Pentax was first to design and market aperture priority autoexposure when they released the Electro Spotmatic in 1971. However, they didn't see fit to provide autoexposure lock until 1985 with the Pentax P3/P30. Was this a major ommission or it's no big deal and just switch to manual mode?

**Canada_Rockies** · 03-11-2015, 08:43 AM

I cannot remember the last time I used the AE-L function, ever.

JimC1101 · 03-11-2015, 08:48 AM

The only time I really use it is if I want to meter to the sky and lock AE to reduce blown out pics in a scene. Other than that, I never use it either.

**ChrisPlatt** · 03-11-2015, 02:14 PM

Well implemented AE lock makes autoexposure almost as easy to fully control as manual, and often faster.
Used in conjunction with substitute metering AE lock is a powerful tool. I use it all the time.

IMO the lack of AE lock is the most glaring omission on most Pentax manual focus AE bodies, especially the LX.
Yes, I am familiar with the rationale for not including it on the LX, but I'm not buying that argument.

The K2DMD predates the P series and does include AE lock.

Chris

Last edited by ChrisPlatt; 03-11-2015 at 02:56 PM.

**gofour3** · 03-11-2015, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

The K2DMD predates the P series and does include AE lock.

Yes the K2DMD was the first Pentax SLR to have it when it was released in 1976.

Phil.

**TomB_tx** · 03-11-2015, 04:53 PM

I seldom used AE until I got a body with spot meter and exposure lock (Leica R4). I could pick a spot suitable for "grey" half-press the shutter button to lock, and reframe to compose. I would have loved this on my LX. Now I use the A7 for digital the same way with spot, but with all my SMC-M lenses (and sometimes Leica R).

johnha · 03-11-2015, 05:03 PM

Usually I'd use manual - it's simpler and easier, but AE lock takes on a different meaning when used with HyperManual in the Z-1 (or DSLRs). On the Z-1 when using HyperManual, pressing the 'IF' button (green button on DSLRs) selects the Program line but both aperture & shutter speed can then be tweaked. If you press the AE lock button at this point, it locks the set EV value (combination of aperture & shutter speed) spin either dial and it selects either Av or Tv modes (depending on the dial) using this locked EV value. This means that in HyperManual a few clicks allow you to work in M, P, Av or Tv seamlessly.

rrstuff · 03-11-2015, 05:27 PM

I use it all the time, when there is a scene that has a lot of contrast and when I need to recompose. Particularly, it is useful for some old manual focus lenses where you cannot choose a focus point in 1/3rd of the frame.

stevebrot · 03-17-2015, 01:05 PM

I use AE Lock on my Ricoh XR7 all the time. The button is handy and it sure beats switching to M-mode. The lack of AE lock was one of the reasons why I bought the XR7 over the ME Super back in the day. (The two cameras were the same price, BTW...)

Strangely, I almost never use it on my K-3 or on the K10D while I still had that camera.

Steve

edmundrt · 03-17-2015, 04:51 PM

On cameras with rotary shutter speed dials (classic Chinons, Ricohs etc) I flick round manually to the best balance of exposure. But anything with buttons I use the AEL, because getting to the correct shutter speed manually is far too aggravating. The fact that the ME Super lacks both AEL and a rotary shutter speed dial (and DoF preview) is why I find myself picking up the CE-4s instead of it a lot of the time. It's just so much easier to use.

It is actually useful on the original Program-only P30, since it's a lot quicker than coming out of P mode and matching those LEDs.

Joojoo2010 · 03-17-2015, 05:05 PM

Newer use AE-L function. Reason is that exposure should stay locked until I press AE-L again. Implemented like now makes me take pics thinking that exposure is locked but sometimes its not cos lock will off automatically and thats something I can not accept. So I use M-mode alot...

**Canada_Rockies** · 03-18-2015, 07:59 AM

Originally posted by Joojoo2010

Newer use AE-L function. Reason is that exposure should stay locked until I press AE-L again. Implemented like now makes me take pics thinking that exposure is locked but sometimes its not cos lock will off automatically and thats something I can not accept. So I use M-mode alot...

M is best for me as well. On my K10D M is my USER mode (I only have one). I have it set to my first choice of ISO (the max usable: 400) because I use it most with my M 400, where I need the best shutter speed I can get. Yeah, I know, it's time to buy a K-3.

LesDMess · 03-25-2015, 05:02 AM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

The K2DMD predates the P series and does include AE lock.

Chris

I missed that one likely because I have never owned one.

I can appreciate the utility of a well implemented AE lock but only in conjunction with spot metering and not with center, averaging or any other matrix metering systems.

Joojoo2010 · 03-25-2015, 09:15 AM

+1 AE with spot metering, still remember it was very good idea when using diafilm and exposure can not be adjusted later

**ChrisPlatt** · 03-25-2015, 03:52 PM

Don't need matrix, don't need spot.
Simple center-weighted metering with my brain to mediate its use works fine most of the time.
And when it doesn't it's a learning experience. That's half the fun. Remember fun?
"Getting the shot" 100% of the time sounds pretty boring to me, actually.
Were I a professional photographer I'd probably feel differently.
But that too would kill the joy for me.
Been there, done that...

Chris

03-11-2015, 07:20 AM	#1
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	AE lock Pentax was first to design and market aperture priority autoexposure when they released the Electro Spotmatic in 1971. However, they didn't see fit to provide autoexposure lock until 1985 with the Pentax P3/P30. Was this a major ommission or it's no big deal and just switch to manual mode?

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03-11-2015, 08:43 AM	#2
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	I cannot remember the last time I used the AE-L function, ever.

03-11-2015, 08:48 AM	#3
JimC1101 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Fremont, Ca Photos: Albums Posts: 395	The only time I really use it is if I want to meter to the sky and lock AE to reduce blown out pics in a scene. Other than that, I never use it either.

03-11-2015, 02:14 PM	#4
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,692	Well implemented AE lock makes autoexposure almost as easy to fully control as manual, and often faster. Used in conjunction with substitute metering AE lock is a powerful tool. I use it all the time. IMO the lack of AE lock is the most glaring omission on most Pentax manual focus AE bodies, especially the LX. Yes, I am familiar with the rationale for not including it on the LX, but I'm not buying that argument. The K2DMD predates the P series and does include AE lock. Chris Last edited by ChrisPlatt; 03-11-2015 at 02:56 PM.

03-11-2015, 04:47 PM	#5
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,089	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt The K2DMD predates the P series and does include AE lock. Yes the K2DMD was the first Pentax SLR to have it when it was released in 1976. Phil.

03-11-2015, 04:53 PM	#6
TomB_tx Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,446	I seldom used AE until I got a body with spot meter and exposure lock (Leica R4). I could pick a spot suitable for "grey" half-press the shutter button to lock, and reframe to compose. I would have loved this on my LX. Now I use the A7 for digital the same way with spot, but with all my SMC-M lenses (and sometimes Leica R).

03-11-2015, 05:03 PM	#7
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	Usually I'd use manual - it's simpler and easier, but AE lock takes on a different meaning when used with HyperManual in the Z-1 (or DSLRs). On the Z-1 when using HyperManual, pressing the 'IF' button (green button on DSLRs) selects the Program line but both aperture & shutter speed can then be tweaked. If you press the AE lock button at this point, it locks the set EV value (combination of aperture & shutter speed) spin either dial and it selects either Av or Tv modes (depending on the dial) using this locked EV value. This means that in HyperManual a few clicks allow you to work in M, P, Av or Tv seamlessly.

03-11-2015, 05:27 PM	#8
rrstuff Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pasadena, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,126	I use it all the time, when there is a scene that has a lot of contrast and when I need to recompose. Particularly, it is useful for some old manual focus lenses where you cannot choose a focus point in 1/3rd of the frame.

03-17-2015, 01:05 PM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	I use AE Lock on my Ricoh XR7 all the time. The button is handy and it sure beats switching to M-mode. The lack of AE lock was one of the reasons why I bought the XR7 over the ME Super back in the day. (The two cameras were the same price, BTW...) Strangely, I almost never use it on my K-3 or on the K10D while I still had that camera. Steve

03-17-2015, 04:51 PM	#10
edmundrt Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Nagoya Posts: 577	On cameras with rotary shutter speed dials (classic Chinons, Ricohs etc) I flick round manually to the best balance of exposure. But anything with buttons I use the AEL, because getting to the correct shutter speed manually is far too aggravating. The fact that the ME Super lacks both AEL and a rotary shutter speed dial (and DoF preview) is why I find myself picking up the CE-4s instead of it a lot of the time. It's just so much easier to use. It is actually useful on the original Program-only P30, since it's a lot quicker than coming out of P mode and matching those LEDs.

03-17-2015, 05:05 PM	#11
Joojoo2010 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 306	Newer use AE-L function. Reason is that exposure should stay locked until I press AE-L again. Implemented like now makes me take pics thinking that exposure is locked but sometimes its not cos lock will off automatically and thats something I can not accept. So I use M-mode alot...

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03-18-2015, 07:59 AM	#12
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by Joojoo2010 Newer use AE-L function. Reason is that exposure should stay locked until I press AE-L again. Implemented like now makes me take pics thinking that exposure is locked but sometimes its not cos lock will off automatically and thats something I can not accept. So I use M-mode alot... M is best for me as well. On my K10D M is my USER mode (I only have one). I have it set to my first choice of ISO (the max usable: 400) because I use it most with my M 400, where I need the best shutter speed I can get. Yeah, I know, it's time to buy a K-3.

03-25-2015, 05:02 AM	#13
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235 Original Poster	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt The K2DMD predates the P series and does include AE lock. Chris I missed that one likely because I have never owned one. I can appreciate the utility of a well implemented AE lock but only in conjunction *with spot metering* and not with center, averaging or any other matrix metering systems.

03-25-2015, 09:15 AM	#14
Joojoo2010 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 306	+1 AE with spot metering, still remember it was very good idea when using diafilm and exposure can not be adjusted later

03-25-2015, 03:52 PM	#15
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,692	Don't need matrix, don't need spot. Simple center-weighted metering with my brain to mediate its use works fine most of the time. And when it doesn't it's a learning experience. That's half the fun. Remember fun? "Getting the shot" 100% of the time sounds pretty boring to me, actually. Were I a professional photographer I'd probably feel differently. But that too would kill the joy for me. Been there, done that... Chris