EOS Rebel T3i - What is Exp.SIM?

[LeeMoff1]

I have a RebelT3i. On the viewfinder screen, in any shooting mode, in the lower right, just above the battery status indicator, I get a flashing indicator "Exp.SIM". I have looked through the Owner's Manual and can't find out what this means. Any clue?

Thanks!

[Okaylook]

Okay looki cleared the settings like one of you guys said but it still won't let me take the picture it just keeps refocusing and refocusing please help me I'm and absolutley and utterly lost right now I just got it today and I already read the manual.. please

[kvbarkley]

OkayLook:

Start your own topic and answer some basic questions:

What camera?

What lens?

What exactly happens?

Are you farther than the closest focus distance for the lens?

Can you focus in live mode?

Can you manual focus

[Caycee]

I am having the same issue with exp.SIM appearing on my screen. I have a EOS Rebel T5. I'm using 18-55mm IS Macro lens. I keep seeing on here about resetting the default settings. I went into my menu looking for this option. I could not find it and then I looked on the CD instruction manual. It was showing more options on the menu screen than I have. Please give me step by step ways to fix this.

[RobertTheFat]

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@Caycee wrote:

I am having the same issue with exp.SIM appearing on my screen. I have a EOS Rebel T5. I'm using 18-55mm IS Macro lens. I keep seeing on here about resetting the default settings. I went into my menu looking for this option. I could not find it and then I looked on the CD instruction manual. It was showing more options on the menu screen than I have. Please give me step by step ways to fix this.

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I think you're overcomplicating this. As has already been pointed out in this thread, the "exp.SIM" display is a side effect of there not being enough light for the autofocus mechanism to operate successfully. The cure is to provide more light, either by brightening the scene or in the form of an autofucus assist beam from a Canon flash unit. Resetting the camera to factory settings is both unnecessary and unlikely to cure the problem.

And yes, recent Canon printed manuals tend to be abbreviated. But the one on the CD should tell you what you need to know.

[Mmb73165]

Blinking exp sim means the display and the picture you take won't look the same. Most likely there is not enough light. The orange box means the camera can't focus. Sometimes it's due to lack of light or the lens can't focus because you are too close to subject. Just be aware that as s newbie, you're going to take a lot of bad pictures. The beauty is that you are not processing film and wasting a ton of money. You might keep a ledger of the settings used so you can start to see what and what doesn't work.

[Amaturephotos]

I have the same issues.... doesn't seem to matter the light situation or distance of object, happens with both lenses. Frustrating as I've got a new grandson and you only have so long to capture that precious look....

[kvbarkley]

Then don't use live view. *everything* is faster when you use the viewfinder.

[Angelaoh]

This camera is probably much more camera than I will ever learn to use.  I am so untech. inclined but it was a gift.  How do I get the flashing white Exp.Sims to stop flashing?  I am indoors and it came on when I was outdoors.  I cannot get it to turn off.

[Angelaoh]

How can I get the Exp.Sims to go off so I can take the photo as is or go on to another photo without having to reset everything?

[kvbarkley]

Just ignore it, it does not affect the picture at all.