What do you use AEL for on a camera

[biglouis]

OK, I know this is an incredibly naive question for someone who feels they are a power user of digital technology but the one feature on all my digital cameras I do not understand is the AEL button.

What exactly does this do and how does it differ from pressing the shutter halfway down to lock focus?

I'm worried that I am missing something important even though this absence of knowledge does not seem to be limiting my creativity.

Any help, much appreciated.

LouisB

 

[Luke]

The only foolish question is the one left unasked. Here's a link that explains it well..... How to use AE lock to control exposure | Digital Camera World

Come back with more questions if you have any.

 

[biglouis]

Thanks, so much. That is the first real explanation I've seen. I've set all my cameras so the AEL button locks exposure until I toggle it off.

LouisB

 

[KillRamsey]

I've "known" what it does if I think about it, but I literally have never used it in over 20k shots on the X100, not once. I set the center box on the area I want to meter on, then reframe and shoot. And if (as the article mentions) that meter spot isn't the right focus distance, I use the EV comp dial to brighten or darken the shot to where I want it.

One of the two always gets me there. But I really should use it... I have it.