Camera button: AE-L and AF-L - what is it?

The AE-L and AF-L buttons on digital cameras have to do with exposure and focus. We explain to you exactly what the key does in our practical tip.

AE-L / AF-L button: Function is set in the menu

AE-L means AutoExposure - Lock, AF-L means AutoFocus - Lock. You can define exactly what the key does in the menu.

• Basically, the button allows you to shoot subjects with automatic exposure or focus not working properly with the correct setting.
• To do this, you can - for example to set the focus correctly - take a simple subject with the AF-L button pressed, for which the autofocus works, and hold the button down. The focus is locked as long as you keep the button pressed and you can use this setting to take pictures of the "more difficult" subject.

AE-L / AF-L button: Set function

You can set which function you set with the button in the camera menu. You can find out exactly how to get to the setting in the operating instructions for your camera.

• AE / AF: If you select this option, the camera will memorize the exposure value and focus while pressing the AF-L / AE-L button. For example, you can ensure that all pictures have the same brightness and sharpness when taking panoramic pictures.
• AE: If you activate this option, the camera remembers the exposure value. So you can put the exposure on another object regardless of the focus.
• AF: This option sets the focus. You can then focus more easily with changing exposure, for example.
• Other possible functions of the button differ from camera to camera. On many models, for example, you can activate AE (n) or AF (n) so that you don't have to hold the button down. You then press the button once and the camera remembers the corresponding value. Pressing again clears the value.