EOS 80D (*) AE Lock button won't let go of previous AE reading

[vze3ryci]

Regarding the * [AE Lock] button on camera... my 80D is set to back-button AF. When I press the * button, it sets the camera up for "lock-in" AE. Then, I press the back-button AF and it focuses and locks-in the exposure value, which is good. However, after I take the photo and press back button AF again, it keeps the old exposure value. How do I reset the exposure value to take a new reading?

[deebatman316]

All the AF-ON button is used for is AF ONLY. It doesn't set or lock the exposure that's what the "*" button is for. Is the built in flash being used or an external flash being used. Page 203 highlights how AE Lock works. EOS 80D Manual 

[p4pictures · Accepted solution]

I'm assuming you used the custom controls to change the AE-lock button aka "star button", so that it is set for AE lock (hold). In this case the lock is released when you press and release the AE-Lock button again. It will also "unlock" when you change mode on the mode dial or when the camera is powered off automatically or with the power switch. 

[stevet1]

vze3ryci,

On my camera (a T8i), when I press the * button, it locks the exposure, but only holds that lock for about six seconds. If I press the AF-ON button, it will hold that lock for as long as I continue to press it.

Perhaps that is what you are doing. Let go of your AF-ON button and  wait for six seconds and see if your exposure lock let's go.

P.S. Just as an aside, the little Depth of Field Preview button on the front of the camera will do the same thing.

Steve Thomas

[vze3ryci]

Thanks, Stevet1, but it's a no-go. Even if I wait an hour or more, it doesn't reset. It just keeps that exposure value locked in.

[vze3ryci]

Thank you, p4pictures. That's the best answer I've gotten so far, and I certainly appreciate that you took the time to address it. It's just that I always thought that after setting AE-lock (hold) and taking any number of photos, if I pressed back-button AF that it would reset & lock-in a new EV, but I guess I was wrong. So, thank you, very much for clarifying.

[vze3ryci]

Thank you, deebatman316 for the explanation, and for posting a link to the manual (I lost mine). I'm sure I'll make use of it moving forward.  Thanks, again.

[p4pictures]

Glad to help. Can you mark my reply as a solution so that others can find it?