topic Re: Extending viewfinder exposure metering/AF bottom line timeout in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS Rebel T3 Extending viewfinder exposure metering/AF bottom line timeout

BlueChirper — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 13:58:00 GMT

I have an EOS Rebel T3 w/EFS 18-55mm Zoom. The viewfinder exposure metering/AF bottom line timeout is barely 4-seconds long. I hope there is some way of extending this, because that's the way I want to use the camera, like I used to use the old SLMR 35mm Pentax I used to have - where you look thru lens, set shutter and f-stop using center-weighted spot-meter, compensate in your mind, and then shoot - bracketing exposure if necessary. The VF exposure meter is so short there's no time to think/plan your shot.

Thanks

Re: Extending viewfinder exposure metering/AF bottom line timeout

deebatman316 — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 00:29:33 GMT

It looks like its set to 16 seconds. Refer to page 127 of the manual EOS Rebel T3 Manual.

Re: Extending viewfinder exposure metering/AF bottom line timeout

BlueChirper — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 01:44:13 GMT

Yes. I found that menu and increased it to 30-secs, then 1-minute, and even to 30-minutes. But no matter where I set it, the meter in the viewfinder turns off after about 4.5 seconds. I *think* that setting may solely be for the LCD screen on the back of the camera exposure metering (in the 'M' Manual mode)? But not for the meter in the viewfinder?

Re: Extending viewfinder exposure metering/AF bottom line timeout

stevet1 — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 01:45:43 GMT

BlueChirper,

The default setting on your camera is to half-press your shutter button to focus, and if you press the little button that looks like an asterisk (*), it locks your exposure.

As Demetrius said, that should lock your exposure for 16 seconds.

I believe, although I can't swear to it, that if you continue to hold down that * button and don't let go, you can hold that lock for longer than the 16 seconds.

Steve Thomas

Re: Extending viewfinder exposure metering/AF bottom line timeout

BlueChirper — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 01:55:34 GMT

It stays on longer if you keep actively adjusting the shutter & F-stop. But if you don't touch anything (like your thinking/calculating - it goes dark in 4.5 secs no matter what you do). So? Fiddle-while-U-think is the answer. Am getting the hang of it. Thanks for your help.