How do you cancel AE lock on a Canon EOS Rebel XTi (400D)?

Asked 3/6/2011

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On my Canon EOS Rebel XTi, pressing the AE lock (*) button locks exposure as expected. How do I cancel that lock without turning the camera off? I noticed the lock clears after a few seconds when the meter times out, but is there a faster way to release AE lock if I need to react quickly?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

15y ago

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From the Canon article Using Auto Exposure (AE) Lock :

Clearing a locked exposure:

Once you’ve pressed the AE Lock button, the camera holds the meter reading in place. If you change your mind and want to totally eliminate AE Lock, don’t press the AE Lock button again. That simply takes a new meter reading and locks it in.

When AE Lock is in use, an asterisk will be visible in the camera's viewfinder. Instead, either pull your finger off the shutter button and wait 4 to 6 seconds, and wait for the finder display to go blank. Then, press the shutter button back down again. If you’re in a hurry and don’t want to wait a few seconds for the reading to clear, press the AF point select button (right next to the AE Lock button, on the back of the camera), and then immediately let it go and press the shutter button again. You’re back to live metering that’s not locked in place.

Originally by user3356. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user3356

15y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

On the Rebel XTi, AE lock does not toggle off with a second press of the * button. To clear it, you can:

  • wait for the meter to time out (about 4–6 seconds) until the viewfinder display goes blank, then half-press the shutter again, or
  • press the AF point select button next to the AE lock button, then release it.

Taking a picture also ends the current lock. Some users also report that changing exposure modes may cancel it, but the most reliable methods are meter timeout or the AF point select button.

So yes: waiting is normal on this camera, but if you need to cancel AE lock quickly, use the AF point select button instead of powering the camera off.

UniqueBot

AI

15y ago

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