Ok I've tried...

[iHartVideo]

.. but I just can't figure out how to lock the exposure. Or, it just doesn't seem to work for me.

Is there a video available OR could someone slap one together?

Main question: when I press AE-L it only stays active (as indicated by the AE-L appearing in live-view on the lcd) as long as I hold it pressed. Is this correct?

 

[SparkyZa]

It's in the menu system. You can set it to lock. Here's a great source of info for the D90:
http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d90/users-guide/index.htm

 

[iHartVideo]

Ok... but when its locked does teh AE-L stay on the screen after you let go of the AE-L button?

 

[damonb]

The purpose of locking it in-menu is so you only have to press the button once and let go. It's now assigned to the task so when you press the button, it's locked. Even when you escape LV, it's locked. When AE-L is activated, it is always also on the screen. Escape LV and look through the viewfinder, and you'll see it there. Try it out.

 

[iHartVideo]

Am I correct that setting aperature manually can only be achieved with manual lenses that have an aperature ring? So if I have a lens without the Aperture ring and even if I go to A or M mode and set the aperture to 1.8 it may, or may not, use that aperture?

Later today (when I have my camera in front of me) I will recap exactly what I am doing - perhaps someone can tell me where I am going wrong.

 

[iHartVideo]

What I have done:
1. In the Menu:
Shutter-release AE-L => set to ON
Auto meter-off delay => 30s

2. On camera, not in LV mode:
Turn on
set to spot meter
Focus on well-lit area
Press AE-L button (Note - 'AE-L' only stays lit in viewfinder while button depressed)
Let go of AE-L and quickly press LV

3. Then I move the camera from pointing at the light area to a dark area and I see the ISO change 'steps' as it begins to amplify the darker areas.

What am I doing wrong/missing?

 

[BradM]

you need to have AE-L Lock (hold ) on. So far it seems from what you've said, that you just have AE-L on.

 

[Jurno]

Maybe this will help: http://mnvideopro.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/nikon-d300s-advanced-shooting-techniques-iris-control/

 

[iHartVideo]

Ahhhhh... Brad that helped. Thanks!
Your hint plus this great writeup at http://www.flickr.com/groups/nikon_d300s_users/discuss/72157622690846920/ got me up & running.\\


And yeah, that would have helped for sure, Jurno. Thanks too.

 

[BradM]

Hey no problem. :thumbsup:

 

[Zim]

great tip

 

[iHartVideo]

Just gotta say... WOW this revolutionized my image capturing. This makes the Nikon so much better to use, it's great.

Unfortunately half the new video I'm working on was shot before I knew how to do this. That half involved a lot of people and can't feasibly be reshot. Damn.