Olympus E-3 User Manual page 34

the shutter release fully. Your subject should now be correctly
exposed.
POWER USER TIP: You can set the AEL button to "memory" setting
so that you do not have to keep it pressed down to retain the meter
reading you have "locked-in". This is useful if you are doing a sequence
of the same subject (like a bird on a branch) as it avoids you having to
re-set the exposure off the subject after each frame is exposed. You will
need, however, to remember to press the AEL button again to clear any
retained reading. (UMpg99)
A very useful custom setting option is available that permits you
to dictate the type of metering to be used at the moment when
the AEL button is pressed. This permits you to leave the camera
meter set to – for example – ESP mode but, at the touch of the
AEL button, to switch to spot metering.
This makes a lot of sense as one usually only needs to use AEL
when your subject forms a small part of the overall scene.
Avoiding the need to first push a function button or access a
menu to switch metering modes saves valuable seconds –
especially when photographing birds or other subjects that tend
to be set against a bright background.
This option does not affect any memory setting that you may
have programmed for the AEL button. Thus it would be possible
to have the meter switch to spot metering and to hold the
metered value in memory until the AEL button is pressed again
to clear the memorised reading.
SPOT METERING WITH HIGHLIGHT BIAS [ • • • • ] Hi
If the meter mode is set to Spot-Hi, then the measurement taken
in the spot metering area will automatically be biased to provide
clean, crisp white areas. This means, of course, that one would
first aim the spot at an area of white in the photograph and then
press AEL.
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