I understand that with the Elan ll the auto focus locks in with the auto exposure. My question is that when you switch to manuel focus what happens with the auto exposure? Where is the reading taken from.

-- David Pascolla (dpascola@mail.slocs.k12.ca.us), July 29, 1999

Answers

David: The camera is still metering the scene when in manual mode, and it is metering with whatever metering pattern you're telling it to use, such as evaluative or spot. Unlike the EOS 1n or EOS 3, the Elan or A2 (in manual mode) does not offer an exposure scale, but only a more "crude" indication of what the camera's meter thinks about the shutter speed and aperture you've chosen (I'm not too familiar with the Elan II, but it's probably similar to the above mentioned earlier bodies). That is, its graphic display of the metering info (check your owner's manual) will (probably) only tell you one of three things: under exposure (indicated by an arrow pointing left); "correct" exposure (indicated by both L and R arrows being lit simultaneously); or overexposure (the R arrow is lit). However, the camera's display will not tell you how much over or under exposed it thinks you are! (To determine this, see my crude explanation below...) Suppose you point the camera at a given scene, set the camera to manual mode, choose an aperture and shutter speed, and then press the shutter button half way, metering the scene in evaluative (or whichever) metering mode. The camera's graphic display will indicate one of the above mention scenarios (-; -/+; or +). If it shows either under or over exposure (rather than what it THINKS is the "correct" exposure), then you are now faced with the question of just how many stops are you over or under exposed (the EOS 1n or EOS 3 displays this info more clearly using an exposure scale). To determine this, first know if the camera's custom function here is set to 1/2 stop or 1 stop increments for varying aperture and shutter speeds. Let's assume it's set for 1/2 stop increments. Next, pick either shutter speed OR aperture (not both at this point), and begin changing that value by 1/2 stops (in whichever direction is required) until the graphic display shows +/-. At this point, by clicking the wheel (AND COUNTING THOSE CLICKS) in either the under or over exposed direction, you now know (by counting) how many stops you are off from what the camera believes the correct exposure is. Depending on the circumstances, you may wish to arrive at the correct exposure by changing the aperture (depth of field) or the shutter speed, while holding the other constant. As you know, you could even monkey with both shutter speed and aperture (manually "shifting the program") while keeping the exposure "correct". So now let's suppose you've obtained correct exposure (+/- is indicated in the viewfinder), but you are shooting slide film and like to underexpose by -1/2 stop to increase color saturation. Yep, you guessed it--you can click either the aperture or shutter speed wheels or dials one click in the (-) direction, and the graphic display should now (assuming constant conditions) display an arrow pointing to the left. You now know that this left pointing arrow is in fact indicating only 1/2 stop underexposure, don't you?

-- kurt heintzelman (heintzelman.1@osu.edu), July 31, 1999.

David, Kurt gave you a beautiful response, but did not respond to your question I don't believe. you are not selecting manual mode, but manual focus via the lens. all metering modes remain available, user selectable, and the central sensor is used in evaluative metering mode. in manual focusing mode, focus, lock exposure as normal using the AE lock button, recompose, and release the shutter. hopefully, light finds its way to the film, energy is exchanged, and you are pleased.

-- Daniel Taylor (aviator@vernonia.com), August 05, 1999.

Daniel is correct--sorry for my error, David and others!

-- kurt heintzelman (heintzelman.1@osu.edu), August 05, 1999.