How to Customize the Shutter AE Lock Button on Canon Rebel T6?

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How to Customize the Shutter AE Lock Button on Canon Rebel T6?

The Canon EOS Rebel T6/1300D, equipped with a flip screen, activates autofocus by default with a half-press of the shutter button. Additionally, pressing the AE lock button locks the auto-exposure setting. Understanding the AE lock button and autofocus functionality is crucial for beginners learning the camera’s basic settings, especially for capturing images perfectly and customizing lock buttons.

For first-time Canon EOS Rebel T6/1300D users, it’s important to configure the buttons correctly. This involves changing the settings on the Mode dial to TV, AV, and P. The following section elaborates on the AE and shutter button functionalities.

How do AE and Shutter Buttons Work?

  • Shutter AE Lock or AF: Pressing the shutter AE lock or a button halfway will automatically lock the auto-exposure option. To initiate autofocus, press the AE lock button. This function reverses the default setup.
  • AF/AE Lock: The AE lock is the standard Canon EOS Rebel T6/1300D setting. Autofocus is activated by half-pressing the shutter button, and the AE lock button locks the auto-exposure feature.
  • AF/AF Lock, No AE Lock: Pressing the Canon EOS Rebel T6/1300D shutter button initiates autofocus and exposure. Pressing the AE Lock button locks the focus without affecting auto-exposure.

Mastering AF Lock for Accurate Subject Capture

The focus and exposure settings on the Canon EOS Rebel T6/1300D are designed to prevent focus errors, allowing for precise image capture. The AI Servo mode’s autofocus adjusts focus from the moment the shutter button is half-pressed and continues until the image capture is complete, which is ideal for moving subjects. However, this can be problematic if a moving object near the focus point causes the camera to misfocus.

To address this, use the autofocus lock feature. Half-press the shutter button to engage autofocus, then press the AE Lock button to freeze the focus before capturing the image. Releasing and repressing the button will re-engage autofocus, setting the exposure upon image capture.

Understanding AE/AF Lock Functionality

In the Canon EOS Rebel T6/1300D, the AE/AF Lock mode is engaged with a half-press of the shutter button. Holding the AE lock button continues autofocus in AI Servo mode, ideal for intermittently moving subjects, ensuring exposure is set at the moment of image capture.

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