Autoexposure Lock - Nikon Z 8 Reference Manual

Autoexposure Lock

Use autoexposure lock to recompose photographs after setting exposure for a specific area of the
subject. Exposure lock comes in handy when the area used to set exposure is much brighter or darker
than its surroundings.
1
With the subject positioned in the selected focus point
and the shutter-release button pressed halfway, press the
center of the sub-selector to lock exposure.
While the center of the sub-selector is pressed, exposure
will lock at the value metered in an area of the subject
determined by the selected metering option.
An AE-L icon will appear in the shooting display.
If autofocus is enabled, focus will also lock.
2
Keeping the center of the sub-selector pressed, recompose
the photograph and shoot.
129
Exposure