Using Back Button Focus with Metering?? I'm currently using BBF which, in my opinion, is easy to use. How do I meter the picture though since I no longer can use the shutter button?

Annie B Loc: Maryland

I'm currently using BBF which, in my opinion, is easy to use. How do I meter the picture though since I no longer can use the shutter button? Say I have a harsh background light but I want to meter for the light beside the subject? Normally you'd have the AEL assigned to a button, you'd lock the exposure and take the picture.

I don't have any shortcut buttons left to assign the AEL which makes it even more difficult.

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

I think that you can set the button to meter as well as focus.
Lately I have been having problems with my camera because I was thinking that I wanted to keep the focus and the meter reading.

BrettProbert Loc: Clinton, PA

I use manual mode, meter and set aperture and shutter to desired light, then recompose and shoot.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I use BBF and the shutter button on my Canon still does the metering, half way down.
Check your manual.
(I like them separate.)

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Annie B wrote:

I'm currently using BBF which, in my opinion, is easy to use. How do I meter the picture though since I no longer can use the shutter button? Say I have a harsh background light but I want to meter for the light beside the subject? Normally you'd have the AEL assigned to a button, you'd lock the exposure and take the picture.

I don't have any shortcut buttons left to assign the AEL which makes it even more difficult.

Could it be the two finger salute? Which button handles AEL? Can't you assign that, and isn't that the point? My shutter button still handles AEL, but my focus is on the backside.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

You can always do it the good old fashion way - meter first and set the exposure, then adjust focus and take the picture.

Annie B Loc: Maryland

That's my question...If I assign the focus on the back does my shutter button still lock the exposure?

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Annie B wrote:

That's my question...If I assign the focus on the back does my shutter button still lock the exposure?

In Manual mode, what you set remains set. Assuming you are not using auto-ISO, that is.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Annie B wrote:

That's my question...If I assign the focus on the back does my shutter button still lock the exposure?

It should. That's the idea. If I missed it, apologies, but what's the camera, and how is it set up?

Annie B Loc: Maryland

Sony A6300. I've got the four custom buttons already set up. 1. AF On 2. Eye AF 3. Focus Area 4. Focus Magnifier.

Function Shortcuts
White Balance
Metering Mode
Focus Mode
Smile/Face Detect
Drive Mode
Silent Shooting

Zebra
Picture Effect
Flash Mode
DRO/Auto HDR
Selftimer during Brkt
Finder Frame Rate

Center: Focus Standard
Left Button: Center Lock-On AF
Right: ISO
Down: Exp. Comp.

After much trial and error these are the most used settings. I'd love a few more custom buttons but there aren't any...

I'm not sure if the BBF is used just for action shots and it should be turned off for pics w/out movement or if it's meant to be used in all pics. It's not a quick on/off since there are a few setting to be turned back on to switch the focus back to the shutter button

I could turn the BBF off permanently but I like not having to refocus constantly.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Annie B wrote:

That's my question...If I assign the focus on the back does my shutter button still lock the exposure?

It does on my Canon.
Should be easy to check. Press the shutter half-way, hold it there, and move the camera to a brighter light source. The "selected" aperture/shutter combo should not change.

Annie B Loc: Maryland

I thought that was the case...If I press the shutter button halfway to meter then move it to a lighter or darker area you can see the settings changing. If the meter was set the aperture and shutter wouldn't vary at all

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Annie B wrote:

I thought that was the case...If I press the shutter button halfway to meter then move it to a lighter or darker area you can see the settings changing. If the meter was set the aperture and shutter wouldn't vary at all

You are holding the button halfway while moving the camera, correct?

Annie B Loc: Maryland

Yes. And the Aperture and Shutter Speed change constantly. I did find this article online specifically for the A6300. Turned the AEL w/ shutter off as the article says but I still got the same result.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Sorry, I'm at a loss because I don't know the camera. One other check would be to return focusing to the shutter button and see if the metering still reacts the same way or locks. It appears that the function in the instruction excerpt, turning off never lets the exposure lock, on would. I would imagine that you want that part ON.