rbmitch123

. My question relates to BBF and the light meter. I use a Nikon D810.
This is what I am trying to do. Meter for a beautiful sunset/sky but, at the same time focus on the eyes of the moving subject in the foreground. I can lock on the AE but am out of thumbs to to hold down the AF.
Thoughts?

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

I use BBF with my Olypmus EM1 MKII. I also shoot in manual exposure mode with highlight alert turned on. I can set focus, recompose if needed and then either adjust aperture with right index finger, on the dial just below the shutter button or adjust shutter speed with my thumb on the back dial.

Your Nikon may have a different setup but with BBF, you should be free to use your exposure override.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Do you hold down the AF button for continuous (servo) focusing???

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

rbmitch123 your D810 has highlight-weighted metering (which would likely yield "a beautiful sunset/sky" but I would have to see the actual frame to validate this. btw do not use CUSTOM SETTING; Metering/exposure; b5 Face Detection since it would prioritize exposure for the face and not the sunset (if that is what you're going for).

How to set highlight weighted metering: On the top of the D810, at the far left is the button for metering. Press and hold the metering button; and turn the main command dial (middle) the top rear of the camera body until the highlight-weighted metering icon displays on either the top LCD or back panel.

Important Note: If you are using Auto-White Balance you'll need to select [AUTO2 Keep warm lighting colors] (which sadly can only be accessed from the SHOOTING MENU) and not from pressing the WB button on the top left of the D810 and using the Main Command Dial) if you wish to showcase a warm "Golden" sunset.

As for "focus on the eyes of the moving subject in the foreground..." AF-C group or 9 point might work...
Unlike the Z9 the D810 really isn't at the zenith of the current "Eye Auto-focus" pack...

Best advice: Fast Glass to feed the AF algorithms as much data as possible in "real-time".
At least this has been my experience.... Others may have other suggestions.

Are you shooting Sports/Action?
Below is with a Nikon D810 in 9 point matrix AF in which I used BBF on the girl's eyeglasses... (check download)
Hope this helps or is at least food for thought rbmitch123.

Nikon D810 at 1/2500 with a Tokina AF 300mm f2.8 ATX IF SC; Exposure: Manual with Auto ISO (1/2500 minimum)

(Download)

rbmitch123

Yes

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Use manual metering for the sunset. Then use your back button to take the shot. Meter 45 degrees from the sun and 45 degrees up. Use this exposure and take your shot. I would also use fill flash, set flash to TTL

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

Shoot in manual. Total control over exposure. I usually shoot in manual with Auto ISO in case that moving subject runs into the shadows!

jkm757 Loc: San Diego, Ca.

Program the Pv button on the front of the camera for AE-lock. When you want to lock exposure just push it with your middle finger leaving your thumb free for BBF.

BobPeterson Loc: Massachusetts

It sounds like you want to change the behavior of the AE-L button.
AE lock (Hold) – exposure will be locked when the button is pressed and will stay locked even if you take multiple pictures. The lock will be automatically removed if the camera is inactive for a time period set in the “Auto meter-off delay” menu setting, or can be also removed by pressing the AE-L/AF-L button again.

https://photographylife.com/nikon-ae-l-af-l-button

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Use toggled AEL as your extra thumb, or get out of AE altogether.

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That is NOT "total control of exposure". The exposure will change automatically, which is what the OP wishes to avoid by his use of the AEL button.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

Not if you set ISO to a given value and manual the f-stop and shutter speed. That exposure won't change. It may the incorrect exposure, dark as night or blown up overexposed. but it won't change just because the subject is moving if you are in full manual.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

Meter the sky. Take a test shot if you need to. I probably would. I love test shots. Lock that exposure in with a button or by setting that exposure manually. Now forget that part, frame the shot the way you want using BBF to nail the focus. To make my life easier I have programmed two of the buttons on the front of my camera to do BBF. That keeps my thumb away from that button on the back of the camera.
Treat exposure and focus as two separate things and deal with them one at a time.
...Cam

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