Hi guys!

Just bought an EOS 5D as a back up to MFDB and am wondering if it is possible to switch off the light metering lock (AE-Lock) when touching the shutter release button to lock the AF.

What I want is: locking the AF, recompose the picture BUT still have light metering. Right now light metering locks aswell. Could not find it in the camera guide or menue.

Thanks for Input

Best regards,

Clem

I use one of the custom function to have AF on one of the buttons under my thumb, and have only metering and shutter release on the shutter release button. That way I can choose manual or AF focus without changing anything whe\n shooting. I belive you can use a custom funtion to move the metering to one of the thumb buttons as well, but I dont't have the camera or manual here now. Read about the custom functions in the manual.

Ronny, thank you for your quick answer.

This will be a possibility, although I would like the method of switching off AE-lock more as your suggestion also means one more button to be pressed.

Anybody else?

Clem

Look at Custom Function 4. In standard configuration, 4-0, AE lock is "off" and you need to press the "*" button to activate it -- half-press on the shutter only activates the meter and AF, but the meter reamins continuous. If you never want AE lock, CF 4-4 may be the option you want.

YEPP!

Thats what I was looking for! Thank you, Jack, I will try it...

Best,

Clem

Hi again...

I do not have Option 4-4, only 4-0 to 4-3 and unfortunately no option fits my needs. I never want AE lock by the shutter release button.

Though the 5D is brand new - is there possibly a software update necessary?

Thanks,

Clem

Clem:

4-0 is *NO* AE lock on the shutter button, just set it there. With 4-0, you'd need to push the "*" button under your thumb to get lock exposure.

If yours is AE-locking with the *shutter* button when set to 4-0, you have a problem...

And sorry, my bad on 4-4 -- there are 4 total and they start with 0, so 4-3 is the 4th option which is what I meant in my comment above. I am pretty sure that 4-3 is supposed to supress all AE-lock functions. Sorry for the confusion.

Jack,

4-3 gives me AF-lock AND AE-lock aswell. AE-lock lasts until the viewfinder display turns off. Metering starts new when pressing *.

4-0 turns off AE-lock, but AF function aswell and AF starts when pressing *.

4-1 and 4-2 also dont fit.

I need this: halfpress the shutter release and have AF-lock and still free AE metering WITHOUT pressing another button like the *. I am used to it from the Fuji S2, but maybe there simply is no function on the 5D like that.

Best regards,

Clem

You can get what you want, so let's try one more time

FIRST set CF 4 to 0. This will keep AE free and active with a half-press of the shutter button until the moment you do a full press on the shutter button to take a picture. With 4-0, you can but do not have to press the "*" button now for AE Lock.

NEXT make sure your AF is set to ONE SHOT (Set with the Top-Left button above the top LCD). This is where you control AF lock and ONE SHOT will cause AF lock with a half-press of the shutter button.

So you need to do BOTH Of the above to get what you want -- make sense?

Cheers,

Jack! I am glad that someone is so interested into helping, thank you!

But it is disappointing to see, that there obviously is someone looking over my shoulder... this guy is called MURPHY!!!

I do definitely NOT get free AE metering when CF is set to 4-0. Aswell AF was and is always set to One Shot. AE and AF are locked after half-press of the shutter release.

Attention: in my last post above I mixed up 4-0 and 4-3 by accident, it must be vice versa. Sorry for that.

My dealer also said there is no such setting as I want it.

Is it possible that in the US the cameras have another menue? Anybody reading here with a 5D from Europe who might check this?

Thanks,

Clem

The manual states that 4-3 gives AE/AF, but no AE lock. Exposure is done at exposure and should be what you want? In 4-3 you have the option og starting and stopping AI servo AF with <*>.

I think it works the way you want to if you don´t choose "multisegment" metering and instead go for "centerweighted" metering mode. If you use multisegment the EOS cameras also want to know the distance to the object in focus-and therefore it´s not possible to have the focus AND metering mode separated. Try centerweighted! Good luck!

Got it!

On 4-0 I get exactly what I want when the metering mode is ANYTHING ELSE BUT multisegment (which is standard setting). SJAELIN, you are right.

Then just remains the question, if light metering when using a flash (580EX) is more accurate with multisegment, which is what I would believe in because of the distance info.

However - Thank you all.

Best regards,

Clem

Good call sjaelin! Since I don't use that setting myself hardly at all, I forgot that little tidbit

IIRC, you can use Evaluative metering if you also set AF to Continuous -- this combo will allow free AE as well, but obviously focus will not lock. I think this is where CF 4-2 might come in handy for you as it would allow AF lock without AE lock when the "*" button is pressed...